Dragged out of Retirement

This weekend was one of my regular scheduled trips up the Yorkshire to mainly see my mother. We saw a fair amount of the sun though it was very chilly, and we had some snow !

Usually on my February visit we have a drive somewhere in the countryside to spot the snowdrops, often the grounds surrounding Fountains Abbey as it has a great show of them.  However, with snow forecast for Saturday afternoon we decided on a drive around somewhere with no big hills to drive over, just in case !  After doing a number of errands for my mum in the morning, which required the car, we set off for Beningborugh Hall as I remembered spoting the little white flowers there on a previous (and probably documented on LJ) springtime visit. We know the route pretty well and though it had clouded over there was no sign of snow, the roads were very quite, and I actually got chance to stop and take a photograph of a very narrow (one track) road bridge very close to the village of Cattal, we often cross when out for a run in the car in that direction.... it's recently been repaired and restored and I'd never actually seen it from the bank of the River Nidd which it crosses.  Cattal is a small but very old village that is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and even has a Roman road running through it.



Just as we reached Beningborough we saw the first flurries of "the white stuff", and over the short time it took to have lunch the ground was pretty much covered by the big flakes that were falling.  Our drive back was a littl extended as we missed a turn-off on the road - funny how everywhere looks different in the snow - so had quite a drive through the picturesque landscape.  I managed the scrape the paintwork on the hire car slightly when reversing into a parking space by mother's flat..... dancing on ice !  It continued to snow until well into the evening.




Sunday was sunny and the snow thawed a little , so we made it out for lunch at a local garden centre and we were joined later in the afternoon by my sister and her two boys, and their dog at my mum's for tea and cake.




A colourful bunch of spring flowers I gave my mum, and one of the "paper-whites" she grew from bulbs given to her by "the boys next-door" for Christmas!

 
My weekend was spent in Leeds, on one of my regular visits to see my mother, and my sister and nephews.

Franco (london1967 ) spotted an offer with National Trust of vouchers to gain free entry to most of there properties on Saturday and Sunday, so I printed them off, and mum and I decided we would revisit Beningborough Hall on Saturday.  It turned out to be a very rainy day, but decided to go anyway, expecting it to be quiet - seems everyone had the same idea !! The tea shop / restaurant did a roaring trade!

Along the way we spotted lambs, carpets of crocuses and snowdrops, and a few daffodils in bloom......... everything seems a month later this year due to the extended cold and snowy start to the year.



Anyone for tea?



This beautiful blue & white china teapot sculpture was made in the Arts & Craft Centre of Henshaws and stands in the stable courtyard.



"Lady Charlotte Finch" gave a short talk on a family portrait, telling us of all the now hidden meanings which at the time gave onlooker an insight into their lives, position in society, wealth, etc.........  She was one of a couple of "costumed" guides, who would be playing a Regency game of cards later in the afternoon.





In the walled garden, Spring is just burstng out !


And I managed to get a photograph of my mother not scowling (she hates having her picture taken !!)



Hoping for a sunny day, and longing for Afternoon Tea al-fresco !! *Sigh..........................*.