Posted: Friday 18 April 2008

Ripon and Harrogate in North Yorkshire were the first
North East excursion destinations for 2008.

Four coachloads of us headed down to Yorkshire for the day, having been picked up in relays from the centre of Newcastle to minimise our impact on the early morning city traffic.  Instead, a flurry of fire appliances added to the morning mayhem.
After regrouping at the nearest motorway services our convoy headed south.

Ripon was our first stop.  Thursday's open-air market was of interest but not much appeared to have been bought there.  A visit to the cathedral gave tranquil relief from the bustle of the town and the descent into the Anglo-Saxon crypt of St. Wilfrid offered a claustrophobic experience.

After an hour in Ripon it was off a little further south to Harrogate, famous in Victorian times for its spas and wells with their healing properties, for the remainder of the day.
The architectural legacy is solid, with many fine buildings being put to good use today - and with due respect being given to their style.
Large areas laid out as gardens and parks create a spacious feeling and add to Harrogate's character.  The Valley Gardens and The Stray are noteworthy.

The parish church of St Peter stands tall.

One hundred and forty or so Associates dispersed across the town and most were not seen again until departure time.

Some Associates, though, can usually be found at lunchtime.

Not surprisingly in watering holes, as here at Wetherspoons in the magnificent Winter Gardens building.

 

There was plenty evidence from the carrier bags to show where a majority had been - to 'Bettys Café Tea Rooms' and bakery for tea and (or just) goodies from their renowned range including scones, cakes and confections.

The weather held good until we were due to depart, when joining the coaches brought warm relief from some cold rain which became heavy as we were driven home.

ph  17/04/08
My first on the new website!

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