Travels to Yorkshire

 Our day began, cold & drizzly, as we enjoyed a lovely breakfast at the Tempus before checking out.  We bundled up and headed to Howith Hall, home of the Earl of Grey.  Howick was home to the Grey family from 1310 to 1963, when the 5th Earl of Grey died.  Over time, it passed in possession to the present Lord Howick, who is the grandson of the 5th Earl of Grey, Charles 2nd. 

Charles the 2nd is considered to be the most famous Grey in the family, serving as Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834.  He was directly responsible for the passing of the Great Reform Bill of 1832 which jump started the process of parliamentary reform.  Slavery was abolished during his ministry as well. 

He and his wife, Mary Ponsonby were married in 1795 and she bore 15 children, 13 of whom grew to adulthood.  The acres of land near the North Sea offered the perfect environment in which to raise such a large family. 

Charles was directly responsible for the myriad of gardens that fill the land surrounding Howick Hall.  The grounds are filled with plants grown from wild collected seeds, divided into 6 different world regions:  China, India & Pakistan, Japan and NE Asia, North America, Europe and the Southern Hemisphere.  Each country has its own section in the arboretum so that visitors can view different species that come from different countries.  

Marty and I decided to just walk around some of the paths and we really didn't pay much attention to the countries that were represented in the plants. 

We found it amusing that crocuses were popping up in so many fields, as we would have expected to see them in early spring, not in late summer! 

As you can see, the gardens near the house are well tended and cared for. 

Queen Victoria was once an overnight guest at Howick Hall, and during her visit, she planted an Algerian Oak sapling which  had been grown from acorns that Prince Albert had tended. 

We were able to spot it nestled among many other trees along the walk. 

The interior of the house has been refurbished as a Visitor Center, but two rooms are devoted to furnishings, paintings and some collectibles of the family. 

The delicate Chinese wallpaper really brightened up the dining room. 

There were several family paintings adorning the walls. 

Here are just a few that caught my eye. 

And this magnificent piece is a painting of the passing of the reform bill with the face of every man who was present.  Pretty amazing.

On the grounds stands a church which continues to be used today. 

To the right of the entrance door, a war memorial is mounted, listing the names of the local men who died in action during World War I. 

Howick Hall had stood as a recovery hospital during the war, and Lady Sybil Grey was quite active in running the convalescent home.  She was also an avid photographer and took many pictures of time spent in the Howick Hall hospital, leading to some real insight to the activities of the war and post war periods. 

In 1917, she traveled to Russia to set up a British volunteer hospital in St. Petersburg.  There is a photo on the wall in the church that shows the Romanev Princess Alexandra and her four daughters, sitting among a large group of hospital residents.  It was taken just months prior to their execution by the Bolshaviks. 

A dove memorial stands next to the photo.

The church has a lovely altar and beautiful stained glass window on the side. 

but what really fascinated me was the collection of needlepoint kneelers that were hanging in every pew.

I had a difficult time picking my favorites, as you will see here. But, rest assured, there were many that I passed on photographing.  

And here you see Charles the 2nd, the famous Earl of Grey.

Aren't these amazing?  I can't even imagine how much time went into sewing these beautiful creations.  The process began with a painting by a talented artist, and then the painting was used as a template for these creations. Just amazing. 

But there is one more aspect to Earl Grey that I have failed to mention.  He is the man who is responsible for the tea reflecting his name: Earl Grey.  He had received a special blend created by a Chinese Mandarin who used bergamot with the tea leaves to offset the taste of the lime that is present in the water at Howick. 

Lady Grey offered the tea while entertaining in London and it grew so popular that the Twining Company began to market it, with the family devoid of any money in royalties from Twinings. 

Wasn't that story fascinating?

We had planned on enjoying some of the famous brew in the tea house located inside but, alas, they only accepted cash payment.  And we have yet to find a bank in which to secure a few pounds.   So, we had to accept our disappointment and leave with out a brew. 

We had a long drive ahead of us, and we headed south, into Yorkshire, into the midst of the North Yorkshire Moors.  It took us just shy of three hours to reach our destination which was Goathland Train Station.   I read that this station was featured in a Harry Potter Movie, but I've never seen any of the movies, so I cannot attest to that.  Perhaps some of my blog followers will recognize it and let me know. 

Can you tell that Marty is waiting for the perfect shot of the incoming train? 

We rode from Goathland to Whitby

and back to Goathland, passing some incredible scenery along the way.

It really is a charming train station, nestled in the Yorkshire Moors.

And while I was waiting for Marty to take even more photos upon our return

I spied that fella munching away at the brush on the hill. Can you see the sheep standing precariously on the hill behind the train car? 

The adventure ended with a steam train making its way back to Whitby. 

At one point on the train, we went through a tunnel where the cabin became completely dark. I mean you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. I don't know that I've ever been in an area that is THAT dark.  I jokingly mentioned to the people next to us that it reminded me of a scene that belonged in an Agatha Christie novel.   The fella sitting across the way shouted:  My wallet's missing!  And we all began to laugh.  Those Brits certainly do have a sense of humor! 

One thing that I failed to mention was the delectable delight that we enjoyed while waiting to board the train.  We had arrived with about 20 minutes to spare and Marty popped his head into the tea house on the platform.   They featured scones already loaded with clotted cream with a touch of strawberry jam.  You know we weren't passing on that!  So, she made us some Yorkshire tea, and set us up each with one of these tender, perfect creations. 

It just might rate as the best one ever!  And if you follow my blog, then you know there have been a LOT of scone tastings over the years!

We're staying in Robin Hood's Bay, in a B&B/Hotel that is located at the top of the hill that leads down to the North Sea.  The views are stunning, and I can't wait to get some pictures to share.  You can't help but just fall in love with this beauty!

Until next time....