Heading North

Heading North

Monday 26 May

Had breakfast at Dobbies today.  No it hasn't got anything to do with Harry Potter.  There are two Dobbies, a cafe and a restaurant that are part of a Garden Centre called, would you believe Dobbies.

After breakfast we went to Caithness Crystal where you can see demonstrations on glass blowing and if you wish do some yourself.  It was absolutely fascinating seeing a lump of molten glass on the end of a steel rod become an object to be treasured.

The start of a cat made of glass

Shaping the glass

You could make something yourself, a tumbler, a friendship ball or a paper weight.  A friendship ball was something that historically a glass blower made at the end of his shift and gave to a friend to demonstrate their friendship.  Essentially it is a small sphere of coloured glass.

We watched a customer make a tumbler with the help of the glass blower and it took about 15 minutes from start to finish.

Getting ready for a customer to create a masterpiece

Since we had some time to spare after the glass blowing and since we were in the neighbourhood we thought a quick trip to Sandringham to see the Windsors would be a good thing.  Unfortunately they weren't home so we decided to have a look around anyway. The grounds were really great.  

The front yard of Sandringham House

The gardens looking towards the side door

Looking over the ponds to the house

There were lots of people visiting Sandringham House and picnicking in the grounds of the great park taking advantage of the absolutely  magnificent weather.

There was a lot to see and the museum that has been set up in the stable and mews is really great.  I thought the motor vehicle that were there demonstrated the changes over the years and how they were used by the family.  There are tea rooms attached called "The Stable Tea Rooms" which are actually in the old stables.  The stalls are still there, however, they are a bit cleaner than when they were used by the horses.

One of the stalls from the old stables now part of "The Stables Tea House"

On the way out we visited the church that is on the estate.  It is not on the grounds of the house but just outside it.  Inside there were quite a few memorials to various members of the Royal Family.  There were two very nice ones that were put there in memory of the present Queen's Mum and Dad.

Looking towards the front of the church

Looking to the rear of the church

The two photographs of the church are photographs of pictures from the guide book.  Taking of photographs inside the church wasn't allowed so I purchased a guide book and took photograph from there. 

    

We arrived in York at about 5.30 this afternoon and are staying in a B&B called Georgian House York.  It is quite an old building but nice and clean with a four poster bed.  Doesn't have all the curtains around the bed though.  We have had a quick look around the area near our accommodation and it is quite impressive.  More exploring tomorrow.

Deb and Den