The Tour de France spinned off in glorious Yorkshire, starting at the centre before passing through Harewood House, very close to where we live, embroiling us all in the cycling frenzy of the century this weekend!
My husband Peter and I spent the evening before the race in Harrogate for date night where the race ended on Saturda -and ate our body weight in fish and seafood at our favourite restaurant there The Drum and Monkey.
I only ended up taking snaps of my food (Peter got stuck in too quickly) with smoked salmon pâté for starter followed by lobster thermidor-heavenly!
I did manage to photograph Peter’s tantalising chocolate torte with caramelised banana and hazelnut ice cream though. What a beauty! He was a little too happy I couldn’t try it due to all the nuts! Not fair!
The following day saw meeting with friends cancelled and a rush to the local hospital to see an out of hours doctor as Alexander was diagnosed with a skin infection.
He was however in good spirits in spite of it all and with the antibiotics started, we headed home for a huge late roast chicken feast (this weekend was all about eating, can you tell?!) and early evening fun in the garden for magic hour.
Told you he was in good spirits…
He and Oliver played for hours! It was late to bed that night! (Not that it’s particularly early with failing black out blinds and late sun)!
On Sunday, we returned to Harrogate to enjoy the Tour de France fair for ice cream and live entertainment that got the crowd on their feet and us, guess what, eating again!
The breadth of the stalls on offer was impressive from coastal fresh fish bars to local fudge and even exotic meat vans (the latter were not likely to be from Yorkshire then)!
We also squeezed in a visit to our favourite local gardens RHS Harlow Carr, tucking into delicately delicious vanilla slices, bike themed butter biscuits and strawberry meringues from Bettys (ha,more food)!
Before long Alexander fell soundly asleep in his new gifted and gorgeous Ooba pram from Cosatto and Oliver enjoyed our full attention with a hunt to discover flowers and wildlife on his RHS map.
…I grew up visiting Bettys in Ilkley where we lived as children and have so many happy memories there. It’s always a pleasure returning to their Harrogate branch!
Breathtakingly beautiful Harlow Carr!
Alexander’s new ride…safely asleep with his protective big brother pulling up the hood. I love this shot!
Then it’s time for a run!
And a slight fall before getting right back up again!
What a wonderful weekend. How was yours?
Buy my bestselling book in paperback or audio
Mumboss: The Honest Mum's Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
Available on Amazon or Audible
This looks like loads of fun in a weekend! You have the most beautiful children. The food looks so yummy and that buggy is totally awesome… :0)
Great photos as always.
#CountryKids
Sonia Constant recently posted…#CountryKids – Wicken Fen National Trust
Thanks so much Sonia, we love our new gifted buggy x
I love that protective brother shot too! Reminds me on how I am with my younger sister. He is so sweet in this photo!
You had such a fab week! So many luscious food. Get well soon to your Alexander too =) #countrykids
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted…B & W
My favourite shot too, so much so, have used it as the featured image in the review post on the pram, thanks for your lovely comment x
Firstly how beautiful are you boys? Gorgeous. Looks like you had such a lovely day and some really nice photos. I always enjoy some cake shots! Glad you had lots of fun lovely xxx
brummymummyof2 recently posted…A Day Out in London
Aw thanks darling, love a good cake shot too, those cupcakes were amazing xx
Oh wow what a wonderful weekend you had! So many exiting things going on and I love the photos as always. Henlow Carr looks amazing, I can imagine it must be like Wisley – adore it there! Lovely post, thank you so much for sharing with #whatsthestory and sorry to be late commenting x
Charly Dove recently posted…Photos from Hitchin Lavender Farm
Oh no worries Charly, we love Wisley and yes Harlow Carr is utterly beautiful too, we love it there xx
What fabulous photos. Looks like an amazing day out. Bettys looks like the type of place I would like to frequent! I’m glad Alexander is on the mend and the weekend wasn’t spoilt. #countrykids
Thanks Ting, fully recovered now and Betty’s is perfection!
A family fun filled weekend – with the exception of Alexander’s visit to out of hours; I’m glad to see it didn’t damper his spirits though. Love all the food, sunshine and outdoor fun, thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
Thanks Fiona, lovely to have linked up again!
Looks like such a lovely relaxing weekend, I think it’s fab that their was a Tour De France fair, what a great idea to make the most of it. Gorgeous photos x #countrykids
Hayley @hayleyfromhome recently posted…Ice Cream & Picnics – Summer Staycation
Thanks Hayley, the fair was fabulous and got the kids excited about the Tour de France too x
Oh this really looks like my kind of weekend! Glad that Alexander was well and didn’t let his trip to the hospital keep him down!
So much food! The restaurant food looked amazing, but I have to admit, it’s the vanilla slices which caught my taste!
As always, such beautiful photographs. I think the one with the awesome Cosatto buggy is my favourite.
Tinuke recently posted…My latest Paperchase haul
Haha I love a vanilla slice too, such a sweet photo isn’t it, got some more great ones to share when we do the buggy review soon, thanks for your lovely comment x
Wow. Fun + family+ food = a perfect weekend. That picture of your eldest looking after his brother makes me melt. truly a moment to cherish. x
Michelle – edenfound recently posted…Le Tour de Yorkshire
Thanks so much Michelle, a stunning capture, will print that x
Oh I hadn’t realised you had moved up to Yorkshire, how wonderful.
Gorgeous photos here, looks like you all had a marvellous time
Mari recently posted…Fusilli with prawns salmon and peas
Thanks darling, yes moved a few years ago and very happy here xx
It all looks and sounds wonderful! My husband spent the weekend camping over your way to watch the Tour! He has come back with no voice…shame that 😉 xx
Cerys @ mascara and mud recently posted…The Ghost in The Red Wellies…and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Bahah love that! Bet my husband wish I’d lost my voice xx
What a fabulous weekend (bar the skin infection of course). Lots of amazing food, sunshine and the Tour! My husband loves the Tour and is in fact watching the highlights while I blog 🙂
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…Cook: Quick Miso Soup
Thanks Sara, it really was electric! Enjoy your blogging x
Sounds, and looks, like a gorgeous weekend, lots of family fun 🙂 Sorry to hear about Alexander’s skin infection though glad to hear it isn’t bothering him too much! My brother is really into his cycling so he headed up to Yorkshire for the Tour de France, but we had a lovely weekend visiting my Aunty in London 🙂 xx #whatsthestory
Caroline (Becoming a SAHM) recently posted…Outdoor Painting on Cardboard
Thanks, he’s on the mend, bet your brother had a fab time too and it sounds like you did as well x
Gorgeous photos as always and it looks like a very nice meal out. I watched the Tour De France on telly. Isn’t Yorkshire just SOOO beautiful. I kind of want to drive around the entire thing now 🙂
Thanks so much darling, we love it here, tis stunning x