Today the wedding party arrived at the Ashmount Country House, but first Warren went out to explore the village.
Haworth is Brontë country. The Brontë sisters were born in Thornton near Bradford, but wrote most of their novels while living at Haworth Parsonage while their father was the parson at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels. The family is buried in a crypt beneath the church.
Warren was suffering from the lack of the morning's 'Times', so decided to go out, explore and, hopefully, return with a copy. Umbrella in hand, off he went to Main Street. Walking down the hill, totally enjoying the shops and eateries on either side of the street (but no newsagent!), he found his way right down to the old railway station at the foot of the hill, and the SPAR store opposite it, where success came his way. 'Times' in hand, he returned up the hill, checking out the old (Brontë) church near the top, before returning to the guest house.
On his return — surprise, surprise — he ran into Tom, Lauren, and the rest of the family. They couldn't check in until 3pm, so when Suzie came downstairs, we all decided to take advantage of Warren's morning explorations, and to go into Main Street to have lunch in a local restaurant — which ultimately turned out to be the Hawthorn, about half-way down the street. (And we really mean 'down the street' — it's an old, cobblestone street, with a not insubstantial downward slope!)
We had a wonderful time catching up with Lauren and Tom, and meeting Oliver for the first time — he is a real cutie! — and meeting Heather and Gary, Lauren's parents — we can see why Lauren is so delightful — and they are obviously smitten by Oliver.
After a long and jolly lunch, the others went off to check in and, although it was raining on and off, we visited the church, and also the parsonage (now a Brontë museum) behind it.
We also happened upon a market in the church hall, which had stalls run by many local artisans. We found a lovely butterfly-decorated glass bowl, which we thought might well add to Tom and Lauren's home.
Tom and Lauren had booked out the guest house for their families and for a select group of friends, and we all met up for dinner — catered in superb country house style. It was here that we all got to meet up, and those who were strangers to each other certainly weren't for long! It was here that we first met Tom's French family, and the best men (yes, there were two — and just the right pair to lead Tom astray!). It would also be Tom's younger brother Max's birthday on the very day of the wedding, so it was celebrated that night!
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