Harrogate in Yorkshire

I am so late getting this out.  What a lovely little town.   It was a hamlet which became a city due to its medicinal waters.  The gentry began coming here in the 1700's to bathe as well as drink the waters. There are 88 springs within a 2 mile radius of the town centre - 35 in "Valley Gardens. There are basically 4 things to see in this town "The Royal Pump Museum", "The Mercer Art Gallery" ,  "The Valley Gardens" and "The Turkish Baths".  Otherwise it's either shopping or eating, but what a charming setting for either of these endeavors.

We covered the two art venues in about an hour.  

Terry and I made an appointment for the Turkish Baths on Monday and we have been in the Valley Gardens twice.  

Now to the eating.  Last night we found a little neighborhood Mexican place (not kidding), which was quite good and then today we went to the famous Bettys Tea Room for lunch.  There's always a queue (British for line), but when in Harrogate one must go to Bettys......

Berry crumble. Yummmm!

and shopping.  Found a wonder of a hat shop.  

and the lovely ladies who run the shop; the lady in beige was a Wren (Womens Royal Naval Service)

hey let me try on all the red hats I could find

The Hunt perhaps

A stroll in Hyde Park in my bowler

The Queen's Tea Party

The Princess Kate

The Village Idiot

Alas none would fit in my suitcase, so my shopping spree was a new pair of socks, which just do fit in the suitcase

Tomorrow we are off to York.