England

Jo’s Monday walk : A walk through a Pub!

If there’s anything that really annoys me it’s leaving home in clear blue skies to drive to the Yorkshire Dales and encounter grey, dampness. But if you’re in search of a waterfall then you can’t really begrudge a little rain. And to visit Hardraw Force you have to pass through a pub, so you might say there are compensations.

I don’t know the village of Hawes at all but it is surrounded by magnificent, sweeping countryside, though visibility was poor on this particular day. 850 feet above sea level, it claims to be England’s highest, and has been home to a market since 1307. Go on a Tuesday if you’re a market fan. The name Hawes means ‘a pass between mountains’, in this case endearingly-named Buttertubs and Fleet Moss.

I’m heading for Hardraw but, on Town Head, a sign for Gayle’s Mill strikes a chord with me. In 2004 it was a finalist on the BBC TV ‘Restoration’ programme. It was but a short diversion to take a look.

Unfortunately this was as close as I could get. Gayle Mill is a working saw mill, and can only be visited by guided tour. Even the craft shop was closed. The Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre, a highly popular venue, is nearby and I gave it a wistful look. I do love a good bit of cheese.

Water flows through the village and is harnessed by the mill, which dates from 1784. In the 1900s it pioneered electricity generation and brought light to the valley. Just then the sky was darkening rapidly and it seemed like a good time to move on.

You could retrace your steps down Gayle Lane, but a pretty little footpath offers an alternative route back to Town Foot. And sheep!

Hardraw Force is clearly signed from the crossroads, so it was best foot forwards into a chilly breeze. I told myself it was holding off the rain.

There’s often a wind off the water, isn’t there? I turned left into the field and trod carefully till I reached the flagstones.

It’s not far till you pass through a gate and the pub is right there, in front of you.

The sign says ‘innkeeper and waterfall provider’. That’s quite a claim, isn’t it? At £2.50 a person, is it a little mercenary? Let’s see if it delivers.

One of the best sounds for me is rushing water. Rounding the corner from the Green Dragon Inn, I can already hear the tumult of the falls. England’s highest single drop waterfall sits in a great bowl of limestone, shale and sandstone.

Incredible to think that the process that produced this landscape began some 340 million years ago. Alternating layers were laid down in the warm seas of those times, and through the rise and fall of the land and some glacial activity the Karst scenery developed. At the back of the waterfall it’s possible to see the individual layers.

Did you wave back? I did! And then I crossed over the bridge and followed the path back along the opposite bank. It was really busy in the Green Dragon Inn, so I didn’t linger, though it did look characterful. I was surprised at how many people had ventured out on such a grey day, and can only surmise that this will be a seriously busy place in summer. But the waterfall will be much diminished.

I just about made it back before the rain hit. The waterfall will be thundering for a few days yet.

Hawes lies along the A684 from Leyburn in the Yorkshire Dales. The map on this link will give you a few clues. Time to get the kettle on!

Thanks everybody for kindly accompanying me each week, come hail come shine (but hopefully no snow!). It’s always a pleasure to have you along. I have some more great contributions this week. Please spare a little time to go visit, especially if they’re new to you. Details, as usual, are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. I’d love you to join me with a walk of your own.

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Lady Lee is always a few steps ahead of me! Have you been to Dresden?

Dresden- Jo’s Monday walk

Jude has a delightful saunter in search of cake this week :

Sleaford Historic Riverside Walk

I prefer sunshine, but Shazza’s found something interesting even on a cloudy day :

Rydal Hall Sculpture Trail

I don’t think I’d do much walking in Amsterdam. I’d hop a boat, like Woolly :

Jo’s-Monday-walk-2017-Amsterdam-wk 3

Jackie and glitz go together, don’t you think?

More Vegas Opulence

In pure contrast, I never saw snow look more beautiful! Thanks so much, Drake!

Colourful snow

This week we have a Wild Daffodil joining us. Sound like fun? Do go and say hello!

Gate

Becky has laid on a lovely sunset for her wander round Olhao, because…

Everyone loves a sunset

And if you’ve never seen Lisbon before, Paula’s photo is a magnificent place to start :

Follow My Shadow

If you glory in wild and wonderful scenery, you will love this, from Jessica :

5.30 a.m

And Inese shows us drama in Ireland, rain, shine and rainbow!

Magic road to the Mahon Falls

That’s it for another week. It’s been a grey one here but I’m sure Spring is on its way. Enjoy your life, won’t you, whatever the weather?

Six Word Saturday

Not easy to find in Seaham?

You’d think that a bleak north eastern beach would be a good place to find a little Solitude, wouldn’t you? Strangely enough, that isn’t the case. This particular beach has become a mecca for sea glass hunters and gatherers.

You could hide out in the caves with a fair chance of solitude, but they’re not very safe. Erosion has created some fascinating shapes, though.

So your best bet is to head as far down the beach as you can go, without getting your feet wet, that is. Even there, a far from home Devon artist was determinedly hunting through the pebbles, looking for sea glass.

This is the lure, at the end of the beach. A solitary and beautiful rock, leaning out to sea. Seeking its own solitude.

There’s always a way to find solitude, if you crave it. For me, it’s an essential part of life. A bit like the Weekly Photo Challenge.

I hope this weekend brings you whatever you require. Cate usually requires six words on a Saturday, but often she gets more.

Six word Saturday

With love, from me to you!

It’s here and gone again, and it’s nearly time to whizz the decorations away. I did love having my hearth flicker in candlelight, and those rosy dawns, sitting beside my Christmas tree. Usually I hang on to till twelfth night, reluctant to shed the sparkle for cold, dark mornings. But this year I’m heading south, hoping for a little early warmth, so my tree will have to come down tomorrow.

It was fun while it lasted, wasn’t it? But here I am, saying goodbye to the good with the bad. Wishing, as we always do, for the peace that eludes our world. Can’t say it better than the Beatles- “With love, from me to you”. Want to share six words?

Happy New Year! Feel free to go walking without me on Monday. God bless!

A walking retrospective

You probably think you’re seeing double! This is the opening photo for my most recent walk, Boxing Day Blues. It’s hard to select favourites but my criteria is often that a photo takes you back to a moment in time. For me this was a clear, bright, quite unparalleled December day.

Would you believe that this one was taken in August, but how could I leave out such a winning smile? Gargrave in the rain was one of the most joyful moments of my past year. A wedding anniversary weekend!

By contrast, Autumn this year was a riot of colour, and I can still feel that warm November sun on my back as I stood in the churchyard, surveying the magnificent ruins of Flamboyant Autumn at Easby Abbey.

October was a time of great sadness for me. I never could have guessed that, as I looked up at this church in Alternative Ayamonte, my Dad had only hours to live. I was abroad in my beautiful Algarve, but my heart really wasn’t in it.

How could it only have been a couple of weeks before that I was so joyfully walking the Water of Leith, excited to meet for the first time with my lovely friend Jude? A landmark event!

Can’t help but share a moment of north eastern pride with the celebrated Tall Ships Regatta at Blyth in August. How proud Dad would have been of the Polish ships taking part. He was always a patriot.

Which transports me back to July, when I met a lady with a fabulous smile in the City of Birmingham. It was my first time in the city and I loved it. Thanks, Gilly! I know I made a friend for life.

It was a water lily Summer. They were everywhere! I visited many beautiful gardens, such as Newby Hall, in June. Funny how so many of you were more interested in the cake than the flowers!

I spent two wonderful weeks in Poland to coincide with the May Bank Holiday. My cousin Adam is a baker but always manages a few days off that weekend for his birthday. It was Dad’s favourite time to go, and I was so happy that I got to spend this precious time with him. Naughtily though, I did manage to escape, into the arms of another friend for life- Meeting Meg!

In that early part of the year I was leading a charmed life. My visit to Poland was sandwiched with trips to the Algarve and many walking excursions. A day at Mertola in the Alentejo was particularly memorable.

April, always the time for lambs, I threw one little chap into total panic as I held a gate open for him. Lambkins and Bikes– a winning combination?

I was delighted to have my lovely daughter home for Easter, in March. The highlight of that weekend was the Butterfly Trail in nearby Preston Park. They are incredible creatures, and almost as exotic as my daughter.

February in the Algarve is synonymous with Amendoeira– Almond Blossom. And, of course, Carnival, but that’s an entirely different story.

And so we find ourselves in January, and Saltburn in Winter. It’s a lovely seaside town on the North Yorkshire coast, a place I like to stroll at any time of year.

What a year of highs and lows it’s been. I have Paula to thank for leading me back through the months. Thursday’s Special this week is Retrospective. Don’t miss it!

Jo’s Monday walk : Boxing Day Blues

I just know you’re ready for some fresh air and exercise this morning, and you’ve come to exactly the right place. Grab a scarf and some gloves and we’ll go and dust off those Boxing Day blues. Nothing finer than a vigorous walk along the north east coast of England.

We’re at Roker, just north of Sunderland, and smiles abound this gem of a morning. Let’s start by the tall white lighthouse that studs the green. In Summer this is the focal point for the Sunderland Air Show and breathing space is scarce. Right now, we can stroll as far as the eye can see.

I’m heading south, but you can choose. Not too many clouds in the sky this morning, but they can gang up on you when you’re least expecting. Let’s hop down on the beach and see what we can find.

The stories a pebble could tell! I look back along the beach, and then ahead, into shadow.

That’s Roker Pier you can see straight ahead. It looks far distant but it’s no more than a good stride.

The clouds are making the most enchanting reflections on the damp sand.

Just around the corner, a rather strange ‘gateway’ to Roker Park.

Don’t let it put you off. It’s rather a nice little park, especially when the Roker Lights come to town in September.

In no time at all we’re back on the sea front, and there ahead of us stands proudly curvaceous Roker Pier.

Remember I mentioned those sneaky clouds? Well, just for a few seconds…

…a drop or two of rain plops on the sand. But it’s gone in a whisper, making me doubt it was even there. I stroll back in the direction from which I’ve come, smiling at a dog walker, and a lone maiden on a rock.

For a moment I fancy she might just be a mermaid. That’s what happens when you watch ‘Splash’, the movie, on Christmas TV. Heading north again, did you spot the selfie on the beach?

There’s a good incentive to carry on around this bay. On the edge of Whitburn, Latimer’s deli and fish restaurant is a great little spot, looking out to sea. On a summer day you’ll be fighting to sit out on the sun terrace. Today it’s just that little bit cool, and squeezing inside is more desirable.

The lobster salad was such a good price, and looked delicious. I modestly settled for a lovely fish chowder. Maybe next time? I hope you’ll join me.

Thanks everyone for spending time with me today, and the whole of the year. I’ve loved having your company. I’m going to be missing for a few weeks because next Monday I’ll be on my way to the Algarve. I have 2 weeks to enjoy, and recharge my batteries. I don’t blog while I’m away, so the next walk will be posted on 23rd January. That seems a long way off. You might have forgotten me by then. If not, I’ll be open for walks as usual. Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.

Let’s enjoy some great walks now, shall we? I’ll pop the kettle on first.

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You can always rely on Anabel for a bite to eat along the way :

A walk round Overtoun Estate

Indra’s in British Columbia, and very beautiful it looks too :

Kelowna…. Nature’s Playground

Sunshine in your eyes? And the ‘white stuff’, with Drake :

Snow in the eyes

Beautiful architecture as Jude follows in my footsteps, along the river bank :

Norwich Part III : Wensum riverside walk

I know she’d love the fruit and flowers in Lady Lee’s Philippines :

Sonya’s Garden – Urban floral displays

Jackie found lots of ice in Florida. An unusual, if expensive, treat :

Charlie Brown’s Christmas

Not so chilly at the beach, with Geoff and Dog :

Hag Stones#poems#poetry

And where’s Woolly this week? Dodging snakes it seems!

Jo’s Monday-Walk-06 Geelong Botanic Gardens

Denzil always enjoys a breath of fresh air and a stretch of the legs :

Walking around Wonck

I’m quite jealous that Sophie managed to get onto these walls :

The walk on the wall of Pisa

And I’m determined to get to Cornwall next year for these scones. Thanks, Carol!

The End

Have you come across the London Wlogger? The lady features very informative London walks :

King’s Cross to Hampstead Heath : Unlocking London’s beauty

Finishing with a little piece of leftover Christmas magic from Drake :

Dreaming about so much

And closer to home- you’ll like this, Jude!- Jaspa shares some Cornish lights :

Mousehole Harbour Christmas Lights

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I’ll be around till the New Year, walking of course, if the opportunity arises. Make the most of your relaxed time, before we dive into 2017.

Six word Saturday

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Could there be a more obvious six words for today? I sit beside my twinkly tree, shopping done and presents wrapped. The absence of one present troubles me. He’s not here to share, and his place at the Christmas table can’t be filled.

Treasure your loved ones and the time spent together. For most of us that is what Christmas is all about. I’ll eat and I’ll drink and I’ll try to be merry, and yet not burn the sprouts. And I’ll raise a toast to you, my WordPress friends. We’ve come a long way together. Wishing you all a joyful Christmas, and for 2017… all you wish yourself!

Jo’s Monday walk : Christmas Magic in Roundhay

A little bird told me that you’ve all been very good this year. Soon it will be time to open Santa’s sack. Thank you for staying with me on all of those long and arduous hikes. This week it’s all pleasure. Shall we take a little one by the hand and go in search of some Christmas magic?

The venue is Roundhay Park on the outskirts of Leeds, where we’re queuing up for the Magical Lantern Festival. Arrive a little early to make parking easier. There are food stalls and a few small rides for the tots. Hot chocolate and Baileys, strictly for the grown ups.

Here we are, queued beneath the Chinese gate, the anticipation and excitement building. Look up! Look up! Can you see the reindeer on the top?

Under we go, across the road and into the park. Roundhay Park includes 700 acres of parkland, lakes and woodland. In summer you could stroll to your heart’s content, admiring the Monet and Alhambra gardens and former Chelsea Gold Medal award winning gardens. Tropical World is beloved of children for the meercats and the butterfly house. This December the gardens have been transformed with the addition of the lantern festival.

It’s a gentle beginning, as the sun disappears softly into the woods. What ARE all those pandas up to?

We weave around the canal garden, ooh-ing and aah-ing at each new sight. A pumpkin feast affords much delight.

Flowers sparkle prettily, birds tweet from luminous cages, dragonflies whirr and ladybugs glow.

A serenely oriental pond has me clicking and clicking, trying to get the best angle to capture this beauty.

With a grand finale of geese and prancing unicorn, I fear that the tour must be over. Not so! I’m delighted to be directed back across the road.

In Mansion Place an avenue of lanterns leads to yet more flamboyance.

Elegant blue and white porcelain twinkles, while swans dip their graceful heads to admire their own reflection.

A pagoda signals one last crescendo of excitement. No self-respecting Chinese festival is complete without a dragon or two.

Try to end with a flourish! I believe I did. Time to relinquish the little hands and tuck small persons into bed. The Magical Lantern Festival is on at Roundhay until 2nd January. If you’re in the area, why not treat yourself? It really is lovely. Full details are on the website. Let’s put that kettle on!

Thank you so much for another fantastic year of walking and friendship. You make it very special. I hope to have another walk for you next Monday (Boxing Day) but I know that many of you will be absent and enjoying Christmas with your family. Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a peaceful Christmas, filled with much joy. And now to share some walks.

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A blissful beginning from Paula! I know you’ll enjoy :

New Horizon

Lady Lee spent the most beautiful birthday weekend walking and eating… ideal!

Birthday Weekend in Garmisch

Life isn’t ideal in a lot of places. Let Indra show you the brighter side in India :

Walk the Green Side of Gurgaon, India

Becky’s found blue skies and some rather interesting sculptures in Olhão :

Exploring the delightful ‘Legends Way’

Where’s Woolly this week?

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Monaco

My memories of San Diego are of scorching heat. Elaine’s are soothing and refreshing :

Balboa Park – Japanese Friendship Garden

Christmas posts are becoming inevitable! Here’s a lovely one from Stephanie :

Lights

And then please hop over to delightful Kayserberg with Drake :

Do they know it’s…?

Carol had the most fantastic view from her apartment in Cornwall this year :

Falmouth – Near and Far

And Biti found the cutest B & B, especially if you enjoy street art :

Marseille Colorful Panier

A mournful, poetic walk to end the year with Geoff and Dog :

December#poem#walking

But Cathy’s still right on adventuring!

West Virginia : The Endless Wall

A winter wonderland’s something to celebrate, isn’t it? Irene’s is beautiful :

Melancholy is Futile

I hope to be out and about walking between Christmas and New Year but I won’t be posting walks between 2nd and 16th January. Maybe you can guess where I’ll be. Merry Christmas all!

Six word Saturday

‘But Peter, who was very naughty…’

Every year I look forward to Fenwick’s Christmas windows in Newcastle-on-Tyne. Rarely do they disappoint. This year they celebrate 150 years of Beatrix Potter. What could be finer? Come window gazing with me.

What would life be without Jemima Puddle-duck? Or handsome Jeremy Fisher?

We all have our favourites. These cats look rather mean to me but the details are simply delicious.

And I can almost hear the squeaks of those tailoring mice. Every year the Anticipation is the same, and every year they deliver. I hope you won’t be disappointed. Let’s put Peter to bed, shall we?

Share your six words this Saturday, and have a happy weekend.

A Winter wanderland

‘Tis the season, and I’ve been doing a bit of wandering. Nothing new there! I wonder if Jude will recognise an old haunt of hers. To be truthful, not looking its finest in Winter drab, but I did my best.

Did you notice my lovely companion? She was helping me to identify some of the species, but we didn’t do a great job between us.

Of course, the conservatory was the best hunting ground at this time of year. I imagine Sheffield Botanical Gardens are far more lovely in the Summer and I do intend to go back. It’s just around the corner from my friend’s new home.

There was a Christmas Fair taking place in Sharrow Vale Road, and naturally I had to sample the mulled wine. I did draw the line at those enormous pork pies though. Only if you’re very hungry!

Do you have an Urban Space to share with Jude this month? I’m sure you must have. Happy festivities, everyone!

Jo’s Monday walk : Gargrave in the rain

I did tell you last week that my skies aren’t always blue? Sometimes you just have to carry on and do it. August in England- you never can tell what’s in store! My companion’s still smiling, so grab a mac and come with me to Gargrave. What’s a little rain between friends?

It’s a lovely village, but I’m not staying long. I hop over a stile in a stone wall and off across the field, even though that sky does look a bit ominous. I have a date with a canal. I expect it will appreciate a little more water! The sheep don’t seem terribly bothered, so why should we?

I do seem to have encountered a lot of sheep this summer. You might remember that I spent an anniversary weekend in the village of Skipton, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Gargrave is situated just 4 miles north west of Skipton, and I had in mind a 3 and a half mile walk to take in a few locks. The Leeds and Liverpool canal and the River Aire both pass through the village, as does the Pennine Way, so perhaps you can understand my enthusiasm, despite the dreary weather.

Halfway across the field the mild drizzle turns to a downpour. Nothing for it but to plod on, hoping to reach the shelter of a few trees. I always seem to get the giggles at such moments. Not so the other half, whose frown was growing deeper by the minute. With some relief, I spot the first lock, through the trees. A cheery lock keeper bids us “good morning!”. “I’m paid to get wet” he says, stoically.

Fortunately the rain has eased again and I stop to admire the lock keeper’s cottage. Imagine, if you will, a bright Summer’s day.

We cross over an old stone bridge and a pop of colour from a patch of tiny thistles catches my grey-weary eyes. These are Bank Newton locks.

Can you see what lies ahead? I will try not to bore you rigid with houseboats, but I do have a bit of a fascination with them.

One of the highlights of this walk was a small aqueduct, carrying the canal over the river. It was a first for me. Not very spectacular to look at but an experience in itself. I am full of admiration for the people who made these canals.

Happily, at this point a glimmer of sunshine appears in the sky. I don’t suppose you’ll be able to see it, but it puts a smile back on the husband’s face. And then we come upon a very strange craft!

One of the things I love about houseboats is the creativity of the people who live on, or near, them. We’re almost at the end of our walk so I’ll spare you any more lock details. You might want to observe a stately swan though, and I’m pretty sure I have an irresistible dog for you.

Gargrave has a very charming website with a choice of walks around the village. You could do much worse than follow one of them, and hopefully you’ll stay dry. This is the walk that I did.

‘What! No cream tea?’ I hear your outraged cry! We drove onwards to Malham, where the rain was once again a deluge, and huddled in the corner of a cramped cafe. Determined to see something of the mighty limestone crags, I persuaded the long suffering one to a short walk to Janet’s Foss. No need to feel sorry for him. We were homeward bound and, as we crested the valley, sun beamed down upon us. The scarecrow festival at Kettlewell more than made up for any disappointments. Time to put the kettle on?

I know time is a little tight right now, but please do visit the new folks on here, or at least bookmark them for later? So much work goes into these posts. I’d hate you to miss them. Huge thanks to all you for walking with me each week. Details are, as always, on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.

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I have some great mates around here! Thanks, Jude, for reminding me how very lovely Norwich is :

Norwich Part 1 : History and Architecture

Amy joins us with an extremely elegant walk this week :

A Walk of an Urban Garden

Geoff usually comes up with something different, and you’ll enjoy this :

Thomas Hardy and why he was miserable # walking

Next, a shout out for my birthplace, from Lady Lee :

Coventry Transport Museum

A dent in the head for poor Woolly? Oh, dear!

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Indented-Head

Something all too familiar to some of us. Thanks, Jesh!