With the grey and drizzly weather inhibiting some of our original plans, we drove to the beautiful Harrogate, Yorkshire to visit one of my favourite places in the North of England - the infamous Betty's!
A well established and respected Yorkshire tea house, Betty's delivers some of the best homemade good british food and cakes you can ever have! Although - no-one has any clue who 'Betty' was!
We'd been told the two best dishes were the fish and chips or the Welsh rarebit. Faced with the tough decision both J and I opted for the rarebit. To warm our icy fingers, we started with freshly baked bread and spicy tomato soup before being presented with our Welsh rarebit. Cooked and served in a pan, it was a cheesy delight, with bacon and a delicious array of sauces and spicy relish. To finish off i selected a cherry and frangipani tart from the dessert cart which was perfectly crumbly and fragrant!
We walked around the bountiful antique and boutique shops in the Harrogate streets before being chased away by the oncoming hail!
AB and I went to pick up my twin cousins from school and we spent the afternoon playing and charting away with them before getting them ready for football practice.
Dinner for that night was a new cuisine for me - Thai! We were the first customers in the restaurant but within 15 minutes the place was buzzing and packed! Unsure of what to order - we chose a range of (mild!) dishes to share - curries, fish, chicken and beef which all disappeared quickly!
After driving back from Leeds, anticipation for final IB results was mounting and led to a drama filled night!
Monday, January 23, 2012
2nd January 2012 - Goodbye Edinburgh
Not wanting to leave without having a proper look at Edinburgh castle, we woke up early to ensure we saw it before catching the train back to Manchester. Even before opening time, the queue for tickets was quickly increasing - many of the visitors who had descended on Edinburgh for Hogmanay obviously sharing the same idea as us!
The sheer size and age of the castle is impressive enough, and it's extensive history equally fascinating. A highlight was the view of Edinburgh from its battlements, although it duly reminded me that we had not had enough time to climb Arthur's seat - something that had been in my checklist to do before we left. Save that one for my return!
After exploring the 'dungeons', towers, military exhibitions and the Scottish crown jewels it was time to head to the train station.
The train was packed and with a problem with seat reservations for everybody with a ticket on the train we were lucky to have a seat!
We arrived back in Manchester just over 3 hours later, a little travel weary and very hungry!
The sheer size and age of the castle is impressive enough, and it's extensive history equally fascinating. A highlight was the view of Edinburgh from its battlements, although it duly reminded me that we had not had enough time to climb Arthur's seat - something that had been in my checklist to do before we left. Save that one for my return!
After exploring the 'dungeons', towers, military exhibitions and the Scottish crown jewels it was time to head to the train station.
The train was packed and with a problem with seat reservations for everybody with a ticket on the train we were lucky to have a seat!
We arrived back in Manchester just over 3 hours later, a little travel weary and very hungry!
1st January 2012 - Edinburgh day 3
Feeling rather ahem...tired after the previous night, we woke up and went for lunch at Jane's house, seeing my cousin for the first time in a long while and meeting the rest of the extended family. A lovely buffet lunch surrounded by excitement and remaining remnants of Christmas and new year celebrations led to the ultimate entertainment - an attempt at just dance on the wii! J refused however, probably not yet ready to unleash his moves so early in the afternoon!
After lunch, we walked Fergus along the Edinburgh beaches, greatly appreciating my warm gloves and scarf as the bitter wind blew against us as we walked towards the dunes.
A great surprise awaited us about halfway - a group of 3 beach goers heading straight into the 5 degree sea! Some had even taken the Scottish tradition of the Loony Duk even further and were skinny dipping!
As the sun began to set, we watched from the top of the dunes. Soon however the wind became too strong and we drove home, our Edinburgh trip coming to a close. After a delicious homemade dinner, and watching the new series of Sherlock -( no one does tv like the English!) went to sleep for the last night in Edinburgh.
After lunch, we walked Fergus along the Edinburgh beaches, greatly appreciating my warm gloves and scarf as the bitter wind blew against us as we walked towards the dunes.
A great surprise awaited us about halfway - a group of 3 beach goers heading straight into the 5 degree sea! Some had even taken the Scottish tradition of the Loony Duk even further and were skinny dipping!
As the sun began to set, we watched from the top of the dunes. Soon however the wind became too strong and we drove home, our Edinburgh trip coming to a close. After a delicious homemade dinner, and watching the new series of Sherlock -( no one does tv like the English!) went to sleep for the last night in Edinburgh.
Hogmanay - Edinburgh
Fireworks, live music from the likes of traditional scottish bands, friendly fires, wild beasts and mark ronson, beautiful views of the illuminated Edinburgh castle and 80,000 people - were clearly going to be the perfect recipe for a great New Years! The atmosphere was amazing, jovial and friendly - everybody wishing everyone happy new year and striking up conversation, caught up in the madness of Hogmanay! Despite fireworks every hour on the hour leading up to midnight, the countdown seemed to arrive out of the blue and arm in arm with strangers and friends, the crowd broke into a huge drunken chorus of Auld Lang Syne. After the most amazing entrance into 2012, we arrived back home at just before 4am and failed to wake until nearly 10 hours later...
Sunday, January 15, 2012
31st December - Edinburgh day 2
We were obviously even more tired than we had realised and managed a full 12 hours of sleep! After having breakfast and witnessing J's first experience with weetabix, a healthy appetite and a smaller bowl than he is used to, we got ready and ventured into town.
Edinburgh's public transport system is an interesting one - namely very limited as they currently try to reinstall (?) the tram system they took out some years ago. We were dropped off at the park and ride station, about a 15 minute journey from Edinburgh Waverley. Complex ticket machines that would take only credit cards confused more than just us, and with so many lost expressions it became clear that tourists were outnumbering locals.
Once in town, I spotted my good old friends Topshop, Primark and H&M. As became reacquainted with them, J found himself free wi fi and a hot drink.
Shopping cravings quickly satisfied, we walked up and down princes street sorting out where we would go when we returned for Hogmanay celebrations later in the night.
Feeling slightly peckish, we returned to the Christmas market and got ourselves huuuuge Angus beef burgers topped with cheese, bacon, onions and tomato relish from a stall. We sat down at a nearby bench to tackle the messy, greasy but delicious food. The atmosphere of the street was celebratory, the aftermath of Christmas and the anticipation of New Year.
I managed to convince J to go on the Edinburgh Wheel, a smaller cross between the London eye and a ferris wheel which was fun, spinning round and admiring the views of Edinburgh.
Whilst on the wheel, we spotted the Walter Scott monument and decided to seek adventure and climb to it's top. Hundreds of stairs later, the views wee magnificent if not concerningly windy! The stairs, as in many old buildings became increasingly narrow and low proving a problem for tall J!
With not enough time to properly see the castle, we decided to save it for another day and instead head on home and prepare for the night ahead!
B x
Edinburgh's public transport system is an interesting one - namely very limited as they currently try to reinstall (?) the tram system they took out some years ago. We were dropped off at the park and ride station, about a 15 minute journey from Edinburgh Waverley. Complex ticket machines that would take only credit cards confused more than just us, and with so many lost expressions it became clear that tourists were outnumbering locals.
Once in town, I spotted my good old friends Topshop, Primark and H&M. As became reacquainted with them, J found himself free wi fi and a hot drink.
Shopping cravings quickly satisfied, we walked up and down princes street sorting out where we would go when we returned for Hogmanay celebrations later in the night.
Feeling slightly peckish, we returned to the Christmas market and got ourselves huuuuge Angus beef burgers topped with cheese, bacon, onions and tomato relish from a stall. We sat down at a nearby bench to tackle the messy, greasy but delicious food. The atmosphere of the street was celebratory, the aftermath of Christmas and the anticipation of New Year.
I managed to convince J to go on the Edinburgh Wheel, a smaller cross between the London eye and a ferris wheel which was fun, spinning round and admiring the views of Edinburgh.
Whilst on the wheel, we spotted the Walter Scott monument and decided to seek adventure and climb to it's top. Hundreds of stairs later, the views wee magnificent if not concerningly windy! The stairs, as in many old buildings became increasingly narrow and low proving a problem for tall J!
With not enough time to properly see the castle, we decided to save it for another day and instead head on home and prepare for the night ahead!
B x
30th December - Edinburgh
The train to Edinburgh was packed full of revellers all with the same intention: Hogmanay! With two window seats we were in prime position to admire the breathtaking views along the way from Manchester. The weather was cold and the skies a light grey but the rolling hills and surrounding landscape were a variety of vivid greens, yellows and browns - providing a sight better than a picture perfect postcard. It was the quintessential English countryside - matched by nothing.
Following these were some amazing views of the lake district before crossing the border into Bonnie Scotland! Our hopes were raised and then immediately dashed at seeing a thin peppering of snow on the hills which quickly disappeared.
The journey was just over 3 hours but passed easily. Lugging our suitcases off the train, we immediately spied some familiar faces.
After depositing our suitcases in the car boot, we were taken on a wander around the streets of Edinburgh to get our bearings for New Years Eve the following day.
It didn't take long for me to fall in love with Edinburgh, remanents of Christmas decorations and lights still lining Princes Street, the beautiful architecture and the romantic atmosphere I felt! Despite the pouring rain that ensued, we explored the Christmas market, grabbing a huge steaming 'hog roast roll' piled high with apple sauce for lunch. We spotted the castle standing high atop the hill, looking out over the whole of Edinburgh and walked around the outside. Even now, the entrance is both imposing and majestic - a figure if stability and strength.
To escape the rain, a visit to a local pub was suggested. The first was a seemingly small one, but upon entry it was packed, every nook and cranny crammed with dark wooden tables and chairs filled by animated conversations and beer. Inside was a maze - twisting corridors and stairs but no spaces!
We then found ourselves in an Irish pub (yes, in Scotland I know!) with four chairs but no table. A group of Irish travellers saw our soaked, probably pathetic looking faces and struck up conversation gladly sharing their table and warmth with us. I tried my first (half) pint of larger (not a fan!) and J his first pint of Guinness (similar reaction but still drunk it...and mine!)
The rain became too much and we headed home, had a delicious cooked dinner of roast pork and vegetables and apple and blackberry crumble. With an eventful day and new years eve in mind, we found ourselves falling asleep quickly and gladly.
B x
Following these were some amazing views of the lake district before crossing the border into Bonnie Scotland! Our hopes were raised and then immediately dashed at seeing a thin peppering of snow on the hills which quickly disappeared.
The journey was just over 3 hours but passed easily. Lugging our suitcases off the train, we immediately spied some familiar faces.
After depositing our suitcases in the car boot, we were taken on a wander around the streets of Edinburgh to get our bearings for New Years Eve the following day.
It didn't take long for me to fall in love with Edinburgh, remanents of Christmas decorations and lights still lining Princes Street, the beautiful architecture and the romantic atmosphere I felt! Despite the pouring rain that ensued, we explored the Christmas market, grabbing a huge steaming 'hog roast roll' piled high with apple sauce for lunch. We spotted the castle standing high atop the hill, looking out over the whole of Edinburgh and walked around the outside. Even now, the entrance is both imposing and majestic - a figure if stability and strength.
To escape the rain, a visit to a local pub was suggested. The first was a seemingly small one, but upon entry it was packed, every nook and cranny crammed with dark wooden tables and chairs filled by animated conversations and beer. Inside was a maze - twisting corridors and stairs but no spaces!
We then found ourselves in an Irish pub (yes, in Scotland I know!) with four chairs but no table. A group of Irish travellers saw our soaked, probably pathetic looking faces and struck up conversation gladly sharing their table and warmth with us. I tried my first (half) pint of larger (not a fan!) and J his first pint of Guinness (similar reaction but still drunk it...and mine!)
The rain became too much and we headed home, had a delicious cooked dinner of roast pork and vegetables and apple and blackberry crumble. With an eventful day and new years eve in mind, we found ourselves falling asleep quickly and gladly.
B x
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Coming soon...
Firstly, apologies for the lack of recent posts. Constant traveling has meant a few technical difficulties and sometimes lack of internet. But fear not! We will endeavor to fill in the blanks ASAP, and tell the tales of Edinburgh, Manchester, Bedford and London and the start of our continent tour! B xo
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