We even had coffee/tea on the sunny bench in front of our cottage!
But before that, there was another highlight of our holiday: a lunchtime concert in the cathedral. The pianist was a sprightly elderly lady from York University (or York Music College or something like that - I'd have to look it up to be more precise, sorry), and her theme was Bach.
Not only did she play a selection of popular and less well-known pieces by the great composer, she also surrounded them with pieces by later composers who were influenced by Bach's work. She explained a bit about what she was going to play, and it wasn't dry facts - her explanations really enhanced the experience.
There were also sandwiches and drinks to be had in the church before the concert statrted, and the general atmosphere was very friendly.
We made use of the beautiful sunshine by going for another walk in the afternoon, along another river - this time, the Ure.
It was a path we had not yet walked before, and we enjoyed the variety of woodland and fields along the river banks, with the sights and sounds of spring all around.
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| Leper Chapel (left). Someone was cleaning there, so we did not go inside this time. |
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| Alpacas! |
Later, I popped in at Mary's for a chat, before it was time to head back to our cottage, where my sister was making a delicious risotto for our tea/dinner.
On my way, once again the cathedral front was bathed in the most beautiful evening light - I could not resist taking yet another picture of it.
What a charming walk, really captures the feeling of Spring. It is good that you attended the concert - we always try to go to local concerts whenever we can. There is something very appealing about making music NOT in a concert hall with all that formality.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were in Ripon in the summer of 2017, we discovered the Tuesday night organ concerts and went to two of them, with nibbles and wine afterwards. We enjoyed it immensely, and I had looked up the cathedral events for the time of our stay this year already a month or so before we arrived.
DeleteThis visit to Yorkshire seems extra special though all your holidays there are wonderful. The concert sounds a delight and the walk through the early world of springtime was beautiful.There always seem to be new experiences to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed the case, Kristi; no matter how many times I come to Ripon, there is always somehting new to do or to see. This year was "especially special" because of my birthday - a "first" for me!
DeleteWhere is the leper chapel. The Ure is 'my' river so it can't be all that far from where I live and I would love to visit. It is a lovely cathedral isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThe leper chapel is in Ripon, on the road leading to North Bridge. We've been there many times before, and there are also pictures of the inside on my blog; you can find them if you type "leper chapel" in the search box in the top left corner of the blog.
DeleteYes, Ripon cathedral is lovely!
Such a lovely photo of you with that glowing smile and bright sunshine. You girls certainly know how to pick interesting places to visit in England - and the photos are great.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary, how kind of you to say that! Holidays, birthday surprises, sunshine and spring in Yorkshire - plenty of reasons to smile :-)
DeleteThe light upon Ripon Cathedral was indeed beautiful. I think that professional photographers sometimes call that time of day "the golden hour".
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that, but it certainly fits!
DeleteLooks as if you had a super holiday in our beautiful Yorkshire and the weather was kind. Thanks for sharing those lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteYou are right on both accounts, L, and very welcome! Thank you for popping in and commenting.
DeleteI have always had a love of evening colours and the sun on the Cathedral is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou understand why I could not resist taking a picture of it every time I walked past!
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