Jo’s Monday walk

Jo’s Monday walk : Scarecrow fun in Kettlewell

This week photo quality has lost out to Fun. I’m hoping you won’t mind though, because it’s all in a good cause. The village of Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales is throwing open its doors, from 13th to 21st August. I know it’s short notice, but you won’t regret a visit.

The scarecrow festival has been running here for more than 20 years, and it must have been in its infancy when I last visited. Coming over the tops from a rain-soaked Malham, sunlight beamed across the valley. An afternoon of smiles had begun, and what a cast of characters!

It is the most picturesque of villages, and the surrounding scenery could steal any show. A field just beyond the village has been earmarked for parking, at a cost of £3. Smiling villagers direct traffic, and sell trail leaflets for a further one pound. The map shows the route to follow through the village, with the added bonus of a riddle to solve on the reverse. For a prize, of course.

Food is widely available, and everywhere a gentle Yorkshire sense of humour prevails. There are village matrons, with a refined glass or two. A maypole, with scarecrow children dancing, and Red Riding Hood, tucked quietly in a corner. Someone always ends up in the stocks, and someone else gets eaten, while a soldier looks gravely on.

The festival has grown hugely since my last visit, but still retains warmth and intimacy. I chat freely as I wander. ‘Isn’t it lovely to be here?’ One lady says she lives in Skipton, at the head of the Dales and just a few miles down the road, but has never thought to come before. This time the whole family are here, and having a great day out.

One of my best memories is the lovely bridal scene outside St. Mary’s Church. Now the doors of the church have been flung wide, and inside the bishop awaits. He’s in wonderful company.

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There are many crowd pleasers and figures from popular culture, and all within the most beautiful setting.

There is the prettiest of village greens, and beekeeper’s rule, you’ll be glad to note. Hard to stop smiling, isn’t it?

‘Star Wars’ is a obviously a village favourite, along with ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’, of course.

‘Ding, dong, the witch is dead! Which old witch? The wicked witch.’ I hope you’ve had as much Fun with this stroll as I did. It’s not at all the walk I intended to post today, but the timing makes it imperative- just in case you should be in the neighbourhood. I’ve only shown you a fraction of the whole but I hope it’s enough to whet your appetite. The proceeds all go to the school and village funds.

Even if you miss the festival, you will still receive a warm Kettlewell welcome. This website guides you round the village, accompanied by a wealth of historical facts. And now, I really must have some breakfast!

Many thanks to you all again, for your good company and contributions this week. If you’ve never joined in with a Monday walk before, I’d love you to do so. Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo. Now, settle in for a terrific read :

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Debbie was swift away this week, with a stunning coastal walk :

Maidencombe to Babbacombe

Meet Judith, as she shares some lovely woodland walking in France :

A Path Through the Woods

Jackie does history again, coupled with a nice bit of sculpture :

Canary District

High in beautiful Andorra is a fine place to be with Drake :

Morning mood on the edge

You all know Cindy? Glorious photography is her middle name :

Eastern Sierra High

Do you find Meg’s graffiti disturbing, or not? Don’t be a fool like me- click on the gallery!

Vignettes from a morning walk- 7

Pretty and peaceful with Jaspa, in the capital of Slovenia :

The Streets of Ljubljana Old Town

Anyone fancy meeting Jude in Coffee House Passage? Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Scrobbesbyrig/Shrewsbury : Town Trail Part 2

Get set for pagodas and shopping! That’s Cathy in Myanmar for you :

City Walk : Yangon’s Colonial Treasures

Anyone for waffles? Don’t mind if I do, Susan :

Walking Brugge, Belgium, Without Regrets

Mesmerising colours in Kathrin’s walk this week. I know you’ll love it :

Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake

That’s it for another week. I hope you have a good one. Next week I’ll be showing you a little more of what took me to The Dales. The ladies from Monday Escapes are about again, if you’d like to join them. And, of course, I’m up for the Daily Post challenge.

Jo’s Monday walk : Burton Agnes

I promised you a gentle stroll this week, far from the bustle of the city. Burton Agnes, in East Yorkshire, will deliver in spades. I can find you a bench or two to loiter on, and maybe a game of chess or snakes and ladders. Too taxing? You can do what I did, and simply stand and smile.

There’s much to smile about at this Elizabethan stately home. The elegant facade looks over a sweeping expanse of the Yorkshire wolds, but the owners have retained a sense of playfulness in the gardens. They are a joy to behold.

When I was there they were setting up a grand marquee for the July jazz event. The weather was steamy, as it rarely is in England, and the ice cream vendor was in full flow. Or should I say scoop?

You’ll know by now that I have a thing for water lilies and reflective surfaces. I could have played all day.

Gryphons, lions, statuary, all come as standard in these formal gardens.

But come on! We’ve mosaics and a rose garden yet to explore.

Can you see what lies beyond the rose arbour? Anyone for chess? Or draughts? Maybe the ladies would be better at snakes and ladders.

The rooms lead one to another, with tantalising glimpses of distraction. The reflections soon entrance me all over again.

The roses smell wonderful and I bury my nose deep into their luscious beauty.

‘I’ve found an elephant’, says the other half. Really? And a very endearing creature he is too.

It’s such a delightful garden, with so many aspects. Do you remember the wire mesh gardener tending his veg? He’s here too.

I believe there’s an Open Day for charity, so I can join Jude’s Garden Challenge this month. I expect she’ll be disappointed there’s no cake, but I have a good reason. This was the second garden we visited that day and we’d already eaten. It was quite a long way from home, but well worth the journey. I’ll show you the other garden soon. That was a water lily bonanza!

A closer look at these gardens and instructions on how to get there are on the website. I’m off to put the kettle on for breakfast.

Many thanks to all of you for being such loyal supporters. Every week I’m delighted by the contributions you make to my walks. If you’d like to join me and haven’t done so it’s easy enough. The details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. If I spot a good walk when I’m reading posts, I’ll simply ask if I can include it. We have some great ones again this week.

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Starting with some beautiful gardens from Lady Lee :

Packwood Gardens

Cathy takes us to a stately home in the US, as well as it’s lovely garden :

Winterthur Museum, garden & library : a Delaware country estate

I’m discovering that Jackie is rather fond of history!

A history lesson

A hot, prickly walk from Ana. And keep an eye out for rattlers! Heavens!

The trail to Gorman Falls at Colorado Bend State Park

Liesbet uses camping as a means to an end- ‘roaming about’, of course :

The Art of Being Flexible (and Realistic)

I always like something a bit different in my walks. How about this one? Thanks, Shazza!

Llama Trekking in the Lakes

A great one for the bird watchers from Denzil this week (paying attention Becky?) :

Het Zwin Nature Park on the Belgian Coast

This is a country I’ve always wanted to visit, and a very beautiful post from Maris Travels :

Walking in the Japanese Alps

The Pyrenees are equally beautiful, especially if you’re with my good friend Drake :

A bit higher level of walking

Warsaw street life and a fantasy of umbrellas – it’s Meg, of course!

Vignettes from a morning walk-6

Meet newcomer to my walks, Stephanie and the crew of S.V. Cambria, with a bit of a mystery :

A Walk on the Wild Side/Downtown Ocean Falls

Yvette embraces summer with her usual enthusiasm, and beautiful Crepe Myrtle :

Street Shots (#summer2016 a to z Letter S) summer walk with Jo

Come and be nosy with Susan (and me) while we look over a few fences :

Walking Cherbourg, France

Some people keep on dangling serious temptation my way. You know who you are, Carol!

A Morning in Port Douglas

Becky and birds are synonymous, aren’t they? Even in Lymington, it seems :

Didn’t get very far because of the birdies

That’s it for another week. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did. Now, where can I take you next week? Take care till then.

Jo’s Monday walk : City of Birmingham (24 hours in Brum)

Britain’s second largest city, Birmingham, stormed my senses from the moment I first saw it. Approaching by coach from the north, I gazed in horror at the piles of rubble and the cranes, skulking behind billboards. In these testing times, it felt not a little like the scene of a recent disaster. But I needn’t have worried. Apparently Birmingham is constantly reinventing itself, and I very much liked where my footsteps led me.

Frugality being one of my traits, I was staying a little off the beaten track. As I raised my camera to take a shot of some Lemonade Fizzballs in a shop window, I was unaware that I was colliding with the city’s industrial past. The Back to Backs on Hurst St. are all that is left of the cheap housing, swiftly erected to cope with the boom times of the Industrial Revolution. Every imaginable type of industry thrived in Birmingham at that time. James Watt, Matthew Boulton and William Murdoch, the luminaries in my lead photo, were pioneers and members of the Lunar Society- a melting-pot of scientific and industrial ideas. I hesitate to admit that ‘rag rugs’ are part of my childhood memories.

Directly opposite, ‘The Old Fox Theatre Bar’ gave me a warm welcome, as it waited for customers from The Hippodrome Theatre. The area adjoins Chinatown. Noodle bars galore and a feast of eating opportunities. The following morning was not quite so welcoming, and I returned to the city in a fine drizzle. Still, I had a smile on my face, for I was going to be Meeting Gilly. The couple of hours till her arrival time were not to be wasted, and I set off in a clockwise direction. The landmark buildings The Mailbox and The Cube were on my agenda.

Cheerful lanterns lit the path beneath the subway, then I dripped my way up The Mailbox steps. What a revelation!

The Mailbox is a combination of art gallery and shopping complex, within the structure of Brum’s old postal sorting office. I was in need of a little warmth and comfort, and the tulip-shaped chairs of the Bellini & Espresso Bar were pure invitation.

Just as I was settling in to a mouthful of luxury, the alarm bells began to ring and a stern voice announced that an investigation was taking place. Evacuation might soon be called for! Fortunately, nothing further occurred, but just for a moment…

All too soon I was back on the streets, if anything, even damper than before. Well, if I was going to be wet, I might as well head for the canals. Boats always boost my mood. As I turned the corner to The Cube, I glimpsed water. Closely followed by soggy boats and dripping padlocks!

You might recollect that this pub in Gas Street Basin is where, later, I ate with Gilly. The vegetarian menu looked promising, if a little damp! As I looked back at The Cube, I thought I saw just a hint of sunlight. Was I fooling myself?

Back under the subway, I headed along Navigation St. in the direction of New Street Station. This building had been beckoning to me for a closer look ever since my arrival in Birmingham. A futuristic train shape, from a distance it intrigued. Close quarters revealed a multitude of reflections.

And THEN my eyes lit up. Trams! A source of much childish delight for me. I studied their comings and goings for a few minutes, but it was almost time to go and meet my accomplice for the day. The skies had brightened at last as I headed towards the coach station. Just as I was consulting my map, looking for an elusive Mill Lane, a burst of sunny rain hit me. Up went the brolly again, and I hopped onto the steps of a small, friendly-looking police station. Seconds later, my phone rang. ‘Where are you?’ a smiling voice asked.

Now I don’t know quite why, but a little voice inside my head was singing ‘if you want to know the way, ask a policeman!’ Well, why not? In I went, and the police were every bit as friendly as their station looked. They insisted on going online to find Mill Lane for me. By the time they had done so, my ray of sunshine had arrived. Grinning from ear to ear.

Meeting Gilly tells the story of our day. Linking arms we set off, first in search of refreshment, and then in the general direction of Birmingham Library. A peep inside St. Martin in the Bullring was just enough to reveal the ravishing stained glass windows by local artist, Edward Burne-Jones. (Sorry- no photos allowed). Bypassing The Bullring, reincarnated in style, and on into New Street, where we both delighted to find old style shopping arcades with beautiful ceilings.

So much to love about Brum! By now I was starting to take the cranes and the billboards for granted. I could forgive much in a city with a library like this one. I wish I’d had time for the Secret Garden on the 7th floor and more than just a glimpse at the Shakespeare Memorial Room.

I guess what I’m saying is that 24 hours in Brum is not enough! I still need to know more about Brindley Place and the sensory clock. And we never did manage to fit in St. Philip’s Cathedral with it’s Burne-Jones stained glass masterpieces. Nor even try Fumo’s restaurant, recommended by my good friend Richard (A Bit of Culture) and the Rough Guide.

Get yourself a city map and take a walking tour. You won’t regret it! And now, for goodness sake, where’s the coffee?

Thank you so much everybody, for putting up with me and my rambles. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Birmingham with Gilly. If you have a walk you’d like to share, you can join me anytime. The details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page, or just click on the logo. And now the best bit- some wonderful shares!

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First past the post again this week! Drake’s lovely ‘home’ island :

Same style, but different

I missed one last week so humble apologies to Liesbet in Massachusetts :

(Super)Natural Wonders around us

Becky made me smile with some wonderful memories of Lisbon (and a bit of humph-ing!)

It’s a Monday so it must be time for a walk

And from the Azores… be still my beating heart! Thanks, Susan :

Walking and Walking and Walking in Ponta Delgada, Portugal

Prepare for a lot of knowledge about the Hurons! Jackie’s on the case :

Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons

Something a little different from BiTi this week :

Let’s hike the Stanford Dish Loop Trail

And Geoff is ambling along a river bank, being smug. With Dog, of course!

Summer strolls#walking#suffolk

Violet Sky has found the nicest garden to match that nice town. Have a wander!

A nice garden in a nice town

Cathy’s latest is huge! Check out the Orangery :

Philadelphia’s Longwood Gardens

Jaspa’s building up a sweat in among some beautiful Mayan ruins :

Climbing an Ancient Mayan Pyramid at Coba, Mexico

And cooling down by the water in a lovely Cornish village. Different, huh?

Boscastle Harbour, Cornwall, 12 years after the Floods

One of the loveliest walks it has ever been my privilege to feature. Meg, you’re a love!

Vignettes from a morning walk, 5

What a corker from Corey! Jude, you’ll love this one :

Westchester’s Hidden Gem : Untermyer Park and Gardens

Carol in Cairns! Has a good sound to it, don’t you think?

Riding The Waves

And an encore from Badfish! Only now he’s playing at Knight’s Templar in a sublime setting :

Another Side of Malta : Day One

Sorry if I’ve walked you to exhaustion this week. I promise to be kinder next Monday. Have a great week and take good care of yourselves.

P.S I just popped over to Monday Escapes and it reminded me to say ‘White Rabbit’!

Jo’s Monday walk : Spanish City

‘Girl you look so pretty to me, like you always did

Like the Spanish City to me, when we were kids…’

I don’t know for sure what holds me in thrall with those words from Dire Straits, but as I walk along the seafront at Whitley Bay they play over and over in my head. The Spanish City takes me back to my childhood, when it was a funfair. It all looks very different these days.

A £36million renovation plan is in operation to restore the Dome and create an attractive seafront promenade. Currently it still has a few rough edges, but progress is underway. Come with me, and we’ll do ‘the walk of life’?

If you look off into the distance you can dimly see one of the purposes of a walk along this shoreline. Remember St. Mary’s Lighthouse? She sits at the end of a causeway that attracts the crowds, whatever the weather. What are we waiting for? Let’s get down among the rock pools.

Did Meg say she was collecting feet? No, it’s no good! I need both to balance on these slippery rocks. Let’s hop back up on the promenade. There’s a skate park up ahead. The kids love those. The beach is full of dog walkers, and the odd warning sign.

I stop to read a sign about Tide Wrack and Rock Pipits. Apparently the latter feed on the insects, crustaceans and snails found among the seaweed and rocks. Conditions are so good here that visitors pop over from Scandinavia in the winter months. You’ll be pleased to know there’s no waste. Leftover seaweed is used to line the local pipit’s nests in spring. We’re much closer to the lighthouse now.

You can see already the numbers St. Mary’s attracts. It’s an overcast day, but warm by north east standards, and whole families have come to play in the rock pools. Not forgetting the dogs, of course. It’s essential though to keep a close eye on the tide times.

There is another attraction here, aside from the obvious charms of the lighthouse. St Mary’s Island is a grey seal haul-out- an area of land that the seals use regularly to rest and digest food. Seals come onto the rocks and, if undisturbed, will remain there until the tide floats them away. Grey seals are amongst the rarest in the world, and 40% of them live in UK waters.

Seals are normally solitary creatures, but they often haul-out in groups. At just 3 weeks old, a seal pup is independent. Many of the seals on St. Mary’s are youngsters, and it’s essential that they have time to restore their energy levels undisturbed, whilst learning to fend for themselves.

St. Mary’s do their best to educate about and protect the seals. I have to admit to a great fondness for this lighthouse, which was built on the site of an 11th century monastic chapel. The monks maintained a lantern to warn passing ships of the danger of the rocks. Sadly the current lighthouse no longer maintains this function, but it’s still a very welcoming space. A variety of activities take place here, including Fossil Frolics, Rock pool Rambles and even Extreme Rockpooling! Not quite that brave? How about the Lighthouse Bake Off party? Set Sunday, 2nd October, aside.

If you’d like to see inside the lighthouse, this post will take you to the top of the 137 stairs. Opening times and other useful details can be found on the website. (including where to find cake, naturally) Which reminds me- time to put the kettle on!

Thank you once again for your generous support. I have heaps of great walks to share again this week. Impossible to pick a favourite. If you have one you think I might like, why not join in? Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.

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Ice Age! That’s a wonderfully cool image after the hot weather we’ve been having in the UK. Thanks, Drake!

Hidden history

Caught between a rock and a hard place with Anabel?

Dumbarton and the Denny Tank

Jackie’s on a mission to find the post office museum in Toronto :

Return to Sender- Address Unknown

Welcome back Violet Sky, and nice to meet you Big Bruce!

The nicest town around

Wine anybody? It’s totally taken for granted in pretty French villages is :

La Couvertoirade Village

Ruth is taking us for an adventure with bears (or without!). Don’t miss her superb blog :

Sequoia National Park : Tokopah Falls

I do try to bring you an interesting mix of walks, and am delighted to invite Sartenada here, from Finland :

White bridges

For those of you who prefer to ride to doing too much walking, Jaspa has the very thing :

The Funiculars of Valparaiso, Chile

My lovely mate Cathy’s not afraid of a bit of walking. And she has an eye for beauty :

Philadelphia Gardens : Chanticleer

More beauty, from NYC this time! Don’t you just love a meander?

Meandering through the Brooklyn Botanical Garden

Denzil’s taking it slowly too this week, after a back injury. But not too slow :

Bierbeek and Mollendaal Forest

I’m sure there must be a Dire Straits song to fit this one, but I really can’t think of it. Thanks, Susan!

Walking the Cruise Ship

More cruising, with Carol this time. I’m going to jump ship in the Whitsundays. Can you blame me?

At the Beach

All good things come to those who wait, right? Absolutely! Please welcome Madhu back :

An Amble through a Storied Park- Lodhi Gardens

Did you ever have a really, really good day? I just did! Badfish came to town. Loud fanfare!

Prague : Up Close and Personal

Many thanks for keeping me company again this week. I wrote this walk with my friend, Viv, in mind. I think it’s one she would have enjoyed. Have a great week, and take good care of yourselves.

Jo’s Monday walk : Newby Hall, Ripon

Those of you who saw my Saturday post will know that it was much too hot to do any serious walking on holiday in the Algarve last week. English summertime is, however, the perfect time for gardens, and I visited a flurry of them before I went away. Perhaps you remember this young lady?

The last time you saw her she was upside down in the water, making a bid for freedom. I had almost forgotten my Water Nymph.

Newby Hall in Yorkshire was built in the 1690s, under the guidance of Christopher Wren. The 25 acre gardens feature Europe’s longest double herbaceous borders, and the National Collection of Cornus (dogwoods). Do you fancy a wander? If you get tired there’s a miniature steam train to toot and puff you around some of the grounds. But first, that lily pond. I can never walk past a water lily without pausing.

It was a lovely, somewhat hazy, summer day and too nice to be indoors. In case you’re wondering about the house, why not take a peek? It’s another English ancestral home with a mighty history. Robert Adam decorated the Tapestry Room and some of the interior. For me, I was happy to be in the grounds, with its gentle urns and statuary.

I hadn’t gone far when a sign caught my eye- Sylvia’s Garden. I thought at once of a certain lady in America, but Sylvia was the wife of Major Compton, whose family live in Newby Hall still. This garden was planted to be at its best in May, to coincide with York Races. It was late June.

A sequence of interconnecting garden rooms follow, which can be taken in any order. An alluring bloom or a fountain easily distracts me, and my eyes were on stalks when I saw the wonderful display of peonies, threaded through with star bursts of allium.

I was a little too early for the Rose Pergola and a little too late for the Laburnum Pergola, but the Cornus were in full, joy-packed bloom.

Apparently there are over 100 individual specimens of Cornus represented. I failed to collect the Cornus Trail booklet from the Entrance Pavilion, so I cannot elaborate further. Obviously, a black mark! But you can tell I enjoyed my wandering.

Suddenly I heard the blast of a whistle and I stood, holding my breath. With a rattle and a clank, the miniature Royal Scot steam locomotive clattered over the bridge in the Rock Garden and sped away. In time honoured fashion, I waved. Wouldn’t you?

I had no idea of the breadth and range of this garden. My previous visits had been accompanied by a small boy, whose chief interest had been the snorting beast that roared through the canyon. As I meandered on I came to the Woodland Garden. It was season’s end for the rhododendrons that I love, but how very poignant. Debbie, does this remind you of anything?

And I still haven’t taken you down to the river, via the herbaceous borders for which this garden is so rightly known. Burgeoning with delicious irises and yet more peonies! A toot and a bustle as the train scurries past again, disturbing the stillness.

Not far back to the Garden Restaurant from here, or you could pick up an icecream at the kiosk. Before departure I really must show you the Water Garden, and then you can simply subside with cake, or something more substantial.

I hope you’re not too weary? There really is so much to see in these gardens, and when I mention that there is also a Dollshouse Exhibition, Adventure Gardens with a water play area and even an exhibition of Teddy Bears, you’ll know that this is a good place to take the grandkids in these upcoming school holidays. Have a look at the website. There’s something for everyone.

Now I really must go and put that kettle on! I think I’ve earned it.

I really enjoyed my break, but I’m back with another great collection of walks to share. Thank you so much for your support. It wouldn’t be half so much fun without you. Join in at any time. I’m usually around. Click on the logo or visit Jo’s Monday walk page for details.

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Isn’t there something magical about Corsica? Certainly there is through Drake’s eyes :

Touch of yesterday

Anabel’s castle is a whole different ball game. Check out these views!

Drumlanrig Castle

Jackie supports Gay Rights with some great scenes in Toronto :

Toronto Pride

Liesbet cheats a tiny bit, but nobody said the walks had to be all uphill, did they?

Climbing Mount Greylock the easy way

How about a little shopping In Berlin? Lady Lee will be your escort :

Strolling at Kurfurstendamm

Susan brings fragrance and a smile to our walks this week :

Walking along fields of lavender

Kathrin found something quite unusual and rather wonderful on her recent road trip :

Water towers in Mendocino

Jude has a few chips to share. No, don’t all rush! Her OH has probably eaten them by now. Gravestones will have to do, but they’re not so tasty :

Ludgvan Churchyard

When Cathy’s not meandering in Myanmar she still likes to keep an eye on the oriental :

Philadelphia gardens : Shofuso Japanese house and garden

And while we’re in ‘Japan’, share a little beauty and serenity with Rommel :

Goshiki-numa, Five-colored Lakes in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

Fabulous, aren’t they? Have a great week everybody. I hear the temperatures have followed me here from the Algarve, but don’t worry- they’ll only last a day or so. Enjoy! See you next week. Don’t forget Monday Escapes if you have a minute or two.

Jo’s Monday walk : Boa Vista Trail

Becky will recognise this little chap straight away, but I’m not going to take her advice and walk the Boa Vista Trail the ‘other way round’. I would, however, suggest that you pay close attention to her post, if you one day find yourself up in the Algarve hills, with a little time to spare.

It was one of several grey days I encountered in April this year, not ideal for a trail named beautiful view, but pleasant enough for walking. From Vila Nova de Cacela in the Eastern Algarve, we left E125 and headed north on a minor road, EM509. A goatherd and his enthusiastic dog caught my eye as we headed for open country. At the village of Corte Antonio Martins, our 9km circular trail began.

There was a slight, blustery wind, setting the flowers to shiver and shake. As it died down, a spatter of heavy rain drops hit the ground. Up went the umbrella! (the other half, ever prepared) This is just like an English walk, you’re thinking!

But the flowers on the hillside told a different story. Cistus beamed at us- mostly the Montpellier variety, with their welcoming ‘face’, but large, plain white ones too. Tiny pink ones, and others resembling potentilla. Wild lavender and vivid yellow broom.

Looking over a cottage garden wall I tried to guess at some of the mysterious planting. Carobs and apricots, figs and aloes, I managed.

Just occasionally the sun peeped out, transforming our world. Well-marked paths rolled gently up and down the hills. Reaching a crossroads, we continued on past countryside wholely at ease with itself. Houses dotted the landscape, some, sadly neglected shells, others full of life. A cat gazed, unblinking, as we rounded a corner. A challenge in that glare!

The trail crosses the Ribeira do Rio Seco in a couple of places, ‘dry river’ a not entirely accurate description. Rather, a shallow stream, at this time of year, the surface liberally sprinkled with tiny white flowers. They seemed to link arms, reaching across the water.

Gently uphill again, cistus pointing the way. A sign for Pomar confirmed we were still on track. At a ramshackle old hill top cottage we came unexpectedly upon a family of small, brown goats. Engrossed as they were in giving a ‘short back and sides’ to the overgrown shrubs, suddenly we were eye to eye. After the slightest hesitation, we were dismissed us as unthreatening. Back to the job in hand!

We carried on, with huge smiles on our faces. Not far to go now. This is agricultural country, the hills green and vibrant with colour.

Our second crossing of Rio Seco produced still more delight. A shimmering green pool among the rocks. And more of those little flowers, holding hands as they stretch out on the cool water.

Over the hill and heading for home, that sky still looked very dark. I never did see a Eurasion jay, as the walking guide suggested I might. I think I’ll leave that to Becky. She’s so much better at that kind of thing than me.

This walk is on p. 156 in the Walking Trails in the Algarve guide, with a map and further details. If you saw my Saturday post, you’ll know that blue skies are more the norm in the Algarve. I’m off there, just to make sure, on Wednesday, so there won’t be a walk next week. Heaves sigh! Never mind- let’s put the kettle on, shall we?

Thanks everybody for your company and your great support again this week. I still have a fistful of gardens to share, but they’ll have to wait a little while. Meantime I have some wonderful walks to share with you. If you’d like to join me, you can post a walk at any time. I’ll catch up when I’m home again, because I don’t have Internet in the Algarve. Details are always on my Jo’s Monday walk page, or just click on the logo above.

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I hope you all have one of these. Drake does!

Nice life

Or you could take a nice old-fashioned walk on the prom with Lady Lee :

Along the Promenade

Miriam’s a lovely lady but I’m so not ready for Winter yet!

Winter in Maldon

A Canadian brewery tour with Jackie? Now that’s a different proposition :

Distillery District

I hope you’ve got your money handy? We’re shopping with Biti this week :

The Market

Or we could go looking for bluebirds and butterflies with Geoff. Hint- there are White Cliffs :

Bluebirds and Butterflies

Carol’s been living it up again, in that delicious Hawaii place!

Friday Night in Waikiki

The big city beckons Jaspa. Look out for the graffiti fish!

A Stroll around Montevideo, Uruguay

I owe Susan humble apologies. She’s been diligently walking and I never even noticed! Not one small walk, but three!

Walking Brasov, Romania

Walking with Pelicans (sorry to show bias, but this is my favourite)

Walking with Sea Gulls

Kathrin is spending some wonderful beach time too. Watch out for the spray!

A walk along 4-mile beach

There you have it, for now. I hope you can find time to visit because I’ve included some wonderful walks. There’s really something for everyone. I’ll be back walking on Monday, 18th July. Take good care till then.

Jo’s Monday walk : Raby Castle and Deer Park

I’ve passed by Raby Castle many times on my way through the Durham Dales. The market town of Barnard Castle with its lovely riverside setting, 8 miles further west, is a favourite location of mine. Always I’ve had my nose pressed up against the car window. How many deer can I spot?

A sultry, sunny day in June seemed like a good time for closer observation. 250 acres of parkland surround Raby Castle, and herds of Red and Fallow deer roam free. I was desperate to park the car and run after the deer I could see, grazing beneath trees in the distance. But, no! Not a good idea. For one thing, May to July each year is the period in which calves are born, and it is vital to retain a healthy distance. Human contact can deter a mother from feeding her young, and there are warnings never to touch, even if the calf appears to have been abandoned. A watchful eye for strays is kept by the park rangers. So I looked for distraction, beyond a garden gate.

In my preoccupation with deer, I had entirely forgotten that Raby Castle has an 18th century walled garden. Totaling 5 acres, it retains many of its original features. The walls were built with locally handmade bricks, with a heating system of flues inserted. This enabled sub-tropical fruits like apricots to be grown. The White Ischia fig is a survivor from 1786, now in its own glass house. In addition there are two fine old yew hedges, and an ornamental pond, originally used to provide water for the kitchen garden.

An English garden in summertime. People wore bemused smiles. This was how it was supposed to be. A gentle, hazy warmth wrapped around buzzing borders, while Pan played softly on his pipe. And pouting cherubs looked on.

Paths lead around and through, and it’s a beguiling place to linger. Aloof violet iris nod regally at pristine white cornus, with just a smidgeon of pink tip. A blaze of azalea cocoon a garden bench. The castle and it’s deer park are forgotten, bar an odd tantalising glimpse.

For those of you who grumbled about misshapen scones in my Sutton Park post, now is probably a good time to pop into the tearooms. These are situated in the 18th century Coach House & Tack Room, and are themed rather nicely. I do like a scone!

Visiting the castle was by guided tour only. I would love to have shown you round, because it is as impressive a building as I have ever been in. Unfortunately photographs were not permitted. Out of respect for my very charming and knowledgable, old world guide Robert, I refrained from taking any. (I have been known to cheat just a little, even in Buckingham Palace) If you ever visit I do urge you to take the tour.

The Viking, King Canute, owned this estate in the 11th century. Raby derives from the Danish, ‘ra’ being a boundary and ‘bi’ a settlement. Since then the Nevill family, one of the most powerful families in the north of England, has been responsible for building and adding to the castle. For almost 400 years the Nevills held sway, but involvment in the ‘Rising of the North’ in support of Mary Queen of Scots was to be their undoing. Charles Nevill, 6th and last Earl, fled to Holland where he died in poverty in 1601.

If the history interests you, much more can be found on the castle website. There’s still a little walking to be done. According to the leaflet, a stroll from the castle around High and Low Ponds takes about an hour. I would suggest much less, unless you take a picnic.

Have you seen any deer yet? Look over there in the distance. We’ll approach very carefully. No sudden movements.

Oh, oh! They’ve seen us! Time to go, I think. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. I know I have. Full details of how to get there and opening times are on the website. If you’re ever in the north east I can highly recommend it. Time for a cuppa?

Thank you everybody for keeping me company, and for the support. Yet again I have some superb walks to share with you. If you’d like to join in at any time, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. Let’s get reading!

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This post was a particular delight to me as I could picture myself there, a few years ago. Thanks, Laia! And Gilly- you’ll love it!

Barcelona from a local- pirates, cacti and a magic fountain

But my view from the Giralda tower was much damper than Debbie’s :

She Who Turns

Complete contrast, and a special anniversary present for Lady Lee :

A Walk from Kranzbach to Elmau to Fernchensee Lake

Phoebe shares a secret in the South of France :

Secret paradise : a refreshing river walk

I love an Open Garden, be it in England or Scotland. Thanks, Anabel!

Muckhart Village Gardens

And Smidge’s post is everything you could want for in lovely Scottish views :

Grey Mare’s Tail and Loch Skeen

Or there’s always a spin on the common with Geoff and Dog :

Greenwich and Blackheath, contrasting space

You could even cheat with Jackie and ride on the bus!

Heritage Toronto 501 Tour

If you don’t mind a few midges you could go camping with Liesbet :

A Weekend of Camping and Hiking in Vermont

Or why not follow Drake to somewhere that looks really idyllic?

Everyday, every day

Fancy a stroll through a City of the Dead? Not for everybody, perhaps, but Jaspa definitely enjoyed it :

Cementerio de la Recoleta, Buenos Aires

A rather more traditional walking tour with Nicole, this one is exactly my cup of tea :

A Walking Tour of Prague : Old Town Square

That’s it for another week. Again, my thanks to all, and I hope you have a great week ahead. See you soon!

Jo’s Monday walk : a Tale of 3 Churches

For my Polish family, religion is a part of everyday life. The routine of going to church begins in the cradle, and in adult life is fitted in between shift patterns and housework. For myself, faith has never been a given, but I am awed by the beauty, created by man in celebration of his God.

My last day in Krakow dawned bright and beautiful, and I knew that I would spend it outdoors. When I outlined my planned walk to my cousin Marta, it was greeted with her usual enthusiasm. In no time at all I found myself deposited in a car park, facing a church, and surrounded by greenery. I wasn’t sure exactly where I was, so I was relieved to see, in the far distance, the surreal outline of the Sanktuarium Bożego Miłosierdzia. It was my eventual target, but first I would look inside this church.

From the exterior, Sanktuarium Świętego Jana Pawła II, looks rather severe and forbidding, but that impression is quite false. The finely sculpted cast bronze doors testify to somewhere very special. Then, across an enormous font, you catch a glimpse of the altar.

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The octagonally shaped church is dedicated to Pope John Paul II, one of Poland’s most famous and best-loved sons. He was a very human pope, and a man who filled me with deep respect. All of Poland mourned his passing, and tributes are to be found to him everywhere. I was unprepared for the scale and the sensory indulgence of what lay inside.

I drew closer and closer, affected by the emotions and the glowing colours. A disturbed Peter and the eloquence of Mary’s love. The compassion in the touch of a hand. I have never seen mosaics used to greater effect.

Observing a stern and sorrowful angel Gabriel, I turned to walk away. The church was almost deserted at this early hour. Footsteps echoed in the empty space and a priest came through a doorway and crossed my path. I did not know the correct form of address. Father, ‘Tata’ in Polish, seemed too familiar, and before I could think he was gone. ‘Ojciec’, I should have said.

Out again, in the still and sunny morning, I began my walk. A path was newly laid and there were signs of ongoing construction, but I had the place almost to myself. A gentleman sat on a bench, his dog at his heels, and we exchanged greetings and a smile at the balmy morning. A lady strolled with pushchair. And I drew nearer to Sanktuarium Bożego Miłosierdzia.

An extravagance of yellow curly-wurlyness caught my eye, and then I stopped, unsure of the way ahead. Steps led down to what appeared to be a construction site and I wasn’t sure if it was accessible to the public. What to do, but carry on? I had no idea how else I could approach the church. I had been there once before, years ago with my niece Weronika, but we had arrived by car.

Down the steps and over a narrow bridge, the workers looked up from their tea break but made no comment. A digger or two puttered about, and I’m sure that in the near future there will be a formal path. Relieved, I followed a gravel path past the stations of the cross.

Sanktuarium Bożego Miłosierdzia, Church of the Divine Mercy, is an extraordinary building. I walked around it, looking up at the 77 metre high tower, completed in 2002. I knew that it was possible to ascend, and that the day was perfect to do just that.

On the grass in front of the tower, a party of school children frolicked and ate packed lunches. Steps led to the main body of the church, where a service appeared to be taking place. Clad all in white, the youngsters looked angelic. I permitted myself a discreet shot, then headed for the lift.

Leaving the lift, there were two further flights of concrete steps to take you to the top. The views encompassed Nowa Huta, the former industrial district, and all of Krakow’s suburbs. My third church, dedicated to Sister Faustina, was visible just below. I headed back down the stairwell.

Back down to earth. I was reluctant to leave. The atmosphere was so calming. So peaceful. In wandering, I discovered John Paul II’s tiny chapel.

The wall celebrating the sponsors of the church complex led easily into the courtyard of Saint Faustina’s. Born Helena Kowalska in 1905, Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska was a visionary. Her death from TB in 1938 followed numerous mystical experiences.

The monastery of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy dates back to 1889. It contains a very special painting of Jesus, as seen in a vision by Sister Faustina. A place of international pilgrimage, it has close links with Pope John Paul II. The nun was beatified in 1993. As I approached the church a group of excited youngsters, all in white, spilled down the steps, chattering and smiling. Proud parents took photos. Marta later explained to me that the ‘mini pilgrimage’ is a regular feature of the church.

The joy shone out of the young faces and I longed to take a photo as they milled about. I watched for a while and then turned to go. I strolled back through the beautiful grounds and was just in time for one last treat. On the auditorium steps a group of children were having photos taken with the priest. I just about caught them before they dashed off.

My walk home was long, but maybe that’s a story for another day. This concludes my series of posts about my visit to Poland. I’ve touched on many aspects of Polish life and hopefully shared my joy. And now, we really have earned that cuppa, haven’t we?

As always I must say thank you to my many contributors and supporters who make this weekly post such a pleasure for me. I hope you can find time to read them, and maybe you’d like to join me in a future Jo’s Monday walk. Details of how to join in can be found by clicking on the logo. Here we go!

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Budapest never looked more lovely than through Debbie’s eyes :

Walking the Danube

Spectacular alpine scenery from our intrepid Elaine this week :

An excellent view of the Glacier des Bossons

‘Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’- immortal words shared by Drake :

Fly on the wings of love

Jackie posted a reminder of Gay Pride in Toronto :

Toronto Pride Murals

England has some beautiful homes and gardens, doesn’t it? A lovely share from Lady Lee Manila :

Charlecote Park

Explore her latest home from home, with Liesbet :

Visit to Northampton, MA

A rousing cheer for Mlissabeth, who joins us this week! The family came too :

Our Walk through the Gardens

Miriam managed an overnight escape from her family, and that can also be blissful :

Twenty four hours in Marysville

And then a little magic, up in the clouds :

Marysville Magic

While Biti continued her ramble along the Blue Coast :

Cote Bleue – Calanques Part II

You know I said last week how much I loved the Italian Lakes? Check this out! Thanks, Rosemay- it’s beautiful :

Exploring Lenno

And Susan continues her fascinating look at Eastern Europe. There’s a book too! More about that later :

Walking Moldova

Becky turns conformist this week, but only for a little while :

Hiking the Ladeiras do Pontal trail

And in case you didn’t know it, Becky has a second blog, featuring her English life :

Fingringhoe Wick

A charming Irish walk next, from Inese, with a little bit of drama :

Anne Valley- Walk through the Fairy Door

Next I have a jaw-dropper from Meg! Go and see just why I wanted to visit Gdansk :

A ramble round Gdansk main town

Gilly has her very own city wall, and lovely gardens too, in beautiful Devonshire :

Beside the City Wall

Exhausting isn’t it, all this walking? But I’m so glad you could come along. Next week I have a totally English walk for you. See you then!

And if you have any spare time, give a shout to the busy folks at Monday Escapes.

Jo’s Monday walk : Strolling in Kraków

I don’t know of a more beautiful city than Kraków for strolling in the sunshine. The last time I brought you here it was cool and drizzly, and I took refuge in the city walls. No such concern today. I hop off the tram on Św. Gertrudy, a nice central location, and let my fancy take control.

Crossing the Planty into Dominikanska, it’s almost automatic to gravitate towards the Rynek. The ethereal turrets of the Sukiennice, and the glittering jewels within, exert a mighty pull. But I spy a tiny Poczta- the very thing I’m needing to send my postcard winging its way to Viveka in Sweden. I have a wonderful collection growing as a result of that lovely lady’s travels.

Grodska is often thronged with tourists, but I saunter along this peaceful morning, without needing to sidestep into the road. No horse and carriages huffing and snorting down my neck. They are queued, waiting sedately in the square.

Rynek Główny is beautiful. At any hour of the day, coffee can be indulged at your restaurant of choice . Some customers gaze raptly out at the Ratusz. Others, more blase, focus on stirring in their grains of sugar. I’ve wandered here many times, but still make fresh discoveries.

I do have a tendency to poke my nose in where it shouldn’t be, often in all innocence. When I come upon the entrance to the Krzysztofory Museum, on the Rynek, I am delighted to observe that it is free to visitors on Tuesdays. I gently push on the glass door and step into the museum shop. Through an archway a receptionist sits, busy behind her desk. Uttering a polite ‘Dzień dobry’, I walk past, and am presented with a mighty flight of red-carpeted steps. Up I go, of course.

On the landing, I am confronted by knights in armour with a huge display of weaponry. Not much to my taste, but as I step through the doorway I find something that truly is. Aren’t these ceilings exquisite?

I am in a huge room, with chairs set out at one end, as if expecting a meeting. As I gaze at my surroundings, a voice says ‘Prosze, Pani?’ A lady is regarding me with some misgivings. I struggle to find an appropriate response in Polish. Sweeping briskly into the room, she states that the museum is ‘otwarty’- closed! Nothing to do but mumble an apology, and retreat.

Back in the sunshine, I continue my quest, delighting in the architecture. A bearded elderly gentleman, with twinkly eyes, offers to take a photo of me in his beautiful city. I decline in my faltering Polish, but with a smile on my face.

With museums still in mind, I continue along Św. Jana, hoping to find that the restoration of the Czartoryskich is complete, but my luck has run out. Instead I gaze at the paintings, suspended on the old city walls, along Pijarska. I’m charmed by one of them but, at 1200 zl, decide to leave it where it is. I take an inviting seat beneath the walls, outside Stare Mury, for coffee with a view.

The menu is full of temptation, but this is just a pause to enjoy the sunshine. I smile as a crocodile of ‘malutki’, small children, are shepherded by, in the diligent care of elderly nuns. Soon I am off again, heading down Szpitalna, past the highly ornate Słowackiego theatre. This brings me to Mały Rynek and Plac Mariacki, in the shadow of the magnificent church. I am just in time to catch the end of a folk performance.

Are you still with me? It’s such a glorious day that I have it in mind to head for the river, and maybe a glass of wine. Crossing the Rynek, I head south on Wiślna till I rejoin the leafy green Planty, which surrounds the oldest part of the city. An exhibition dedicated to Kraków Stolicą Bożego Miłosierdzia- the capital of Divine Mercy- accompanies my progress. The Pope is revered in this city.

I hadn’t intended to walk through the Castle grounds, but Wawel on a day like this is well nigh irresistible. I head down to the river, far below.

I think we’ll sit awhile. Don’t you? Afterwards I saunter homewards, luxuriating in a vanilla and chocolate icecream cone. I hope I haven’t worn you out too much? You can take your time and sit as long as you like. It’s a beautiful place.

Thanks everybody, for your continued support and company. I hope you enjoy my walks as much as I enjoy sharing them with you. If you’d like to join in at any time, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. And now, let’s put the kettle on and get reading.

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Up in those Welsh Mountains to start us off, with Lady Lee Manila :

Snowdon

Where’s Jackie this week? Surrounded by art and design :

Monday Walk

Susan shows us more of the fascinating Ukraine :

Walking Kherson

Smidge is bagging Munros with some beautiful views :

Ben Lomond & the Ptarmigan Ridge

Laia’s been having fun with a brand new website. Go and take a look!

La Boca : exploring the hidden world beyond Caminito

Is Liesbet trying to confuse me? It doesn’t take much!

Walk through Luik/Liege/Luttich in Belgium

Or explore some beautiful coves, just along the coast from Marseilles :

Cote Bleue (Blue Coast)- Calanques Part 1

Anabel’s close to home again, on the lovely Northumberland coast :

Bamburgh Castle

You can never tire of seeing THAT Bay swaddled in clouds :

4 Hours in San Francisco

Have you got your mantilla and castanets ready? Debbie’s taking us on a whirlwind Spanish tour :

Alphabetical Tour of Spain

Some people can’t help being contrary, can they? Mick says I should know, Becky!

Our advice is to walk it the other way round

Rosemay reminds us just why I used to love the Italian Lakes. I still do!

A Walk to Villa del Balbianello

And finally, Susan finds some wonderful, and quirky, green space in the city :

The High Line : NYC’s Elevated Park

Wonderful, aren’t they? That’s it for another week. I have one more Polish walk to share, of a slightly different nature. Come along if you can. Meantime, have a great week and take good care of yourselves.

Jo’s Monday walk : Yorkshire Sculpture Park

A damp, grey English day sounds just perfect for a visit to a 500 acre country park, don’t you think? At least I didn’t need to fight off the crowds at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. And the sheep seemed perfectly content. What’s a little rain between friends?

It’s a place I’d wanted to visit for many a year, so I wasn’t going to be easily deterred. I’d even taken note of the website, which suggested that sturdy shoes might be helpful. The fact that I then left them in the boot of the car… well, some people never learn.

So, we’ve met the sheep. If you pick up a map at the YSP Centre, you can then work your way around the sculptures. A small ornamental garden sits below the main building and then the ground rolls away down to the lake. The wisteria was just coming into bloom.

The shapes are interesting, though not necessarily to everyone’s taste. Sticking to any kind of order was beyond me. A glimpse of something through the veil of trees and I’d be off at a tangent. There are marked paths, however, so you don’t need to stray, unless you want to. The mossy pond gave me my first vision of rhododendron loveliness.

The first renowned piece of work was Molecule Man 1+1+1, by Jonathan Borofski. Impressed, I examined it from many angles.

I don’t pretend to understand, but some things just draw the eye. Barbara Hepworth’s Family of Man I found less appealing but, huddled there beneath the trees, I felt a certain sympathy. The textures were beautiful.

Next in line (groan!) Magdalena Abakanowicz’s Seated Figures, but I didn’t get the photos to do them justice. My eye was wandering off to a small stone and glass structure, sunk in gloom upon the lawn. The door, temptingly ajar.

The Camelia House, and its bedraggled beauties. White Rabbit or Mad March Hare? I wasn’t sure, but I kept a wary eye on him. And the horse!

And then there are the KAWS. I don’t know that I entirely ‘get it’, but they are the reason for my presence in the park today. An exhibition dedicated to them is set to end on 12th June, and my son is a fan. Reading about them it seems that Brian Donnelly, a Brooklyn-based artist known as KAWS, focuses on ‘nostalgic characters in the process of growing up’. There’s certainly pathos in his Disneyesque creations.

At this point the mizzle was getting a little heavier and there was a fair chance of getting seriously wet. While the others made for one of the exhibition spaces, I couldn’t abandon my pursuit of nature so easily. I was determined to reach the lake.

At Cascade Bridge I had choices to make. The trail around Upper Lake appeared to offer more shelter from the weather, leading down into the woods. Persistence found its reward when, deep in the woods, I came upon this dazzling display.

Aren’t they beautiful? Despite the weather, or maybe because of it, I delighted in their radiance. It was starting to get a little slippery underfoot and it was time to retrace my steps. I had already decided that I would be back, to witness the park in all it’s Autumn finery.

We never did get to see the KAWS exhibition, much to my son’s disgust. The Longside Gallery, where it was held, was on the far side of the park. Had I paid closer attention I would have observed the small pink shuttle bus making it’s round trip to the gallery, every 30 minutes. Instead we contented ourselves with a quick look at the work of graphic artist Eduardo Paolozzi, and a cappuchino in the restaurant. The deck beautifully overlooks the surrounding countryside.

Living in Leeds, our son is much closer to YSP than we are, and he intends to return this weekend. IF he sends me any photos, I’ll share them on my Facebook page. Meantime, you can read all about it and find details of how to get there on the YSP website. Coffee time now, isn’t it?

I have a wonderful selection of walks to share again this week. Please make time to visit. You really won’t be sorry. Many thanks to all of you for sharing and for walking with me. Details of how to join in are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. A click on the logo above will take you there.

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Drake was quick off the mark this week with a very beautiful share :

For your eyes only

Then along came Anabel, almost on my home turf! Such a lovely place. You’ll like it :

Lindisfarne

Meg took me gently strolling through the streets of Warsaw, and down Memory Lane, in more ways than one :

Warsaw at dawn

I love introducing one blogging friend to another! Susan, in California, meet Ann in the Ukraine :

Walking Chernigov, Ukraine

Jaspa shared life on an extremely grand scale, down in Buenos Aires :

Avenida 9 de Julio

Something a bit more challenging now, in a country I would love to visit. Please go and say ‘hi’ :

Hiking in the Japanese Alps- Kamikochi to Nishi Hotaka hut

I also love reflections, shop window or otherwise :

Soho Reflections- Part 11

Jude is the perfect companion for a garden stroll. This one is delightful :

Garden Portrait : Bourton House

I’m reserving judgement on Denzil’s amusing walk, but I did visit Ostende, briefly, many years ago :

Walking the Belgian coast

Carol is taking us to the heights, in more ways than one, in Hawaii :

Walking up, Looking Down

If only the bench were free, I could sit with Gilly all day enjoying this one. After our stroll, of course :

An Overbecks Stroll

That’s it for this week. Although I’m showing you clouds, I’m happy to report that a tiny bit of sunshine has made it to north east England. I hope to get out and enjoy it. Take care and I’ll see you soon!

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Jo’s Monday walk

Jo’s Monday walk : Scarecrow fun in Kettlewell

Jo’s Monday walk : Burton Agnes

Jo’s Monday walk : City of Birmingham (24 hours in Brum)

Jo’s Monday walk : Spanish City

Jo’s Monday walk : Newby Hall, Ripon

Jo’s Monday walk : Boa Vista Trail

Jo’s Monday walk : Raby Castle and Deer Park

Jo’s Monday walk : a Tale of 3 Churches

Jo’s Monday walk : Strolling in Kraków

Jo’s Monday walk : Yorkshire Sculpture Park

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