Would you believe it ....

Something has been done about the so-called protective (i.e. hideous and possibly rather unsafe) matting on the Stray. A thick layer of sand has been laid over the bumpy bits and raked flat. I have no idea whether this is likely to be a long-term solution, or whether it's going to be safe, but it still feels like progress.

And this doesn't feel like progress - a neat little charred circle left by person or persons unknown who were obviously having a bonfire. OK, not a huge deal, like so many things that happen on the Stray, but it shouldn't happen. It's bad for the grass, a potential fire risk, and the more the legislation is ignored the harder it will be to enforce.

A really nice local pub

Local to the Stray, that is.

10 Devonshire Place, formerly the Devonshire Arms, is a delight. Candlelit tables, amazingly helpful staff, nice beer (I'm told it's nice, anyway - I'm not a beer drinker, but the wine was definitely drinkable). Yesterday evening they were serving Jamaican street food. I had jerk ribs with rice and peas and fried plantain (picture of plantain below). The others in our party had salt cod and ackee, jerk chicken, goat curry. All delicious. I don't think they serve food every night, but this is definitely worth looking out for.

http://whatpub.com/pubs/HAR/7698/10-devonshire-place-harrogate

It's not just grass and trees!

It's just occurred to me that I could spend a few happy hours trying out the various pubs and restaurants around the Stray, since they're an important part of the environment, not to say ambience (I really loathe that word but can't think of a better one).

So this evening, it's 10 Devonshire Place.

(Photograph from http://whatpub.com/pubs/HAR/7698/10-devonshire-place-harrogate)

I'll blog about it tomorrow. But just to be clear - I dont accept freebies or inducements or bribes or sweeteners or anything that might influence what I write. Not that people have exact;y been rushing to corrupt my judgment with blandishments ....

Remember this?

Depends on your vintage, but this is Chet Atkins playing "Windy and Warm" in the early 1960s. In the days when music was music ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NgVdbIdD8w

Windy and Warn was how the Stray was this evening. I couldn't find a way of photographing wind so here's one of Jacky Little's lovely summery pictures.

Harrogate Borough Council does a great job ...

... clearing litter on the Stray.

This was what it was like yesterday morning:

By evening it was all cleared away.

But it would be really, really great if they didn't have to do it. There are plenty of litter bins. I know it's probably just kids having a good time, but would it spoil their fun to take their beer cans and wrappers fifty yards to the nearest bin? I don't think so.

Here we go again

It was a lovely summer evening yesterday, families playing on the Stray, lots of cars parked on Oatlands Drive. You really can't blame them - it's not clear that you can't park there, and if other people are it seems completely reasonable to join in. And it's convenient.

So what's the solution? Having a rule that's not enforced is crazy, and risky. How about changing the rules to let people park there? But that messes up the verges and blocks the cycle lane.

Ideas please.

Doesn't look good, doesn't look safe

These are pictures of matting that was put down on the Stray to protect the grass from parked cars when the fair was here. Now it's starting to look as though the grass needs protection from matting rather than from the cars.

We have reported this four times and we are now assured by a Council Officer and a Councillor  (who has been very helpful) that it is going to be repaired. I hope it's soon. It isn't health and safety gone mad, it's a real risk to our Park Runners at the weekend and to the Fake Festival revellers a week on Saturday.

And it looks hideous.