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Post by karma on May 2, 2024 6:34:29 GMT
Yesterday a delighful day at The Himalayan Gardens and Sculpture Park, near Grewelthorpe in North Yorkshire .Last visit was pre-Covid but then Covid changed so much, such as rarely use a lift now when there are stairs. Took just over an hour to get there in the car a delightful drive though passing Fewston and other reservoirs through Nidderdale onto narrow country roads, up hills and down dales ,literally.
The Gardens are set in a 'self contained' valley with plenty of steps up and down , lakes at the bottom and well-set-out and clear paths - if I'm not selling this due to the effort involved, I need exercise and push myself when I can, it was hard for me at times but 'no pain no gain'. As the name implies lots of the trees are Himalayan in origin and the plants too. We had just entered and Mrs karma showing her prowess with all the names of the plants pointed out an Erythonium (I think) adding " that's Dog-toothed violet", (to me). I always admire people who can speak a foreign language in this case all the Latin names and understanding of plants.
Made our way down , across and up the other side of the gardens passing many fabulous Rhododendrons , Azaleas and others, most in full flower ( a full month ahead of our own garden), made our way to a Himalayan hut which must have been dis-assembled in the Himalayas , carried down by a whole raft of sherpas , shipped to the Uk and place high up for visitors.There's also a 'reproduction' of a viking hut (better than it sounds and lower down on the edge of a lake a 'Japanese' building (looking a little like a bandstand) but abutting one of the lakes
There are dozens of sculptures throughout the gardens , some eye-wateringly beautiful and with eye-wateringly high prices, A map is provided to search these out. Some of the sculptures I could have made and given a made-up name but the majority are stunning and finding the next one adds to the walk.
I learned a lot from my visit , so exercising brain as well as body, For instance I learned how pineapples got their name. Pineapples, I understand were what pinecones were originally called . When the pineapple fruit (ananas) was discovered in the South Americas and brought to England they took the name pineapple and the cones that make up so many Christmas decorations took the name pinecones.
All that exercise made us hungry , made our way to the cafe which has a wide menu even for vegetarians like us and all home-made. I had Chickpea and Lentil Tikka served with Naan bread and yoghurt , Mrs karma chose sweet potato, spinach, soya bean and coconut biriyani with 'hot' plum chutney. All fabulous , so much so upon leaving I went to thank the staff .They confirmed what Mrs karma though , namely that the recipe didn't come out of a jar . For non-veggies ,there's a really attractive menu too.
After lunch we did another circuit but at a lower level and by the lakes .There is a plant centre where you can buy some of the things you've seen and if you really want there are 'holiday' cottages for those who want to stay longer .
We left tired but full and we'll be back sooner next time . Slept like a log .....
Nb entrance is by pre-booked payment
(£13:50 pp) via their website, I think they try not to have the gardens rammed-full .
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Post by hawke on May 2, 2024 7:15:22 GMT
interesting
I had not heard of the place
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Post by davemorton on May 2, 2024 10:25:50 GMT
No, I don't know it either. Regarding rhododendrons, I managed to upset Kent supporters by pointing out that the plant is an intrusive alien weed, poisonous to animals. I photographed some nice forget-me-nots yesterday, in my shared garden. I have a few venues in the pipeline, including Riddlesden Hall (closed today) and Cliffe Castle, which looks very good, inside and out. I like architecture and plants more than I like interiors. I will probably settle for Heaton Park this afternoon...which I grew to hate so much during lockdown. It will be my first visit since those awful summers, nobbut a few hundred yards away. By the way, for identifying plants + Latin names, etc, there's a Google app called Google Lens. You could appear quite learned, if you wanted to... I got my forget-me-nots from this (myosotis). I think I've got the wrong chromosomes to know the names of flowers, www.flickr.com/photos/forwarddefensive/53691957425/in/album-72177720315285876/ |
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Days Out.
May 2, 2024 12:29:05 GMT
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Post by karma on May 2, 2024 12:29:05 GMT
Riddlesden Hall - I've never been inside apart from the shop and cafe, and although rather small the building is interesting outside with a lovely duck pond and medieval Great Barn (I think) .
I also think I might use that app and surprise my wife with my sudden knowledge about plant and flower names. On the other hand , I don't want to deprive Mrs.karma of that power.
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Post by hawke on May 20, 2024 20:57:07 GMT
A trip to Morecambe and a stay at the Art Deco Midland Hotel. Friendly staff and good food with terrific views of course over Morecambe Bay to the Lake District. Heysham is a smashing little spot at the southern end of the long long promenade. Visited the local cricket ground where I once captained Lancaster University2nds. We lost and I did not make many….
Lancaster Castle is visited by a tour. Very interesting history and a visit to the prison and court rooms. Excellent cafe.
The Lancaster Maritime Museum is also interesting. Much about the sea and bay, also the Slave Trade.
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Post by hawke on May 20, 2024 21:07:04 GMT
Excellent circular walk today from Burnsall to Parcivall Hall and Trollers Gill. Parcivall Hall has an excellent tea room.
There are gardens but we did not venture inside. Trollers Gill is an interesting limestone gorge. 8 miles and I’m jiggered.
Oh saw the Burnsall village cricket ground which Dave Morton once photographed for the previous Corridor site. It consists of 2 benches, a roller and one strip. Last time we checked Burnsall played in a Dales villages evening league. It’s near the river on the opposite bank to the main street, over the old bridge.
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Days Out.
May 26, 2024 21:03:47 GMT
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Post by karma on May 26, 2024 21:03:47 GMT
This is about a pretty ordinary half-day out, nothing special but every day you can go out is special regardless of where you go and what you do. Can't always manage it but when we can good for our physical and mental wellbeing 🚶♂️🚶♀️
Woke up today to more rain so when I took Mrs karma her cup of tea I suggested we get our brollies and go out to Otley to stretch our legs . Free parking on Sunday and turned right at the river past Buon Apps ( I think that's the restaurant's name) and went a few yards further to see the turbines at the top of the weir. They weren't working again, river has been high for months and I suspect floating branches and other debris would damage the workings.
Kept walking brollies aloft amazing number of dog walkers I always say hello to these people and if they respond , ask the name of their dogs and then call the dogs name followed by "sit" - it usually works . Dogs love you to make a fuss of them, there's something about a dog's tail wagging when you talk to them that makes me smile 🐕
Did a couple of miles, began to tire a little so turned back and crossed over the river . Another dog walker, in this case a man in shorts with a baby in a pushchair and a free range dog doing it's business on the grass. He was picking the poo up in a doggie bag, stopped for a chat. I said " has your wife said to you, I don't want to see the three of you until tea-time?". 'No" , he said very cheerfully "my wife's gone to Belfast for the weekend so we're allowed home anytime we want, I'm in charge" What a hero , I thought I used to go out with our daughter in the pram to give my wife a rest but without a dog.
The crazy golf is long gone but there was one youngish man pushing his maybe 3 year old daughter on the swings . I thought I'll bet he said to his daughter , 'it's raining so we'll miss the swings today'. I could just imagine her saying ' I don't mind the rain' And she didn't 🌧
Onward towards the main road bridge passing a row of tethered pleasure boats, Mrs karma asked, " I wonder if they issue life jackets when you go out in those?" Cheerful thought!
Over the Bridge the rivel level has dropped a lot and onto Otley Farmers Market. Local bar was setting up seating under an awning, I went in to order two ☕️ ☕️
The bar owner was carrying the six-foot long fuselage (no wings) that he is building of a Spitfire . I actually said "In my day it was glider not powered planes" adding, "I made a Yoeman Rambler , 33" wingspan , launched it from the top of York Knavesmire, took me half a day to find it" He recognised the model nodding appreciatively. I think he was being kind.He was planning to close at 12:00 after the market shuts so he could watch Leeds United at Wembley, buses left locally full of LU's supporters at 08:00 . Wished him luck.
Bought ingredients to make a vegetable lasagne on the market and a tomato bread loaf for lunchtime sarnies plus two individual lemon tarts to have with afternoon coffee. Mrs karma bought some fresh ricotta cheese (from the Sardinian man we see at various farmers markets) The cheese is for a spinach and ricotta cannelloni she'll make it using pancakes instead of pasta tubes. We don't eat a massive amount but having a veggie diet (or any special diet) means you just have to plan meals a little more.
Then visited the memorial adjacent to the local church of the builders of the Bramhope Railway tunnel ( which also acts as a National memorial to all the ' Navies' who have died digging these railway tunnels) Worth a visit 🚄
Went home and I made vegetable lasagne for tea delicious, other half on Monday! Yum.
Ordinary day out. Enjoyed it tremendously☔️ ☂️
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Days Out.
May 27, 2024 7:01:35 GMT
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Post by hawke on May 27, 2024 7:01:35 GMT
Buon Apps by the Wharfe is well recommended for meals. We have enjoyed coffee and cake there. I really like Otley with its market place, stone buildings, river and rugby ground. Yes the memorial is interesting and not well known.
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Post by karma on Jun 8, 2024 19:23:56 GMT
You will probably gather I often go to RHS Harlow Carr near Harrogate partly for exercise in beautiful surroundings away from road traffic .I always go with Mr's karma because apart from her being very good company, she's a member and I get in for 'free'
Yesterday I saw something incredible (to me at least) , I'm still excited about it thought I would share it
We took in with us at the 9:30 opening, takeaway coffees from Betty's together with a couple of eccles cakes, which have so much butter in the pastry that I've started taking stating to allow for this. Made our way round to the summer house in the 'tropical' garden and opened the doors to sit inside as the rain started falling. We usually do a Crossword or Codeword while devouring the coffee and eccles cakes .
Usually too a robin comes in quite bravely picking up and devouring crumbs that we let fall on the floor or tip out of the Betty's bag. There was one and then two robins doing this and then we saw a young (fledgling) to one side under a bush. The two adults were in turn taking bits of cake and feeding the fledgling. That's it but incredible! We've never seen that before held our attention for ages .Well until we'd finished our coffee and cakes and set off for exercise with Mrs karma pointing out the Candelabra Primulas
I appreciate this might not sound interesting but I was spellbound . Robins, my favourite bird, brave as hell , the Rob Burrow of the bird world.
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Post by newby on Jun 9, 2024 10:24:59 GMT
Nature and the weather are a great help in making any time out of doors special. I went out for a bog standard circular walk last week from our house, along the sea cut, also known as Scalby beck, and back up through the forestry at Raincliffe woods back round to home. About 2 hours worth at my top speed.
It's quite a pleasant walk but I do it generally at a rather fast pace to get some fresh air in, climb a hill and tick off the health box rather than taking in the scenery.
I can't remember what day it was now but the weather was perfect, early evening, blue sky, warm but not hot, and just a gentle breeze. A kingfisher zooming along the beck was the first highlight, followed by a Grey Heron which kept pace with me for about a mile along the cut. I also spotted an early barn owl just out for the evening, my bird watching was rounded off by a cute family of geese cavorting on the Mere.
I did the same walk again on Friday, it was a bit windy and chilly, and all I saw, or noticed, were dogs dogs and more dogs. I'm not a dog person.
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Post by newby on Jun 27, 2024 10:13:49 GMT
On Monday, a teacher training day left me with two boys, 5 and 8 to look after. It was blazing hot so I didn't want to drive them very far, so ended up at Harewood House and gardens. The house was shut for some filming anyway so it was just the gardens and the play areas.
They have been promising to change the main play area, usual stuff, for a while now, thought it might have happened this winter, but still just a promise. It being a week day the boys had the whole thing very much to themselves, nice for a bit, but a bit short of people to chase after a while.
The Himalayan garden's are very well done and would be nice to spend a quiet few hours, minus children of course. Some lovely trees covered in flowers, no idea what they were but very attractive. Unfortunately my better half is in a wheelchair these days, and despite her super dooper all terrain model many of the paths were too narrow, not to mention the stepping stones, though we managed the little ferry across the lake.
Nice courtyard area with a good range of food and drink available, perhaps a bit on the pricey side as usual in these places. Shuttle bus system to get you around if you need it.
Entry isn't cheap, memberships is the better option if you live close. Competing with Harlow Carr I would say, though 15 rather than 45 minutes away from Leeds.
I enjoyed the day, though the combination of a sedate stroll pushing a wheelchair, and two kids who are inquisitive and like seeing what's round the corner, but really would prefer being chased all day wasn't ideal.
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Post by slowleftarmer on Jul 12, 2024 12:06:09 GMT
3 days in London with middle day at Lords for day 1 of the test. So a trip to some of the sites, Maritime Museum on Tuesday is well worth a trip and for second time I went to the Churchill War Rooms which are a must if you are in London.
We also took a boat taxi down the Thames which has to be better than the Underground to get back from Canary Wharf as you see many of the London sights from viewpoints you cannot get on the pavements.
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Post by karma on Jul 12, 2024 17:56:27 GMT
Always enjoyed visiting London, Last time just pre-Covid in 2020 to see the Tutenkhamun exhibition at the Saatchi gallery , science Museum and my wife to the V&A .But your choices seem ideal SLA.There is so much to see.
Haven't been back since 2020 as I have little immunity and all those packed tube trains would give me nightmares. Some people say the best thing to come out of London is the M1 but I disagree, there's lots to see and do but I've always been glad to leave in the knowledge that I can go back to see Postman's Place, Foundling Museum, John Soames House, National Portrait Gallery etc etc
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Days Out.
Jul 12, 2024 18:16:12 GMT
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Post by hawke on Jul 12, 2024 18:16:12 GMT
Our recent trip to London took in many interesting places as well as The Oval, some of which have been mentioned. National Portrait Gallery, Foundling Museum, Naval Museum, Imperial War Museum, Greenwich, Hampstead Heath, the Uber Thames Clipper, Battersea Park, Russell Sq Gardens oh it’s endless isn’t it.
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Days Out.
Jul 12, 2024 20:06:46 GMT
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Post by karma on Jul 12, 2024 20:06:46 GMT
......And HMS Belfast, Borough Market, Harrods Food Hall, walking by the Thames, Natural History Museum, 'Barkers' ( Kensington High Street) , The Wallace Collection, Cutty Sark, Paul's Patisserie for blueberry tart, Holland Park, Champagne Bar at St Pancras Station, Leighton House (nr Holland Park)
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