Thursday 15 October 2009

...and down into Wensleydale.





































Following on from yesterday's post, we reach the topmost point of the Pennine road and there before us lies Wensleydale. Although it is a lovely, sunny day, much of the dale lies in cloud. But once we get down to the valley floor we are in sunshine again.
This back road through the Dale goes through some very pretty country. The River Ure, which flows through Wensleydale (it used to be called Uredale) has a road on either side of it and today we are choosing the most Northerly side. It is barely wider than a lane and still very leafy.
We come down into Askrigg, the Herriot village. Sorry there is no photograph of that as there was so much traffic.
Then we tootle along the Dale, coming first to the village of Carperby where you will see The Wheatsheaf pub in the photograph. It was here that the real James Herriot (Alf Wight) spent his honeymoon.
Shortly after the village we come to a field of Belted Galloway cattle. I persuade the farmer to stop here, as he is interested too. These belties are becoming more and more popular and there are now several herds in The Dales. When we were in Dumfries and Galloway for a holiday in 2002, we really had to search for belties, although this is where they originated. Perhaps Titus to dog, who I believe lives in that area, can tell us whether there are more of them around now.
They are a short, stocky breed and very hardy, being able to stay out all Winter in all but the most severe weather. You can clearly see their characteristic white "belt" in the photograph.
And then we reach Redmire - a lovely little village with stone built houses.
A lot of them sport a coat of Virginia Creeper, which looks magnificent at the moment. Also, in all its magnificence - the village sycamore tree, just beginning to turn the most beautiful gold
We climb up out of the dale by a road called Scarth Nick - here all the silver birchesare beginning to turn their autumn colours. And then it is down the road into the top end of our village - and home again.
I go upstairs to change into my slippers and look out of the window. And I realise just how lucky we are to have such a lovely, peaceful view so close to the beauties of The Dales. Enjoy the ride!

15 comments:

Golden West said...

You have such wide open spaces, Weaver. I especially love the stone walls and cows in white belts!

Margaret Gosden said...

And, isn't there a Wensleydale cheese? I seem to remember that when living in the UK. Interesting revisiting Herriot country again - I did enjoy those stories.

Elizabeth said...

After my beutiful trip through the English countryside, I'm off to walk the dog on concrete!
At least he doesn't know the difference.
Best to you , the farmer and Tess.

Unknown said...

Hello Weaver,

More beautiful views. You had a glorious day for it. Fine and mild here but rather dull!

Tess Kincaid said...

I love idyllic Wensleydale. The stone wall with the gate is especially lovely.

Are you fully recovered from the ball?

Teresa said...

Gosh, Weaver, you do live in a glorious part of England. Truly "God's Country"!

Crafty Green Poet said...

I did some fieldwork for the RSPB in Dumfries and Galloway some years ago. In a field of Belties. They were very curious about the work I was doing. But in our recent holiday in that area, we didn't see any belties at all

Heather said...

What a beautiful county Yorkshire is and aren't we fortunate, on a comparitively small island, to have such a variation of beauty spread among so many of our counties. I remember seeing 'belties' many years ago on a holiday in Dumfries and Galloway and thinking what sturdy, compact little beasts they are.

HelenMWalters said...

Amazing photos as ever.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I just love these two posts! I am saving the photographs to use as screensavers whenever I suffer from wanderlust. Which is frequently!

Reader Wil said...

I certainly enjoyed the ride as always
. Thank you!

steven said...

oh weaver - southerners would disagree with reason but isn't this the most beautiful area of england!!! thanks for this. i have walked through this area on several occasions and miss it like a child. steven

Hildred said...

Oh Weaver, - the photos make me think I might just be gaily driving over the Downs with Tristran Farnon, the top down and the breezes blowing, - lovely thought!

Bovey Belle said...

Lovely - I feel like I've just had a great drive out! There are Belties on Dartmoor and the New Forest too - presumably picked for their hardiness.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for the comments - yes there is a Wensleydale cheese (soo also Wallace and Grommitt). Thanks also for the various bits of information about Belted Galloway cattle - it seems they are becoming more popular which is nice.