The Kit Kat Club

Long ago in London, perched above a confectioner's shop, met a “cabal” of influential Whigs who named their group after their favourute sweet confection from Mr Kat's shop below. I have forgotten what they acheved but they were liberal thinkers for their time and their portraits hang in Benborough House in Yorkshire. They are part of the National Portrait Gallery that hangs in stately homes around the country. And what a home this lad from Yorkshire built! The drive takes some time even in a motor, past green fields with fat black cows. The outside does little to impress and the cavernous main hall now suggests “try hard” but it is a fascinating time capsule of 17th century mores and life for the well heeled. The back yard was even more impressive remaining in its park like state withour cars or cows. I could get usd to the life there.

The day had started in rain as we followed the A something from Leeds to York, hoping for an improvement in the weather. My phone does not have the map for York so we stumbled around a little and ended up in a short stay park near the Castlle which proved convenient for our walk beside the river Ouse, up the Shambles (butcher's lane) and soon to York Minster - my sort of pedestrian friendly city.
I could see no signs of damage from the 2004 fire in the huge cathedral. We coughed up our 12 quid and were met with some old military types leaving a service to commemorate a British victory against the Japanese in 1944. Tess took the best photos so check her Facebook albums once we leave this benighted novotel and access the Net again!
We headed north along the A 19 before venturing onto B roads to Ripon (proper visit saved for another day) and then out to Benborough Hall. I have described our enjoyable tour of its gardens and rooms.
Next stop was Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. Our National Trust membership meant it was worthwhile visiting even at 4.30 pm in the rain. Well I thought so. The ruins were impressive as was the park and its water features. Tess has created an album just for gardeners so check it out. The cherry blossom and tulips have been particularly memorable this trip.
The rain had increased as we wandered lost in the garden loop and rather than retrace our steps - closing time was approaching - Tess decided we should seek a shortcut via the deer park exit. After one wrong path leading to the Gents, we managed to find a pathe past St Mary's Church and on eventually to the Visitor Centre. Quite a walk. We were too tired to catch up with Em that night as planned when we arrived home after 7 pm, just missing out on the cocktail evening. Typical!