I should have shares in Groupon. So far I've purchased 24 deals. We have had days out, restaurant meals, I've bought gifts, been to a foodie festival, enjoyed baking classes and we've had 4 mini-breaks this year. I've saved a fortune, done things and gone places I wouldn't have thought of, if they hadn't popped into my email inbox everyday.
The mini-breaks have definitely been the highlight for me.
We have been to Aviemore, which is in the Cairngorms National Park, in the Highlands of Scotland, Killin, which sits at the western head of Loch Tay, to the East Coast of Scotland and a fairly new hotel, right on the beach a few miles from Girvan and finally, last week we headed down to Yorkshire.
Yes, it was flooded!
We had already made our plans and it was only heavy rain when we set off. No actually, I tell a lie, it was gloriously sunny when we left Dundee, but lashing down by the time we entered England. Typical!
The five of us (my parents, Graham, myself and Cooper) were there to have a good time, come hell or high water. Shame about the high water!
We stayed at The Hopper Lane Hotel, in Blubberhouses near Otley and I am pleased to say, on a hill!

The hotel was a cosy retreat from the rain. An old-fashioned style hostelry with rooms attached. The bedrooms were a bit bijou, but they were clean and well decorated. The staff looked after us and made us feel very welcome.
We ate in the Hotel the first night, but just had our breakfasts there after that. The menu wasn't ideal for 2 vegetarians and a vegan. They did offer to make meals especially for us, but really, we preferred to explore and eat out.
Foodie highlights:
York
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I loved the presentation of cakes at the National Railway Museum cafe. |
In York we stumbled upon an artisan chocolate shop in the shambles called Monkbar. Inside, we dripped and steamed while we watched chocolate being tempered. We happily stood and breathed in the wonderful aromas, while Cooper was plied with chocolate. "You won't want the dark chocolate, try the white chocolate", said the unsuspecting young lady, not knowing we have a foodie baby. "No, me wants that one please" says Cooper pointing at the darkest of chocolates. Munch, munch and another couple of pieces of dark chocolate later she has realised her mistake.
Harrogate

Betty's was opened in 1919 by a Swizz gentleman who wanted to bring the combination of mouth-watering Swiss confectionery and Yorkshire warmth and hospitality to the Spa Town of Harrogate.

Old fashioned afternoon tea is served on crisp white linen tablecloths by waitress dressed in white aprons, in art deco surroundings.
My parents plumped for a Yorkshire Cream Tea. They each had two freshly baked sultana scones served on silver cake stands, with strawberry preserve, Yorkshire clotted cream and a teapot of Yorkshire Blend Tea.

Cooper had a Yorkshire Fat Rascal, a fresh sultana scone served warm with butter and a glass of milk.
Graham didn't have much in the way of choice, so he had to settle for a glass of fresh orange juice and me, well I had a creamy hot chocolate and requested cake. A trolley full of cakes was duly wheeled around to the table. I really wish I had taken a photo. I eventually picked a French Fancy. Soft, sweet pink icing covering a light sponge filled with cream. A silly little cake, but utterly delicious.
We had to queue outside while we waited for a table and Graham winced when he saw the bill, but I really enjoyed the experience and could just imagine the genteel ladies of bygone days sitting there sipping their tea and nibbling cakes while they watched the high society of Harrogate parade past the windows.
We also had a fabulous meal in Brio, an Italian restaurant on the Kings Road in Harrogate. We were there on a Wednesday night and it really got busy as the night went on, so it is obviously the place to be.
I had Bruschetta Mozzarella drizzled with the most heavenly syrupy balsamic vinegar, followed by Ravioli Funghi. Mushroom filled ravioli, tossed in a wild mushroom sauce with cream and a drizzle of truffle oil and finished the meal with Crème Brûlée, my favourite dessert.
Really good Italian food, at a reasonable price, with good service.
Bradford
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Walking with dinosaurs |
We had lunch in the museum café and I couldn't resist having a child's packed lunch with Cooper. You picked a lunch box and filled it with a choice of 5 items. I had a cheese roll, a peach melba yoghurt, a penguin biscuit, which I had to hide from Cooper as he had raisins instead, a packet of quavers and an apple juice. Class! I was ready to use my two year old as an excuse if they challenged me.
Leeds
The torrential rain prevented us from wandering around Leeds, so instead we sheltered in a huge shopping mall. The highlight was a filled bagel from Bagel Nash. I had an onion bagel with hummus, falafel, lettuce, tomato, onion and jalapenos. Bagels are going to be the new staple in my lunch box.
In the evening we headed to The Black Bull, another old fashioned pub, just minutes away from our hotel. The food was well cooked, hale and hearty. I had Stilton and Vegetable Crumble with mash, carrots and peas.
Otley

We were surprised to find a veggie restaurant in Otley. Now nothing against Otley, but it is a small town, more like a large village actually and not somewhere we were expecting to find a veggie restaurant. We dropped my parents off at a pub in the centre of Otley (my father isn't a big fan of veggie food or anything spicy) and we kept driving into the middle of nowhere.
Graham was sure I had made a mistake with the directions but we eventually found it. A cottage high up above the road boasting the most marvellous Vegetarian restaurant.


Cooper had Sweetcorn Cakes with rice and a dip and I had a Kerala Curry. Sweet potatoes, aubergine and courgettes in spicy coconut and tomato sauce on a bed of spicy minted couscous. Served with apple and pear chutney. The chutney was particularly good. Large pieces of fruit in a sticky syrup. I must ask them for the recipe.

The Cheerful Chilli gets a big thumbs up. The food was wonderful and the restaurant was charming. I do hope you visit it, if you find yourself in Yorkshire.
A happy, but soggy week of finding things to do indoors. Hopefully next time we are in Yorkshire, the sun will shine and we will be able to explore it properly. I am happy to say the sun is shining here in Dundee today, even if it is bitterly cold and we are just about dried out and free of colds after our jaunt to Yorkshire.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I was given a groupon voucher, which I used to partly pay for our accomodation.
It makes me want to get more active on Groupon.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, you have it over there too Val. I do like it. Had so many good deals.
DeleteI have to say, even as a confirmed Southerner, that I am fast falling in love with Yorkshire. Mr CC and I were up in York for a day trip just over a week ago and managed to visit the Minster, Betty's, the York brewery shop and other local treasures. Definitely want to go back for a long weekend.
ReplyDeleteWent on hols to Whitby last year and adored the place.
I wonder if you were there when we were CC. It is great place. I used to spend a lot of time there as a child, because my aunt and uncle lived there. Unfortunately they both died a few years ago.
DeleteThe Cheerful Chilli is on my list if ever we are anywhere near Otley. Shame about the weather, but it sounds as though you had a good relaxing time. AND I'm very proud of Cooper's chocolate sophistication ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe did have a good time, not the holiday we expected, but still good. Cooper loves dark chocolate.
DeleteForgot to say first time around - what's Yorkshire clotted cream? I'll let them take credit for the tea but can't we be allowed to keep the cream?
ReplyDeleteHaha, well you will have to take that up with Betty's, I was only quoting from the menu :)
DeleteGorgeous photo of Coop! Laughed at Graham's face with the bill from Betty's I've never actually managed to get Brian to go in! He certainly wouldn't queue - hee hee! You are certainly the queen of the Groupon deal, I never seem to see much I want to do.
ReplyDeleteOh well, I did well then and as to Groupon, you aren't looking hard enough Janice :)
DeleteThose are some amazing looking baked goods. Looks like it was a great time.
ReplyDeleteIt was TB. Would have been better without the torrential rain, but apart from that it was good.
DeleteI'll have to look at Groupon a little closer! The baby is just beautiful! The food looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary :)
DeletePoor Graham - I am learning to make dairy free scones, but it's a bit uphill, to get them to have the same fluff and all. Fortunately, the butter and jam substitutes are easier!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed by the fab places you found - I never got into using Groupon, because I never found a coupon for anything I wanted to do, but I should check it out again.
I wouldn't say I find something every week, but I have had lots of lovely meals, trips away and classes.
DeleteGreat to see pictures of you all! Hope you're well!
DeleteWe are thanks David. Hope you are settled in now :)
DeleteLove your travel tales! Shame about the rain - you go on holidays to get away from it doesn't you :-) the veg restaurant in otley sounds great - even better when your expectations are low - the photo of cooper peering over the cakestand is priceless - sylvia also loves dark chocolate - isn't it strange that as kids we were never given a chance to eat dark chocolate because no one thought we would like it!
ReplyDeleteI know, I am sure most children would love dark chocolate given half a chance. I didn't learn to love it until I was an adult. Shame really.
DeleteAges ago hubby unsubscribed to Groupon (it was during a spate of teeth whitening/car valeting offers) and I've not resubscribed under my own email. Must rectify this. Thanks for the comprehensive food tour of Yorkshire. I can file this under travel and not food for the next time I am down that way. I really like Cooper's style - i bet he really surprised the lady at Monkbar and that you all were the talk of the kitchen. Hope Graham didn't lose any weight on that trip! Sound a bit of a vegan nightmare
ReplyDeleteYes, poor Graham missed out a few times. He did get some lovely dark chocolate in Monkbar though.
DeleteOh yes and I have found Groupon is particularly good for hotel breaks. The ones we have had have been excellent.
DeleteWow, what a trip! I might just resubscribe to groupon. Aviemore is beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteIt is good, but it is like anything, you won't always get something that suits, but it is waiting for the good ones appearing. I've saved a fortune.
DeleteWhat a trip you all have made!
ReplyDeleteThat veggie restaurant looked very good! Thanks for the tour & the foods! Loved this tasty post & very well written too, dear Jaqueline! :) xxx
Thanks Sophie :)
DeleteI really enjoyed my time in York when I went a few years ago - lots to see and we went to Betty's tea rooms too. I was gutted I didn't have time to visit Leeds and Harrogate at the time. It sounds like you had fun despite the weather.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been so much better if the weather had cooperated.
DeleteHi! Glad you enjoyed Yorkshire so much :-) If you ever go there again you should try to visit a village called Wetherby, which is kind inbetween Harrogate and York. When we were there, we spotted a Hindu (and therefore veggie and vegan friendly) restaurant called Mango (www.mangovegetarianltd.co.uk)we didn't get chance to go in unfortunately :-(. Also there is a vegetarian restaurant in York called Goji Cafe (www.gojicafe.co.uk)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. Maybe next time :)
DeleteWow. Love all the places you have managed to go to and experience but I do think the cakes at the National Railway Museum cafe have stolen the show for me. Oh my goodness they look so good. Course, the pic of Copper with the scone in front makes me giggle, he is such a wee sweetie.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chele and I am with you, that is a great way to display cakes, might have to steal the idea :)
DeleteAhhhh......You were in MY part of the world Jac! And you visited some of my VERY favourite places in York too! I LOVE the railway museum and Bettys was my local when I worked in York! (I have a VERY good Fat Rascal recipe JUST like Bettys on my blog too...!) LOVE all of the photos, especially the ones of Cooper! Karen
ReplyDeleteShould have asked you for tips then Karen, although we only got to York the first day then the road was blocked because of flodding.
DeleteWill have to check out that recipe :)