City and Country

Our Easter holidays were slow and quiet and aside from my solo trip to Dorset we hadn't made any plans to go anywhere or do anything out of the ordinary. J was working during the second week and the Little People are now at an age where their own agendas take priority over what Mum thinks they should do. 

At the start of each school holiday I always ask Little B if there is anything special he would like to do, or anywhere he would like to go, and the answer is always a very firm No. He is simply not bothered, preferring his own company and to stay within the comfort zone of his bedroom. Last week however, I was making plans to go to the City with Little Lady and he unexpectedly said that he would like to come along too. Well, I was absolutely delighted and I immediately booked a table for a meal and got our train tickets sorted before he could change his mind.

Little Lady said she preferred to shop for clothes by herself so for some of the time it was just Little B and me. We pootled around the shops, mostly just looking but he was very encouraging when I said I might like to buy myself something new to wear for the Spring, perhaps just a t-shirt to wear with jeans or something. He helped me choose, and well, I am pretty surprised to tell you I bought something yellow! I hardly ever wear yellow (most of my clothes are on the blue/green part of the spectrum) so it came as quite a shock to find that yellow was calling my name. If you are curious to see, it's ((this top)) from my fave brand Seasalt.

The other thing I wanted to shop for was new bedding, something I've been thinking about since back last year. Again, Little B was a huge help, offering suggestions and assisting me in my choices and he really seemed to genuinely enjoy himself. I'm SO happy with my new bedding, I had ummed and ahhhed over it last time I was in John Lewis in November, so finding that I still loved it as much 5 months later convinced me to splash out and buy it. I'll remember to take some photos of it to show you in another post very soon. It's just lovely.

Little Lady chose where she wanted us to eat, it was a restaurant that we'd visited last summer for lunch and it had obviously made an impression on her. It's right in the middle of the city centre, a restaurant chain called Bill's which serves Mediterranean inspired food. We had booked for an 11am breakfast/brunch and I can tell you that it was very yummy.....

.....doesn't it look good? I went for the Mediterranean breakfast (poached eggs, feta, chopped salad, labneh, chilli oil & toasted flatbread) and the only thing I wasn't too sure about was the labneh. It was quite sour tasting (like a tart yoghurt dip) which put me off a bit, especially when eaten with eggs? But overall, yup, my belly was very full and satisfied after polishing off that little lot. 

Truthfully I was still feeling a bit under the weather for most of last week and wasn't sure how well I would cope with a whoile day in a busy city centre. I'm happy to report that the change of scenery and pace was surprisingly refreshing and although by the end of the day I was absolutely dead on my feet (having walked over 17,000 steps) I really enjoyed myself. The Little People were great company and I think/hope they had a good day out too.

Little B is 12 so still a child (albeit an exceptionally mature one) and I do still like to treat him according to his actual age for the most part. For example, I think it's important for him to take breaks from his screen and gaming from time to time so that he can benefit from being out in nature, and this isn't something he readily agrees to. Its takes a firm parenting stance to make it happen and he always grumbles about it, but then seems to really enjoy walking and being with us out and about once we get going.

We drove out into the Yorkshire Dales on Easter Sunday morning to do a six mile circular walk which we know very well and love in all seasons.

Because we knew the village would get very busy, we made a huge effort to set off early so that we would be easily able to park the car. Honestly I am amazed that we manage to do these kinds of things, it does take some considerable planning and determination to get out of the house by 8am.

As you can see, it was well worth the effort - blissfully quiet footpaths and the most stunning morning light were ours to enjoy.

It was good to see the horse chestnut "sticky buds" already beginning to unfurl in the spring warmth - another month from now and the treetops will be full of the most delicious fresh greenery and my heart will be so happy to see it.

We weren't the only ones out and about on this early morning!

Strolling along beside the river is a very tranquil thing to do on a sunny bank holiday Sunday....

.....and even the noisy rush of the falls at Linton seemed peaceful to me. I mean, it doesn't fill my soul in the same way that the sound of the sea does, but I've grown to love riverside walking since I started living here.

Time to leave the water behind and head out across the fields now....

....up, up onto the top of the hills...

....enjoying the sweeping views and wide open skies.

It really is a lovely walk this one, with plenty of little twists and turns through fields and gates, over stiles and stone walls and winding up and down quite country lanes.

We arrived back into Burnsall around 11.30 which was perfect timing for a spot of refreshment. There is a really lovely little café on the edge of the village green called the Riverside, and we'd been told by friends that the coffee and home baking was well worth some attention. The café was really busy so we took our drinks as a takeout to sit beside the river on a bench and enjoy the views. Well, what can I say, it was absolutely outstanding. It was so hard to choose a cake because they all looked amazing, but in the end I opted for a generous slab of courgette and pistachio loaf cake which we shared (it was pretty huuuuge). My goodness, it was one of the best cakes I've ever tasted and I've not been able to stop thinking about it since. To give you an idea, I found ((this recipe)) which looks similar, so I think I'm going to have to try it. Either that, or else I need to plan a trip back to Burnsall riverside sometime very soon. I don't think a twenty mile round trip for cake and coffee is too much, do you?

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Comments

[Mahek]

Hi
Lucy
I am your very old followers even before little B was born ..I think he is Jan 5th right . As my dear niece was born on 23rd Jan 2010 …I love your daily posts please keep them coming , I got positivity and inspiration from you , I love that you can see magic in the little and everyday things which others might just ignore. I am not a person who crochets so reading your site has reduced …but reading this wonderful post got me back to those 12 year back posts… Thanks😍

[Linda Ashworth]

I’ve followed your blog for a very long time and enjoy all your posts. You have often mentioned Bolton Abbey and shared gorgeous photos. As a result my husband and I are going to stay for a night near Bolton Abbey towards the end of May on the way home from a little holiday in the Lake District. Could you suggest a Bolton Abbey walk? We understand there are two entrances and we prefer a walk on the flat ( or almost flat due to my health problems) perhaps lasting an hour or so of gentle walking? I would be very grateful if you could drop me an email. Thank you 💐

[Marcia]

I just popped the Courgette and Pistachio Loaf Cake from out of the oven. The house smells wonderful. Thank you for finding this recipe, and I hope you make it yourself many times over as a remembrance of the day you shared out and about with the ones you love. I added cinnamon and cardamon to the sugar, and one teaspoon of almond extract with the vanilla to up the flavor a bit. Just like so many, you have enriched my life through your blog posts. You are an artist in so many ways, and I can relate to the juggling act that happens fulfilling so many roles in a day, and still all the while you are creating and designing in your head. Carry On….we are all cheering you to victory in whatever your heart desires. 🌷

[Liz]

Those views - just gorgeous. How can you not feel refreshed after spending time out there??

[Sylvia]

Loved every picture! Thanks for sharing your story, I really enjoy reading all your blog posts. It makes me smile every time you go on a hunt for the perfect coffee ☕️, it makes me enjoying mine too 😊 , sending you 💕

[Gwen]

Sounds like a great getaway with your kids! How fun to enjoy each other's company. Also a lovely Easter and great photos!

[Elizabeth]

Oh my! So very beautiful! My soul is refreshed and I am at peace. Thank you so much for bringing us along on your jaunt.

[Jackie Wright]

What a lovely way to spend the days, the river walk looks so peaceful and the stone foot bridge has it worn dipped in the middle from foot steps over the ages?

[My creative life]

I love your top, very pretty. A good few trips out, thank you for sharing your photos and adventures. The cake sounds very nice indeed, Cathy x

[Marcia]

You really do live in a paradise filled with eye candy! I love my New Hampshire USA mountains, rivers and streams, but your tranquil surroundings really resonate deep in my artist’s soul. Thank you for sharing the other side of the world with me and for helping to elevate the art of crocheting to its rightful place in the world!

[Linda Rattie]

Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[Kate Buckley]

Dear Lucy, I hope you do read all your comments and realise how much so many of us have come to depend on your posts. As one person wrote - it's like receiving a letter. I am 70 now, so your words often remind me of family days gone by, and your sadness about your father resonates with my sadness about my partner's decline. So you see you touch many people's lives in ways you perhaps don't realise. With love

[Gert]

Hi Lucy, just wanted to say how I love your pictures and walks thru your country side. So different fro where we live in Florida. But much reminds me of New Jersey. So glad you got to spend time with the kiddos. Those times are fleeting as they grow older. Thanks again for a wonderful time in your part o the world. Hugs

[Carol Blakeley]

I live in Canada and love that you share the beautiful sites off your outings.
I always look forward to reading your stories.

[RuthieJ]

Thank you for sharing these lovely trips with us. I'm glad you're able to convince your children to go along with you on trips. My fondest memories of childhood were when my mom took us on nature hikes. Like your children, we weren't always keen to go, but had a good time once we were out there. Sadly my elderly mom is now unable to get around without a walker and going blind, so no more nature trips for her. I hope your kids will be able to look back on these trips with you as some of the best times of their lives also.

[Nicola Bloom]

Hi Lucy. I live in Lewes,Sussex, home of the original Bills. It was originally a small but beautiful greengrocers, by the river - and in our flood of 2000, all that area was wrecked. Nothing daunted, Bill not only refurbished but bought the shop next door, and started doing food as well, based on the local price he also sold. The start of something big! Lewes Bills is still advertised as @the original”.

[Ellie]

Oh, and I meant to say re. cake: I don't often eat cake in cafes because they're not always as great as they look (I make an exception for the freshly baked offerings in WI/church tea rooms and if you ever come down to Oxfordshire between Easter and end of Sept, you SHOULD definitely pay Dorchester Abbey tearooms (no not that Dorchester!) a visit because the cake is amazing!). But recently (in a vegan cafe, no less) I took a gamble on a slice of something called a 'Persian Love Loaf' and it was out of this world! I mention it because your courgette and pistachio cake sounds not unlike it. It's made with lots of almond flour, pistachios and (crucially!) rose water, with a lemony (I used lime) glace top, scattered very beautifully with rose petals and crushed pistachios. I hunted down the recipe and have made it twice!
https://bromabakery.com/persian-love-cake-cardamom-rose-almond-cake/

[Ellie]

Oh, and I meant to say re. cake: I don't often eat cake in cafes because they're not always as great as they look (I make an exception for the freshly baked offerings in WI/church tea rooms and if you ever come down to Oxfordshire between Easter and end of Sept, you SHOULD definitely pay Dorchester Abbey tearooms (no not that Dorchester!) a visit because the cake is amazing!). But recently (in a vegan cafe, no less) I took a gamble on a slice of something called a 'Persian Love Loaf' and it was out of this world! I mention it because your courgette and pistachio cake sounds not unlike it. It's made with lots of almond flour, pistachios and (crucially!) rose water, with a lemony (I used lime) glace top, scattered very beautifully with rose petals and crushed pistachios. I hunted down the recipe and have made it twice!
https://bromabakery.com/persian-love-cake-cardamom-rose-almond-cake/

[Ellie]

You're always an inspiration to me to get up earlier (um, didn't manage that this morning, whoops) and go walking more! Are you able to walk to your walks, or did you need to drive to this one? I'm now encouraged to get out today and find some trees to walk underneath, which I'm sure will help my energy levels.
I also went naughtily shopping in Seasalt this spring and treated myself to a lovely GREEN top, but I do wear it with a YELLOW cardi! (Fat Face, a few years old now.) https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/apple-tree-bamboo-cotton-patterned-top?color=30926 I'd never seen myself as a wearer of yellow at all, until all the mustardy shades started getting popular and I think I was brainwashed! Wearing my Spring green and yellow combi makes me feel fresh and cheerful, so objective achieved.

[Barbara]

Absolutely love the top, my favourite shade of yellow and well done to your son. Gosh I remember those days trying to get teen boys out of their rooms for walks. Always worthwhile and they all love walking now. Gorgeous photos as normal. B x

[Kathleen]

Oh I love the Yorkshire Dales. Such a beautiful part of England. Thanks for your blog; it's always such a good read.

[Angela]

Ahhh sorry sorry! I don’t think you have been spammed, sorry my bad. I read the posts wrong (sad and embarrassed face emoji’s!)

[Linda Spooner]

I want to tell you how much I love your lovely pictures you post!!! It is so nice to see such wonderful countryside. I look forward to each of your blog posts. So thank you for your time and effort. Linda

[Kari Dent]

A 20 mile round trip is definitely not too much for delicious cake and coffee. I live in a small town and we frequently venture 35 miles (one way)into the city for a good coffee shop. Totally worth it!

[BillieJo]

Hello! I enjoyed sharing your travels today. I live in Pennsylvania, USA, and I always love seeing the beauty in your part of the world. Thank you for the links you shared. Your blouse is lovely! Have a cozy evening!