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The tombola stall at Alne Street Fayre

Back from Alne - pronounced Arn. It was a splendid break in a part of Yorkshire I hardly knew - thirteen miles north of York in rich agricultural land. In the distance, where The Yorkshire Moors rise up above The Vale of York you could make out The White Horse of Kilburn on Sutton Bank.

The 2026 Alne Street Fayre was a big deal and the money seemed to be pouring in. There were over five hundred cars in the big fields beyond Home Farm and thankfully for the community, the weather played ball all day. It was only at 5pm that I was able  to bring our car to Celidih Cottage because until then the streets had been shut off. The entire village was a pedestrianised zone for the day.

I don't know about you but I love a good tombola with tickets ending in "0" or "5" earning prizes. I won an IKEA picture frame, two diffusers, a notebook and pen and a brand new  blanket throw that still had its price tag on it. It was a great haul for an outlay of £10 - all for a good village cause.

Green man carving on the twelfth century font in Alne Church

It was great to spend time with Tony and Pauline. She had some wonderful news to share which I will relate to you in another blogpost. Like us, they don't eat out very often but together we ate out on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings.

Each meal was wonderful and magically, in all three establishments, we were led to the best window tables. I can be quite particular about where I get to sit in a restaurant and in each eatery we got the places I would have picked if left to my own devices.

The Sunday roast in "The George" in Easingwold had been put together with what I  often refer to as "love". We all had beef layered on mounds of tasty vegetables and then topped with light and golden Yorkshire puddings the size of side plates. The cauliflower cheese came in separate tureens with extra gravy boats. No morsels were left but I swear we did not lick the plates clean.

On Monday evening we visited the Jaipur Spice curry house  by the road to Easingwold from Alne. We all agreed it as an excellent, authentic curry. I ordered onion bhajis before my  "Jaipur Special Beef Bhuna" with vegetable rice and  one chapati. All quite heavenly and again the conversation flowed like a mountain spring that never dries up.

Tuesday night we went to the only pub in Alne - "The Bluebell Inn" - which is essentially just a restaurant these days. I ordered Italian lasagne with side vegetables. The main dish was gooey and cheesy with a nicely seared top. And I washed it down with a pint of "Theakstons" ale - a famous Yorkshire brew.

Well I could say much more about our Alne trip  but I think I will leave it there for tonight. I want to get back to the television to watch England's friendly match with Costa Rica. Our last game before The World Cup tournament begins.