On the motorway, we enountered plenty of traffic - thankfully, the standstill we passed was in the opposite direction. We drove through at least three showers, but in between the sun shone, and as we arrived at the farm around noon, the sunshine was there to stay.
Fifteen of us got together, plus two dogs: Sisters-in-law, aunts and uncles, cousins and nieces and their respective partners.
We enjoyed our food (well, most of us did) and even sang Happy Birthday for cousin Rob who turned 55 that day.
Not only the dogs wanted to stretch their legs afterwards, and so some of our group went into the farm shop while others stayed in the gardens, to be joined by the shoppers later.
It is just across a bit of grass to Cannon Hall from where the farm, café, shops etc. are, and it was around the Hall and gardens where I took the following pictures.
Teas and coffees were taken at a kiosk down the hill before we all headed back up towards the car park and said our good-byes.
After an uneventful drive, my sil dropped us off at the cottage at 6:00 pm. We started the washing machine and had another coffee/tea on the bench in front of the house. It was such a beautiful evening that I could not resist going for a walk, during which I took the next set of photos.
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| View from our front door |
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| somewhere in Ripon |
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| Victorian clock tower |
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| Almshouses near the Leper Chapel |
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| Leper Chapel |
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| The cathedral’s west front is especially beautiful bathed in golden evening light. |
After I was back at the cottage and we put our washing up to dry, we settled in the front room with crackers and a creamy cheese dip - today‘s lunch had been big enough for us not to want a proper meal that evening.
We‘d not seen some of the family since 2019 or longer, and it was so good to catch up with (almost) everybody.
PS: Happy Yorkshire Day!
So who DIDN'T like the food?
ReplyDeleteOut of the 15 of us, I know two were not happy with their choices. My sister and I enjoyed ours very much.
DeleteAfter three sunny showers on the motorway a Family Gathering !
ReplyDeleteMany Happy Returns to Cousin Rob. Tell him from me he's only a bairn.
I'm a divil for signposts like Neil on his travels; I like yours at Cannon Hall.
The cathedral in golden light calls the pilgrim soul.
View from your front door is how I imagine Henry James's home in Rye.
I'm reading The Pattern in the Carpet in French, Le Motif dans le tapis.
Graham Greene's favourite novelist loved France as much as England.
In the photo of the view from our door, the red brick building with its gable facing west is a former Wesleyan chapel, a beautiful building that has been standing emoty for as long as I can remember (20 years since my first stay in Ripon). It was sold not long before the pandemic hit, and that brought a stop to all the plans that had been in place for it. We wonder whether we will ever see it coming alive again.
DeleteA beautiful chapel long closed. Lost England.
DeleteJohn Wesley preached in Preston. Someone paid thugs to throw stones at him.
Then he preached in Winchester for three days and was ignored.
On the third day poor elderly folk stopped and listened, some wept.
Wesley had no support from his own people in the Church of England.
His one ally was his brother Charles who wrote such magnificent hymns.
Sounds an enjoyable day. Lovely garden photograph and - as always - lovely photograph of West Front of the Cathedral. It is a beautiful building. Sorry our weather is so contrary.
ReplyDeleteActually, we have been having better weather here than back home! O.K. reported rain and very chilly mornings almost every day, when we had the morning sun shine in our windows. Today will be a completely rained through day, which is fine - we have nothing planned that depends on the weather.
DeleteThey really know how to charge at Cannon Hall.
ReplyDeleteNot so far from there you could have come to see us!
It was very busy, and people were eating, drinking and shopping - so yes, spending money seemed not to be much of a problem to the many families.
DeleteThe place was chosen because it meant only a short drive for the elderly aunties. There are family dotted around the Barnsley area in places such as Thurnscoe.
Glad you got such nice weather for your family gathering!
ReplyDeleteIt would have been lovely to see the family regardless of the weather, of course, but we probably would not have strolled in the gardens in the pouring rain.
DeleteA lovely day. I remember taking our children to Cannon Hall Farm one springtime and seeing an enormous sow with a fresh litter of twelve squealing piglets seeking mama's milk. As for the light on Ripon Cathedral - gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Neil. The view of the cathedral‘s west facade is one I have firmly stored in my mind, to return to whenever I feel like it.
DeleteThere is a TV program from Cannon Hall Farm, but I have never watched it.
How nice that the family reunion was planned during your visit! Or was your visit planned to fit in the family reunion? Either way, sounds like a wonderful time, Meike! Thanks for the lovely photos of that area!
ReplyDeleteMy sisters-in-law always try to organise a family meeting when we are here. Often it is one of the few chances during the year they get to meet up, too - much nicer than just getting together for funerals.
DeleteI love the view from your door and the sites on your walk. How wonderful to see family again after such a long while.
ReplyDeleteIt was good to see them!
DeleteThe cottage is situated ideally for us - minutes to the shops, bus station etc., but quiet enough to relax and have peace and quiet - as long as there aren‘t construction works going on in front and behind the house, as they are this year!