Wow – what an incredible time we’ve had in Harrogate! I gradually got more and more excited as the week leading up to le Tour progressed. On Monday June 30th a longstanding student / keen cyclist, asked why Harrogate Yoga hadn’t done anything to mark the upcoming event. So I trimmed up my railings with yellow bows.
Walking through the woods towards Harlow Carr on Wednesday July 2nd, I loved these decorated bikes! The works of ‘le Tour art’ were created by pupils of Brackenfield, Harrogate Ladies College, local cubs, Muddy Mutts and Pinewoods Conservation Group.
On Social Media there were some splendid examples of Yorkshire humour:
York Minster with ‘Allez Alleluia’ slogan on a giant t-shirt
Yellow TDF sheep – #iLoveYorkshireHumour
Spotty houses – #iLoveYorkshireHumour
#iLoveYorkshireHumour
Sheep in the tdf colours #iLoveYorkshireHumour
I absolutely loved the bunting made from 27,000 tiny shirts knitted by local folk.
Knitted shirts bunting in the Valley Gardens
Bunting at Harrogate Station
On Saturday July 5th we enjoyed lunchtime Pimms and Brazilian snacks at a lovely party in this top floor flat on West Park:
Top floor party venue with a great view
But first we had to get through the mayhem near the Coach and Horses. A crowd of people were drinking outside the pub, it was a crossing point from one side of West Park to the other, plus people were trying to get up and down West Park. The police were shouting ‘MOVE!’ And we were thinking ‘if only!’ I was so relieved to get to the cool and calm of our party. We had a great view of the Fan Park from there.
Mayhem outside the Coach and Horses (re-named Cvndsh and Horses in honour of Mark Cavendish)
Later we managed to see the race from Ripon Road, but getting a good view involved balancing precariously on a tiny bit of a 4′ high wall with my ex-husband and my son.
At Le Grand Depart we had everything to be proud of as Yorkshire folk, but there are some things the French do a little better – ‘Assistance Medicale’ in a sexy, open top sports car!
Not the NHS – on Station Parade
On July 6th we watched the race on Skipton Road near Church Square. I took a step ladder with me this time but as I filmed, I didn’t notice my Son had his hand in front of my camera – it all happened so quickly! Here’s a little video with the races of Day One and Day Two combined:
After two days of celebration I felt a bit sad the party was over but I’m remembering the Dr Seuss quote -“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” And I’m immensely proud to be ‘Yorkshire born and bred’!
The party’s over
PS I loved le Tour Yorkshire weekend so much I subsequently decided to decorate a loo with fabulous Jessica Hogarth le tour yorkshire wallpaper.
I loved the Tour Yorkshire weekend so much I subsequently decided to decorate a loo with fabulous Jessica Hogarth le tour wallpaper.
