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Thursday 7th February 2019

The good thing about our driver Andy, every day we set off at the same time stopping any confusion.

This day we went to Otley. There was a nice gallery there where we bought a painting. You could also visit the old Police station from the TV programme Heartbeat. He also showed us the old Emmerdale. He just knew so much about the local area, it was hard to take it all in. We went past an old graveyard where evidently they had done a “risk assessment” and knocked down all the gravestones, saying they were unsafe and of course now they are going to build on it…how awful!

We then went on to Ilkley Moor, it was cold and windy but it had to be done!

We drove back into Ilkley town and had our lunch there.
In the afternoon we went to Knaresborough. I used to take my boys boating here, a lovely place.

A long day but we thoroughly enjoyed it. Again a delicious meal in the evening.

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Wednesday 6th February 2019

The majority of our coach party went to Skipton for the morning but we arranged to meet my old friend. We were best friends when all our boys were pre school and we have kept in touch ever since, so it really was lovely meeting up with her again. We didn’t stop talking and then went out for lunch in Harrogate. A few wines and a few coffees and it was surprising how quickly the time went by.

Mal and I decided that the hotel was so good, there is so much to see around the area and we wanted to see Annette again that we have booked the same holiday again in October!! We certainly know what we like.

After Annette left we walked around the baths and also Valley Gardens and the Pine woods.


Another delicious three course meal in the evening.

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Tuesday 5th February 2019

We had a good nights sleep and were again surprised when we went down to breakfast and there was everything you could imagine to choose from including home baked bread. I had the smoked salmon and scrambled egg.

Andy took us into York, even the trips were good value. £7.50 for a coach tour around the whole of York for the morning and he was knowledgeable, unlike the drivers we had with Shearing in Italy! We had the afternoon to ourselves in York but he even suggested places to eat for lunch. It’s over 40 years since I lived up here but Mal still expected me to know my way round! I did remember where my good friend Annette’s dad had his antique shop in “Whip ma whap ma gate!” It’s now a Patisserie.

Dinner again was excellent and then we went into the bar afterwards.

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Monday 4th February 2019

We were up early and dropped Ellie and the car off at Lou and Rhys’s. Ellie was staying there for her holiday and Lou drove us down to Herne Bay Pier where we caught our coach. Mal doesn’t drive and I get fed up with all the driving, so coach seemed a good idea. Unfortunately a car was on fire on the M25 so we did a diversion, right past where I used to live in Palmer’s Green, London, many years ago. That was a coincidence.  Eventually we made it to Shearings “Gateway”, a central depot where all the coaches meet up and swap passengers! On to another coach and this time there was a major disaster on the M1 and so the driver made a diversion via Flitwick, another coincidence, this was where Mal and I met!

We then waited for more passengers to board our coach at Corley interchange and had our final driver Andy. I guess the 10 hours was bearable as we had lots of stops but we were a bit unfortunate with traffic. Our new driver Andy was very good and pointed out everything on the way, including Harrogate hospital, where Rhys was born!

Wow, we were very pleasantly surprised on entering the hotel. It had just had a major refurb and we were both very impressed. It was Country Living Saint George, Harrogate.

We had a shower, unpacked and things just got better when we went downstairs to eat and have a drink! We also had £50 free drinks included!! A three course meal every evening and the food was perfect. We made a very good choice with this hotel.

 

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Sunday 3rd February 2019

Lou, Ollie , Oscar and Josie came round for lunch. Rhys was working. We went to the grave so that the children could put some flowers there for Torin.

Later in the evening Mal and I packed ready to go to Harrogate.

Thought for the Day – “Be thankful for all the troubles you don’t have.”

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Saturday 2nd February 2019

I don’t sleep particularly well but was asleep at 4.45am when Ellie woke me up with the fiercest bark I had ever heard from her. She stood at the top of the stairs with her hackles up. How can Mal sleep through it? He did go downstairs and investigate but nothing. It was comforting that my gentle dog was on guard and can be fierce!

Our walk was cold but at least the sun was out. This is just one of the resident ducks we walk past daily on the river. The Co op is now selling duck food!

I popped into Deal in the afternoon as I had seen a winter hat there and wanted to buy it. I was lucky enough to get the last one. Deal isn’t too far to go but of course was busy.

In the evening we watched Bohemian Rhapsody. It was an excellent film, I’m just glad they didn’t do the dying bit.

Thought for the Day – “When you talk you are only repeating what you know. When you listen you learn something new.” ~ Dalai Lama

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Friday 1st February 2019

We expected to wake up to snow….nothing! There was a reason we opted to return to Kent, it is usually the best weather in the country! It was cold though for the walk and afterwards Ellie just snuggled up indoors!

My sister phoned and she hadn’t been out of the house since Monday because the weather had been so bad.

I also heard from David and Kenny and in spite of them moving, the advocate didn’t release any money for 10 days!! As he says, he has never encountered so many crooks anywhere from the bottom right up to the top. It was bad enough when we were living there and it doesn’t sound as though things are improving.

Thought for the Day – “If you stumble make it part of the dance.”

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