Sneaky lunch at the Hare at Scawton

Tucked away just off the A170 near the top of Sutton Bank on the road to Rievaulx Abbey. The Hare was always a favourite place for ours to go to eat.The previous owner got distracted making soufflés finally moving on to pastures new. A review by Elaine Lemm in the Yorkshire Post brought me back for a very quick lunch the other day. I really didn't have time to stop but then how could I call in and not have a bite to eat. Liz, the landlady is a charming, lovely, lovely person.I couldn't believe how busy the place was on a winters day lunchtime. I had forgotten my specs so had to glaze over the menu, randomly picked the first thing on the menu . It was ham hock with foie gras, piccalilli with other dots and dashes of colours.Tastes which if I had been able to read the menu properly would have been able to tell you. Whatever it was it was delicious. Jack's birthday is looming,this could be the ideal place to go. Some guests of ours had eaten Sunday lunch there the other week,excited texted me to say Bellissimo. I think that says it all.

Wedding Event at Thief Hole

Jessica Barker who runs Thief Hole near Northallerton along with her husband Phillip invited us to a W2Y networking event. Jessica is very lucky as Phillip not only runs a 600 acre farm but has done all the work at restoration of these buildings himself.. Again the W2Y team where out in good force to make sure everything went well. On the Sunday the venue turned into a wedding event, The cake maker was there with her beautifully iced creations and not a snow scene in sight. You may remember me saying all my cakes have snow scenes whatever time to year.

Thirsk Literature Event

Or to some of us it is Brochure Pick Up Day . Held in the Auction Mart at Thirsk and organised by Welcome to Yorkshire. I was one of the first to get there as from previous experience I know how popular an event it is. Some go armed with trolleys and the like .After been greeted by Liz Tattersley who always makes a dull day look brighter with her sunny smile and first timer at the event Rosie - I saw her mother had come along,I teased her saying she had come to make sure her daughter was doing her meet and greet bit properly. Jane was actually picking up brochures for her own business. I headed straight to Elmtree Press who have bedroom browsers.I think are a must as they keep all the brochure in one neat pile advertising the attractions of the area. David Shields,hard working as ever was there. I was surprised to see Gary Verity,head of W2Y there as I heard he was busy lambing. Gary amazes me to the amount of functions he gets to. I don't think he will have time to sleep . Couldn't resist a photo of the Harrogate Flower Show, Beautiful study taken by the lady on the stands husband. He took an eye catcher last year too. Nice to see new and old faces. catching up with old friends from Whitby Captain Cook Museum. Wold Way Lavender ,Catherine Calvert from Hazel Brow Farm and Tea rooms and the Hawes Ropemakers to name but a few. The brochure are now installed in each of our bedrooms for you to read through at your leisure hoping you find them useful. Please remember to leave them for future guests too

Mad March Offer

...and did you remember to say White Hares on Friday. As I was driving last week I saw two hares running across a stubble field -Stubble is a field which had grown grain on it last year and has not yet been ploughed. Mad March hares I thought but I was a day early . Hares really like turnips and swedes to eat . We do too. My Dad sows the best swede seed from Scotland. How many do you think ? a couple of rows .I did say we like swedes -so I reckon he grows about an acre. As I walked up the field the other day I thought yes that is what I will give my guests who come to stay in March. I bet it is quite an original offer too . We give you a bag and you can nip into the field which is near our house and pick your own for free. I reckon that is about as fresh as you will ever get.

A New Business -Ampleforth Business Concierge

For those of me who know me very well you remember we used to have a sign near the front door which said "You don't have to be mad to live here,but if you do it help".Now that was left here by the people who lived here many moons again. My dad always says how true it is. I would say I have more of a creative mind and on better days than Sunday -a vivid imagination. I have now set up a business should anyone need any help with marketing or ideas on how to get more public awareness and haven't got time to do it for themselves. The business I have named it Ampleforth Business Concierge, as simple as that A,B,C. I am often getting asked on how people should do this, that and the other from setting up a Twitter account to promoting their business into the big wide world. So here I offer friendly advice and help. Previously I have done all this for free. Free - unfortunately doesn't pay the bills so I am charging a fair value hourly rate. It can be so much fun to get your business noticed. I don't admit to being able to help in every aspect of your business that is why my business name included the word Concierge.If I cant do it you can rest assured I will pass you over to someone who does. Please get in touch on 01347 868526 .The first steps to making your first million.

Spring is on the way near the Holbeck

We are lucky to have a stream which runs at the bottom of the garden and then down through our fields for about 3/4 of a mile.To us it is called a beck to other the Holbeck. When I was a child I used to tickle trout in it with my Dad. It is surprising what wild life there is still in it . But why not take deck chair from the house and go and sit beside it as it is so peaceful . Even if the weather is still a bit on the chilly side you can wrap up well and the very tenderest of you can fill a hot water bottle. Even after a short time near the stream you will feel very refreshed with life. A great way to get away from the busy world we live in .There is so much to see and hear of you just pause for that short while . To see more or the stream we have a Youtube called Ampleforth,Carr House Farm and the Holbeck

9 month old Labrador dog for sale

Anyone interested in Labrador dog please get in touch. Born May 2012 he is been trained to walk on a lead and that is more or less all.Reday to start bringing on He has an impeccable pedigree. Sire is Copperbirch Winnebego who picked up 100 days last season as did his dam similar days Cuckavalda Touch of Gold . Sire - the dam is FTCH Ernvale Maud who was top Ret IRE 2008 . he has 2/2 hips .Eyes clear and PRA herd test clear.Dam's sire -top dog in Scotland FTCH Leadburn Viceroy -2nd in IGL 2008. GrandDam sired by FTCH Talsibrook Rhum of Bolton Abbey 4th in IGLS owned by Duchess of Devonshire. Hips 0/0 eyes clear. Optigen PRA tested clear. No time wasters. No offers -£1000 . Sale due to overstock . If this dog is not sold by March it will be trained on further

next season as a peg dog .