September 25, 2018 - Nunnington Hall

September 25, 2018 — Day 22 (Tuesday)

Ate a slightly smaller breakfast this morning. Ordered Scout’s birthday present . . . a gift certificate for Target for her requested cast iron frying pan and Dutch oven. Internet shopping is very helpful when traveling.

Walked to the car and set off for Nunnington Hall, another National Trust site. We quickly arrived and parked. The ticket lady asked if we’d been to Rievaulx Abbey yesterday. She was working there and recognized our Tilley hats. We walked through most of the lovely hall and were almost to the special watercolor exhibit when Montezuma struck. We headed down many stairs to the facilities. I decided a pill was in order so we started looking for water and found the tea room. It was just after noon so we decided to have lunch before climbing back up all those stairs. Ed got soup and a cheese scone, and I got a ham and spinach sandwich. They were alright and there’s no place else to eat so it sufficed. We climbed back up the stairs to view the maid’s room and the watercolor exhibit. Very nice watercolors by David Birtweistle that we thoroughly enjoyed. We moved on to the fun Carlisle Collection of miniature rooms. Then we climbed back down. We didn't realize until later that we missed the resident ghost. The paneled bedroom and adjoining small Oratory are supposedly haunted but we didn't see or hear a ghost. Maybe next time . . .

Next was their famous organic garden still full of fruit and vegetables even in late September. They pack fleece from their sheep around the base of young fruit trees as mulch . . . looks cosy. There were bronze sculptures set out all through the garden and you could play croquet or badminton on the lawn. We opted for a couple lounge chairs in the tea garden overlooking the river Rye and enjoyed our second day of sun. [Nunnington Hall, Nunnington, North Yorkshire, YO62 5UY; tel: +44 01439748283; Click here for the Nunnington Hall web site]

Nunnington Hall - Beribboned Tree - We have no idea why.

We then drove to Yorkshire Lavender Gardens and parked. As we walked to the entrance, we were greeted by a doddering old man who mumbled they were closed. Could have mentioned it on their web site instead of announcing they were open! I snapped a couple photos over the fence and we left . . . grumpily.

It was a lovely drive back to Helmsley and we have a dinner reservation at our hotel tonight. ‘Twill be noisy but good.