WOW!!! What a gorgeous week!!

We had such a lovely weekend, and then Monday found the lovely weather staying. I went back to work, but Dale and Fran struck out on their own and went back to York Minster, the De Grey Rooms, the Treasurer's House and to Fairfax House. They said they had a great time just wandering the streets and soaking up the atmosphere here in York. We had a quiet dinner at home, and then we repaired to bed.

Tuesday I was off to work, and they were off to London. After work on Tuesday, I came home to find a message from them: seems the hotel they'd booked online back in Texas was NOT what they'd been led to believe it would be, and they'd changed hotels. The new one was just a safety measure, as it was WAAAAAY more than they had planned to spend, but they were going to go out and find another one the next day. We chatted later that evening, and then it was time for bed.

Wednesday was another lovely day, and when I returned home, Dale had left a message that they had found a good hotel in their price range, and in a good area!!! Hooray!!! They were moving the next morning.

Thursday I had word from a friend in Scotland, Andrew MacIntosh, that he would be in York for Friday/Saturday. As I knew a group of us from work would be going out afterwards, I gave him directions to us. It was going to be good to see him! Chatted with some friends, watched some telly, and then to bed.

Friday started out glorious, but we had rain on Friday afternoon. It looked as though we might not have a good evening, but the rain broke, as did the clouds, and we were back on course. I had to get home and get some things done; so I wasn't able to start with the group. I'd left my mobile phone at home that day, and when I retrieved it, there was message from Andrew that his exhaust system had broken down on his car and he was at the repair shop getting that sorted!! Also, Wayne Miller had left a message that my bathtub had arrived, and he would be here on Saturday morning to install it!! Once again, movement on the bathroom!!! Andrew called about 9pm to say he was 14 miles or so from York. It was just a few minutes later, and he said he needed directions. Fortunately, once again Liz Kirby was around when I needed to give someone directions. We went outside Wetherspoons, and as she was directing him, around the corner he came. We were standing there waving him down, and he turned the corner and parked. We greeted him and got him inside for a well-needed pint. Afterwards, we adjourned to the Royal Dragon for some Chinese food and then back to my place for bed.

Saturday morning, here came Gwen, the maid, and right behind her was Wayne!! So she just did the ironing, as there was going to be so much going on in the flat, there was no reason for her clean that day. I was already up, and the Andrew got up and he hurried through a shower and then me, as the water was going to be cut off! We went out for an "English fry-up" breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, beans or grilled tomatoes), then I went to get my hair cut, and he went for a wander. He ran into Karen Whiteley from the night before, and he said they had a nice chat. After my haircut, I was on up the street to get my nails done. He joined me there, and afterwards we were off into town: down the Shambles, to Ye Old Starre Inn for a drink, the Minster, some shopping on Coney Street, back to the flat (Wayne was still working), off to do some shopping in the car, then to have Indian food, and then back so he could take off for Scotland about 9pm. So a VERY full day, and the best was that the new bath and toilet are in. The rest of the work should be done this week. Fingers crossed!!

Today I slept quite late, and then got ready for Peter Gibson's birthday party. Richard Kirby was going to take Liz and I (he was on call and couldn't go), but Sally Corrie called to see if I'd like a lift with them. They said of course they would take Liz; so off we went about 1:30pm. It was a lovely drive up to Thormaby to see all the things in bloom, including (English) hawthornes, horse chestnuts, lilacs, etc. Just lovely, and again, a gorgeous day. There were lots of people when we got there, and it was to be a bar-b-que; a perfect day for it!!! There was plenty to drink, good conversation, friendly folk and delicious food. There were salads galore, beans, potatoes, and Gareth prepared hamburgers, sausages and steaks, and for dessert there were mounds of strawberries with ice cream and cream. What a way to finish off. Around 6pm we headed back to the city, happy, tired and full. So another wonderful day in Yorkshire!!

Love to all,