and you will see in the photos attached there are square lids through the grounds where some of the 40+ different springs would bubble up if they were not tapped off. It is a unique area because some of the spring waters are sulphurous, some mineral and some pure, all different but within meters of each other...... Valley Gardens used to be known as Bogs Field which gives you an idea of how much it has been changed towards acceptable fashionability.
Harrogate owes it's existence to these springs as in the 1800's people came from miles for the therapeutic, mainly laxative effects of the spas (Yes, really. The better off folk of the time ate rich sweet foods, little veg or fibre and by all accounts were a bunch of stuck-up middle classes in more ways than one). Being a classy destination with an effective solution, a popular and fashionable elite tourist town rapidly developed. Harrogate is now much more an international conference city but I am sure I have explained Harrogate in these pages before.
Following an enjoyable dawdle back into town we headed down into the Monpellier quarter where fine fashion, blues bars, cafe's and galleries abound. After an endless look through a goth inspired fashion shop called Rose Velvet where we bought ourselves a slinky black top, we found a lunch special offer at a wonderful restaurant almost next door and had a truly sumptuous meal. http://www.vanzellerrestaurants.co.uk/. Before waddling back to get the bus for to the mini garage and then home.
On the next Saturday, while Gail was working, Noeline suggested a walk to Spofforth Castle. It is a three mile walk to the castle Pub and another half to the Castle. The day was fine and the path reasonably dry so we set off. The route follows the old railway line under bridges and through woods and fields. The sun managed to shine and the walk was a real pleasure with a bit of blackberry picking, confused discussion as to what crops were growing in various fields and some wildflower noticing. Simple pub grub at the Castle Inn and a leisurely slightly downhill return walk home capped off the adventure, or more correctly, a nice long stroll in the countryside.
Sunday was organised by Gail, a visit to the Wetherby racetrack to wander the 200 or so stalls of the annual antique show and then a short drive to Marton-cum-Grafton for another fine meal and a pint at Morrisey Fox http://www.morrisseyfox.co.uk/. A lovely relaxed, interesting and rewarding day, and even better, nothing was purchased at the antique fair.
We have been wanting to get back to Tan Hill on a fine day and as luck would have it the forecast for the 25th was just that. Tan Hill is high in the Moors, so high it boasts the highest Pub in England, which is in itself a charming place. We headed north from Wetherby and were rewarded with continuous spectacular scenery, the high region is so often shrouded in mist the views are muted but we enjoyed a fantastic day of distant sights and many ooows and aahhs..We did stop off at Tan Hill pub for for a cuppa.
As you can see from the photo, despite it being mid-summer the fire is burning in the hearth and coats and warm toddies are the order of the day.
stopped for lunch and another walk through beautiful Yorkshire scenery.
I hope these photos do justice to the colour of the heather which was in full flush and was a dazzling delight when the passing sun breaks and blushes brightness into it's carpet of flowers. While we have been this way a few times before, this day, the distant views and the brightness of the day have burned in delightful memories. 
