Our new breakfast guest -

The new guest arrives most mornings between 8 and 8.40am -wonder if he smells the bacon and sausage as it cooks on the Aga and the smell escapes up with chimney . He is always in a rush. Although quite a celebrity in his own right, he seems very much opposed to having his photograph taken. As I have no "paparazzi" wide lens camera so it has taken me a few weeks to be able to get a clear photo of him. And for the non believers here are some photos to prove he exists. At first I thought I was seeing things. Jack thought he had probably rolled in some ash or it was the sunlight that was shiny through a grey coat.But no here he is larger than life and twice as beautiful -our very own wild white squirrel. Yes white - would love to say he was a red one. We would dearly love to see them back in the area. For now we will have to make do with him

Yorkshire Dialect

This is our local dialect. I speak it and understand it, but don't worry I can speak Queen's English too . Jack speaks broader than me, but I am sure you will understand most of what he says. When Nicholas was at nursery I was called into school.His teacher was concerned that all the children in his class were copying Nicholas and saying I [Ay] instead of yes. Now I thought this was fair grand and there wonrt nowt wrang in it. My reply was I [AY], I understand and will tell him. Haven't had time to tell time yet, that was 32 years ago I had the conversation with the teacher.

York Pass- a great way to save money

From the Guardian

This was a nice surprise to receive this morning . An article has been written in the Guardian by Tania Pascoe,author of Wildgarden weekends.Tania selected us as one of the 12 great places to stay amongst meadows,orchards and wild flower gardens A charming farmhouse surrounded by ancient bluebell woods and orchards. Anna and Jack serve breakfasts of local produce and offer great advice on walks – many starting outside the door. Inside, four-poster beds and timber beams add to the classic, cosy farmhouse feel. Courses ranging from photography to natural plant dyes are also held at the farm. • Doubles from £90 B&B for bookings of two or more nights, 01347 868526,

Tuesday night is knitting night

How I love Tuesday evenings. Jack's tea over and off I go down to Helmsley . 7pm and Gillian,Magda and Winnie,myself included turn up at Castle Stores -The Wool Shop run by Christine and Maud. We all have our own knitting projects and mine is the easiest.The other girls are into cable and dropping,twisting and making fancy patterns. I bumble along making my fingerless gloves at the moment and oh dear the thumb part has been so hard to master. I should have got them finished but had a little detour knitting a cardigan for Olivia's first birthday. I was glad to say I got it finished with 2 hours to spare and it was a good fit. I really must get these gloves finished and then finish the cardigans for Rachael and Tom's twins who will be here before much longer. At 8o'clock we are treated to some of Maud's superb baking. All too soon the next hour flies and it is time to come home. This week we talked about who had seen the swallows and cuckoos and whether we had ever seen a baby cuckoo in a nest. I remembered I had when I was about 9 up the Thwaites in Ampleforth near a holly bush. There is something about the cuckoos call that tells you Summer is here

Molton Brown - Delicious Rhubarb & Rose, A Taste of Yorkshire WITH YOUNG TOMMY BANKS

Young Tommy Banks is based only 3 miles from us .Many of our guests go to eat at the Black Swan and have had enjoy some wonderful meals there. I always encourage guests to eat the venison as my son ,Nicholas,provides them with roe deer. As well as the venison Nicholas sells quail eggs and almostany game you would like to try. Enough was enough when Tommy had asked him to find some Gulls eggs. I think Nicholas imagined me scaling down the side of the cliffs to raid the gulls nests. Apparently there are only about 25 official egg collectors in the country and I am not one of them . I am sure a few years ago my Dad would have ben up for it. But at 92 my mum would certainly have put a big stop on it now.