Family Reunion Float Trip

We recently spent several weeks back in the states visiting family and friends. After a few days in Texas visiting Bill's brother, we drove about eight hours to Wild Bill's Outfitters on the Buffalo River in Arkansas. There, we met up with a majority of Bill's family, shared large cabin, and had a great visit. Our main activity was a six hour, nine mile canoe float down the gorgeous Buffalo River.

Ready for some river float fun!

On Saturday morning, the big yellow bus picked us up at our cabin and took up to the canoe put-in location. Once dropped off, we were on our own, but had to be at the take-out spot no later than 6:00 for the last shuttle bus back to our cabin. 

The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round...

Uncle Larry and Aunt Debi didn't participate in the float, but did find us at one of the river's beach-like pull out spots. A big thanks to Uncle Larry for taking all of these photos and letting me use them in our blog!!

Paddle, paddle, paddle

In most canoes a parent or grandparent was paired up with a younger member of the family. The river was so mellow and the temperature mild, most kids spent practically 99% of their time out of the canoes, slo-mo body surfing down the river. 

Time for a break

We packed snacks, lunches, and beverages (of the adult and non-adult variety) and pulled out at several beach-like locations for food breaks and lounging in the water. 

Canoe time

Bill and I shared a canoe, which is a good thing, as I am not all that confident with my canoeing. Thankfully, there were only a few areas of fairly gentle whitewater, so it wasn't too technical of a canoe float.

Enjoying the family adventure

Families posed for Uncle Larry and his trusty camera. Even the Ackfeld's small dog came along! The pub was adorable and wore a life preserver with a handle so he could be easily rescued, moved, or just picked up for a photo. So cute & funny!

Ed, Stacy, and their family - even the wee dog - had a grand time

Becky, Terry, and their family

Gran photobombs Becky & Terry's family portrait :-)

We had a grand time on the river! Back at the cabin, after taking turns in the shower, we made a huge pot luck Mexican feast for dinner and hosted the traditional skit night. Those who were there know how much fun skit night has always been, and this year's skits did not disappoint... but I'll spare you the video evidence! :-)

GO!!!!

Le Tour de France!!

On the big day, we packed up a bit of lunch and walked about 5 minutes to our perch (front row) a few hours early so we didn't miss a thing. 

Front row, just shy of day one's sprint finish

As the race drew closer to our area, the crowds grew and grew. 

Crowds looking towards the sprint finish

Crowds looking away from the sprint finish

After a parade, motorcades (both British and French), the cyclists finally arrived. Everyone, including Bill and I, went ballistic! 

Leader of the pack!

Front runners

More front runners

Just! Keep! Peddling!!!

After weeks and weeks of prep, excitement, and anticipation, the riders go by in a flash. (Pardon my language - they whizzed by within inches of my face and it was a bit startling!)

And then it's on to the next town. Le sigh...

Get Set!

The day before the Grand Départ finally arrived!! 

Main streets were closed, marquees and grandstands were built, and teams arrived to start their day-before practice runs. I just happened to be walking through town when the Quick Step team came cycling by. 

Practice, practice, practice

Practice makes Quick-Step perfect... almost!

After these guys rode past, I put my phone away. A minute later, one more Quick Step guy rode by with a cycling bodyguard of sorts and everyone milling about cheered. It was Mark Cavendish, the native Yorshireman and hometown favorite. Sadly, the next day he crashed just before the finish line, almost exactly where I saw him on this day.

As I walked home, I found a team bus parked at a hotel right around the corner from our home. I don't think busses are legally allowed to park on the sidewalk, but pretty much anything goes this particular weekend!

A Le Tour team bus near our home

That night the "Fun Park" opened up in town, so Bill and I headed out to see what sights we could see. Here we are right in front of the finish line, where the next day Prince William, Kate, and Prince Harry would stand to watch the day one finish. 

It's time to enjoy the pre-race festivities!

Inside the "Fun Park" we searched out the Theakston tent. It's one of the two main Yorkshire breweries who serve up the local favorite, pints of bitter. Bill's not a huge fan, but I don't mind the bitters. 

A true Yorkshire tradition

After a pint, we called it a night and walked home, excited for what the next day would bring. 

PS This is our 200th post on the blog - woohoo!!!

On Your Mark!

Bikes, bikes, and more bikes!!!

Another way North Yorkshire decorated for Le Tour is by spray-painting a junk bike (usually yellow, but sometimes in the other jersey colors), and strapping them onto their business, home, tree, what have you. 

Typical Tour de France decor

Here's a random bike across a river in Knarsburough. Please note: the bikers didn't come by here, it's just the home-owner's way of feeling involved and showing their spirit. So many bikes were used as decoration, I honestly don't know where they all came from! 

Bike over the river

A bike and bunting on a village square pub.

Bike and bunting near Blind Jack's pub

A tiny bike next to a tiny, yet decorated, shop window. (And next to a second floor half-door that opens onto air?)

Wee yellow bike and Le Tour window display

Even churches got into the spirit! 

Bike on a church wall

And pubs well out into the countryside.

Bike on The Welly wall

Here's a tiny King-of-the-Mountain bike on a village pharmacy wall. 

King of the Mountain bike decor

And right next door a rather whimsical flower-power bike. 

Pedal Power bike display 

The oldest sweet shoppe in England displayed an old-timey penny farthing bike. Note the garlic and baguette on the bike to honor the French :-)

Sweet shoppe penny farthing bike

Another bike in a village centre.

Village centre bike

More wee bikes.

Another King of the Mountain bike

Leader in points and yellow jersey bikes

Look! Up in the tree! In the graveyard! Yet another bike!!

Bike and bunting in a graveyard tree

And when a shop doesn't have much display space, they still make it happen! 

Sideways bike in the dales

Thankfully, the closer we got to the actual event, the less windging was heard. As you will see in my future posts (or have already seen if you are my Facebook friend), North Yorkshire put on one heck of a Grand Départ and a good time was had by all!!!

Yorkshire Prepares for the World to Watch!

North Yorkshire was positively electric during the run-up to its hosting of the Grand Départ, the first two days of Le Tour de France. Yes, there was plenty of windging (complaining), but by and large, the closer the event came, the more people prepared and got excited. Towns and roads where the tour would pass through, however quickly, fixed their roads, slapped on new coats of paint, gave their towns an all-over good scrub, and decorated. 

T-Shirt Bunting

In the village of Knarsburough, school children decorated white t-shirts which was then strung up as bunting all through the village center. 

Stores ordered specialty decals for their window displays. I loved this mustachio'd, beret-wearing French cyclist. 

Store front decal

In our town's main square (day one's finish line), an old tree was cut down and the stump left in place, carved, and will be on display for as long as possible. 

Eiffel Tower

Yorkshire Rose and Fleur de lis

Le Tour date

Ummm... Something to do with Le Tour

In York (day two's starting point), yellow bunting was strung along many of the city centre's shopping district streets. 

Town centre bunting 

And my favorite knit shop helped out in the cutest possible way. They worked with the North Yorkshire burrough councils and the local knitting contingency to create wee jersey jumpers. The pattern was free and fairly simple, so tens of thousands of the wee jersey jumpers were strung up as bunting all along the racecourse.

Le Tour jumper bunting

Yellow jersey is worn by the overall leader of Le Tour

Green jersey is worn by the cyclist with the most points 

White jersey is worn by the overall best young team member

Red-polka dot jersey (and my favorite) is worn by best mountain climber, aka: King of the Mountain

More Le Tour jumper bunting

Here's a short video about the knit bunting, created by Sky Television (a cable company who sponsor a cycling team).

Swanky Swinton Park

One of my American friends recently moved from the UK to Japan. Before she left, she wanted to go to as many places and see as many things as she could. One of those places was a small manor home less than an hour from our town that is now a hotel and restaurant. She had never been, so she corralled me and another of our friends, made reservations, dressed in appropriate attire, and headed out for a fancy "ladies who lunch" lunch.

Swinton Park

As we drove up the winding driveway to the estate we saw a few white deer, a sure sign that we were in for a treat! The manor house has been a home, a school for girls, dormitory-of-sorts for children during the wars, and is now a hotel, restaurant, and culinary school. I have my eyes on their "Tastes of India" cooking class coming up. 

Care for an Afternoon Tea?

The rooms inside were immaculate and very, very quiet. Us American ladies had to keep our giggling and boisterous nature in check! The dining room had only two other parties with plenty of empty tables scattered throughout the room. However, when I called to book a 1:00 lunch, they said they could only accommodate us at 1:15. We thought it was a bit strange, but the pageantry in presenting each course made us realize they couldn't provide the same service if each party had arrived at the same time. I mean, this is a place where the maître de put the napkin in your lap for you, for goodness sake. Fancy! 

Asparagus Velluté

My starter was asparagus velouté. I still don't know what velouté means, but it was damn good! The plate/bowl arrived with four sprigs of asparagus, several small croutons, and some sort of mint gel-cubes. One of the servers then poured the green liquid over the top. And it was over the top!

Pork and amazing other stuff

My main dish included pork prepared three ways, a few small gnocchi, butternut purée. And some roasted veg. I wanted to lick my plate clean, but I did as best I could whilst remaining a dainty, well-heeled lady. (I hope I fooled 'em all!)

Chocolate hazelnut deliciousness

Dessert was some sort of chocolate mocha ice cream hazelnut heaven. We were all stuffed up to our necks after dessert, but weren't quite ready to leave. We retired to the tea room (see second picture, above) for some tea/coffee where they brought us yet another plate of truffles. 

A gal could get used to this kind of pampering... And then have to buy larger clothing! 

PS my friend is now in Japan enjoying coffee in cans, sake, and squid jerky and trying to decode kanji using her phone's app with limited success.

Yorkshire Goes Hipster! Pop-up Diner Dinner

Last year a local farmer's daughter came home on summer break from culinary training and talked her dad into turning their unused barn into a pop-up diner. The diner was so popular last year, she made it back this year for round two of the Hay Bale Diner, her one-month, weekends-only diner on her parent's farm. A bunch of us had heard how good it was last year, so we booked ourselves a table and had a grand old time!

Barn turned diner

Upon arrival, we checked in at the barn and had a quick look around the barn. The atmosphere and weather couldn't have been better or more gorgeous. In the picture below, the school on the hill is a private Yorkshire day school that is supposedly quite fancy. To me it looked like Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! 

View from the pop-up diner

Five ladies (three of our guys are behind their partner's right shoulders) from our group enjoying the elderflower cordials everyone received as a kick-starter for the evening. 

Pre-diner elderflower cordial

The inside of the barn was super-cute, done up in gingham, bunting, and old timey candles. 

Getting seated for diner

And of course there was wine!

Some of our table mates

While we were still milling about outside, we enjoyed an amuse-bouch that was delicious, but I completely forgot what it was. The main course included scrumptious pulled pork, and apple slaw that was the best slaw I've ever had, a pork dumpling, and spinach. Each bite was delicious! 

Dinner - YUM!

The dessert was a dark chocolate brownie with cherries, a cherry sorbet, and a salted pistachio brittle that was crazy delicious. I could have eaten my weight in that brittle!!

Dessert - DOUBLE YUM!!

The view from the barn was nothing short of amazing, even after sundown. I certainly hope the culinarily-inclined farmer's daughter returns next summer - if Bill and I are still in Yorkshire, we will definitely return! 

End of night view from barn turned diner