Our grand days out (Two updates)

An enjoyable few days in Yorkshire, based in Cottingham with Annie.  We opted for a less action-packed agenda this time, so in our two complete days there, we visited the (glacial!) Humber car collection, the East Riding Art show in Beverley (followed by drinks at Nellie's, an ancient, dingy, gas-lit boozer, supplying white wine that will never match the charm of the house...), and on Thursday took a trip to Burton Agnes Hall to see the carpets of snowdrops.  Thence on to Bridlington for fish and chips with Annie's former colleague Di and then a bracing walk along the front to the harbour.

The Humbers were amazing.  Their owner is the consummate enthusiast, describing his cars with great knowledge and lots of stories.  One had been delivered to the Queen Mother for use at the Castle of Mey, and registered EGS 21 in Perthshire for some reason.  Evidently she didn't like the running boards because the snow and ice accumulated on them.  Later models had flared doors concealing covered steps...  Probably the closest to unique in the collection was a fine Landaulette used by the late King on a visit to Australia - not, I imagine, that they needed the flared doors to keep the snow out....  At a more banal level, the collection includes numerous late Imperials and Sceptres, the latter being more and more obviously badge-engineered Hillmans.  Amusing to see an Imperial identical to our neighbour's in the Ferry, and a Sceptre identical to my uncle's.  Both owners and vehicles thoroughly late.

The art show included some pretty impressive work, and notably a piece by Annie: a little Mediterranean landscape of lemons, olives and vines.  As usual, there was also a lot to which I wouldn't give house room - but I dare say most exhibitors would say as much on visiting Forges-l'Evêque.

Burton Agnes and Bridlington involved a lot more walking than I've been doing of late, and I welcomed an offer to come and collect us from Brid harbour by car.  Di's welcome was a true delight.  But the same is true of all Annie's friends!  The prom is beautifully paved and smooth, so a good re-introduction to walks in the fresh air.  It's a pleasure to see a fishing harbour with hundreds of yards of crab pots on the quays.  It was clear yesterday, so we had good views north to Flamborough Head.  It was less good to see people allowing their poxy mutts to harrass a beached seal.  Must admit to administering a magisterial bellow.  While we're on wildlife, this was the first time we'd seen ringed plovers in such numbers.

Such walks have been largely off the agenda since my knee started playing up, so it's good to know that physiotherapy is having some effect at least.  But I get a sense that I need to develop a sense of moderation: walking is not so easy today!

Curious thing about Hull: I don't think I've ever seen more learner HGV and bus drivers.  You don't have to stand at Annie's front window for long before you see an articulated truck or tanker go past, and we saw quite a few full trailer rigs as well.  A quick search shows that several firms in the area offer HGV training.  I wonder why there's such a concentration? 

Well, we're safely home, having got a bus from King's Cross to Charing ditto, where we joined a train that spared us both crowds and most of the intermediate stops.  Lovely to spend time with Annie and to meet new friends, and it's also not bad to be home to familiar routines and surroundings.  Part of the ageing process, I fear.