Dear All,
Well there has been what my father would have called “a lot of
shanking about” since my last letter: Moldova, 3 days catching up and a visit to
Docwra Manor then six days in Yorkshire.
I think I sent you all the report of the Moldova trip so I will not
repeat myself. I haven’t had time to sort all the photos yet but hope to put
them on Dropbox this week.
The three days back involved a lot of sowing, planting and weeding
although Kate had done a good job in preventing serious frost damage. No matter
how mild it has been there always seems to be a frost while I am away. In
addition, the cricket pitch needed preparing for the first match of the season
and we had a chapel outing to Docwra Manor gardens at Shepreth. This is the
home of Faith Raven, mother of Sarah Raven who is a renowned garden writer and
runs a plant nursery. She is married to Adam Nicolson from Sissinghurst – a descendant
of Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville-West. It is an interesting garden with
several distinct areas.
Docwra Manor
The Yorkshire trip was with our U3A Walking Group organised with
usual precision by Philip Shaw. We left on Sunday taking Jutta with us, she is
a German lady who lost her husband just over a year ago. A few of us stopped en
route at Gilling East and walked to Ampleforth School. This has the finest
array of sports fields and facilities I have ever seen at a school – truly a
site of privilege! Lawrence Dallaglio, the ex England Rugby captain was evidently
a difficult former pupil.
Ampleforth School
Most of our group of 36 were staying at Sneaton Castle, Whitby but 6
of us were in B&B nearby. I think we did not miss out too badly as they
were not too impressed with their “School Dinner” catering – give them a spell
in Moldova I say!
On Monday our first Whitby walk was to Robin Hood’s Bay along the
coast. The weather was extremely hot and the views excellent. 10 of us walked
back on an inland route eventually clocking up 15 miles.
Near Robin Hood’s Bay
Tuesday both short and long walks involved a railway journey, the
longer walk to Danby and a return across Little and Greater Fryup Dales,
Glendale Rigg and the Esk Valley – 16 miles this time. This was followed by a
meal in the famed “Magpie” Fish Restaurant offering a choice of about15 sorts
of fish.
Overlooking Little Fryup Dale
On Wednesday the organised walk was on the coast again but north
this time. We had reccied this in February so took the day off taking the train
again from Grosmont to Goathland exploring around Goathland then walking back
to Grosmont. (8 miles)
Near Malyan Spout
Thursday was the Ruswarp loop walking from the castle up onto the
moors and dales above Whitby, meeting up with the short walkers for lunch at
Falling Foss only 12 miles making 60 miles for the week.
The Hermitage
The return journey on Friday was direct with no planned stops so we
were home by 3.30 pm with more gardening and cricket pitch preparation to catch
up. Amazingly we did not have any rain in Whitby while most of the rest of the
country – including Over seemed to have been soaked.
Love
Mike & Kate
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