September 26, 2018 — Beningbrough Hall and Garden

September 26, 2018 — Day 23 (Wednesday)

Even lighter breakfast this morning. We’re not used to the B&B thing where they try to stuff you like a Thanksgiving turkey. Retreated to our room for a while then walked up to La Trattoria to make a dinner reservation. That done, we got the car and set out for Beningbrough Hall and Gardens. Took a little longer than we planned so we arrived in time for lunch. Only the tea room which is self service was open and not very inspiring so we had ham sandwiches and lemonade. Ed got a lemon cake and I got a National Trust shortbread cooky for dessert. The National Trust makes excellent shortbread.

After lunch we decided to do the Hall (house) first and this turned out to be a very good decision. We wandered through the moderately impressive house climbing from floor to floor. Up one flight to their special exhibit on Distinguished Women in History. It was a minimalist exhibit featuring the likes of Amy Winehouse so quickly gone through and forgotten. As we walked out and started up the next flight of stairs, the lights went out. They told us the electricity was out but otherwise we were okay so we continued through their collection from the National Portrait Gallery in light from windows and skylights. As we walked out the last door, a lady came through saying they were closing the Hall because of the electricity . . . but we had seen it all.

Downstairs we saw a group of school children dressed as Victorian house servants who were being ushered out from their field trip day. So sad. We departed the now-closed house for the Victorian Laundry with a lot of other people determined to see something before they went home. After the laundry, we walked to the Walled Garden and entered. Trees were heavy with apples and pears but we saw no medlars here. They espaliered apples and pears into fences and archways and used sage as a border decoration. We talked to a gardener who told us the trees with cherry-like fruit were Siberian crab apples. She also said she used liquid sea weed for her pumpkins and that comfrey was a good fertilizer. We thoroughly covered and enjoyed the gardens and then headed home . . . still in sunshine. [Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens, York YO30 1DD; tel: +44 01904472027; Click here for the Beningbrough Hall web site]

Back in Helmsley we strolled around the pretty town taking pictures and visiting art galleries. Fun. Then I put my pictures on the computer and we walked to La Trattoria, two doors down the street, for dinner. Ed got pork and I got lamb. The food was less than memorable, but the staff was wonderful. It was a fun experience.

Long day and off to Manchester tomorrow . . . sigh . . .