On Thursday (31 July), we were expecting friends, but they cancelled about two hours before they were due here. They were very apologetic about it, and we agreed on them driving up to see us next Wednesday (they live in the Barnsley area), but it was disappointing - not just because we had been looking forward to seeing them, but also because another friend had asked whether we were free that day, and we had told her no because of our plans with them.
Finding ourselves unexpectedly without anything lined up for the day, we took advantage of that and turned it into a shopping day.
Ripon has been having a market on Thursdays for donkeys years, and this was where we went first. You can get anything on the market square on Thursdays: from fruit and veg, fish and meat, bread and cheese to scarves and handbags, shoes and clothes, nighties and undies, birthday cards and mobile phone cases, pet beds and cleaning products, coffee and ice cream.
We bought a few things, such as a loaf of sourdough bread and three kinds of Wensleydale cheese, and took our food shopping home to store it properly. We returned into town immediately and started browsing the shops before going to Oliver‘s Pantry for lunch.
Our favourite bookshop was next, and it won‘t surprise you to read that it was there that we spent more time than in any other shop - of course not leaving without buying.
Back at the cottage, a rest was in order; I slept for at least half an hour. The sun was luring me out on the bench in front of the cottage, where my sister and I had coffee/tea.
 |
| View from the bench that afternoon |
I then went to see Mary again, and we had a really good conversation.
Upon my return, my sister and I went for a very pleasant walk in the late afternoon/early evening sun, coming across a path we‘d not known existed.
It was my turn to prepare our meal this evening. The Wensleydale we‘d bought that morning along with the sourdough bread were its main ingredients, but there was also salad and slices of cantaloup, plus a glass of well chilled rosé - a very summerly meal. The last two episodes of Death Valley provided our entertainment.
The new walk looks very nice, how funny that you didn't know about it since you all are such great walkers. Isn't it interesting about markets - I have visited them all over the world and they always have nighties. By the way I now know about quark - always something new to learn, eh?
ReplyDeleteCeci
Yes, that ‚new‘ walk was a surprise - we‘d just never ventured through that gap in the cemetery wall before.
DeleteNighties are obviously a universal thing! 😄
The markets sound like a lot of fun, and I would have spent the most time in the bookstore, too! And your lunch sounds great and perfect for summer. Speaking of friends visiting...I wonder if you and Neil have ever met in person? I just googled the distance between Ripon and Sheffield and it's only 68 miles. :)
ReplyDeleteNeil and I have never met in person, although I have been to Sheffield several times, last on our way to Ripon this year.
DeleteThat bookshop is so nice, you instantly feel among like-minded book lovers and can browse to your heart‘s content before (or even without) you buy.
Too bad your friends canceled but it turned out to be a fun and busy day for you after all. I love the views from your walk and am happy to see those blue skies!
ReplyDeleteYes, we had a good day, and I hope we‘ll still get to see our friends next week.
DeleteIt sounds like Ripon still has a vibrant weekly market. Where I grew up used to have a very busy one, also on Thursday - half-day closing for the other shops - but sadly it has withered to almost nothing. I think small shopping centres and markets will return, though, because people are beginning to rediscover the experience, and realise that instant online buying has limitations.
ReplyDeleteRipon‘s market has shrunk by a few stalls over the years, but it still takes up more than 3/4 of the market square and is quite busy. Long may it last! With the town having a relatively high number of elderly people living here, some may prefer shopping locally instead of driving to larger places.
Delete