Despite being another year older I spent one of the most enjoyable evenings I’ve had for many months!
I haven’t been at home for a birthday for years! Most not intentional, just how holidays worked out when I was gainfully employed. The school holidays were always taken by parents with young children so I became used to booking time off in October (avoiding mid term). The weather also played an active role in this decision. It was either autumn or spring somewhere in the world so there was less chance of soaring temperatures which was my husband’s concern. He left England and moved to South Africa where he stayed for a number of years. And he has a real problem with heat! Weird or what?
Currently we have minimal holiday choices in the U K. The new Covid tier system has been introduced and with it, more debilitating restrictions. I needed to act quickly so found a five star boutique hotel in the Yorkshire dales that looked beautiful. I booked two rooms, one for my husband and I and the other for my daughter and her husband. We all desperately needed some family time together and a change of scenery.
The drive through the dales was stunning! We opened the roof of the car and got our fix of vitamin D. The seat heater was on and I wrapped my jacket around my legs because the temperature had barely reached 10C. I was warm. We had turned off the motorway onto small country lanes which made my husband drive slower. The scenery could be enjoyed, not just a blur as we sped past!
We stopped for lunch at a very Covid secure, cosy pub near a viaduct. Rows of cars were parked on either side of the road so I wasn’t sure if we could get a table. However, the pub was relatively empty (it was past 2:00 pm) so the cars probably belonged to hikers. Replete, but with storm clouds building, we continued our journey in a closed car, which was a wise decision. The heavens soon opened but the views, when we could see through the mist, were still stunning.
We drove on through Wensleydale and into Swaledale. It had stopped raining so we booked into the hotel and went for a walk around the village. The shops had already closed as it was after 5:00 pm so we window shopped and then headed over the bridge and into the countryside. Everything looked fresh and clean. Leaves have only just begun to turn colour and the river Swale wound lazily along the side of the road, occasionally bubbling over stones, glistening in the late afternoon sunshine. It felt as if time had stood still. Not many people were out and about as it was getting close to their tea time so we had the place to ourselves!
Being a normal working day for my daughter and her husband we were only expecting them in time for the evening meal. There was a bottle of champagne waiting for us when we joined them. A lovely surprise! Glasses were filled, toasts made and the evening begun just as I had hoped. An aged gentlemen came in and sat in the corner nursing his glass so we tried to keep the noise levels down. My daughter and I can get very animated. Throw in champagne and we’re off!
The meal was superb. There were a few other diners so we did try not to disturb them! Both men had to periodically remind us! But I haven’t laughed as much for a long time. We returned to the now empty lounge for coffees and, by the time we nudged elbows goodnight (I haven’t been able to hug my daughter for months!) I felt as if life was almost looking rosy again! I had spoken to my son, who had taken himself off for a few days camping in the White Mountains in New Hampshire in the US. My daughter in law rang when we had finished our meal so also spoke to my two grandchildren. My brother had rung earlier and I had seen a number of Facebook and WhatsApp messages. A good day and a superb evening!
So, another year has passed. I had spent my last birthday in New Zealand. The year before that in South Africa. Next year? Covid defeated? I can but live in hope ……👠
Jenny Burrell 