August 201

A whirlwind of a month. Ian was trying to balance working all hours of the day & night with getting some sleep & the occasional visit home. We did manage a weekend away as we had tickets for the Test match South Africa V England at Headingly. We arrived at the hotel much earlier than expected and what a good job as they had no room for us. Also as the cricket was on there we no rooms in any of the local hotels. We had driven for 4 hours and were non too pleased to say the least. After a while the hotel managed to book us into The Oulton hall on the outskirts of Leeds, a very lovely hotel but quite a way away from the cricket. Never mind.

Headingly

One of the fantastic chandeliers at Oulton Hall

We had a good day at the cricket despite a heavy rain storm. Ian had managed to get us tickets in the members stand, so we had a roof over our heads, clean toilets, TV to watch the Olympics  - which enabled us all to shout encouragement to the athletes, like they could hear us! Play soon resumed but quite honestly the Olympics were much more exciting. There was some relief in the slow boring match watching the crowd and the stag party all dressed up as Jimmy Saville's.

Now then now then

The next day we moved onto York. I had not been there since a child but I must have been very youngs as I had no memory of anything I saw. We walked the city walls, sheltered from the rain in a  - yes PUB! Did a guided walk with a hooray Henry in the afternoon which was quite bewildering to say the least. Not sure we actually learnt anything much apart from how to get about. Rather hot and my feet hurt so a cool glass was required. Could not find any where so opted for the nearest hostelry which was a Slug & lettuce hmmm. We had a pint of beer & a glass of Cava. £ 5.20. I said to the barman are you sure? He was quite adamant it was right. I thought they had not charged for the beer but the Cava was £2.95 a glass. so I had 2! hehe. They also do a very good Hummus and ciabatta with oil & balsamic for about £3.

Later on we went to Akbars an Indian restaurant  Ian has been to the one in Leeds many times. It was excellent and although we were sensible with what we ordered we were stuffed by the end of it. Giant Naan breads are presented on hanging stands and you rip chunks off to mop up the delicious sauces. Try the chicken livers if you go they are delicious.

The Royal Hotel York. Our room overlooked the wheel.

Pretty tired we head for bed. About 2 hours later we are woken up from a deep sleep. Yes I was actually in a deep sleep. The noise was a bell ringing, trying to look for an alarm clock, switch off the fan, check mobile phones & iPad, frantic by now. We realise it is the fire alarm. Ian in his haste then tries to put my trousers on and I throw on what ever I can lay my hands on. We walk past about 3 fire exits (just following the rest of the flock) before we finally get outside. No fire, I expect someone was having a tab in their room!  It took us ages to get back to sleep.

One of the many York Cat Sculptures

Had a bit of a lie in and then decided we would go the the Slug for breakfast. Ian ordered and was charged £4.95. It was BOGOF Monday. We had the full works, bacon, egg, sausage, beans, mushers,Tomato. I think that was it, oh and tea and toast. It was excellent - really good quality food and very well cooked and presented. Oh yes I forgot that was 2 eggs!  We had to walk round the city and the railway museum to walk some of it off but still came away complete bloaters, but had a great weekend.