Thursday Evening at the Banyan tree with Visit York

Sue Frumin gets a mention here as she has yet again succeeded in arranging a great networking evening at the Banyan Tree in Little Stonegate yesterday evening.

Sue is part of Visit York, Made in York and her title there is Business Engagement Manager. She had had a busy day as we had both attend a Visit England workshop earlier in the day at the National Railway Museum. I presume her morning had been full too . Then after the full on afternoon with Visit English there was only time for Sue to "powder her nose"and  to the Banyan Tree and finally we made our way to York Market for a night of entertainment .. more of that in my next blog.

We were welcomed at the Banyan Tree with a glass of Prosecco much to the liking of our Italian guest who chaperoned me . There was around 50 members and  lots of Visit York staff around , all enjoy the samples of food which we are delicious and we served by a happy band of young people. My favourite was the pea and  crushed advocado on crusty French bread. certainly a place to remember for the future

A fun place to go ,plenty of seating and space and great to be able to look over the glass down on to the next level. They even do cocktails classes there ....

Coastal attractions - things to do on the North York Moors coast- Only 1 hour from us

What makes the Great Yorkshire Show GREAT

Perfect weather for the Great Yorkshire Show this year, not too cold not too hot. Not too crowded by the time I got there in the late afternoon .
I suppose spending my childhood Yorkshire Shows having to tramp round endless cattle, sheep and pigs has left a mark as I have a quick nip round. I can only appreciate all the time and effort that goes into the quality of these show animals.  I think my favourite tent is the flower tent. Maybe it is the smell that draws me to it.
I have never been to Chelsea as much as I love watching it on television .I always seem to be held up with something which has meant I have never got to the Flower Show at Harrogate in Spring or Autumn.
My Dad always ordered his sweet pea seeds when we went when I was a child. Not only was I always amazed by the colours of the blooms but the black posh cloth that they stand only. It was all "posh and extravagant like " .
This year I felt the flowers grown on farms display should have won gold . It  was amazing. I have bought flowers from this band of growers  before  and they certainly do last longer than most other shop ones and you can save the seed heads to sow later too .
I also like the weird and wonderful ,thought it was something out of Harry Potter and this too was a great display.

Summer is here...

There is nothing better than the smell of newly cut grass . It has been a busy week here as Jack and Nicholas have been busy hay making . The paddock that the dogs exercise in has been cut ,made and baled and lead away for winter feed for the animals . The  field where I keep my bees has been partly made but it is very hilly and the grass was so long it tangled around in the baler and then a bale rolled down the hill and through the fence.

So with a heatwave forecast the guests have got into al fresco eating mode already. And as they had brought their meal with them and are sat outside enjoy the warm evening and watching the

sun go down.

We have waited 5 whole weeks ....

Rob and Gill Thompson had been at the White Swan in Ampleforth for 13 years and we were sad to hear they were going as they have always served our guests so well with their constantly good fare. Then we heard a rumour which turned out to be true that they had bought the Wombwell Arms in Wass. Team Thompson have worked like beavers during these last 5 weeks . Tonight they open the doors of the Stapyleton Arms for the first time and true to form his Lordship and I were some of the first over the threshold. Jack as you know gets up early and goes to bed early hence our early door booking.  We had wonderful food and Thompson sized portions as Ruth had promised and here are the photos to prove it. It was great to see so many locals in from Wass, Crayke, Helmsley and Coxwold. Wass pub is where Jack and I met nearly 39 years ago so it is always a special place for us. We didn't eat at the Stapylton Arms, we dined there and there is a difference and we love it . With 13 years under their belts the Thompsons are flying already.