Carrying on from my last walk, at Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire, I would like to take you over the Moors to Farndale. It’s always a dramatic sight when you crest a hill and see the heather smouldering, but the burning is done on a carefully controlled basis to keep the heather young and vigorous.
I had read that medieval monks from Rievaulx planted the first daffodil bulbs in the valley, but the petite wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) is one of our native plants. In any case, I’ve known of the Daffodil Walk at Farndale for as long as I can remember. It’s coming to the end of the season now but, 2 weeks ago, when I was there, we admirers were out in earnest.
Old and young, and many a happy dog, ambled or scampered along the well trodden path- each at his own pace. The common factor? A smiling face! The tiny, nodding yellow folk and the enfolding warmth of the sun seemed to create a special world. No frowns or scowls allowed!
On the lead, or off- I guess that’s the difference. With barely a cloud in the sky, it was an English day to be in love with. And I was!
Are you feeling thirsty yet? We’re approaching The Daffy Caffy. Yes, you read that right! Only in England? But first we should inspect the pretty window box.
But the good news is you can have everything from a bacon sarnie (jumbo size!) to a cooked meal, or just a naughty piece of tiffin or cake. Go the whole hog, if you must!
And then there are choices to be made. I don’t mean sitting in the garden or indoors, but that’s a choice too, so long as there’s space. You can now either retrace your steps, beside the river, or you can carry on, on a circular route which will make your total walk about 3 and a half miles. Well- ‘in for a penny, in for a pound!’ It’s too nice a day to waste, and there’s the added enticement of St. Mary’s Church.
If you haven’t already got one, pick up a Farndale leaflet before you leave the Daffy. The map will keep you right, but in daffodil season the route is fairly obvious. The village of Church Houses lies ahead, at the end of a short track.
Just beyond Church Houses you cross a stream, beside which the Church of St. Mary’s is signed. Dating from 1831, it’s worth a closer look.
I hope you’re in the mood for hopping over a few stiles, because that’s what comes next. They come in all shapes and sizes as you cross the fields.
Safely back to earth, I hope you enjoyed our wander. Maybe it’s one to bookmark for next Spring? Already the tulips are rampant and I found some shy fritillaries in our garden.
If you’re driving into Farndale there’s car parking at Low Mill, but it might be possible to catch the Moorsbus during daffodil season, from March to April. This map will help you with location.
I won’t be publishing a walk next Monday because I’ll be in Poland, so you have the Bank Holiday to roam at will! I’ll be back with you on Monday, 11th May, when I hope to settle back into my usual pattern. Thank you for your tolerance in the meantime.
I have so many walks to share with you this week that you might need a very large teapot at your elbow! Grateful thanks, as always, to all my contributors. My Jo’s Monday walk page will tell you how you can join me.
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It’s always a pleasure to follow Debbie. Where she leads, I’d just love to follow!
A Walk around Historic Corstorphine
Waltzing across the floor would be a dream in this place. I might give up walking!
A UNESCO Heritage Site always has plenty to offer :
This might appeal to those of you who like a shorter walk (and a bit of shopping) :
A small stretch of our legs in Moncarapacho
Amy captivates this week with a romantic meeting of deer :
And the wild flowers tempted her to Monday walking last week too!
Monday walk : Texas Countryside
Come on a twilight adventure with Cherry Blossom. Thanks, Yvette- it’s a beauty!
And talking of the extraordinary, have you ever ‘walked with swans’? A delight from Violet Sky :
I am honoured to share with you Suzanne’s beautiful venture onto a laptop :
Uncertainty and the Great Ocean Road
When Cardinal Guzman shares you can always expect a great photo!
Whilst this post has Jude stamped all over it, even though there’s a boat or two :
Lisa is more often to be found afloat, but managed to catch up with some great Street Art!
Walking the All Fresco Street Art Festival
A Scottish walk is often bracing but no worries- there’s fish and chips!
A short walk along the promenade in Largs
Could anywhere be more different? Pad Thai, anyone?
And some thoroughly English gardens! Do you know this one, Jude?
Hall Place and the Queen of Beasts
Rounding off with Tobias. Don’t miss the Art Deco!
That should be enough to keep you all going while I’m gone! Once again, many thanks, and happy walking!
This was fun looking back at posts I.missed, Jo.
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Hi Robin 🙂 Thanks for spending so much time with me. Time is a commodity I can’t seem to get enough of these days. I’m well aware I owe you a visit and hope to make it in the next day or 2 🙂 Hugs!
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That looks like a pleasant day out, full of spring daffodils. 🙂
A bacon sarnie at the Daffy Caffy? Are we speaking the same language? Strewth, no wonder we call you the barmy army. 🙂
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We definitely don’t speak the same language, Draco. 🙂 We northerners have our very own.
I’m a big tennis fan, and I love the enthusiasm with which your lads cheer their players on.
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Yep, Aussies can be rather parochial. 🙂
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Thanks for the tour, Jo! The photos are amazing. Especially love the shots in the country with the rock walls and blue skies. Looks like it was a great day for a walk and a stop off at the Daffy Caffy. Welcome back from Poland!
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Thanks for that (and the follow 🙂 ). The York Moors are a lovely part of the world and I’m lucky to have both them and the coast on my doorstep.
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Another gorgeous delivery… You are a Joy, Jo 😛
Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
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What a lovely welcome home, Aquileana! 🙂 I haven’t even begun to think about a walk for next Monday and where it will be, but right now the sun is shining and that’s a great start. Thank you!
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Love those country churches, old rock walls, and cheerful window boxes. Delightful.
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Hi Renee. Just homeward bound from Poland. England looks strange right now x
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Beautiful spring colours, Jo. Our hike through the Ecuadorian rainforest looking for monkeys was a bit more monotone!
https://jaspasjourney.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/seeking-monkeys-in-an-ecuadorian-rainforest/
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Black and white monkeys sound good to me Jaspa! In Poland still tonight but will catch up with you over the weekend.
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Wow, a lovely trip, Jo! Heather fields are one of the things I miss from N. of Holland. I wonder if it has a particular smell when it burns …. (rhetorical!). Those little stairs to get over the fence seem quite handy!
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It’s just a distant memory now, Jesh. Immersed in Polish culture x
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I love daffodils, they’re such a lovely thing to see at this time of the year. What a lovely walk – illustrates perfectly our beautiful countryside. I would have gone the whole hog in the Daffy Cafe! Bacon and cakes! Hope you’re having a nice time in Poland
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A lot of talking and even more eating! I need to get back and start walking again soon x
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Don’t you just love daffodil season – one of my favourite flowers. Hope you’re enjoying Poland x
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The blossom and magnolia are fully out and I’m eating far too much x
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I did enjoy wandering along with you. Thank you. Such lovely images.
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It was a beautiful day and here in Poland I’m enjoying another. A little too much to eat but I daren’t complain.
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Still catching up with the NZ posts Jo and thought you may like to include this one when you get back… https://pommepal.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/the-giants-house-in-akaroa/
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Thanks Pauline. Not much Wifi time here so I’ll read it when I’m home x
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Enjoy your time away Jo will catch up when you get back…
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