Monday 15 July 2013

A Lovely Ride.

The glorious weather continues, with no end in sight.  Interestingly, the talk is no longer about the weather - we are all basking in it.  No talk of 'will I get the hay in before it rains?'

Yesterday the farmer and I had a lovely drive out.  I am now going to tell you where we went and endeavour to insert the photographs in the correct place, following instructions from many of you.

We began by driving through Wensleydale as far as the turn off at West Burton into Bishopdale.   This is a pleasant, wide dale and it was lovely to see all the haymaking done.

Bishopdale leads directly into Wharfedale and after driving down hill for a short distance we turned off down a narrow lane for my favourite church at Hubberholme - it is here that the ashes of JB Priestly, the author, are scattered.   Here the River Wharfe meanders through the pretty scenery.   There are always lots of folk here and today was no exception.   The farmer next to the church was shearing his sheep; the pub over the bridge was still serving lunches; a walking group came out from the back of the church (where there is a footpath to Yockenthwaite) and went into the churchyard to look for Priestley's epitaph; the farmer took Tess down the lane and I went into the church and sat for a few minutes in the peace and quiet (and coolness).   There had been a flower festival and the church was filled with the beautiful scent of flowers.





We then carried on over the bridge (which crosses the Wharfe - you will see that there is hardly any water at all here - where it is in its infancy) and on into Langstrothdale.

The river is rocky here and was full of young children enjoying the rock pools while their parents enjoyed the sunshine.  The farmer took Tess down to the water's edge where there was a little more water, so that she could have a drink.
 
And then it was up on to the tops of Langstrothdale Chase.   Here the views are magnificent.   On Friday I am going with friend W, to Kirby Lonsdale to meet our friends for lunch and we shall pass Ingleborough, one of the Three Peaks, on our way.   As we drove up the Chase I saw that we were looking at Ingleborough from the other side - so here it is, with its characteristic flat top.
 
Wensleydale runs across the bottom of the Chase and soon we could see it in the distance.   It was down into Hawes, where all the bunting was out for the Gala and back home again through Wensleydale.   A lovely day out - it was good to see that wherever we looked the hay was in and the hayfields were a golden-yellow and now ready for rain to encourage a second grass crop.   The forecast suggests we shall not be getting any anytime soon.  But  what a splendid sight it all was.

 
Hopefully all the photographs are in the correct place - so thanks to all those who told me how to do it!

14 comments:

MorningAJ said...

Years ago when I was studying to be a journalist we had a long weekend field trip to Newbiggin in Bishopdale. We caused a bit of a stir in the local pub - about 14 trainee journalists who could all drink for Britain!

A Heron's View said...

I know of and enjoy Wensleydale cheese. That is when I can get it and so from your photographs the countryside of that area befits it's flavour.

Heather said...

Such a lovely trip - the scenery is wonderful and I love the contrast of the gentle rolling hills and dales with the more rugged higher hills and moorland. Some parts of Yorkshire are not unlike Gloucestershire.
The names of the dales fascinate me too even though some are almost tongue-twisters!

Crafty Green Poet said...

that looks like a lovely trip!

Hildred said...

Oh Pat, what a lovely drive. Making memories..... I did enjoy your previous post as well, where the Farmer tells of olden days.

Reader Wil said...

You painted a wonderful rural scenery and it makes me longing for a holiday in England again. The problem is my children live in The Netherlands and Australa.
Thanks for your kind comment. Have a great week!
Wil

Sue said...

Memories of Saturday night dances at the Market Hall in Hawes!

12Paws said...

A totally delightful post! I can nearly savor it all,

Em Parkinson said...

I particularly love that bunting shot. What a lovely journey with you Pat!

Anonymous said...

Makes me wish I'd seen more of England when I was there.

angryparsnip said...

Lovely day out and the photos look like they are in the right place!

cheers, parsnip

Terry and Linda said...

HOW STUNNING! You are so very lucky to live where all that history and magic lives. We just dream of seeing England you are there!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Pondside said...

That must have been a lovely afternoon drive. I enjoyed the photos as much as the narrative. I think you'd be a very good tour guide!

Elizabeth said...

A super outing and well done getting the photos in the right places....!
ps. if you want, you can make the photos extra big by putting the cursor over the image when you are writing your post.
The image will go sort of grayish and underneath the photo it will offer you a selection of sizes. I usually hit 'extra-large' because I am greedy for big pics.
Then the color goes back to normal color.