James Herriot Museum 2010

On our way to Scotland, we stopped by Thirsk to see the famous James Herriot Museum. If you've read any of the books or seen the television series All Creatures Great and Small, you'll know that both show what life on the Yorkshire Dales is all about.

If you're wondering what the sign above the Museum poster is all about... it has to do with permits and parking and time limits, and... yes, we did get a ticket... unfortunately.
Jenn, as usual was armed with the camera. Here, Aunt Lynda, Uncle Rob and Sarah are headed to the entrance of the museum.

We had our directions right.

Informative plaque

The famous pewter mug for stowing payments

The dispensary

The surgery

A hedgehog on a sign, just about the only one we saw... sigh.

Jenn and Sarah posing inside the car used on the set of All Creatures Great and Small. To be honest, this picture reminds me more of a scene out of Wind in the Willows... something to do with Toad and his cronies! ;)

Top row: the actors, and bottom row: the actual people they portrayed.

Veterinary certificate

Picture of one of the many posters in the museum.

The beginning of it all...

A picture of the many languages into which James Herriot's books have been translated.

A letter of acceptance in regards to a publisher.

Aunt Lynda and Uncle Rob walking with us through sets of All Creatures Great and Small. The museum had the monitors rigged up so you could see people ahead of you in other sets.

Christopher Timothy played James Herriot.

Cutting the ribbon with a "special set of scissors" ;)

Airmen Memorial

The same Sunday afternoon, Uncle Rob and Aunt Lynda picked us up to stay at their house until we left for Scotland the next day. Here's "the other family" we stayed with bidding us "Goodbye" LOL!

Aunt Jean, Grandma and Lisa hamming it up for a pic in the front window.
We stopped at the 158 Squadron Memorial for photos of the memorial and wind turbines.
Looking through the gate

Love the hazy evening light, with the trees slightly silhouetted. Two sisters ~ two points of view; Jenn's perspective.

Silhouette of airmen with wind turbines in rear

A 'certain' uncle in 'sil U ette'! lol

Brighter sun rays in silhouette

Silhouette of Sarah

Panoramic view

A dim, foggy panoramic view. Two sisters ~ two points of view; Sarah's point of view. I like how the camera caught one of the blades completely in line with the tower. We probably couldn't have planned it.

Two rear turbines in sync. Wish I could transport the mood of the countryside. So beautiful!

Jenn's Sunday Afternoon Adventure 2011

After we came back from our tour, Jenn decided to take a small jogging tour of the immediate countryside. Armed only with camera and cellphone, this is the loot she brought back.

Collie and Spaniel keeping guard
A family out for an evening stroll. Note the man's rubber boots. :) Love 'em!
Flock of sheep on a hillside

Self-portrait; where does the road lead? In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths... Proverbs 3:6

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:14

Golden sunlight on horses and riders

The entrance to a farm

I believe this was winter barley. Love the contrast of the vibrant green shoots against the rich brown loam!

Aglow with sunshine

Jenn enjoying the beginnings of sunset. Have we ever mentioned it's our favorite time of day?!

Reflection of light

Partridge footprints! Along with some other species...Lol! Note the photographer's reflection.

I figured this was a giant Queen Anne's Lace, but apparently it's a Cow Parsley. Anyway, it's absolutely gorgeous.

Silhouette of trees at a crossroads. The lovely thing about the English countryside is that the roads beckon you. Here in Canada, (at least where we live) the landscape is pretty flat. You can see miles in both directions on most any given road. However, in England, with all the rolling hills, you feel the urge to "just check and see what's over the next hill, or beyond the next turn".

Sunday Gallavanting in England 2010

The first day we arrived was a Sunday, but since it was midday and we were exhausted from traveling, we didn't go to church. When the next Sunday rolled around, Jenn and I were determined to go to church somewhere. That morning I was missing our church so bad; I longed to be singing in church! It was arranged that we would go with Dean to his church that met in an old Church of England. It was chilly in the old stone building, where the heat went straight up to the rafters about twenty feet above our heads, but it was a blessing to see the amount of college students who wanted to meet with God.

It was hard to get any sort of picture, since this gigantic tree mostly obstructed the view.
Church-goers coming from the tiny parking lot.
Afterwards, our cousin John met us outside the church and took us into York to see our dad's aunt Dora. She's over 90 years old and as sharp as ever. We had an enjoyable time talking to her, while Jon served up a great tea. :)
Jenn, Great Aunt Dora, and Sarah. It was so great to be able to get some photos together.
Waving us 'Goodbye' in the parking lot

Before we went back to Malton, John served as our private tour guide and took us around the outside grounds of Castle Howard. Here is the ornate top of the obelisk at the head of the drive.

Only one car can fit through the archway at a time, so... someone must give way.

A larger view

Looking from across the lake to Castle Howard.

John and Sarah

John and Jenn

Jenn and Sarah with the castle in the background

John-our great tour guide

Jenn's perspective of Castle Howard through a metal gate.

An actual Gypsy horse we saw on the road home! He was just picketed by the side of the road with no one else around. I've read the stories about Gypsies in England, but to actually see part of their existence for myself was amazing!

Old holding pens for a livestock market. I think we may have a photo of our dad as a little boy with a pig in one of these pens.

Unfortunately, they haven't the same use for them anymore, so they'll be torn down. I can only imagine the amount of memories this place has made.

Something To Pray About

What were you doing on July 26, 2009? Maybe someone cussed you out for sharing your faith, but did they attack you with a machete?

It happened to a lady named Monica in Nigeria. The story was in a Voice of the Martyrs email I recently received. I have shortened the story for typing's sake, but the facts and quotations are correct. I have no intention of breaking any copyright laws here (deepest apologies if I have). I simply feel that I need to raise awareness on this subject.

Monica said, "We had heard rumours all night that there were going to be problems, and now I could hear them walking and slaughtering people as they went." Monica and her husband, Daniel James, ran outside to escape the mob. But they "grabbed Daniel and hacked him to death with a machete."

"Monica began to run, with her Bible and hymnbook tucked under her arm. But members of the chanting mob grabbed her and began striking at her with machetes. Seeing a cross on a chain around Monica's neck, a militant began to chop at her neck, nearly decapitating her. By the time Monica got to the hospital, she could only breath through the gaping wound left by the lethal blade."

"'I thought, I am a Christian,'" she said. "'I am dying today.'"

Thank God, Monica didn't die. "After six surgeries to repair her throat and close the wound in her neck, doctors were able to save her voice. Through VOMedical, Monica, a poor widow with a 5-year-old child, received excellent medical care and post-op follow-up."

"Now that I have my strength back, I have forgiven my attackers," Monica said. "Now I have more courage to serve the Lord much more."

The point: "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." (Hebrews 13:3) There are Christians all over the world suffering persecution for their faith. It's happening right now, while I type this and have the religious freedom to talk to the person sitting next to me about God. Please take a moment to pray for Monica, for her child; that God would continue to heal and give strength, courage, hope, and grace. Get this--as though it was you.

Burdened for my suffering brothers and sisters in Christ,

Jenn

Tis' So Sweet...