When the email dropped into my Inbox I was immediately excited. It was many years since I’d been to Bolton Abbey, in the Yorkshire Dales, but I knew it had a special location. An invitation to walk there in the company of some of my Algarve walking friends was a real cause for excitement.
I should explain. In the Eastern Algarve there are 2 complimentary groups of walkers, dubbed the Strollers and the Striders. The first ambles in a highly social way, with plenty of coffee stops. The second covers the ground much more swiftly, in order to reach the goal of a substantial meal. You can belong to either, or both, depending on your ability. They are equally welcoming and a very nice bunch of people overall. One thing they have in common is that they don’t walk in the hot Algarve summer months. Many return to the UK, and that is how this walk came about. I felt privileged to be a part of their first ever English walk together.
Meeting at the Cavendish Pavilion, we exchanged hugs and kisses before a quick catch up of news, over coffee. The weather was much as it has been for most of this summer, and we all carried waterproofs. Time to start out, before the skies opened.
The walk neatly follows the River Wharfe, dipping and rising through Strid Wood, a glimmer of sunshine sparkling on the water from time to time. It’s life affirming stuff, in one of the county’s greatest beauty spots, of which there are many.
The river chuckles along and we pause for a group photo, happy to capture the moment. A bench made from a felled tree has been liberally ornamented with coins. We are approaching The Strid, the focal point of this walk.
The Strid gets its name from an Anglo Saxon word, stryth, meaning turmoil. The river suddenly narrows, forcing the water through under great pressure. The Strid was formed from the wearing of softer rock by the circular motion of small stones in hollows. It might be a stride too far to cross over at this point, and certainly dangerous when the water is high.
Strid Wood, with its sessile oak trees, wraps around us. As we head towards the Aqueduct the rain begins to fall. The oaks provide shelter until it lightens again, tree ferns and wizened stone faces looking on.
The Aqueduct is another interesting feature of this walk. The castellations hide the pipes that carry water from the reservoirs at the top of Nidderdale down to the cities of West Yorkshire.
It enables us to cross to the other side, shortening our walk a little. We don’t get too wet, but miss out on Barden Tower and the prospect of more coffee, and possibly cake, at the Priest House. Yes, I can hear you sighing! Another time!
Damp seats don’t have much appeal but I love the twisted, enduring trees and down below, the gurgling of the river. Before too long we’re crossing the bridge back to Cavendish Pavilion, and the prospect of a meal and a sit down.
We sit outside initially, but soon abandon fresh air for dryness inside and, as the heavens open, are glad that we have. We are still optimistic and, sure enough, the skies brighten so that we can undertake the short walk across the field to the Abbey.
The 30,000 acre Bolton Abbey estate is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. At its heart stand the Priory church and the ruins of an Augustinian priory. From 1154 until 1539 the canons lived and worshipped here. The church survived the dissolution of the monasteries and functions still. It maintains a wonderful atmosphere.
I wandered the grounds, captive in the angles of aged stone. Almost unnoticed the sun sneaked in to blaze glory on the scene.
We debated amongst ourselves to see if any one of us would brave the stepping stones. In the event, the icecream van won the day, and we watched the antics on the river, before safely crossing over the bridge.
One final uphill endeavour past the Welly Walk, a childrens’ adventure trail, and we were safely back to base. Hugs, smiles and ‘let’s do it again next year, shall we?’ I think we might! It just remains to give thanks to our wonderful organisers, Peter and Sandie.
Many thanks for your company on another of my ramblings. I hope you enjoyed it. Details of how to get there are on the Bolton Abbey website. As many of you read this I shall be thundering towards Shropshire so expect me to be tardy in my responses. I will be back on Wednesday evening, and hope to catch up with you all then. Meantime, put the kettle on and enjoy!
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All the way to Israel with Lisa for my first share :
Going north with Marion to a cool and interesting part of the world :
A walk from Helsinki’ s Market Square to Tervesaari island
Kitzbuhel and that magical part of Austria has long been on my list, so thanks Lady Lee!
More rambling in style, with Jackie :
What more can I say about the war graves? Woolly says it better :
Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Wk31_Lochnagar-Crater-Pt-2
Meg has set up a great tradition of Wordless walks. Join her for a stroll?
Wordless walk: Burrendong botanical gardens and arboretum
Can’t beat a bit of adventure up on the moors! Come and meet Mackenzie :
Have you noticed, Drake is good at telling ghost stories? Must be his Danish heritage :
Isn’t life strange? Here I am, heading for Shropshire, and what does Becky find?
Exploring Ironbridge Gorge, a World Heritage Site
And even better, six delightful words on her other blog :
I can’t possibly sit down here
Join me next time on Jo’s Monday walk? Have a great week!
restlessjo 
I’ve not ready many blogs recently, but seeing Bolton Abbey and the Strid mentioned in your later post, I had to have a read.
Fabulous photos and words, took me right back to my childhood. It was one of my parents favourite places and I’ve had many a happy time there in my younger days.
My dads voice echoed through my mind as I looked at your photos of the Strid, “Don’t stand too close Poppet, if you slip in you’ll be gone into t’depths forever”
He was constantly reminding me of the foolhardy folk who’d lost their lives jumping across after a dare.
I really must pay another visit.
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We had such a lovely day there, Vicky, even though the weather started so grey. I did remark that this would have been a more fitting tribute to Kate because of her Yorkshire roots, but of course, I didn’t know at the time. Happy to trigger good memories. 🙂 🙂
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Reblogged this on Jadorechampagne's Blog.
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Many thanks for the reblog! Sorry- been busy and just spotted it in my emails. 🙂 🙂
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I finally find the time to do another walk and the sun disappears on me! Here it is anyway, and I’ll link to your latest once I’ve read it 🙂
https://mousehouselife.wordpress.com/2017/08/21/a-rivington-ramble/
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Ok, Eunice. Thanks a lot 🙂 🙂 It’s been a bit elusive around here too.
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I remember visiting that place 50 years or so ago, although coincidentally I remember the ice cream van the most (could it be the same one? Most definnitely not!). I enjoyed your Stroll with the Algarve Strollers! Here’s my latest hike if you are interested. Thanks as always Jo: https://discoveringbelgium.com/2017/08/19/walking-around-viroinval/
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50? Good grief! 🙂 🙂 It’s a real beauty spot and will remain so for years to come, I hope. Thanks a lot, Denzil. I’m just busying with tomorrow’s walk so I’ll pop over. 🙂
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This the place where I would love to visit. Your beautiful photos are inviting. Thank You.
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It’s almost enchanted woodland, Sartenada! I know you’d love it. 🙂 🙂 Thanks so much.
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What a wonderful atmosphere, so fascinating. 🙂
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It was a great day out, Drake. The weather was so perfectly English! 🙂 🙂
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Awesome photos, Jo!
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It’s such a lovely place, Dina. I’m thinking the fairies would be right at home playing by that stream. 🙂 🙂 Thank you!
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I’m sure they’d love to be there. And we too!! 🙂
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another lovely walk Jo. i can see how exciting it must have been. your photos are awesome! thanks for taking us along as always. 🙂
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It’s a pleasure to have you along, LolaWi. 🙂 🙂 I did so enjoy the day!
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Fascinating, Jo. I have visited an abbey or two, but did not do such a thorough job as you did. I was trying to find out what gave you the sting.
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Thanks, sweetheart! This is the loveliest place and I know you’d approve. The sting was at the Ragleth Inn in Shropshire, just after an 8 mile walk and a very nice lunch. 🙂 🙂
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A very interesting post, Jo, and great pix!
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It was a really successful and fun day out, Cynthia. 🙂 We weren’t sure if we’d know any of the group when we turned up, or if we’d end up walking alone because nobody turned up! Even better, we acquired a couple of new friends too 🙂 🙂 Thanks a lot for adding your company to the mix.
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My pleasure, Jo.
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Wow, how beautiful this place is! 😊
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I know you love natural beauty, Ann. You should see where I was yesterday! Even better 🙂 🙂
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Looking forward to seeing it soon via your amazing blog!
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Thanks, Ann 🙂 🙂
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Those stepping stones look perilous to me…..Beautiful place, the Abbey is gorgeous, also loved the Aqueduct, Lovely to be able to seat down for a meal and catching up with your friends. No doubt everyone feeling hungry after the long walk?
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I’m not known for my natural grace, Gilda, so I didn’t even try. It really is a beautiful location and we had a great day 🙂 🙂
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Posts such as this remind me of the travelogues one used to see in movie theaters in the old days (probably before your time), but this is even better. Great pix! 🙂
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Thanks so much. Downside of travel, heading home today. But we had a lovely trip to Shropshire x
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