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.

With yesterday (31/03) being sunny and warmer (16 degrees) than it has been for months it seems that the weather has finally turned, hence the title of this blog. Having said that one cautions any prediction as the UK's weather can be fickle. However, hope springs eternal and perhaps we are in for a summer like 2006 when we had to invest in fans for all the bedrooms.
March has been pretty hectic and we have been running pretty much at full speed.

We had a great crowd in for the Easter weekend and fortunately the weather was reasonable. With Easter so early this year the weather was always likely to be a lottery. During the month we also had a visit from Claire and Andrew of Carlisle. They have been very loyal supporters of Feversham Lodge and this was their eighth visit since we opened four years ago. Claire was sporting a very swish engagement ring and their wedding date is set for the 1st August.

During the month we also learnt that we are again finalists for the York Tourism Bureau's Guest House of the Year award. We have since had our inspection and the awards ceremony is on the 16th April. This year it will be at the Knavemire suite at York Racecourse followed by dinner and dancing. With our 35th wedding anniversary on the 18th it would be a great present if we were to win it again. Last year we became the first Guest House to win the award two years running and a hat trick would be great.

Our April "what's on in York" follows:
A new exhibition has opened at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington. Against the Odds is the story of Bomber Command in the Second World War and is a tribute to the 900 or so Yorkshire based airmen who lost their lives during the War. The exhibition was opened by David Jason at the end of last month and runs throughout the summer. www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

From 19th March: "Swing back to the Sixties" Castle Museum. www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk
1st March to 31st August: "Surviving Henry: Tudor Howards on the block." Castle Howard. www.castlehoward.co.uk
Until 13th April: "Passed as Present." Past Masters compared with contemporary works. York Art Gallery.
4th to 26th April: "Three men in a Boat" York Theatre Royal. www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
9th April: Farmers' Market Castle Howard.
14th April: Around the World in the company of great composers. Popular music from around the world. 1pm St. Helens Church.
15th to 19th April: "Me and my Girl". Joseph Rowntree Theatre. www.nems-york.co.uk
28th April: "Rhapsody in Blue." The Gershwin Story. 1pm St Helen's Church

Well it seems that we have seen the last of winter. The weather in York was decidedly mild throughout February and the snowdrops and crocuses are out. These for me are always a portent of spring and indeed the yellow of the first daffodils are already brightening up the old moat around the city walls.
Elaine and I spent the first few days of the week in London. We had been given a London Theatre voucher for Christmas and since our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were in Austria we took the opportunity of using their flat in Wimbledon as a base. As they say in the classics "whilst the children are away the parents will play". Monday morning was spent at Kew Gardens and we relished the opportunity to walk the gardens and enjoy the sunshine and the first of the season's flowers.
On Monday night we went to see THE SEA which starred Eileen Atkins (recently in the BBC's adaption Cranford with Judy Dench) and David Haig (Inspector Grimm in The Thin Blue Line). Sadly these two great thespians failed to lift what was a rather bizarre play.
We also had the opportunity to finally go on the London Eye which we enjoyed but concluded that the York Wheel at the National Railway Museum was better value for money.
We came back via Rochester and Chatham. The former reminded us of Simonstown in the Western Cape of South Africa. This is not altogether surprising as Simonstown was for many years the Royal Naval base in Southern Africa (it even boasts a pub called Nelson's Eye).
After leaving Kent we traveled to Bedford to pick up some homemade marmalade. For those who have yet to visit us this is not as strange as it seems. For the first few years after purchasing Feversham Lodge we bought our marmalade from the Coxwold Tea Rooms in Coxwold. However about seven months ago, and unbeknown to us, Mervyn and Margaret sold the place. The new owners seemed unsure as to where they were now based and could only tell us they had moved down south.
However, Elaine is not for nothing the daughter of an officer who served in Military Intelligence during the war and after some detective work she found they were now based in Bedford. A phone call later and we had placed our order and we are pleased to inform one and all that we are again serving Mervyn's Masterful Marmalade at breakfast.

Now for our update of forthcoming York events.

1st/14th March: York Literature Festival. www.readwriteyork.co.uk
7/16th March: York Festival of Science and Technology. www.sciencecityyork.org.uk
8/9th March: Fair Trade Festival with York Samba Band. Parliament Square.
9th March: Open cab access to the locos' at the National Railway Museum.
15th March: How did they do it? Building York Minster. Includes a visit to the rarely seen Masons Loft and Chapter House roof. Free but advance booking essential. Tel 01904 557224
15th March - 20th April. Easter Chocolate Trail (includes ghost cellar tours) Treasurer's House. 01904 624247
22nd to 24th March; York Model Railway Show: Knavemire Stand, York Racecourse. www.yorkshow.freeserve.co.uk
20th and 27th March Live Music Black Swan Inn, Peasholme Green
York Theatre Royal. St Leonard's Place www.yorktheateroyal.co.uk
Grand Opera House. Cumberland Street. www.grandoperahouseyork.org.uk

Until next month, ciao.

One month down and eleven to go. It seems only yesterday that we were celebrating Christmas and the New Year and already a month of 2008 has passed. Where oh where does the time go. We have had an enjoyable start to the new year with repeat visits from old friends who have availed themselves of our Sunday to Thursday 3 nights for the price of two offer and we were particularly pleased to have Mike and Bernie Fenn celebrate Bernie's birthday with last weekend.

Talking of birthdays I celebrate the BIG 6 in October and had thought of entering the London Marathon in 09 as this would have given me boasting rights to having completed a marathon in each of the decade since reaching 30. The look I got from the family when I suggested it was enough to make me realize that I have some persuading to do. But who knows - all I can say is watch this space.

This evenings news confirmed what we have suspected. January was the wettest month on record in North Yorkshire beating even that of June last year. Fortunately York escaped any serious flooding although the River Ouse was at one time 4.37 metres (about 15 feet) above its usual level. As usual the Kings Arms pub flooded and was again featured in the national press. For those of you who intend to visit York this year the pub is worth a visit if only to see the marks on the pub wall which indicate the dates and the level of flooding over the years.
Incidentally, you may be interested to know that last month York was voted the UK’s favorite city by the Daily Telegraph’s readers beating Edinburgh and Bath in the process. Not only that but York was also voted European City of the Year in August 2007 (beating Valencia and Gothenburg). If you haven’t yet visited this jewel in the UK’s tourism crown why not plan a trip during 2008.

With only a French couple overnighting last night (they are off to Edinburgh to watch the Scotland France rugby match on Sunday) Elaine and I took the opportunity to take a trip to Whitby. The weather was sunny, a real bonus, and we decided that as part of a new exercise regime we would walk along the beach from Whitby to Sandsend and back.

The outward walk was not unlike walking on Strandfontein Beach in Cape Town when the southeaster blows. The difference being that we were walking a round trip of 4 miles and the temperature was 6 degrees. That the outward journey took 50 minutes whilst we got back in 35 gives you an indication of the wind strength.

Despite it all we felt invigorated by our efforts and are hopeful that next week will provide a similar opportunity although I fear that it will not happen this weekend as the prediction is for heavy snow.

Below is "What's Happening" in York this month. We do hope it helps you with planning your trip.

FEB 7th to July: China in York - A city wide programme to mark the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Events at Castle Museum, National Railway Museum, Fairfax House, York University and York St John University.

Feb 12th - 23rd My Fair Lady. York Theatre Royal. www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

FEB 13th - 17th - JORVIK Viking Festival - Tel: 01904 543403 www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk

Until March: Unfair Trade. New exhibition marking 200th anniversary of abolition of the slave trade. The Castle Museum. www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk

Feb 9th - 24th A day out with Thomas. Thomas, Diesel and the Trucks will all be here. National Railway Museum. www.nrm.org.uk

Feb 16th - 13th March York Literature Festival www.readwriteyork.co.uk

Until next month take care.

A belated happy new year and apologies that the blog has been in hibernation. No excuse except that I wanted to ensure that when next I wrote our new website pictures were on the site. Suffice to say that they are all there and even though one shoudn't blow one's one trumpet I think the Lodge is finally at the level we would want.
We have been closed since the 22nd December but had a really enjoyable run up to closing date. York has a series of themed weekends in December and we had the bonus of having two weekends where the house was full of repeat visitors.
On each of the Friday nights we opened the drawing room and invited the guests in for pre dinner mulled wine and mince pies. This proved really enjoyable and gave our guests the opportunity to meet one another. It's a bit early to be thinking of the festive season of 2008 but it's woth remebering that two of the weekends were fully booked some 10 weeks in advance. If you are planning to get to York at this time remember to book early.
We had the family with us for Christmas and as per usual had our Christmas meal on the night of the 24th. This has been a tradition and frees Elaine from having to cook on Christmas Day. It also means we can get to the Christmas church service without having to give food a thought.
Having a house full of family gave me ample opportunity to indulge in my passion for wine. Three that we particularly liked were
* Tattinger NV Champagne - some of the supermarkets often have this on a pre Valentines special at 50% of the usual price. If you see on offer grab it.
* Canaletto Primotivo - An Italian classic - 100% primotivo grapes with a lovely bouquet and long finish.
Penfolds Bin 389 - often called "baby Grange" as it is matured in the American oak barriques that are used to msture Penfolds icon wine Grange.
Given the price differential - Grange £100 Bin 389 £12 - there is no doubt in my mind that this is a bargain.
As those of you have stayed at Feversham in December will know we go very festive and the dining room has a complete decor makeover - always an exciting time for us as the room takes on a completely different feel.
Yesterday we packed away the Christmas decor and the house is back to its "Guest House" livery.
As usual we are running our "Mid week Winter Special" of "three nights for the price of two". This is for bookings from Sunday night to Thursday
night. If you wish to use this offer just give us a call.
I conclude by wishing you all a wonderful year and we hope to welcome you to Feversham Lodge in 2008.