LET ME INTRODUCE YOU to two friends of mine...well, truth be told, I've never met them, really...but my friend Sheila has met them...and if that counts, then let me introduce you to two friends of "ours"...on the left is Jennifer Patterson ~ on the right is Clarissa Dickson Wright.
They are known by all those who love them as "The Two Fat Ladies", but they are much more than merely two fat ladies to their devoted fans the world over. The reason my friend Sheila met them is that last year, when she was planning her first trip "across the pond", from England to America (and she knew how much I loved these two characters whom I had first seen while visiting her in England the year before) Sheila made her way to a book-signing of theirs, bought their latest cook book (as a birthday gift to me), and while meeting them in person, asked them if they would sign the book for me and my husband, Paul. It is very thrilling to own that book now since they have become quite popular on American television; they have been watched and loved for some time on English telly, too.
A sad note to report:
In late Summer of 1999, Jennifer Patterson passed on to that Culinary Eden in the Sky. She was loved by many folk, especially those here at Crow Cottage, and will be missed immensely.
Thank you, Jennifer, for all you have given to us.
So now you know Jennifer and Clarissa! They have a regular cooking show, filmed all around the United Kingdom, called "Cooking with the Two Fat Ladies", and it's on the Food Network here in America. I highly recommend this show - it is not only very entertaining, but you will positively fall in love with these two British Ladies as have we.
This page also contains some lovely photographs of my beloved England - taken by some rather extraordinary photographers whom I have come to admire and respect very much indeed. I hope you will enjoy the scenery as much as I have and that you will feel free to come back anytime you have the urge to visit
Merrye Olde England.
Tony Richards Photo
Tony Richards Photo
Tony Richards Photo
MALHAM COVE
This little gem, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, is a spot Paul and I visited in 1997. The climb up 488 very steep stone steps was quite a feat for me and my bad "feets", but we made it and on a spectacularly sun-drenched day to boot! The view from the top of Malham Cove is unparalleled - we sat there on the very edge of the cliff for what seemed like eons, just taking in the view over the farmlands below...and listening to the rather vociferous sheep on an adjacent hill who apparently sounded to be in some disagreement with someone or something as I recall! It was a day to remember! Malham Cove - one of the wonders of Yorkshire!
Tony Richards Photo
This is a view of Madonna House in Robin Hood's Bay, in the North York Moors. As you can see, it's a lovely idyllic spot for rest and contemplation for those lucky enough to find their way here. There is nothing so good to the soul as a stay in the North Yorkshire Moors!