Bring on the Summer –  so far my main adventure this year has been with my daughter in a group of five of us, to do the Moon Walk on 10th May in London when we (15,000 people) walked 14 miles from midnight to 5.00am – WOW. Still suffering!

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It is good to try to visit different places each year and I am lucky that I have friends that are keen to share visits with me.

Last time I wrote to you, I mentioned very briefly that I had had a lovely day out in the Lake District at Blackwell, a lovely Arts & Crafts house situated just south of Bowness on Lake Windermere. To give you a little more description, the house had spectacular views over the lake and we could just picture ourselves having a delightful holiday there – impossible unfortunately.
Blackwell House      BW-White-Drawing-Room-Header[1]               P1010908

We were also lucky to find a Moorcroft exhibition on the upper floor of the house at the same time – I love Moorcroft and saw this lovely vase depicting Whitby – another place of which I am very fond. Do visit this special place if you can – perhaps a lovely, long weekend in the Lake District?

Last week, another friend invited me over to her ‘neck of the woods’ – Leeds City. I had heard great reports of it and was delighted to have the opportunity to see the place for myself. I originally went to College here …. years ago – oh how things have changed – it was amazing. We picked the right day to visit as the Grand Depart – Tour de Yorkshire was departing from Leeds on the following day and the city was done up ‘right proper’ to give the cyclists a great send off.

Le Grand Depart 2014 021.jpg Victoria Quarter Leeds   Le Grand Depart 2014 023     TheTiled Hall. Leeds art Gallery

Once again, if you have not been to Leeds in a long time, or if you have never been before, it is well worth your while – the arcades are beautifully restored with lovely shops and window fronts. Lunch in the city art gallery in the Tiled Hall was just amazing, a walk along the river front, much chat and a little sun was all that was needed to make this a great day – highly recommended.