A white rose of York on Lendal Bridge
It was a rainy day in York and the River Ouse was swamp brown and near to bursting its banks. Was I downhearted? Not at all! I was on my way to a cosy rendezvous with my daughter and her partner, in Betty’s famous tea shop.
I don’t drink tea and the smell of it has been known to make me wrinkle my nose in disgust, but I soon had a small pot of coffee wafting soothing vapours at me.
Coffee a la Betty’s!
Lisa and Leo had been spending a few days in York to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary and were homeward bound. Just time for me to catch up with them for a breakfast brunch to send them on their way. I know that some of you are interested in such things so here’s the evidence.
Complete with Swiss rosti!
While Lisa was studying the menu I couldn’t help but point the camera in her direction. “Oh, Mother!” I can’t help exasperating my offspring. Or of being very proud of them.
Contemplating food!
Remember that “selfie” challenge last week? The above was almost an entry. Only fair that Leo (who hates having his photo taken) should appear alongside his lovely wife. I got the photo shoot out of the way before they settled down to eat.
The happy couple
A close up of the wedding and engagement rings, made by their friend Kay
Refined, resplendent and reserved- that’s us!
We sat and talked about what they’d seen and done for a couple of hours. Fairfax House got full marks. The Quilt Museum was pronounced a little expensive unless you were a real enthusiast, but Lisa enjoyed it. Places they’d eaten and highly recommended included the Hairy Fig and La Vecchia Scuola, whilst the House of the Trembling Madness sounded right up their street! By this time they agreed that they had just enough space to share one of Betty’s delectable cakes.
This was Lisa’s choice and it looked delicious!
All too soon it was time to walk them back to their hotel, Elmbank Mount. Undergoing renovation, it still retains much of its original splendour, and Lisa was very happy that they’d been allocated a four poster bed. One last smile and a hug and they were on their way. I wandered disconsolately through the damp York streets, taking a photo or two.
Not a day for sitting by the riverside!
The riverboats were going nowhere
Huddled together for comfort and warmth
A dank day for the lions, too
I made my way back to the railway station with time to spare. Feeling distinctly damp, I ventured into “The York Tap”, adjoining the station, and was delighted to find a warm fire. I stripped off my soggy gloves and settled in for half hour to enjoy my surrounds.
Nothing like a coal fire to dispel the blues!
And the ceilings provided a wonderful burst of colour.
My gloomy spirits lifting, I stepped out onto the platform to discover that the sun had finally made an appearance. It was time to head for home.
restlessjo 
Very beautiful are the photos – special moment unforgettable. Your daughter is very beautiful as her husband. Be blessed with a beautiful life together.
Thank you for sharing with us such beautiful memories spent with your family.
Have a wonderful day, a new week restlessjo and very beautiful! 🙂
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We have a lovely sunrise here this morning, Stefania, so I’m hopeful of a nice day for walking. Hope you have a wonderful week too 🙂
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Wow, I feel like I was there, Jo. Thanks for sharing such a special evening with us. I must admit, I was surprised to read that you don’t care for tea. No judgment…I love both tea and coffee. 🙂
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I think my mother probably put me off tea, Jill. She used to drink it by the bucketful and just kept topping her cup up all day. I love coffee, but not that much! (excuse me, I’ll just pop and put the kettle on 🙂 )
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What a lovely visit with Leo and Lisa for their first wedding anniversary, Jo, even with the rain and swollen river! I love the picture of Lisa with your selfie in the mirror. What a clever girl you are! My children are often exasperated when I force them to stop what they’re doing for a picture too. That breakfast brunch and Lisa’s choice of dessert look fabulous. Especially as I’m on a diet, everything looks good to me right now. Glad you were finally able to warm your hands by the fire. It looks like a cozy respite from your cold day. 🙂 xxx
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Morning, Cathy 🙂 Keeping my fingers crossed for the weather this morning as the walkers are going to a little town on the Moors. Nice sunrise so far!
It was a lovely day in spite of the weather, hon. Just so nice to see them smiling and happy in each other’s company. The “selfie” was a complete shock to me. Didn’t even know I was in that shot because I was trying to be quick and not annoying. Proves I haven’t got a clue where I’m pointing the camera 🙂
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A little town on the Moors?? It sounds so romantic, Jo, like something right out of Wuthering Heights. Will Catherine and Heathcliff be coming along? The Moors call for moodiness. 🙂
I’m so glad Lisa and Leo are happy. It’s so funny that you caught the selfie without even being aware of it until later. You’re so funny, Jo.
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It was moody this morning all right, Cathy. Enveloped in “romantic” mist! 🙂 I was singing your song. (you do like Kate Bush, don’t you?)
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We have seen the UK flooding on the news and I’ve been wondering how you were faring with all the wet weather. It certainly looks as though you made the best of it, breakfast looks yum and spending time with Lisa and Leo would outshine any cloudy day. Feel free to send some of that rain our way Jo 🙂
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We’ve been very lucky here in the north east, Sam. The south and west have taken the brunt of it and the flooding has been a heartbreak for many.
It was lovely to share just a little bit of time with them, and see them so happy 🙂
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Love the rings, but I don’t know how she does anything with those nails 😉
Never been to Betty’s – too expensive when I lived up north. But the cakes look delish. My favourite photos here are in The Tap – what a gorgeous fireplace and dome. Is that next to the station then? I have just had a couple of days with my son (and his partner) over from Oz so I don’t get to see them often enough. It is so nice to spend time with your children, whatever their ages.
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Me neither, Jude! 🙂 Betty’s is still expensive but it was a treat.
I’ve never noticed the Tap before. It’s tucked around the corner from the station entrance, but exits onto the platform! I have a couple more shots which will be good for “windows”. It was lovely in there (and the wine very reasonably priced) 🙂
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I like reasonably priced wine 🙂
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That’s a monster breakfast Jo, I’m not certain that I could have tackled that!
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The girl has a good appetite, Andrew. I just had scrambled eggs and bacon on a muffin (and Leo had to help me finish them). Very nice 🙂 (but not cheap!)
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la prima sorpresa i dolcetti sopra la home…poi tutte le altre belle cose, tua figlia compresa, e la dolcezza della coppia
( anche io odio il thè ha ha ha) si vede che sei felice anche dal tuo modo di fotografare!
bellissime le foto sui battelli
dolce notte Giovanna
the first surprise cupcakes over the home … then all the neat things, your daughter included, and the sweetness of the couple
(even I hate tea ha ha ha) you see that you are happy by the way you photograph!
beautiful boat photos
sweet night Giovanna
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I’ve changed my “look” a little, Ventis. The cakes are a good header for this post and the last one. Hope you approve.
She is the joy of my life, though we see each other rarely. Hope your weekend was beautiful. Sweet dreams! 🙂
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Cool rings, she wears them well. Love the photos through the stone openings. That plate of dessert would cheer me. Glad the sun is shining now after your visit.
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Hi, Ruth! 🙂 She’s always had an amazing collection of rings, and the fingernails are always a source of amazement to me. My own are short and uninteresting. Thanks a lot 🙂
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Isn’t Lisa just gorgeous?
Anyway, I could never understand why people liked Betty’s. In all my visits to York and living just outside at one point, I have never visited. But how it seems to have changed. Back then it was no more than a bog standard tea and whatever place. Very different now from the look of your photos.
I thought I remembered the Elmbank Hotel, and looking at the link, I obviously did as it was on the old Tadcaster Road which we would take to drive into York and then onwards to the east coast usually. I always thought it was a bank originally – hence the name – but I don’t know.
Hope Ls x 2 had a lovely anniversary. I remember my first one – he bought me tyres 😀
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The Hairy Fig got a big recommend, Rough 🙂 There are no shortage of tea shops in York but they hadn’t been to Betty’s. It was pouring and they wanted somewhere central to meet that I could find (I’m not known for my sense of direction). I made it! Very “genteel” and not somewhere that I would enjoy on my own.
Yes, she’s a sweetheart! Many thanks 🙂
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Were you upstairs or downstairs? We went to the York Betty’s last year and there was a big queue to sit upstairs, but no queue for the basement, so down we went!
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It was almost empty when we went in at 11, Rich, but when we came out after 1 it was full top and bottom (I know cos I went down to the loo 🙂 )
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Ah, Betty’s! If you want a bit of pampering, there’s nowhere better for afternoon tea! Have visited both the York and the Harrogate branches…alas, only when I visit friends in the North, long way from home. For the tea lovers,their Earl Grey is some of the nicest I’ve ever had, and cakes are PDG!
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It was a special occasion, Sue. I hadn’t realised how “upmarket” they are, but you’re right- very nice! 🙂
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Well, I think they are great for an occasion, but they are pricey! A few years since I’ve been, and probably rather more pricey now!!
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Ah – lovely day and I was very interested in the breakfast! My mum n ddad are going to Harrogate tomorrow for a few days and I think there’s a Betty’s Tea Room there…
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There is indeed. 🙂 Warn them it’s not cheap and they’ll probably have to queue unless they go early. The special occasion justified the cost.
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Ooh thanks for the advice!
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Such a lovely love filled post about time with your daughter (and son-in-law). She’s stunning, and dresses with such style 🙂
Love the Victorian details from the station….that last photo even has some love hearts in the glass dome.
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I didn’t notice the love hearts, Seonaid ( 🙂 ), but I loved the stained glass features. It’s wonderful to see them so happy. Life has thrown quite a lot of bricks at them. Thanks for your kind words.
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she’s beautiful! the ‘oh mother’ made me laugh!
hope this reaches you – internet slow…
z
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Got you, loud and clear, Lisa, and thank you 🙂 I think so too.
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That is a beautiful post, Jo! Thank you for sharing the special moments with us! They are a beautiful couple. Lovely fireplace and ceiling.
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I enjoyed it so much, Amy- the weather was totally irrelevant, but that pub was wonderful for drying out in 🙂
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Excellent captured atmosphere – but most of all I love your comment about tea vs coffee, you are my hero… 🙂 🙂 😉
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Funny how we tend to like one or the other, Drake 🙂 My mum used to drink tea by the bucketful but I always hated it!
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so did I hate myMum’s tea: Far too weak and with enough milk to drown any residual flavour! It wasn’t until I discovered builders’ tea that I started to enjoy it.
Lovely tour, Jo, thank you.
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Mum’s was more the builders type, Viv, but it’s the smell I really dislike. Glad to have your company, as always, Viv. Nice sunrise here this morning. I’m hopeful 🙂
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A great serie.
Nice dinner?
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I had scrambled eggs and bacon at Betty’s, Hans, then cooked chicken in black bean sauce for my husband when I arrived home. 🙂 Many thanks for your visit.
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I love that you have a town call York we have one just 20 min. away and go through it often. Pretty post too! Our York is by the sea but looks nothing like yours 🙂
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I think Cathy (Catbird) lives not too far from there, Eunice (or did at one time). I can remember her talking about it when we met last Summer. 🙂
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not sure who she is 🙂 but it is lovely as you pass through from Portsmouth to Kittery on the coast of Maine
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That looks great and I bet the cake tasted fantastic. I am off to York on Saturday, hope it will be a nicer day and I shall look for this lovely tea house. Looks well worth a visit!
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It really is, Ute, but it’s not cheap and you’ll almost certainly have to queue. We got there at 11.00 on a Wednesday. It was queued down the road when we came out. Have a look at the Hairy Fig link? You might like that.
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Such special moments when one can spend time with our adult ‘children’. I love her rings!
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They’ve had some really rough times, Sue, and it’s wonderful to see them so happy 🙂
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So hard to see our kids struggle and I totally agree that makes seeing them flourish all the more heartwarming. Wonderful.
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