Day 11 - 6th January

Pretty much a quiet day for us, so we wandered the streets of Harrogate getting used to the surroundings and doing a bit of shopping and mooching. Harrogate is a historic market town but according to our new found guide Fiona, 

Harrogate is considered the wealthier area to be in. We found it really pretty and is a mix of old stone buildings and newer architecturally designed structures. Lots of the usual stores but also many unique brand stores as well, including a clothes shop where one is offered a glass of bubbles whilst browsing right next to a place that sells retro and vintage second hand gear. Naturally Deb gravitated to the clothes, shoes & design stores while I found an HMV (equivalent to JB HiFi) and a Waterstones bookstore. Waterstones is a little like Dymocks in Australia , seems to be a ‘nicer quality’ bookstore whereas WH Smith is more the Whitcoulls end with all sorts of books, toys puzzles etc.

Turkish Baths site

Exterior of one of the Malls in Harrogate

Montpelier Hill where our Hotel is located

After our wandering was done we headed off to Fiona’s place in Knaresborough, which is only a 10-15 minute drive from Harrogate. There were a few back alleys to negotiate but we found her place and enjoyed a very nice chicken tagine with Fiona and her son Jonathan who’s currently preparing for his end of year exams and planning to head to University after that.

Fiona’s house was built in 1776 and while seeming small, is very cosy, and is effectively warmed by a firebox. 

Fiona's House, built in 1776

There are structural beams in her house that were taken from old sailing ships so it’s quite a unique and historic building. Fiona has two cats , Aura and Skye (both lads) and they’re lovely, She has a big cooker in the kitchen (like an Aga cooker but modern) and it’s on all the time (easier to keep going than turn off and try to reheat) and when not in use the cats like to sleep on the warm stove top ! 

Example of the beams in Fiona's house

Skye chillin on the warm stove top

Remnants of a lovely dinner & dessert