Yarndale 2018

So Autumn is with us once more.  I have to say that Autumn is my favourite season with all its glorious deep colours for me there is just nothing like it.  With Autumn arriving it usually means there are those long awaited shows back on the TV. Bake Off and Strictly to name but two.  But most of all with Autumn arriving brings the countdown to another weekend of YARNDALE.....

As with last year myself and my companion finished work on Thursday lunchtime and normally we would head back to the farm house.

This year however we decided to call into  East Bridgeford Garden Centre  which has recently been refurbished and we had heard lots of nice things about it.There is a lovely gift area and food hall including a deli, bakery and butchers and of course a restaurant that has the most gorgeous looking cakes.

We were very restrained and settled for a cup of tea and a scone the size of a doorstop as we already had a table booked for a meal later in the evening, but we will certainly be back before Christmas for afternoon tea, well it would be rude not to.

Once back at the farm house we checked we have all the essentials.  Sweets for the journey. All the postcodes required for the sat nav to get us to our destination of choice. Wool sorted for the wool amnesty, well this tricks the bearded one into thinking I'm getting rid of some of my stash when in reality its only the leftovers from previous projects that isn't enough to create something else so it goes to the amnesty which is for a very good cause and in turn creates room, meaning I can then purchase yet more wool over the Yarndale weekend.  Reservation details for our hotel booking and of course the most essential item our tickets to Yarndale.

We treated ourselves to a meal out  to our local Brewers Fayre. They seem to cater for everyone no matter what your dietary requirements may be, even if we did confuse the poor waiter who thought we had snuffled the next tables deserts. Turned out the waitress who took our order had put the wrong table number on her docket.





Come the Friday morning we set off like Thelma & Louise off up the A1.  Last year we stopped off at Haworth where we had a lovely lunch at the  Apothecary Tea Rooms  and visited the Bronte museum and vicarage both of which were well worth a visit en route to Skipton.

This year we headed to Crimple Hall Antiques & Garden Centre wondering around the garden centre, gift area and the antiques before stopping for a light lunch.

We then headed on into Harrogate.  We didn't go into Bettys as before this picture was taken the queue was right around the corner and some.  May be another time just so we can say you have been.  We had a lovely afternoon of retail therapy and yes a couple of Christmas presents were purchased. 

We also discovered this hat shop that must be the biggest display of hats for all occasions that I have ever seen.

Tired and wiry we headed onto Skipton and booked into our hotel.  We chose to stay at the Rendezvous Hotel  again this year.  The staff are very accommodating, even putting us in exactly the same rooms as we had last year looking over the canal and always find us a table in their Baby Swan restaurant.   

Saturday morning arrived and we headed off to the auction mart parked the car and headed over to Kelham Farm Shop where we enjoyed a gorgeous breakfast and picked up one or two snacks for later in the day.

As in all the previous years the bunting was up its amazing that after six years of Yarndale it still looks fabulous as you walk into the hub.

The staff were there ready to help and answer any questions and all the previous years bags were there on sale together with note books and pens, pin badges and the new project bags.  No calendar unfortunately this year, which for me was a little disappointing as I usually have it on my office wall where I can see lovely yarny things all day whilst at my desk.

This years charity project was butterflies.  I have always contributed in previous years but I'm afraid my skills do not run to the making of one of these.  They did look splendid and there were some that had been made into broaches which you could purchase for a donation.

and I just have to show you this amazing display of poppies which were up in the hub this year and to hear people talking about what the poppies mean to them and their families.

We did of course pop along to see Lucy and Christine in the Knit & Knatter lounge and enjoyed a catch up with both these lovely ladies.

The knit & knatter lounge has had a face lift this year and the seating is a lot kinder on your derriere now. No need to bring a comfy cushion or to fold up your coat to sit on.

I did manage to find my socks on the sockline and whilst there managed to bump into a couple of my IG pals, which was lovely to say hi face to face, unfortunately I didn't take any photo's so that's a note to self for next year.

I did smile when I saw the board outside Coopers this year, I think it just about sums up Yarndale.  We didn't get a chance to call in this year but we did get to have the most gorgeous fish & chips at Bizzie Lizzies and will definitely be returning again in the future.

After a wonderful weekend we returned home my purse feeling a little lighter but with every penny well spent.

I bought these little stitch holders and I'm ashamed to say I cannot remember from which stall holder,  but I think they represent our little crafting community don't you. I heard so many different languages being spoken as we went around this year. It always amazes me that some will come far and wide just for a weekend or include a stop at Yarndale as part of their holiday.

Now here is an important bit of info.  Next year the UCI cycle race will be on at the same time as Yarndale and some hotels have been asked to block out any available rooms for those who are following the races across the week, so you if you are thinking of coming along next year you may want to start and think about your accommodation now.  B & B's don't seem to be too bad and there are plenty of cottages available,  we have managed to book into the Craven Heifer Hotel at Kelbrook. The race doesn't actually come through Skipton until the Sunday and then not until around lunchtime. By the sounds of it the Yarndale team have done their homework and apparently there will be rolling road closures on that day and should not therefore affect Yarndaler's getting in on the train and picking up the buses but I'm sure they will keep us all informed.

Well that is my Yarndale journey over for another year and we are already making plans for next years trip.

Mx