Tuesday, July 9: We left Guisborough this morning and took a very scenic drive over the moors to Pickering, on to the charming town of Helmsley, and then got on the motorway for the rest of the drive to Leeds. Once again, our GPS got us exactly where we needed to be. We checked in to our hotel, and Brian and Jean came to pick us up and take us to their home. They live in the most compact flat I have ever been in on a very narrow street. (The next time we go to England we will rent a smaller car!) Brian took Buzz to the auto dealership where he works to look at the luxury cars they sell. Buzz got to sit in a Ferrari which he deemed too uncomfortable to drive. We got a tour of central Leeds, and then we went out to dinner at Bistro Blanc, a charming restaurant in a renovated factory building.

Wednesday, July 10: Jean and Brian picked us up this morning, and we drove to Harrogate, one of the most charming towns I have ever visited. I had been there many years ago when I traveled to England with my friend Jill. We began with morning tea at the famous Betty's Tea Shop and then wandered around the town admiring the floral displays and visiting a few antique shops. We "window shopped" at a few jewelers, and I am sorry to report that Buzz did not buy the ring I liked with a 10 carat oval center diamond and a large triangle shaped diamond on either side of the center stone. Ah well, it would probably have been out of place in Hudson, NH anyway. Harrogate is also the home of Taylor's Yorkshire Tea...my all time favorite.

From Harrogate, we drove on to Knaresborough. Wednesday is Market Day there, and the town was crowded with shoppers. The square was filled with vendors of everything from fruit and veggies to clothing and tools. We had a late lunch in a local pub and then a wander of the market.
Then we walked up to the remains of the Knaresborough Castle where we found a beautiful view of the river gorge and the town below. On the castle grounds there is a lawn bowls ground, a beautiful flower bed, and an area of putting greens.

Back in Leeds we took a late afternoon rest before going out to dinner at Wasabi, a teppan-yaki restaurant. Brian had some car trouble; so Buzz drove to dinner. The parking area is under the buildings. A young woman directed Buzz to an assigned parking space. It was so tight that Buzz had to climb over the console into the passenger seat to get out of the car. The food was good and the table top chef entertaining.

Thursday, July 11: We had a restful morning while Brian worked out the details of getting his car repaired, and then the four of us set off for Harewood House, a stately home just north of Leeds. This home, built in the 18th century, is resplendent with Chippendale furnishings, fabulous art, manicured gardens, and a well thought out self guided tour. We were fortunate to come upon the Harewood House chef in the dining room. With obvious pride, he regaled us with stories of dinner parties both small (16 guests) and large (95 guests) and his adventures with the recently deceased Seventh Earl of Harewood. We visited below stairs where the old kitchen (now unused) gleamed with copper pots and pans of every size imaginable and a hugh coal fired stove. The terrace garden is a manicured maze, and there are long or short walks one can take around the rest of the estate. It was a delightful day. We took Brian and Jean home, had a cool drink, said our good-byes, and headed for Sale and a last night at the Coachman's Cottage.