Day Eighty-Seven

I can't believe I forgot to mention the quilt exhibit at the Leeds Art Gallery, being a quilter and all. I wish I could have taken pictures as the pieces displayed used a technique that I have never heard of in quilting. Just as wood inlay is done, these quilts were wool inlay. Both the background piece and the inlay piece are cut to the same dimensions, inlayed, and then stitched to hold in place with very tiny, almost invisible stitches. Because the wools were felted and of limited colors, the quilts were very dramatic and quite intricate. The designs were small and much embroidery was included as well.

We walked through the open air market in Leeds where you can get just about anything - bakery goods, fresh meats and fish, flowers, etc., etc., etc., grabbed a cup of coffee and a sweet and headed to the bus for Harrogate which is about a 1/2 hour ride. It seemed a good day to move at a slower pace as I have a bit of a head cold and we both felt a little worn, so the Royal Baths were a must. We needed to ask one of our fellow riders where would be the most convenient getting off point and, as always when you get out of London, the locals as so at the ready to assist! It makes you feel rather special and wanted. We made it to the Baths, reserved our spot and then headed to Betty's Tea Parlor. Bob had a tasty chicken caesar sandwich (open faced) and I had a very hot bowl of cream of onion soup which hit the spot nicely. After walking through their park gardens and around the little town, it was time to meet our scheduled appointment for some needed pampering. The baths were fantastic - Tiled underground chambers with different temperature dry sauna rooms and a eucalyptus wet sauna that I'm sure helped my head cold. After about an hour and a half alternating between the steam and dry heat, we were ready for our massage. Caught the bus back to Leeds and sat next to a real character who talked all about the love he had for his England and how much he loved Americans and Canadians. Quite a fellow - he said we "made his day." He was a right jolly bus companion to end ours as well. Back at the hotel we slithered into bed after making bus arrangements to Edinburgh for tomorrow.