The Abbey Inn is open again

The Abbey Inn at Byland Abbey has opened it doors again as it is the Banks family from nearly Oldstead who have taken it over. Tommy Banks you may have heard of is a chef and likes cricket. It is nice to know that it is no longer shut. I went along the other night to eat with a friend who was staying with us. We both opted for the burger as the Banks are farmers and have their own meat. I was interested to see what they had done inside as over the years as it changes hands every new tenant put their own slant on it. The best days for me were in the 70s when Mrs Bush owned it and it was something like no other - she did lock ins and told the policemen to b...off as it was "opening hours" then and the police were keen to stop late night drinking. Opening hours in Mrs Bush's eye were she opened when she wanted to and closed when she had had enough of the drinkers . A character who kept pigs in the back yard. With every round that was bought, you could stay as long as you bought Mrs Bush a drink. She had her own bottle a rare whiskey that no one else was allowed to taste. Probably twice as much in cost as Grouse or Bells. Up to the whiskey optic her glass would go and the unsuspecting person buying the round never knew that what they were paying for was cold tea that filled the whiskey bottle. Of course the locals knew, but that was the price they paid to drink into the early hours. I studied this the first time or two when I went in, but was warned never to question it.If I had I would never have been allowed over the door step again. Why Mrs Bush never ever seemed worse for wear ,not the slightest wobble on when hardened drinkers were rocking about. It was her domain and she ruled it with a rod of iron. She put up with women going in, but she preferred the mens company. I didnt go in until was 21.It wasnt the late night drinking which attracted me, it was the farmers son who lived next door .... Jack lived next door grwoing up there as a lad and it was nearly his second home. There are so many wonderful tales to tell about Mrs Bush. All I could think when I was in there ,was I wonder what Mrs Bush would make of it all now. She would have certainly spoken her mind. The door where the police used to hammer on to try to get in was built up many years ago. I am sure she will come back once in a while to have a look round especially when it is a full moon as it was the night I was there. It wont be through the entrance they use now, but through that side door that is now built up. God Bless you Mrs Bush ,they dont make souls like you any more. It was such a privilege to have known you.

A week in my life

It is surprising how fast a week goes. Things come up that you dont imagine. Not like when we were at school 50 years ago now since I left and that is one thing that is so different .We used to know we did French every day at some point and had double lessons in PE and cooking -they were the best bits of school apart from holidays and play time which were called breaks when we got to big school . I was busy putting posts up with clothes and old pillowcases on to scare the crows off the corn that was coming out this week. Worzel Gummidge and Aunt Sally would have been horrified. Rena is helping with the paintingand is battling through getting windows painted. We have been moving things about and clearing space to put tomoto plants in the old greenhouse at the farm.With the rain we have had and that the rhubarb is looking very healthy and in fact I must say a good looking crop . I have joined Helmsley Gardening Club but nothing was as good as been able to ask my Dad what to grow and how to grow it but now I cant so I have to look to take different measures . The heated open air swimming pool at Helmsley opens this weekend but think I will wait a week or two to let it warm up .Although saying that I was repotting some plants outside and there was some water stood in pots in the sun and it was surprising how warm it was. It was Rena's birthday the other day so we had a ride up over the Moors - they dont have anything like that in Japan and she was really amazed and took lots of photos I will take her again when the heather is out as even after all these years we marvel at the purple carpet that stretch for miles. Excited to hear Adam Jackson is on the move again and thsi time to the Rattle Owl on Micklegate in York so this is my place to go for my birthday .Nearer to home Tommy Banks has taken over the Abbey Inn at Byland Abbey and we have been watching workmen busily working away getting it ready for opening very shortly. It will be a success I am sure as those Banks brothers have vision and we wish them well as it is good for the whole area. The competition at the last WI meeting was something old and these were the entries which took my eye

The Songwriter and the Star

There is so much going on I hardly know where to start and as today is the first day of May I have a diary quite full already with things to do and places to go ,people to see and weeds to pull out of the garden. But what is very exciting is that recently we had a lady stay who is talented who together we hope we will be offering some new and amazing to the area. Her forte are music but there is much more as not only does she write music, she sings and plays too. As well as something else but just for now we are working to bring it together. It is very exciting and my head spins with the possibilities of what lie ahead.We celebrated the Best of North Yorkshire at the Star in Harome - well there isnt any other place I would rather go. This lady was bowled over so I knew it was a good choice of place to take hereby the food,staff and surroundings. Well done Andrew Pern and thank you for creating this amazing place - The phoenix has certainly risen from the ashes. But there was something,not food, in there that touched me to the soles of my feet .Thank you Andrew I am not one to burst into tears but it certainly brought a lump to my throat.

A little bit more than Spring clean ...

I used to write blogs all the time for years before there was "bloggers" "influencers" and the like, they were probably at juniors school when I used to write them a lot. Things you put off for a day turns into a week and then longer. And hey ho a year has nearly gone by. Life this last 6 months has been so packed that I do a job and then move quickly on to the next.Another off the tick list My father was 100 in September and died peacefully in October. It had been long decided when the time came we would move back 'home' to Wass Grange. Home was built in 1881, a solid stone farmhouse with high ceilings a beautiful oak staircase which my Father years ago painted bright orange 'to cheer" the place up. Not only did the staircase get painted but the panelling too,7 doors and skirting boards on ground level and similar on the first floor. They will stay and I see from colour palettes that it is quite an "in" colour for 2023 so it must have been 40 pls years ago when Father had an idea and my Mother would have a dicky fit . As we find fashion goes round in 40+ years cycle. The dining room was where I first started on and a living room where we will spend most of our time. It was a good job I like scrapping wallpapper off, as each room if papered takes between 14-16 rolls so you can tell how big the rooms are. My uncle always called Carr House here I do my Bed and breakfast - the dolls house as even though we have quite a few rooms here they are quite small. I am lucky that we are only 2 fields apart so I can nip over as and when The doors in the living room were a maroonish colour so have got them brightened up with going shades lighter and Heritage paint of Poison Apple which are certainly no shrinking violet colour. But as those of you who know me I am no beige/magnolia person I cant abide such non descript colours when there issuch a world of colour waiting to be used. And do you like the wallpaper on the dining room as it was a big treat, it is only on one wall but if I managed to find the cast iron fireplace which was put in an outbuilding for safe keeping and have yet to find there is enough wallper to patch the renovation up. It is a nod to my father who had many ornamental pheasants and exotic birds in his lifetime and Mulberry has created this one Game Birds which was very apt. I am starting to get some curtains up but it all takes time and as soon as I hung them up I knew they had to be let down ,I will get there !

Christmas is coming. LISTEN TO WHAT THEY ARE SAYING AT CASTLE HOWARD

I havent been around for a while but this is certainly something to look forward too .We are locky that this is nearly close to us around 15 minutes drive away and it really gets you in th emood for Christmas

It is easy really .This video explains it but if you are having difficulties please let me know

Andrea Bocelli: Music For Hope - Live From Duomo di Milano