Feversham Fever - A Diary of a York B & B

A little late this month but as the saying goes "better late than never". October has been quite a month - most of which have been highs.
Early in the month my brother and sister in law arrived for a visit from South Africa. Not having seen them for some years we had much catching up to do. Elaine and I surprised them by meeting them at Heathrow and after giving them time for a quick shower it was off the Oxford and Stratford upon Avon.
At Stratford we went to Shakespeare's birth place and I was accosted by a young actress in theatrical dress who used me as a "prop" whilst regaling the amused audience with a monologue from The Merry Wives of Windsor" - I wasn't quite sure to take the philandering suggestion as a compliment or insult. We arrived back in York having had a really fun day.
Whilst they were with us we also visited the Stadium of Light in Sunderland to watch Sunderland play Liverpool. As many will know this was the afternoon when Sunderland beat Liverpool courtesy of a deflection via a red beach ball thrown on the field by a young Liverpool fan.
I had not previously visited the Sunderland ground and I must say the afternoon was a revelation. A stunning ground, a vociferous but impeccably behave home crowd and a really exciting match. One really couldn't ask for more.
They also visited Castle Howard and the Bronte Museum in Haworth and we managed to get in a couple of autumn walks, not to mention a few pub meals at one of our favourite pubs, The Anchor Inn in Whixley. www.anchorinnwhixley.com
Sadly their visit was over far to quickly and they are now safely back and enjoying the summer heat of South Africa.
Before they left however our daughter had her second baby in Cape Town and we are now the proud grand parents of two grand daughters. I think our son in law, Tim, was hoping for a son but it appears the new arrival, very quickly, won her Dad's heart.
Whilst Philip and Avril were with us I introduced them to some South American wine.
The first of these was a Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay 2008. A lovely pale yellow colour with overt peach and citrus flavours it's a steal at under £6.00. A second wine that they enjoyed was an Argentinian Viognier from the Las Moras winery. With a nose of orange blossom, pineapple and apricots it is full bodied and went very well with our meal of Bobotie. This dish is South African in origin and is a great dinner party dish as it can be prepared in advance and heated on the day. The following link will get you to a recipe http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/5109/bobotie
But enough of Wine and Food.
No sooner had we seen Philip and Avril off to SA than we were having to face the prospect of saying goodbye to our daughter Carolynne. She has spent the last two and a half years with us in York. This year she decided to change career direction and went back to University to do a B.Sc Honours degree. No half measures with Carol she did it in one year with no previous science degree background. I have a renewed admiration for her - did she put in the hours studying. She wrote her final exam on the Wednesday and one week later she too headed off to South Africa.
She will be spending the next five months as a research intern on a project in the South African bush where after she will return to York to get in her Masters degree applications.
So for the first time in ages Elaine & I are truly "Darby & Joan".
The other really exciting news is that our new website has gone live. We have been working with our web designers for a few months and "signed off" the new site last week.
For those who have not yet seen it you can access it on www.fevershamlodge.co.uk
Finally, for those wishing to do some pre Christmas shopping in York, we only have a few rooms available over the weekends 11/12 and 18/19 December. For those looking to come mid week the accommodation situation is a lot better.
Until next time, take care and keep warm.

It's been a while since our last blog - primarily due to our having been run off our feet in September. Once hesitates to use hackneyed terms like "the green shoots of economic recovery" but certainly our September bookings indicated that perhaps the economy had turned the corner.

In many ways September proved unique. Two weekends ago we had a Feversham Lodge first with four couples celebrating their wedding anniversaries. We had a first, 10th,20th and 22nd.
To those couples we say a big thank you for allowing us to share your special day.

During the month we also managed to get to see the play "Sizwe Banzi is Dead". The play, a joint collabration of South Africans Atholl Fugard, John Kani And Winston Ntshona and written in 1972,deals with apartheid South Africa. The theme is however universal. Having studied it as well as having seen it many times in South Africa, I have to acknowledge that this British production was as good as any I have seen. It was superbly acted and tautly directed. Having lived through the excesses of apartheid there was a sense of surrealism in that we looked back and said "did these things really happen?" The answer sadly is yes. If you get the chance to see it "grab it".

During the month York put on its annual Food and Drink festival. Apart from demonstrations by celebrity chefs and any number of themed dinners, the Festival also has numerous wine tastings. New world wine makers from as far afield as Chile and Australia presented their latest vintages. Talking of wine, two whites which caught my fancy recently were Alamos Malbec from Argentina and Cantina Bartolomeo da Breganza Pinot Grigioa from Italy.
The former, is medium bodies and has plenty of berries on the nose. A long finish enhance the raisin fruit on the palate. Pinot Grigio is a favorite of mine. This one has a racy acidity which complements the floral nose. Hints of gooseberry and asparagus are apparent when tasted. Both are every day wines and ideal aperitifs, although the Malbec would complement roast lamb. Both are available at Majestic and very reasonably priced.

Last week we had our annual overnight grading assessment by Visit Britain. As a 4 Star, Silver Award, we have an assessor stay overnight and their reason for spending the night is only revealed when they pay. Thereafter we take the assessor through the other rooms to do the assessment.
We were gratified to again receive 4 Star Silver and having received the Visit Britain assessment yesterday thought we would share some comments with you.

Summary
Good to note continued commitment to very high standards of quality, comfort, service, cleanliness and excellent breakfasts means Feversham Lodge comfortably exceeds the 4 Star criteria.

Service and Hospitality
Mr. and Mrs. Geary are delightful hosts, exacting the highest levels of customer care, established procedures for booking, guest arrival, breakfast and departure. Obvious pride taken in the cleaning and presentation of the guest rooms with sparkling finishes.

Furniture and fittings.
Mix of high quality furniture provides plenty of storage space for clothing with good provision of easy seating. Good use of antique pieces noted.

Towels and Toiletries
Excellent quality with face cloths provided. Fine Scottish soap products of a very high standard, tissues and cotton wool make up removing pads also kindly provided. Great attention to fine detail in bathrooms most apparent.

Breakfast food choice, quality and presentation.
An appetizing range of fresh and tinned fruits, homemade muesli, four other cereals, yoghurts, full continental on request plus fish, vegetarian and traditional options.

Main dish (items sampled and quality).
Beautifully cooked scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and grilled tomatoes.

With that trumpet blow we are all but finished. Just a reminder however that York gets very busy in the run up to Christmas and whilst we do have a few weekend rooms available, these are likely to be booked in the next few weeks. If you are planning on doing some weekend Christmas shopping don't leave you accommodation booking to late. Till next time, take care.

Well summer has arrived in North Yorkshire and long may it last. The last few weeks have been balmy and whilst not quite a heatwave (a la the Southern Hemisphere) we have enjoyed above average temperatures for this time of year. Allied to the fact that, in Camelot like fashion, the rain seems to have been largely at night, we really have little to complain about.
In fact a few weeks ago we embarked upon one of our favourite walks from Whitby to Sandsend and back.

Checking the tide times (Whitby has a 6 to 10 foot tidal swing)meant that if we were to catch low tide we would have to set off along the beach at about 3:00. Well if one was looking for paradise this was it. The temperature was warm, no wind and the only regret we had was that we were not equipped to go for a swim. Swim? In the North Sea? I hear you say. Few will believe how warm the water was (we waded out a few yards). We finished off with fish & chips from the Magpie in Whitby and ate them on the pier. A magical afternoon and evening - an something we can recommend.

On the one day it did rain we decided to visit Brodsworth Hall. This is now owned by the National Trust and is a monument to how a family's fortunes can ebb. Built in 1863 is was the quintessential Victorian country mansion. Over time however the family's fortune diminished and in 1992 the family could no longer maintain it and handed it over to English Heritage. It was given on the proviso that all the furniture was bought by English Heritage. This netted the family a fairly tidy sum of about £2 million. What English Heritage has done is not to renovate but to conserve and thus it is seen in all it's faded "glory". Really quite poignant.

Incidentally for those who are Dicken's fans and who have read Bleak House, the case Jardyne vs Jardyne is based upon the will dispute of the heirs to the Thellusson estate. When the House of Lords eventually ruled in favour of Charles Thellusson in 1859 he inherited the property, demolished the existing house and built Brodsworth Hall.

Elaine & I made a real discovery in the house. As many of you will know when we refurbished Feversham Lodge we searched the Victorian "paint pallet" so as to decorate Feversham in authentic Victorian colours. Well you can imagine our sense of satisfaction when, on entering the Dining Room, we discovered it to be painted in the Victorian colour Promenade. A visit to our website (www.fevershamlodge.co.uk) and a click on our Victorian Room will enable you to see the colour (Promenade is the bottom colour).

Incidentally, as befits a refurbished room, the paintwork in our Victorian Room is far nicer.

Brodsworth Hall is well worth a visit and we have resolved to return an explore the gardens at a later stage (when it's not raining).

That's about it for now. If you are planning a visit to York over the summer, remember to book early as York gets pretty busy in August and September. We end as usual with our "What's On" diary.

‘The Railway Children'
Thursday 23rd July - Saturday 5th September 2009
E. Nesbit's - ‘The Railway Children'
Tickets are £10 - £18
Family Tickets (at least 1 adult & 1 child) £40 - £50.
Public contact: For tickets please contact the Box Office 01904 623568 or book online at www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk For general enquiries call the theatre reception on 01904 658162.

Festival of British Archaeology 2009
18th July - 2nd August
Free Admission to Young Archaeologists
18th July - 2nd August
Free admission to all 3 YAT attractions (JORVIK, DIG and Barley Hall) for the duration of the Festival of British Archaeology for anyone holding a current Young Archaeologists' Club membership card. Club members should be accompanied by a paying adult. Maximum of three free children per paying adult. A Young Archaeologists' Club card should be presented on admission to the attraction.
Kids Go Free at Barley Hall
18th July - 2nd August
Barley Hall, Coffee Yard.
Maximum of three free children per paying adult. Make yourself at home at Barley Hall and get hands-on discovering more about medieval life. Our Barber Surgeon will be on hand with gruesome tales of surgery in our new exhibition, 'Plague, Poverty and Prayer', on 18th and 25th July and on 1st August.
Hungate tours
20th July - 2nd August (excluding 26th July)
10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3pm
Meet at DIG, St Saviour's Church, St Saviourgate. Free. Pre-booking required (01904 615505).
Free visits to the Hungate excavation to find out more about the history of the city from this fascinating site.
Hands on Finds
21st / 23rd / 28th / 30th July, 11am - 12pm / 2pm - 3pm.
DIG, St Saviour's Church, St Saviourgate.
Your chance to find out more and handle finds excavated by York Archaeological Trust not normally on display. Places are limited at these sessions. First come, first served! Suitable for ages 9 and over. Normal admission charges for DIG apply.
Hungate Open Day
1st August 2009,10am - 3pm
Free.
Visit York's largest archaeological excavation for 25 years for free! Meet the archaeologists and find out what they have uncovered about the history of this important area of York, from modern times back to the Roman era. The visit to site includes the chance to see recently unearthed finds.
Public contact: Visit www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk or call 01904 543400 for more information.

York Castle Museum: NEW EXHIBITION!
York Castle Prison
Opens 17th July 2009
Rouges, thieves, killers, debtors, revolutionaries - York Castle Prison once was home to them all. From July, York Castle Museum is using its authentic cells to show what life was like in an 18th Century prison. Experience a brutal and crooked prison system and meet the unfortunate people imprisoned there - inlcuding the infamous highwayman, Dick Turpin.
Public contact: Visit www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk

National Railway Museum
Duchess of Hamilton ‘Streamlined' Exhibition
Opened 20th May 2009
Free Admission
Discover the magnificent Duchess of Hamilton restored to her streamlined form. The locomotive is a stunning piece of Art Deco opulence built in 1938 that wowed design critics on both sides of the Atlantic. The streamlined Duchess was a modern machine for a modern age and can now be viewed at the NRM as she takes pride of place in this new exhibition exploring the links between 1930s fashion, engineering and design.
York Minster
4th-26th July 2009
Henry VIII: Man and Monarch on location - British Library Touring Exhibition
2009 marks the 500th anniversary of the accession of Henry VIII. Henry is not only England's best-known king, he is also our most important single ruler.
This touring display is being hosted at eight heritage sites from 13th May 2009 - 17th January 2010 as part of the wider programme surrounding the major new exhibition Henry VIII: Man and Monarch at the British Library in London, from 23rd April to 6th September 2009.

Clifford's Tower
Time Travellers Go....Medieval
Sat 25th July - Mon 31st August 2009
From 11am - 5pm
Admission: £3.50/ £3.00/ £1.80/ £8.80
English Heritage Members free.
It's Medieval Makeover time. Medieval dressing up costumes for children. Come and try on, and mix and match colourful medieval costumes. Learn about medieval costumes from Lords and Ladies to Peasants and Peddlers. Learn how to meet and greet and to bow and curtsey. Bring a camera for your own souvenir.
York Art Gallery
St Ives (Arts Council)
2nd May - 27th September
Free
Featuring works of art from the Arts Council Collection and York Art Gallery, this exhibition looks at some of the artists working in and around St Ives from the 1930's until the 1960's, when it was a centre of the avant garde in Britain. Includes work by Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Terry Frost, Roger Hilton, Alfred Wallis and Patrick Heron.
Public contact: Visit www.yorkartgallery.co.uk Tel: 01904 687687

Quilt Museum
Wednesday 29th July
Embellishing with the Experts! - Half Day Workshops
Quilt Museum and Gallery, Education Room
10am-12.30pm (Adult's Workshop) 1pm-3.30pm (Children's Workshop 7-16 years)
Museum Admission Prices Apply
A full day of workshops with VSM, sewing machine and equipment specialists. Join us for an adults only session in the morning and learn how to embellish with felt and then bring your family along for the childrens' session in the afternoon! Everyone will get to have a go on the latest embellishing equipment and make a project to take home.
Please book early as spaces are limited - call 01904 613242 or email info@quiltersguild.org.uk Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Yorkshire Air Museum
19th July 2009
‘Battle of the Bombers' Veteran Signing Day
A unique signing event to be attended by up to 20 Bomber Command veterans representing the two famous bombers of WWII - the Halifax and Lancaster. Which was the best - the debate continues! Additional fee for items to be signed with proceeds supporting the Bomber Command Association and the Allied Air Forces Memorial (Yorkshire Air Museum). We can now confirm that the Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has been allocated to perform a flypast for this event. A spectacle not to be missed.
Admission to all these events is at standard entry rates of £6 Adult, £5 Senior Citizens and £4 Children and include full admission to the museum and the event.
Public contact: Visit www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk For further information, please call the Museum on 01904 608595 or e-mail: museum@yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Wednesday 1st - Friday 31st July
Abbey Tours, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Normal admission prices apply
Join us for a free tour to discover fascinating facts and stories about the Abbey and monks.
Wednesday 1st - Friday 31st July
A Grand Tour of Studley Royal, 2pm
Normal admission prices apply
Free tour taking in the grand design of the Georgian landscape including Deer Park and Water Garden. Meet at the Visitor Centre.
Saturday 18th - Friday 31st July
School Holiday Fun - Walk on the Wild Side!
11am - 4pm
Normal admission prices apply
Free trails and drop in self-led activities in Swanley Grange.
Wednesday 22nd July
Taster Tour, 10.30am
Normal admission prices apply
As the name suggests enjoy a taste of everything this World Heritage Site has to offer.
Meet at the Visitor Centre.
Wednesday 22nd - Friday 31st July
It's A Monk's Life, Every Wed, Thurs & Fri Only, 2pm.
Normal admission prices apply
Join us for a family tour of the Abbey. Dress in monks' robes and learn about their daily life. £1.50 plus normal admission. Suitable for 7s and over. Meet at the Visitor Centre.
Saturday 25th July
Fountains in Summer, 10.30am
Normal admission prices apply
A gentle walk for anyone wishing to begin to discover the delights of nature in summer. Meet at Swanley Grange.
Sunday 26th July
Songs of Praise in the Abbey, 3pm
Normal admission prices apply
Ecumenical service in the Abbey. Everyone welcome.
Wednesday 29th July
Mowgli Stories at the Abbey, from midday
Normal admission prices apply
A magical afternoon for kids: Face painting, games, story telling, fancy dress parade and a children's trail all inspired by the tales from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. Free admission for children in fancy dress.
Wednesday 29th July
Children's Open Air Theatre - Mowgli Stories
5.30pm Gates open, 6.30pm Play Begins
Illyria bring to life the stories of the man-cub Mowgli who was raised by wolves in the Indian jungle. Bring a picnic, rugs and chairs and enjoy this classic tale performed in the Abbey ruins. Limited seat hire available. Adult £12 Child £10 Booking essential. Tel: 01670 773939 Online: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events
Thursday 30th July
St Mary's Church Tour, 11am
Free tour of the richly decorated Victorian High Gothic church designed by William Burges. Meet at the Visitor Centre.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Admission Prices:
Adult £8.25
Child £4.40
Under 5 FREE
Family £22.00
National Trust and English Heritage Members FREE
Open daily 10am-5pm
Further information, Tel: Estate Office, 01765 608888 / www.fountainsabbey.org.uk

Life can be manic as we move into the season but despite it being March hare time were not yet rushed madly off our feet. In fact we are able to indulge in a bit of walking which is doing wonders for the waist line - definitely needed after the over indulgence over the festive season.

Last week we did two walks which are well within the capabilities of most. On Sunday we headed off in the direction of Thirsk and Sutton Bank. The top of Sutton Bank affords spectacular views over the Vale of York and on a clear day, as hackneyed as it may sound, you can literally see for ever.

The North York Moors National Park provides parking at the top of Sutton Bank and the walk skirts the contour of Sutton Bank (actually a cliff) all the way to the White Horse of Kilburn. On the landward side is the Yorkshire Gliding Club and whilst walking one can watch the gliders taking off and landing. The walk is on the flat and on a good all terrain path and the energetic should complete it in under an hour and a half.

Equally enjoyable was our walk on Tuesday. We have over the years done sections of the York city walls but we had, until now, never walked the complete wall. This we rectified on Tuesday. The total walk is approximately 2 miles and again is on the flat bar when one climbs steps to get onto the various sections of the wall. Each "gate" as in Mickelgate or Walmgate (the old entrances to the city) has a plaque with the history of the "gate" and these make fascinating reading. They really bring to life the city's history. As we walked we noticed that the Crocuses were starting to bloom on what were the walls of the moat and in a week or so the daffodils should bloom in their usual profusion.
An added bonus of the walk is that Walmgate has a coffee and tea shop on it and this is a pleasant place to stop and have a cuppa.

We have no hesitation in recommending both walks.

A few weeks ago we had a couple from south east London stay with us. The gentleman asked me on the Saturday morning about an original oil painting on one of the landings. I proudly informed him that it was the work of our younger daughter. He expressed a view that it was excellent. At that stage I had no idea he was the Head of Art at a well known private school. Thus his appreciation of the work took on added meaning.

We have further works by Carolynne, our younger daughter in the Guinevere Room and the office and a charcoal work by our elder daughter Sarah-Jane in the Bethel Room as well as some water colours of York painted by Elaine's grandfather. These latter works are in the dining room and are at least 60 years old.

Next time you visit Feversham Lodge have a look at what our artistic family have produced. Sadly such artistic expertise is not within my capability.

Our winter mid week special "Three nights for the price of two" will end when the clocks change at the end of the month so if you are planning a York visit you could maximise your stay by visiting us before the clocks change.

As usual we conclude with a "what's on in York summary".
7 March York International Women's Week (until 14 March) www.yorkwomen.org.uk
14 March York Bach Choir www.yorkbachchoir.org.uk
16 March Sing a Son of Sixpence (Exhibition) Castle Howard until 30 August www.castlehoward.co.uk
20/21 March Harrogate Book Fair
24 March An Evening with Gervase Phinn York Minister

It's been a while since our last posting and much has happened in our lives. Hence the rather tardy blogging of late.

We closed on the 22nd December to prepare for the arrival of the family from Wimbledon for what was to be their last Christmas in the UK. We all had a great time especially our little granddaughter Emma. She is now nearly two and a half and "this present thing" seemed to now make sense.

Whilst with us we went to a Nativity Play put on by the Churches of Haxby and Wigginton. This was entitled "Dibley comes to Haxby" and involved walking around Haxby to various locations. Thus "the Inn with no room for Mary and Joseph" was the Tiger Inn pub.
The organizers had even arranged for a "real donkey" to walk with us and with some 700 we dutifully walked around the village.

Emma kept asking when would we see; not Baby Jesus but "Baby Geezer". You can imagine her excitement when "Baby Geezer" turned out to be a real little boy.
The celebrations were regrettably tinged with sadness as after 8 years of living in the UK they had decided to return to South Africa.

January saw us scooting down to London to say our farewells and they left at the beginning of February. We have spoken to Sarah our daughter since her return and can you believe it - they are complaining about the heat; current temperatures plus 36 degrees.

After all the snow of the last few weeks balmy weather has returned to York. Last week end it particularly played ball for Valentines Day. Coinciding with the better weather we are noticing renewed activity from our feathered friends and our resident Blackbird has been particularly vocal. It seems that humans are not the only ones whose thoughts turn to love on the 14th February.

Should you be planning a York visit in the next month remember that we are as usual running our Winter Special of 3 nights for the price of 2 from Sunday to Thursday until the clocks change in March. Also visit the Rooms section of our website to see the redecorated Bethel and Mpumalanga Rooms.

Finally a taster of whats on in York in March.
1st - 15th - York Literature Festival - Citywide, Tel: 01904 554316 - www.readwriteyork.co.uk

16th - 25th - York Festival of Science and Technology - Citywide, Tel: 01904 554493 - www.sciencecityyork.org.uk/community

27th - 29th - York Open Studios - local artists in an informal setting - www.yorkopenstudios.co.uk

Well just when you may have thought we had absconded we're back. The fact that you have not heard from our blog for a month or two has nothing to do with abandoning our loyal readers and everything to do with a truly hectic summer season.

The only way to describe the last few months is manic. Feversham Lodge has been running at peak occupancy and we have been very gratified by the number of "old friends" (in hospitality speak repeat visitors) who have stayed with us.

However talking of old friends our oldest (in time not age) friends Peter and Jenny Ryan of Cape Town spent a night with us last month. Elaine and Jenny were neighbours as children and the friendship is over 50 years. It was their first visit to us and we had a special time as we reminisced long into the night.

We also had a visit from our son-in-laws parents Malcolm and Pam Black. Pam runs an operation in Cape Town called Celebration House (www.celebrationhouse.co.za) and had been exhibiting at the Earls Court wedding fair.

As the weather played ball (about time I hear some of you saying) we took them to Castle Howard. As you will know a new film of Brideshead Revisited has just been released. What you may not know is that like the 1981 ITV mini-series of Brideshead Revisited Miramax also used Castle Howard as a film set.

Their is a very interesting and informative exhibition on both "Bridesheads" and if your visiting North Yorkshire for the first time a visit to Castle Howard should be on your itinerary.

During our hectic summer we also had our annual grading assessment visit from Visit Britain. Apart from again being awarded a Four Star Silver Award grading we were paticulary pleased with some of the comments which we proudly share below:

Furniture and fittings: Very good quality furniture. A mixture of styles and ages presented to a very high standard. The antique pieces fit particularly well well in the period property.

Bed linen and bedding: Beds presented to a very high standard, appear inviting and sumptuous with good use of crisp linen, plump pillows and duvets. Contrasting throws and cushion provide luxurious finishing touches.

During the year we enhanced our breakfast menu and this received a glowing response. (Visit our website and click on the Dining Room thumbnail and then the Menu to see our expanded menu www.fevershamlodge.co.uk)

Some of you may have heard that a new chocolate bar named Credit Crunch has been launched by Selfridges in London. Whilst this may be a "tongue in cheek" response to the current financial meltdown for many financial belt tightening has become a reality. However the comments below posted by a guest on Trip Advisor indicate that it is possible to have a weekend break at an affordable price.

"We were a bit wary about staying in a guest house as opposed to a large hotel, but the people at Feversham Lodge were lovely - they couldn't do enough for us. The room (Victorian) was beautifully decorated and immaculately clean. The breakfasts were extremely good, with Bucks Fizz on the Sunday morning! We will definitely stay there again."

These guests pointed out on leaving, that they had previously always stayed at large hotels and that this was their first ever visit to a guest house.
Having seen their comments on Trip Advisor I did a quick price comparison for a week end in York.

Large Hotel: £169.00 per room per night. Excludes breakfast which costs £12.50 per person.
Total Cost for weekend including full breakfast £388.00

Feversham Lodge: £80.00 per night (our top room - Victorian). Includes Breakfast
Total Cost for weekend £160.00

In this regard Feversham Lodge is not unique and if you have yet to try a Guest House why not give one a go. I am convinced you will not be disappointed.

Finally, from the 2nd November our winter midweek special is again available. This enables guests who stay with us between Sunday and Thursday to have a three night stay for the price of two nights.

In this regard we still have midweek availability until Christmas and limited weekend availability.

Until next month take care.
David.

Another month and half the year gone! I'm certain someone is speeding up the years. Either that or the hectic start to the year has meant that we quite literally haven't had time to catch our breath.
June, is usually a quieter month, our lull before the summer storm. This year however it has been busier than usual and we have been able to cater for the needs of guests, both old and new.
We did however have a mid month break and spent a few days with our eldest daughter, son in law and granddaughter in London. This came about as a result of Tim and Sarah giving Elaine a ticket to the London production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. British readers will know that BBC1 hosted a programme last year to find a "viewers" Joseph. From the first programme Elaine identified eventual winner Lee Mead as her chosen Joseph. Sarah had likewise chosen Mead and both were quite smug when he was announced the winner.
As a result Sarah and Elaine decided they had to see the show and hence the Christmas present of a ticket. At the time Elaine indicated to Sarah that she should book sooner rather than later as she knew that it would be difficult to get away once we were into full seasonal swing.
But as the saying goes "the best laid plans of" were of no use as the world and his wife were all clamoring to see Mr. Mead and the earliest date that they could get tickets was 17th June.
Thus it was that we set off for London on the sixteenth. We spent the morning of the seventeenth with Sarah and Emma, our newest family addition, at Kew Gardens which at this time of the year are a real treat.
In the evening the ladies set off for the theatre whilst Tim and I baby sat. No really a chore as once Emma goes to bed that's usually her gone until morning. With Euro 2008 on we did the male thing and watched Italy versus France.
The trip also coincided with Elaine's birthday and as a birthday present Sarah and Tim treated us to a luncheon at Alain Ducasse's new restaurant at the Dorchester. They have a fixed price menu and this brings me to my "Basil Fawlty" moment. We enjoyed lunch, although my Yorkshire bias suggests that we certainly have restaurants that rank favourably with the best London can offer. (Visit our website www.fevershamlodge.co.uk and click on the link Dining in York to see some of our recommendations.)
After lunch Elaine headed off to the ladies whilst I waited near the lifts. I had only been waiting a few moments when the lift door opened and a tall gentleman accompanied by an equally tall very attractive black lady got out the lift. She is wearing a pair of large "wrap around" designer sun glasses.
They approached me an she asked me "where does the lift stop" - or that's what I thought she said. Having seen them get out of the lift I thought it a strange question and responded by pointing and saying "behind you".
She gave me a strange look and repeated the question. Now I am really confused and I respond;
" Behind you; it stops where you just got out of it". The lady looks at me as if I have lost my mind.
Whereupon the man intervenes and says: Where's the gift shop?"
Needless to say I felt I right idiot and on telling Elaine she just shook her head.
But the story gets better. The following day we switch on the one o'clock BBC News and low and behold I discover that the lady in question is none other than Naomi Campbell.
What can I say other than "was my face red."
As the summer season gets into full swing the "fare on offer" in Yorkshire provides something for everyone and we highlight some of the activities available in York and the immediate environs this month.
Till next month, take care.

Until 28th September - Grand Tour of York. Full size reproductions of 49 art works (45 from the National Gallery London and 4 from York art Gallery) will be hung around the city. Full details available on www.nationalgallery.org.uk or www.thegrandtourinyork.org.uk
3rd - 12th - York Early Music Festival - National Centre for Early Music, Box Office: 01904 658338 www.ncem.co.uk
8th - 10th - Great Yorkshire Show - Harrogate, Tel:01423 541000
11th & 12th, 25th & 26th - York Races - www.yorkracecourse.co.uk
13th - East Yorkshire Thoroughbred Car Club Rally - Yorkshire Air Museum, Tel: 01904 608595
13th - 27th - Festival of Rivers - Tel: 01904 554253 www.yorkfestivals.com
14th - Dragon Boat Racing - Riverbank and Museum Gardens www.yorkrotary.co.uk/dragonboat.
19th - 7th September - York Maze - Elvington Lane. www.yorkmaze .co.uk
Mid July - Early September - York Maze - Elvington www.yorkmaze.co.uk

Do'nt discard your winter clothes until the end of May has proved a true saying this year but May ended with a real bang. Last Saturday (the 31st) saw the mercury hit 23 degrees and Elaine and took the afternoon off and headed up to Hemsley. Helmsley is a lovely market town north of York and we decided to do a walk from Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey.
The return journey is some 5 miles but, apart from one steep incline, not strenuous. It traverses farm and woodland and is quite magical. We walked through fields of sheep with young lambs at their sides and at one stage past a field of rapeseed dazzling in it's yellow luminosity. We sat at the Tea Room at Rievaulx enjoying the tranquility before, refreshed after our tea we set off back.
Louis Wolfe Gilbert's immortal words;
"Those who find beauty in all of nature will find themselves at one with all the secrets of life itself,"
certainly resonated with both of us.
May had proved to be very busy and we were both grateful of the opportunity to recharge our batteries.
However we have now redone our summer hanging baskets and window boxes and replanted sections of the garden and are quite pleased with our handy work.
During the month we welcomed back to Feversham Lodge old friends Roy and Marilyn Hammersley and the Haggertey's who brought friends with them. It was great to catch up on their news. We also had Canadian visitors William and Joanne Anderson. They asked our advice on dining at a quintessential English pub and we suggested the Punchbowl in Stonegate. William was adamant that his pie was the best he had ever tasted. Those of you visiting from overseas might want to make a note of the pub name.
We leave youas usual with an update of what's on in our area this month.
So using the late Fred Trueman's sign off phrase in true Yorkshire dialect until our next blog "Al si thi." (see you later).
David.

6/14th June - York Late Music Festival - National Centre for Early Music, Tel: 01904 658338 www.ncfm.co.uk

7/28th June - A Man for All Seasons - York Theatre Royal www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

11th June - Farmers Market - Castle Howard www.castlehoward.co.uk

14th June - Real Snow Rail Jam (20 tonnes of real snow). www.snozoneuk.com

16/21st June - York Youth Mysteries 2008 - The Knavesmire, Tel: 01904 554660 www.yorkyouthmysteries.com

21/22nd June - York Cycle Show - Racecourse, Tel: 0870 8730660 www.yorkcycleshow.co.uk

22nd June - Classic Wings & Wheels Show - Yorkshire Air Museum, Tel: 01904 608595

We were up on the North York Moors earlier this week and noticed that the Mayflower (Hawthorn to those more in the know)was in bloom. This usually heralds the onset of warmer weather - so here's keeping our fingers crossed for a balmy month. Given the improved weather and the prospect of warmer evenings out we thought it overdue to put "pen to paper" and let readers know some of our favourite eating places. All bar one are within easy walking distance of Feverham Lodge.

Visitors to York often ask us for suggestions on eating out. Whilst we are generally spoilt for dining choices in York, we provide below details of five eating places in the York area. Each is different but each is distinctive.

The Lime House
In our opinion the crème de la crème of restaurants in York. Adam and Catherine Fisher have owned The Lime House for some seven years and during that time have garnered numerous awards and gained a justifiable reputation for outstanding cuisine. Adam learnt about culinary variety at The Green House in Mayfair, & about the qualities of fish in a Mediterranean Restaurant in the South of France. As Chef/Director of Cafe Bleu in Newark he achieved entry into the Good Food Guide. In 2003 they won the York Tourism Bureau’s accolade “Restaurant of the Year
Adam says; “I am passionate about using good quality local produce and love to discover new ways of incorporating ingredients in my dishes to suit different palates.”

The words of one of our guests says it all
.“We had both a dinner and lunch at the Lime House. The dinner was to celebrate our anniversary and it was outstanding. Great food, ambience and service. It was so good we went back for lunch and had their special. Two courses for £8.75 – it has to be the best value in the UK”
(Incidentally Elaine and I also celebrated our wedding annivesary at The Lime House and you can read our comments on our previous blog "The Good the sad but nothing ugly").
The web address is www.limehouserestaurant-york.co.uk

Bengal Brasserie
“A belting restaurant” was how a couple from Wigan described the Bengal Brasserie. Situated in the heart of York the Bengal Brasserie is arguably the city’s finest curry restaurant. Winner of the British Curry Award in 2005 it provides a convivial and comfortable environment in which to sample their Indian and Bengali delights. From time to time the Bengal Brasserie performs Indian cooking demonstrations teaching you the secrets of Bengali Cuisine. Whether your taste in curry is a mild dish like a Korma or maybe something with a little more spice you are unlikely to be disappointed.

The web address is www.bengal-brasserie.com

Plunkets
This year Plunket’s celebrates its 30th birthday and its longevity is testimony to its quality. Stars of the past and present adorn the walls of the stylishly decorated restaurant, while the upstairs bar is a comfortable place to rendezvous.
A major part menu of the Plunkets menu is based on food originating in Mexico and the American South West. Plunkets view is there is a real feeling of excitement and pride in the food from these countries and wherever possible Plunkets uses fresh ingredients in order to make their "imitations" authentic. Fresh chilli plays an important role but it is the distinctive colour and variety which make the taste buds tingle. The food quite literally sizzles with flavour.

The web address is www.plunkets.co.uk

The Bluebell at Alne
The Bluebell in the village of Alne (some 20 minutes from York) is the quintessential English village pub. Michael and Annette Anson acquired the Bluebell in April, 2002 and extensively refurbished the pub. Michael was formerly the Chef at the Fauconberg Arms, Coxwold, having been at the Carpenters' Arms, Felixkirk prior to that. With that pedigree its no surprise that foreign visitors seeking an authentic pub experience sing the Bluebell’s praises.
Try the Goat's Cheese Salad (Oven baked Goat's Cheese, served on rocket and mixed leaf salad, with a honey and lemon dressing) to start and follow it with Millefeuille of Pork (Layers of Pan Fried Pork Fillet and Apple, served with a Cheddar Cheese Crown and a rich Port Sauce.).

The web address is www.bluebellalne.co.uk

The Mulberry Hall Coffee Shop
Mulberry Hall, founded and owned by the Sinclair family for fifty years, is a flagship store for fine china, crystal, cutlery and cookware. Set in beautifully preserved premises, dating from 1434, browsers are welcome to visit their seventeen showrooms.
Whilst exploring Mulberry Hall take time to visit the delightful Mulberry Hall Coffee Shop on the first floor - a traditional English style tea room and sunny conservatory.
It's a delightful environment to enjoy a wide selection of light lunches and snacks freshly prepared on the premises. Also indulge in the day's selection of desserts from the cake trolley. Particularly tempting are the Treacle Tart, a heavenly Banoffie Pie and arguably Yorkshire's finest Curd Tart.
Everything is served on the finest china ("Night & Day" by Wedgwood) and cutlery (by Robert Welch) both available at Mulberry Hall.

The web address is www.mulberyhall.co.uk

As usual we end with the month's diary of events.

3rd/5th May Fiesta Parliament Street Parliament Street, York
3rd May Flamenco Guitar Workshop Merchant Adventurers' Hall Fossgate, York
10:00 to 12:00 01904 654818
10th/11th May Battlegroup North & Military Wheels & Wings Show Yorkshire Air Museum
Halifax Way, Elvington, York 01904 608595
14th/16th May May Horse Racing Festival York Racecourse 01904 620911
16th May 2008 Bonhams Valuation Day Fairfax House Castlegate, York 01904 655543
24th/26th May School of Chivalry Clifford's Tower Tower Street, York 01904 646940
25th/26th May Ryedale Festival of Food and Drink Castle Howard 01653 648333

In accordance with our theme we sign off by wishing you "a great dining experience".
David & Elaine

Firstly the Good. We celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary last Friday with an outstanding meal at the award winning Lime House Restaurant. Adam and Catherine Fisher have run the Lime House for some seven years and it never fails to draw excellent comments from guests we have recommended it to.
Elaine started with a Mediterranean Platter of artichokes, black olives, sunblushed tomotoes, buffalo mozzarella, lemon houmous and beetroot pannacotta whilst I had Adam's Avocado & Brie Cheesecake with a grape salad and red wine dressing. We both enthused over the way the ingredients blended to-gether.For our main course I had the Blade of Yorkshire beef slow cooked in red wine & herbs accompanied by a delicate Steak and Mushroom Suet pudding, creamed potatoes and a tarragon jus.
Elaine had the Loin of Wild Boar served on a Sweet Potato Bubble and Squeak with a sage and cider jus.
Only one word describes the Main courses; Superb.
As this was our wedding anniversary we decided to "go big or go home" and indulged ourselves on one of Adam's homemade puds. With my predilection for anything with hints of racy acidity, hence my love of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, I opted for the Rhubarb and Custard Cheesecake whilst "milady" had the legendary homemade Sticky Toffee Pudding with Cinnamon and Brandy Ice Cream.
We can unhestatingly recommend the Lime House for an outstanding meal. Access their website and we are sure you will be tempted. www.limehouserestaurant-york.co.uk

Now for the sad. As regular readers will know we were one of four finalists for the York Tourism Bureaus Guest House of The Year 2008 award. Having been the first Guest House to have won the award two years running (2006 and 2007) we were chasing an unprecedented hat trick. The awards dinner was last Wednesday
Sadly it was not to be and we were runners up. Not surprisingly I, in particular, was very disappointed (my sporting competitiveness finding defeat hard). However the response of two of our most supportive guests eased the pain.
The first pointed out quite rightly that no other guest house has ever achieved what we have and as she said "you were so close to immortality".
The other e-mailed us the following:

Hi, just wanted to say again how truly sorry we are that you didn't
win last night. I guess they felt they couldn't give it to the same place
three years running but you know that your place is even better than
it was last year so don't let it discourage you in any way. I was
absolutely gutted when I heard your news and it must have been awful to
have to sit there. I only wish I could change the result for you.
Don't be discouraged though, it's honestly not a reflection on you
guys other than that you won twice before. (Silly really that that
seems to have prejudiced you!)

With guests like that what more can we ask.
So we conclude by saying that far from being discouraged we are determined to prove the judges made a mistake and will continue to provide all our guests with the same service and attention to detail.
We look forward to welcoming both new and returning guests to Feversham Lodge.
Take care.
David and Elaine.