Country girl was delighted when her bestest University friend decided to visit. Aussie boy as he will be for the purposes of this blog having travelled back to the UK for a wedding, popped up North for a few days.
It was a truly glorious day, the sun shining bright, so car was packed up and a happy country boy and girl, Ginger Dave, Aussie boy and Scruffbag headed up the A1 to Masham in Yorkshire. The reason for the little visit of course was to visit a lovely town which created Aussie boys favourite brew, the treacly loveliness that is Theakston's Old Peculier.
Masham itself a beautiful market town was all the more lovely being bathed in sun. First stop of course was the White Bear Hotel refreshments all round Aussie boy happy with his pint of OP and proper cheese and pickle butty, (which apparently can be hard to come by in New South Wales). Delicious handcut chips were shared, prompting a cheery wag from Scruffbag who can be most particular in potato related matters.
Next stop was the Theakston's Brewery itself for a quick look around, the Hop Arch which lead to the yard smelt beautiful, a herby sweetness in the sun. The yard itself filled with the coopers hard work ready to store the freshly brewed ale and the onsite pub with a sparkling array of Theakston's most splendid ales made for a cheery break.
Next was a walk around the lovely village of Masham itself, down through the square past a Butchers shop proudly display its "Guarunteed killed on site" sign. Than a quick stop at Bah Humbugs with its stash of old style sweeties for the purchase of supplies for the walk, (cola cubes, fruit rock and liquorice for Dave). Our happy little party also enjoyed some ice creams. Country girl was particularly pleased with her wild cherry cornet, a delectable purpley sweetness perfect for a summers day.
Refreshed we continued down through the churchyard, across the fragrant wheatfields to walk along the river a happy Scruffbag delightedly exploring every corner, a truly tail wagging day. With the sun still high in the sky , we decided to rest a while by the river and take a paddle to cool off. A truly beautiful spot and the perfect place to wriggle tired toes in the lovely cool water. Country girl was perhaps not the most sure footed of paddlers, but found a perfect rock to rest on! Scruffbag amused herself with some paddling, duck scaring and cuddling up to ginger Dave whom she even allowed to put sunglasses on her.
After the much needed rest the walk continued back through the lush green pastures, past curious ponies who hoped for a Polo and back to the village before heading home.
A truly lovely day. Back at home Country girls present to Aussie boy (a cask of his favourite OP was shared over a delicious Thai, eaten outside in the sun. On such delicious days country girl feels happy in her little idyll, but she suspects that it was the presence of her friend that made her day.
Country girl believes that friends are the most precious of things, the ones who can tell you when you've done something silly , who know that you aren't perfect but love you anyway. The ones who wipe away the tears when someone careless hurts your heart and don't care if you lost your job or that the dog is smelly and has fleas. And in her dear friend Aussie boy country girl struck the richest of gold reserves.
Sitting in the garden, chimenea ablaze, OP in hand and a very tired Scruffbag happily dreaming of her adventures of the day I was very happy indeed, troubles forgotten for the day.
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