My mother's visit

My mother, here for a two-week visit, has now returned home. Two weeks was just not enough. She came for Franklin's birthday was nearly wholly responsible for getting my house and garden into shape in preparation for the birthday party.

While here, we took my mother to Bolsover Castle, a ruin of a grand 17th century house. It sits at the top of the highest hill around, and the remaining structure is in fairly good condition, considering.

We also visited Harrogate, an old Victorian spa town. The center of town is surrounded by 200 acres of park, and this time of year the grass teems with crocus. Amazing to see. We saw a museum of one of the spas, and tried the water. Yech--sulphur. The Victorians used to bathe in it as well as drink it.

Another beautiful stop on our whirlwind tour was Brimham Rocks, an area with weird and wonderful rock formations. I hadn't planned on hiking or rock climbing that morning when I dressed, otherwise I probably wouldn't've worn a skirt and my best wool coat. I still managed to clamber about, regardless.

Not pictured, but no less enjoyable was York and its amazing cathedral; various junk shops, garden centers, outdoor markets, and cafes; and many comfortable evenings just chatting.

(Funny, but both my mother and Partner said to me before the party, "Why don't I just take the dog for the walk and get out of your way?" My response to both: "Don't you dare!")