England

Jo’s Monday walk : Osmotherley and beyond

Shall we share some fresh moorland air today? Many of you in the UK will be having one last summer jaunt over the Bank Holiday weekend. I hope the weather holds fair. It’s a week or two since I was up on the York Moors but the colours were those wonderful shades of rose and lilac that I love. The village of Osmotherley is just a 40 minute drive from me, less with a tail wind. You need only turn right at the crossroads and, a little way beyond the village, you can find some delightful walking. Come to think of it, the same applies if you turn left, but then I cannot guarantee heather.

Follow the footpath sign opposite the cottage, where refreshments used to be provided in the summer. Maybe business wasn’t so good, or maybe year on year of baking lost its charm. It’s a shame because I know you would have appreciated a warm scone. I hope you’ve got water and a little something in your backpack. And don’t forget to close the gate!

In seconds you’re surrounded. Leggy Rosebay Willowherb wafts on the breeze, while sturdy heather hugs the contours of these wild spaces. Clouds sweep across, plunging the landscape into shadow. Sunlight blazes ahead over the fields.

The path drops down towards woodland and I step aside to let a tractor trundle past. The driver nods cheerfully. My husband remarks that he was carrying a gun. “Was he?” I ask. “We’d best behave!” Not that we wouldn’t.

We follow the path into the woods, through dappled shade. As we start to climb back out again we encounter a group of lady dog walkers, perched on a bit of wall for a picnic. We exchange the look that says ‘we forgot again!’ and carry on. They had the perfect spot, overlooking the reservoir.

Over the bridge we go and up the other side, not too sure if this is the right direction. ‘Of course it is- it’s upwards!’ We clamber up, glad of the stone slabs, and pausing often to admire far reaching views. At our feet, tiny flowers nestle in crevices, ferns patterning the time-whorled stones.

A little puffing and panting later, and we’ve reached the top. It strikes me that I would rather have come gently up than descend this footpath. And then we’re back amongst the heather. A curious sheep looks on as we rejoin the road and head back towards the cottage.

I’m starting to feel nostalgic for the beauty of the English countryside, and I haven’t even left it yet! Thank you for joining me. Link up any time here on Jo’s Monday walk. I’m always glad of company. Kettle on now, because it’s sharing time again.

I can always rely on Debs to lift my spirits, as well as my eye level :

Views over Nimes

Lady Lee shares another beautiful weekend away :

Our weekend in Das Kranzbach

Let’s finish off that lovely walk with Janet :

Monday walk…around the lake 2

What does Jackie do every morning?

Rise and Shine

Eunice likes to get out and about too- mostly in lovely countryside like this :

Firwood Fold’s hidden lake

Call me soft, if you like, but this one scares me! No thanks, Alice! 🙂

Okefenokee Swamp, natures treasure chest

Much happier in Rupali’s tranquil garden :

A short visit to botanical garden

No better place to linger than a sunset with Irene :

A Walk at Sunset

But if you want a climb with stunning views, this is the one!

Hiking: Harry’s Ridge

Lisa shares 2000 years of history with us on a walk through the fascinating city of Acre :

The Port City of Acre

Cathy has been keeping me company with some awesome walks this past few weeks. This one is no exception. Simply phenomenal!

The Grand View Overlook Trail in Canyonlands

Looking back to see what I’d posted about Osmotherley and surrounds, I came upon this walk, from the other side of the village. Off to Guisborough with the group today. Sunny, too! Have a great week!

Chesters Roman Fort

Described as the ‘most complete Roman cavalry fort in Britain’, Chesters dates from AD123, just after Hadrian’s Wall was completed. In a lovely setting by the River Tyne, the most visible aspect of the fort are the Roman baths. A full history of the ruins can be found here.

An overview of Chesters

What the spy glass reveals

The cavalrymen’s barracks

The regiment

Visible remains

The cavalrymen lived in close confinement with their horses and some interesting thoughts and details are provided on information boards.

After a sweaty day with the horses it must have been wonderful to indulge in a little scrubbing in the tub.

The commander, of course, lived in relative luxury. He must have wondered what he’d done to be exiled to the ‘edge of Empire’.

I had intended this to be the subject of a Monday walk, but I’m running out of Mondays before I’m back in the Algarve. Paula has obligingly included Fortified in her Pick of the Week in August and I’ve just time to slip this in before the next Thursday’s Special.

Jo’s Monday walk : Ma Shipton’s Cave, Knaresborough

No doubt about it- street art is alive and well in Knaresborough. Perhaps you remember my interrupted visit earlier this year, when I discovered it’s many windows? Recently I was able to return to collect a few more, determined to make it to the other bank of the River Nidd this time. Leaving the town and castle perched high over the river, let’s get down to Waterside. The weather isn’t any better than last time, but still it’s a beautiful scene.

Despite the dullness of the day, people are still messing about in boats, and marvelling at the antiquity of this town. Did you read the Old Manor House plaque? The chequerboard building is an extraordinary sight.

Let’s cross over High Bridge. When compared with the Railway Viaduct, it isn’t very high at all. On the far shore Knaresborough Forest once provided hunting grounds for royalty. My target today is Ma Shipton’s Cave. Open since 1630, this is said to be England’s oldest visitor attraction.

Past the ghouls and into the woodland we go, following a winding path. Through the trees I can just make out the rushing weir, more audible than visible. Once a mill wheel turned on the opposite bank, where today smart residences overlook the river.

I wondered why the tree was so sad. Perhaps it was the youngsters hammering coins into the coin tree. Or maybe it was missing former friends here on Beech Avenue, site of some of the tallest beech trees in the country, dating back to 1739.

As it’s school holidays I shouldn’t be surprised to find several characters awaiting me in the woods. Maid Marian was particularly charming. Not so sure about the Sheriff! He seemed to be guarding the entrance to the cave and the petrifying well. A strange place, if ever I saw one.

If you read the signboards you will realise what an extraordinary character was Mother Shipton. Born in this cave in 1488, as she grew older her prophetic visions inspired awe and fear. She foretold both the invasion and defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and the Great Fire of London in 1666. The Petrifying Well is a unique geological phenomenon, where cascading water turns everyday objects into stone. More details, including how to get here, can be found on www.mothershipton.co.uk.

There’s definitely an atmosphere in those woods and I felt lucky to escape the wrath of the Sheriff. Happily there was a very nice establishment where I could get my breath back. I hope you enjoyed walking with me.

Thanks for your company everyone. Blue skies have definitely changed to grey here, but we’ll put the kettle on and keep smiling. Lots of lovely walks to share this week. Please do visit, especially if there’s someone you don’t know. Join me anytime on Jo’s Monday walk.

Let’s start with Cathy, because I missed her out last week. A sad story, but some stunning scenery :

Dead Horse Point State Park

Liz and I share a love of the Algarve, but here’s somewhere else we both know and like :

My Monday Walk in Ludlow

Eunice enjoys a blue sky walk in her local English countryside :

Repeating a Rivington ramble

Why not enjoy a relaxed lakeside stroll with Alice, in South Carolina?

Jarvis Creek Park

Or join Janet in the peace and beauty of her watery world :

Monday walk…the first lake

You know I love a sunrise. Rupali watches it rise in a special place :

Sunrise over the Charles Bridge in Prague

While Artfulinguist lingers over sunset in the most beautiful of bays :

15 minutes at Sidney Pier

Lady Lee is off to the Philippines soon and will be so happy to be home with Mum :

Ten Things of Thankful

Colline joins us with a spectacular firework display from the Eiffel Tower- don’t miss it!

First Walk Down the Champs Elysees

While Geoff and Dog pace out the bridges of London. An excellent way to exercise!

Bridging The Gap #walking#london#thames

Poor Mel has had a rough time up till now, but there’s finally a reward for all the effort :

Day 4 Via Francigena, Verres to Pont Saint Martin, 19km

More serious hikers, meet Patrick and Paige, and the butterfly socks!

Mount Assiniboine

Nadine gamely carries on, and reminds me what a very beautiful part of the world I live in :

Day Two on the Pennine Way : Torside to Standedge, 12miles

Finishing off with more rugged and beautiful terrain with our Cathy :

The Upheaval Dome Hike in Canyonlands

That’s it, folks! Enjoy, and I’ll see you all next week. Take care till then. Almost forgot to link to Sami at Monday Mural!

Six word Saturday

A lovely surprise in my Inbox!

I just have to share the generosity of Brian Butler on his blog Travel Between the Pages. Celebrating 3000 posts over 8 years, he launched a giveaway and I was the lucky recipient. There’s something very beautiful about old books, and London is a favourite subject of mine. A publisher and dealer in antique books, Brian often makes me smile. Sharing the love this Saturday, with just a little more than Six Words. Not so verbose as Debbie. Have a wonderful weekend!

Playing with patterns

Water is the most fascinating thing. The gentle drizzle didn’t even matter too much. Being in Alnwick Water Gardens was still a very nice way to spend an anniversary. Just look at the fun you can have if you’re wearing wellies!

Watching the liquid patterns, an idea came to me. I have no patience with selfies, but a little distortion might be fun? Thanks, Debs, for constantly providing inspiration. I love the quote in this post.

Ann-Christine’s Patterns are very different, and very beautiful. I hope you’re following the Lens-Artists. I will be returning to the Alnwick Garden in a future post. See you soon!

Jo’s Monday walk : Cotherstone and the Teesdale Way

If you saw my shabby summerhouse last week, you’ll know that I’m a fan of the Open Garden scheme. Sometimes it throws up a real jewel. It’s a bit of a bus man’s holiday for my husband, but you can always get him to go and look at a garden. Me, I’m just happy to go somewhere new. Not that Cotherstone is new, exactly. We’ve driven by this village en route to Teesdale and the falls beyond, and scarcely noticed it. Discovering that the whole village opened its gardens for charity gave us a golden opportunity to explore.

Map in hand, off we went! There were 15 or more gardens to delight in. You’ll note that we didn’t get very far before the coffee stop, but we’d had a longish drive from home. Looking over the garden wall of The Limes was just too tempting. (and the homemade rhubarb slice was tart and delicious!) A perfect summer’s day, it was easy to sit in the sunshine and smile at the super keen youngsters of the household. They were Sunday smart and performing waiting duties, with impeccable manners.

When I did stir myself, I was gifted a fine zucchini plant, much to my astonishment. Never having mothered such a specimen before, I was a little anxious for its survival, but I’m happy to report that it has since thrived.

The Methodist Chapel was open and I paused long enough to admire the stained glass, and wonder briefly if I should turn my talents to rug making? Back into the sunshine, I dodged a fearsome looking farm machine, before dipping into another garden.

Each garden had its own character. Some manicured to within an inch of their life, others far more casual; one devoted to recycled goods, another fragrant with a nosegay of sweetpeas. Their common factor? A gardener with a smile, and time to chat.

Midway through the village a narrow lane led down towards a river I hadn’t even realised was there. I was about to meet the River Balder, which joins the Tees at this point. On the far shore, a river beach, perfectly sited for cooling tired feet.

It’s an enchanted piece of woodland, leaves dancing in dappled shade over russet waters. The moss covered bridge must surely have been there in Merlin’s time. I followed the Teesdale Way just far enough to satisfy my curiosity, and then retraced my steps. A steep clamber up a stepped path brought us to the top of the village, and what was probably my favourite garden, Glensleigh. Beautifully terraced, the views were far reaching, and the lovely Norwegian owner didn’t seem to mind in the least that a public right of way ran right through her garden.

A bee-keeping demonstration next, the lady keeper, outfitted like a spaceman, fearlessly handling the honeycomb. A glance over the allotment walls- time is pressing on! I’ve lost count of the number of gardens we’ve seen.

Back on the main street, we were offered a celebratory prosecco, and took 10 minutes to admire the owner’s beautifully presented patio. I can’t say that this is common practise at Open Gardens, but it was very much appreciated on a warm day.

On the village green children were dangling toes in the stream and eating icecreams. Just a few more visits. Opposite the magnificent church an aged gentleman sat on a bench in his lovely small patch and exchanged pleasantries. He’d never left his home county. ‘Why would he?’ his gentle smile seemed to say. In the stream at the bottom of his garden, two American crayfish seemed content to end their wanderings too. Wouldn’t you?

While looking for a few facts about Cotherstone, I came upon this 6 mile circular walk from the Fox and Hounds at West Green. It covers some of our outing today. Next time I’ll go looking for the ‘fairy cupboards’.

Apologies to anyone whose walk I haven’t included here today. I’ve scheduled the post because I’m up on the Northumbrian coast for our anniversary, and I haven’t got my laptop. They’ll appear in next week’s walk- promise! Meanwhile, please do read and enjoy….

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My nautical friend, Drake, shares a mutual passion – water!

Sailing

I can’t keep up with Jackie! Can you? Wonder what’s to eat?

Bed and Breakfast

How about Niagara, looking floral and lovely, with Alice :

Floral clock, Niagara Parks

Some very personal memories shared by Artfulinguist :

A UVic Stroll Down Memory Lane

Not something I associate with beautiful Norway, but Rupali has set me straight :

A tour to Norwegian cherry farm

Nowhere better than our very own Lake District, with Melodie :

Randonnee/Hike Nether Wasdale

I’m home at teatime (earlier if the weather misbehaves too badly 🙂 ) so I’ll catch up with you all then, if not sooner. Have a great week!

Six word Saturday

It wouldn’t be Summer without Saltburn!

I’m sure they need no introduction. (6) The yarn bombers efforts for 2018. (6) I’ve never seen it so busy! (6 more)

Awesome, aren’t they? Every year they pull it off! Recognise a few characters? Sorry I’ll not have much time to chat this weekend. We have a house viewing then we’re off up the coast to celebrate our anniversary. Don’t forget your Six Words, will you, and have a great weekend! See you Monday!

Feeling blue

Everybody feels a little blue sometimes, don’t they? This summerhouse is enough to make your heart sink. It sits forlornly in the corner of a large and overgrown garden at Loughbrow House in Hexham. It wasn’t always like this but the owner is now aged 92, a proud, upright lady who loves and manages her garden to the best of her ability. It was opened for charity at the weekend and I’m sure lots of money was made. A highlight of the garden is the Lutyens inspired rill with grass topped bridges. Here’s a peep.

This week Patti is sharing a surreal shade of beautiful Blue in the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge.

Relaxing in Nottingham

Behold, Alan Sillitoe!

Tempting though it is to share relaxing, riverside images of Tavira, I thought I’d indulge in a little tram spotting in Nottingham instead. Now, I know tram spotting isn’t everybody’s idea of relaxation, but I’m reluctant to let go of time spent with my daughter. And the wine bar that was our first port of call (That gives a terrible impression, doesn’t it? But probably the correct one 🙂 ) was conveniently located, right beside the tramlines.

We had already debated the ‘Pitcher and Piano’, a favourite venue, inside that church that you’re looking at, but opted instead for a sunny corner to catch up on life. I’ve always loved trams and Lisa humoured me, as I bobbed up and down to read the names. The trams are named after local heroes of past or present. Robin Hood, of course. Brian Clough and Rebecca Adlington from the sports world. Lord Byron and his daughter Ada Lovelace. D.H. Lawrence and Alan Sillitoe. All spotted, and more besides. My one regret, I didn’t see Torvill and Dean!

Nottingham is never short of quirky in any respect, and as we ambled the streets towards home I recorded a few random impressions. Mosaic seemed to be big news in Sherwood, a very crafty area.

Nottingham lace

A stylish violin…and more lace!

Thank you very much!

Love the birdie!

An ingenious hanging basket

Plant pot?

And just for those people who think I exist on cake, we did manage some nourishment, along with the wine.

I had a lovely, relaxing time in Nottingham. No cooking, no cleaning, wonderful company! The Sunday morning of my return home, I suggested brunch as a treat on the way into town. The food was great, but we did wonder why the place was so busy.

It’s Amy’s turn to host the Lens Artists Photo Challenge this week. I hope she won’t mind my rather frivolous version of Time to Relax.

Jo’s Monday walk : Elvaston Castle Country Park

In between visiting Poland and the Algarve, I managed to slip in 4 days with my daughter, in Nottingham. Knowing that I like to get out and about, one day she suggested a visit to Elvaston Castle Country Park. We had no real idea what to expect, but the Gothic revival masterpiece, staring at us across a mound of topiary, was a promising start. Part of a 321 acre estate, Elvaston Castle was designed by James Wyatt in the early 1800s, around a house dating from 1633. For 400 years it was home to the Stanhope family, later to become the Earls of Harrington.

Today’s walk is extremely green. I know that many of you have singed, brown grass right now, and might regard this as a refreshing change. The country park had a slightly neglected air, but many families were happily picnicking in the grounds, and I was glad to read that a renovation plan is underway. In 1970, when the estate was opened, it was one of the first country parks in England. Both buildings and gardens are Grade 2 listed. Behind the house are a church and graveyard.

Circling the house, we noted tea rooms, and eyes lit up at the prospect of cake. Looking in the windows, Lisa remembered that she’d been here once, long ago, for a wedding. I don’t know if it was the topiary, but there was a distinctly Alice in Wonderland feel to the gardens.

On to the lakeside, where the rockwork captured our imagination. Tufa, gritstone and gypsum were used to create arches and grottoes, framing a view and lending an air of enchantment. My very own woodland elf was right at home….

Paths meander all around the lake, and beneath the trees. My squirrel friend scampered away up a tree, but then thought better of it and returned to finish his lunch, defiantly keeping an eye on me.

Set deep within the woods, a Moorish Temple stands tall and hauntingly silent. Built as a summer house around 1846, it has fallen into disrepair. Apparently it featured in Ken Russell’s 1969 film, ‘Women in Love’, with Glenda Jackson in a balcony scene.

Time to inspect the tearooms, and step back in time. The age of the building was apparent but sympathetic restoration could easily bring it to life.

If you’re interested in garden history I found a fascinating document within the Derbyshire council website. If not, simply sit back and enjoy the faded grandeur of the Old English walled garden. Once it provided fruit and vegetables for the family, many of them grown within glasshouses. William Barron, Head Gardener in 1830, transformed the original walled garden with innovative drainage and heating systems, allowing six varieties of grape to flourish. Traces of it linger still.