Today I had decided that I was going to make hot cross buns as I had bought the proving bowl a while ago and had them in mind. I used the bowl for the first proving session but then put them under oiled cling film for the second session as instructed in the recipe.

I think I have only made hot cross buns once before and on them I made pastry for the crosses and rolled it out. This time I followed the recipe again and made a flour and water paste. I also used runny honey for glazing, that made them shiny but has remained sticky so they are a bit messy to eat!

Darren and I tried them before they had cooled down, and Tina has had one since as I just used raisins in them which she likes.
It has been grey and damp on and off today but I made up my new little flask and took my book and walked over to the park. I sat in one of the shelters out of the rain.

I am enjoying the book by the way, a true story and really quite amazing so far. A few boats were out on the lake so took this rather unusual snap!

The sun came out briefly and lit up the trees.

Some people were feeding the birds just in front of the shelter, more seagulls that ducks, I thought this photo worked quite well.

I went down and sorted dinner as Tina wasn't in long between services. Also helped her get hot cross buns buttered for after this evening's service. (bought ones not the ones I made!)
Feeling a bit weary but standing around like it did while baking makes my legs ache anyway.
The final wedge is due out tomorrow, but as my heel has been aching a bit I have removed it tonight and it feels much better. Not that I will be sorry to retire the boot completely!

The sky was good again late last night, just one shot this time though, don't want to overdo it!

Tina and I left home before 9 am this morning to drive to York. Tina was attending a Holy week service at the minster and said she would take me along so that I could have a wander around in York. We made very good time across, not much over an hour, so were able to have a coffee together before we went out separate ways. I was going into the town but walked up to the minster first.

Another shot of the catholic church with the minster in the background, funky angle!

I had a good wander in the city and got a pair of Hotter shoes. Could only try one on but ever the optimist! I also got a cute mini flask for when I go out sketching. Waterstones had offers on books so I bought 'How to read water', which is now out in paperback, and also 'Lion'. which I have started to read and think it will be very interesting.
I came back through the very beautiful museum gardens. This ruin was attractive and blossom was showing through the windows.

I was sitting reading in the gardens when I group of Chinese people asked if they could have their photograph taken with me. They all took it in turns and said they thought I so 'so elegant'.Will take that as a definite compliment. They were teachers over here doing research in Manchester, we chatted for a while. I took a photo of them too as they had been very nice to talk to and made my day!

Still sitting in the gardens I watched a squirrel playing with a piece of rope hanging from a fence and skitting about having fun, don't think I have ever watched a young squirrel seemingly playing before. Took another shot of the ruin as I made my way back to the car.

There was a church near the car park which had different entrances, liked the sign over this door.

I had a bit of time so took a wander down to the river, this tree was near and very lovely.

There is a distinct lack of public toilets in York so I ended up having a very nice cup of tea in  a pub and used their loo before going back to the car to wait for Tina.
The journey home was not nearly so smooth, terrible congestion coming out of York, really going at snail's pace! When we got back to Scarborough we had lunch at Sainsbury's then I did some shopping for the weekend while Tina went home as she had early choir practice and then the Holy week service to go to. I got a taxi home with the shopping. Considering I have been struggling with the knee this week I managed well today, did quite a bit of walking and didn't even have to use a support, so that is positive.
I have had a quiet afternoon and finished off the second puzzle from the set I bought.

They were really enjoyable puzzles to do and small enough to fit on my fold away table. 
Still haven't made the hot cross buns so looks like that is a job for the morning!

Fabulous sunset yesterday, had real trouble picking the shots to put on but have limited it to three!

The knee is a little better today, I realised last night that it may have been set off by me starting the glucosamine tablets again after a break. I have taken them for years and they have helped keep my knees going, but I suddenly remembered that they make the joints feel worse for a while before they make them feel better! So fingers crossed things will settle down again now. 
It was overcast this morning, Tina dropped me off near town and I went past the charity shops at the bottom end, haven't been down that way in months. On the way down Cross Street I went by this great old van advertising a little shop near the market that I have been in.

I had a look round the market vaults, which has all the little premises for craft outlets. Not many occupied at the moment which is a shame.
I caught the bus home, it was raining by then, we hadn't had rain for quite a while, and it didn't last long.
This afternoon I watched an episode of Morse and started the second jigsaw in the set I bought. I needed milk so took a walk down to the shop but then decided to go and have a sit in the park for a bit. The dragon boats were proving popular today, there was a queue to get on them the whole time I was there.

It is good to see the park well used, it is a very popular place, and rightly so.

My knee has been giving me some trouble so I stayed in for the morning. Did manage to get some washing done and carried on with the jigsaw for a while. Just after noon Tina and I drove over to Irton Garden centre where we met up with Hazel and Brian. We all had a very nice light lunch and then had a look around at the plants. They had wisteria in pots, not sure I have ever seen potted ones at a garden centre. This one was full of flowers.

There is a huge gorilla statue and Hazel decided to have a picture taken by it!

This dianthus was just very pretty.

When we got home I took a photo of an actual French fancy on the plate that I had painted for Darren!

This afternoon I watched an episode of Morse and finished off the jigsaw.

No plans for the evening except whatever I do will be with my feet up.......

Lovely sunset again yesterday, won't be any pictures tomorrow though as it is cloudy this evening.

I haven't been giving the full picture the last couple of days as I painted a plate for Darren's birthday.

He likes French fancies and I got some of them too. I will take another picture tomorrow of the plate with an actual cake on!! I also decorated the Simnel cake I had made. I had packed all the icing equipment so worked with roll out icing so that he had a cake to celebrate his special day.

We celebrated yesterday evening as Darren was leaving for work early today and Tina is out this evening.

So Darren now knows our long kept secret surprise as he has seen the tickets for us to attend the British Grand Prix weekend.
This morning Sandy picked me up and I went to the studio for a few hours. I cleaned and filled all the paint pots and did a bit of art work on a teapot for a customer. Had a sandwich with Sandy and then walked home. My knee was very painful in the night and has not been good today, I am hoping it will settle down. I used the strong knee support today. The ankle on the other hand is doing fine!!
This afternoon Tina called up to say that my trees had arrived so I did go down and fill the new pots and planted them up. Very nice pots, looks like they just have a stick in each at the moment!

I have done a bit more to the jigsaw and watch an episode of Morse this afternoon. Broadchurch this evening, only two more episodes I think. Meeting Brian and Hazel for lunch tomorrow which will be good.

It has been a nice day, Brian and Hazel arrived by ten o'clock and came in for a cuppa and a natter. Hazel had brought her laptop with her as it had seized up and she was hoping Darren could sort it out for her. He did look at it and did get it operating again, so she was very happy that he managed to sort it out for her. Then Brian, Hazel and I had a stroll into the park and also a little way into the glen. We sat on a bench opposite a tree that I have photographed and sketched before as it is an odd shape. took a photo of them by the glen which is always a lovely backdrop.

We walked back and went and had Sunday lunch at the Coffee Bean, a really lovely dinner and dessert. Then we came back here for a bit, Tina was in by then so was able to have a chat with them as well. They left to go back to the holiday property this afternoon so I put some music on and decided to start another jigsaw.

I have started the Spring one, I think it will be very enjoyable.

Darren's fiftieth birthday tomorrow and he is off to work at 6.30 am and Tina has a meeting tomorrow evening and will be leaving before Darren gets home, so we are have a card and present session this evening before we watch Vera.

Spent the morning indoors apart from going to the post box and local shop. Did one or two chores and then realised that it hadn't rained for a while, not even had any dew, and the bonsai trees would probably be very dry. I managed to get them all watered and some of the bigger trees, one of the bonsai trees was beginning to wilt, as they were indeed very dry. I am hoping I gave it a drink in time.
Darren and Tina went off to a SciFi convention quite early, but Tina was back by about 2 pm as she had arranged to meet a friend at Whitby garden centre. I hitched a lift along and had a good wander round while they settled down for a good natter. What a great place for a garden centre, quite some view!

It was misty today, but you could obviously see miles on a clear day. There were some great planters. 

I think my brother would like the scooter, as he had one many years ago. They also had a good selection of water fountains.

This magnolia tree, 'Susan' was a great colour. Talking of unusual magnolias, I have ordered two standard ones in a variety called 'Sunrise'. I brought some pots ready for them earlier this week.

They have an Old Barn area with lots of interesting stuff in.

I bought the great planter in the centre of the picture because I fell in love with it. I won't use it until we have a new garden to play with.

Another view in the barn.

I also bought a small cast metal spider.

Been a beautiful day and a very bright sun as it went down.

Seeing Brian and Hazel tomorrow and I am looking forward to that, and it is due to be the best day of the year so far.