Another stay at The Fev

Last September I posted about a lovely birthday break for Stu in Helmsley, and we've just been back to the hotel, for no special reason other than we wanted some time off over Easter. So, Back to the Feversham Arms for some rest, relaxation and pampering. What we didn't expect was so much sunshine! When I booked the room and heard that it had an open fire in it, I remember thinking that I hoped we wouldn't need it, but I thought there was a good chance that we might light it in the evening, but no chance!

Arrived on Wednesday lunchtime, and went for a walk round the town until the room was ready. Took in the wonderful food shops in the market square, the lovely old toy shop, and eventually settled on The Feathers for lunch. I broke my record of not eating chips since January, by nicking one of Stu's - but only one!  Then back to the hotel, where we were shown to our room, and discovered a complementary bottle of champagne in an ice bucket. Because the weather was so good, and we didn't want to waste any of it, changed into swimming gear and went to the pool, clutching the bottle, ice bucket and glasses!  Had a fantastic afternoon sipping champagne, reading a good book (yes, Voodoo Histories had arrived), and occasionally sitting in the hot tub, or cooling off in the very warm pool. Then back to the room, where everything has been thought of - the fire is ready laid with matches and candles nearby, a Bang and Olfsen TV with a selection of CDs and DVDs, and in the bathroom joss sticks, candles and a huge bottle of Sheep Dip (actually lavender bath oil).

After a long soak in the bath, with candles lit, joss sticks burning, it was time for dinner. After a pre-dinner scottish gin (with apple, not lemon), we opted for the a la carte, and as usual it was exceedingly good! Crab then slow roasted belly pork - served with something black which I later learned was truffle potato. Stu opted for the cheese trolley rather than desert and got to chose from the 20 or so different cheeses - including some of my favourite, Bells Bluemin  from Shepherds Purse. I had a Pimms desert which I'd been told was unusual, and it certainly was - cucumber ice cream played a big part in it. But, combined with all of the other parts including fruit sorbet, it worked!  Then back to the room to curl up in the cosy arm chairs, watch some TV, and in my case, fall asleep!

Next day we had coffee and newspapers in bed, followed by breakfast delivered to our room - smoked haddock and poached egg - yum!  Then off to the spa where we tried the various heat treatments including the sauna, steam room, and I managed to rub ice all over myself. The relaxation room is huge, and full of comfy sofas, iced tea and magazines, and after some serious chilling out it was time for my facial and Stu's massage. Then a session in the hot tub and more sunbathing and it was lunchtime. Another walk round Helmsley, along the Beck, and quick look at the castle, and we found ourselves in the Feathers again for another excellent lunch.

The lure of the pool was just too much for us, and we headed back, and stayed there all afternoon. It was hot, and we felt as though we were somewhere round the Med. The pool area is lovely, and half way through the afternoon I just had to have a cream tea - didn't have the full one, just scones, served with homemade lemon curd, strawberry and passion fruit jam, clotted cream, and a nice glass of chilled pinot to complete the opulence (and calorie count!). Both of us turned a lovely pink colour so by 6pm it was time to go in, and cool off - in another long hot bath!

This time for dinner we opted for a cocktail followed by the five course tasting menu - the chef's choice of small courses - we had butternut squash soup, soused mackerel, salmon, duck, and a banana desert. Just amazing presentation and flavours. All washed down with some very nice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the second bottle of which we finished off in the very comfy lounge later.

Friday morning we opted for breakfast in the restaurant, and I managed to try 4 different juices and smoothies. We went back to the market square so that we could do some shopping at one of the food stores, and I bought some easter eggs for the kids/grandkids.  Also bought some sandwiches and a raspberry tart for a picnic lunch. Very sadly we then said goodbye to the Fev - a very special treat. Hoping it won't be too long before we're back.

On the way back we stopped at the top of Sutton Bank so that we could admire the view, but it was a but misty, then we headed on to Fountain's Abbey for the day. Haven't been for years, and it was so busy - lots of folks enjoing themselves in the sun. Really is a lovely place. We walked along the water gardens, and had a picnic by the pools. Loads of wild flowers out - cowslips, primroses, bluebells, wood anenomes. As you come back there's some wonderful views of the Abbey.  All in all, a lovely few days.

Voodoo Histories

Good night last night at the Sheffield Skeptics in the Pub - or in the cinema bar, as its now held in the Showroom. Another full house, this time to hear David Aaronovitch talk about Conspiracy Theories, or why clever people believe stupid things. Based on his book, Voodoo Histories, it was an extremely interesting talk about his views of conspiracy theories, and why they are so popular. Topical subject, in the week that Times Square hosts anti-vaccination adverts, the antivaccination movement believing in one of the biggest health related conspiracy theories of recent times  - that Big Pharma, Public Health Authorities and health professionals are somehow in league with each other.

His definition of conspiracy theory is simple - the decision to believe a less probable theory. His interest started when a work colleague told him he believed that the moon landings were a hoax - David believing that it was probably harder to organise a hoax moon landing than a real one.

His story took us from the Protocols of the  Elders of Zion - a story which I'm ashamed to say I had never heard of - and one of the oldest conspiracy theories about a document purporting to reveal a Jewish plot to basically take over the world. Although discredited as a hoax, it continued to be widely believed after the First World War, especially in Germany.

The death of Princess Diana, the murder of JFK and the existence of a bloodline from Christ (best illustrated by the Chronicles series in the mid 80s and the Book Holy Blood, Holy Grail), were all examined by him to illustrate the reasons why people prefer to believe a less probable explanation. Often it is to make order out of chaos, the belief in a plan, that someone must have known what was going to happen. The thought that there is no plan is psychologically more difficult to accept. To complete a story  - particularly important in the Diana case.

Fascinating talk, and I managed to order his book from Amazon during the talk, which should arrive tomorrow, so will enjoy some holiday reading. I've always been fascinated by consipracy theories, and have believed in some of them - at least for a while.  Anyone old enough to remember Eric Von Daniken??

Rocco

This is my cat, Rocco. We got him from the cat shelter about 18 months ago, and he's about 4 years old. He's also a bit of a comedian. We knew he was going to be a handful when he escaped out of the back door the day after we brought him home, and went missing for a day. I was sure we'd lost him and he wouldn't be able to find his way back, and was worried about going to the cat shelter to confess. Late that night I found him in the garden, quite unconcerned. We didn't try keeping him in again. He soon showed us another odd trait. He won't drink from a bowl - only from a sink or tap. He jumps onto either the kitchen or bathroom sink and waits for us to turn the tap on, and he drinks from it,  often with water lapping round his paws which he doesn't mind at all.

He also like to sit and sleep in odd places. The top picture is him sitting on the kitchen table and watching me work on my laptop. Most days I find him on there, and if there's a tea-towel for him to sit on, or a vase of flowers for him to try and eat and then knock over, well that's just a bonus for him. Just recently he's taken a liking to our fish tank. Usually he sits on the floor looking up at it, like we would watch TV. But, now he's discovered that if the lid's not on properly, he can sit on top of it and watch them from the there. I've not seen him trying to catch them yet....

Last couple of days in Ludlow

On Saturday morning, after our long walk the day before (!), we decided on a stroll by the river and across the common. Had to nip out to the market first and buy meat and veg for dinner - that's the beauty of this town, you don't have to use supermarkets - everything is fresh and local. So, we set off along the river  - The Bread Walk. So called because workers used to be paid in bread so they didn't fritter their money away on booze.

 It's a lovely walk, and the sun was shining. At the end by the river there's a coffee shop, so we had to stop for a drink. Then a steep climb up onto Whicliffe Common, where's there's some fantastic views over the town.

Of course, Stuart took pictures. Then at the end we happened upon The Charlton Arms again, and had to call in for a sit down. Well, we had walked about 2 miles! The river terrace was great in the sunshine, but still not a heron or kingfisher to be seen. Not hungry, despite it being lunchtime because we'd got up late and had a cooked breakfast about 1030. So, just a drink!
Then back up to the town, and a good mooch around the clothes shops. Tried lots of stuff on, but didn't buy anything. Back to the cottage where we sat in the garden, knitting, Guardian crossword and glass of wine in the sunshine. What could be better!

Cooked a meal in - lamb steaks, rhubarb crumble and cheese. Fab!  Stayed up late playing Who's in the Bag, a name guessing game. Let's just say some of us where better than others!  Bed late, and up for another cooked breakfast. Sunday morning is the flea market, and I managed to buy a lampshade and a china bowl. Both of which has to be carried home on the train. Didn't help that Stu had bought a big box of lego pirates. Nice lunch at the Rose and Crown, and then back to the cottage to pick up the cases and walk to the station, Uneventful journey till we got to Stockport where we missed the train, as ours was late getting in.

Great weekend as always.

Weekend in Ludlow

Another weekend away - this time with a few more home comforts, in a cottage in Ludlow where we've stayed before. Travelled on the train as usual, and managed a swift glass of Bucks Fizz, and got there in time for lunch in our usual pub, The Church. Nice glasses for the local brewed Ludlow beer. I'm still trying to lose weight, so no beer for me, on the basis that white wine and soda has less calories.  No chips either (I've not eaten chips for 10 weeks.....), but a good lunch anyway!  Then a trip  to Tescos for the weekend shop - we're very domesticated.

Some of us managed a quick walk after sorting the cottage out, Stuart stayed behind to practice his banjo. down to the River Teme, and the Horseshoe Weir, where we didn't see a heron, or a kingfisher. Someone had obviously forgotten to book them. The Charlton across the bridge looked inviting and we needed to book a table for a meal, so we popped in there for a little rest!  Lovely pub, with a great terrace over the river. Then back up through the town, and a trip to the local butchers for proper sausages to go with the mash for tea.

After a meal, we made it out to the The Wheatsheaf for a drink, and then bed.

Saturday we walked to Bromfield. Lovely walk, by the river, across some fields, and through the estate of Oakly Park. Oakly Park looks lovely - it's a shame we have to stick to the edge of it as it's private. Lovely clear day, very different to the fog last time we did the walk. Lots of primroses and daffodils out along the way, and great views of the castle.



There's an old derelict mill along the way which we've looked at many times, and thought how good it would  be to restore it, it would make a fantastic house. Was really pleased last time we came past to see that it was being renovated, and was part of a scheme to put some hydroelectric power generators in, utilising the mill race. Great idea, and the work is really coming along now, the original weir has been restored.

Just past Bromfield is The Clive, where we stopped for lunch, and then visited the Ludlow Food Centre, a great place for shopping, with most of the food actually made on the premises or sourced locally.  The walk back is usually very wet, so we decided to catch the bus - it was late, and some of our party had a nap in the bus shelter!

Back in Ludlow we looked round the market and the shops. It's a lovely town, beautiful Georgian architecture, and the market is a mixture of craft, food and plant stalls. We went to a wool shop, not for me, but I found myself buying wool and needles and deciding to knit a scarf. Not sure why! Back to the cottage (via The Church....), and a couple of aperitifs before leaving for a meal at The Charlton Arms. Excellent food, and a great view over the river from the conservatory style restaurant. Lovely evening, and then back to the cottage.