Sunday 10 November 2013

My favourite walk.

Readers of my blog who have been following it for some years may remember that my favourite walk is the walk to Cotter Force in Upper Wensleydale.  (A force is a waterfall in dalespeak).   For the last year or so my mobility has been such that my ankle has not been up to the quarter of a mile walk each way, but today there is a distinct improvement so I suggested to the farmer that we had a ride out.

First of all we went to the Dales Countryside Museum where there was an interesting art exhibition - pastels, oils, pottery, stained glass, fabric collage - I must say it was impressive and there was a lot I liked.   Perhaps, because of my love of rooks, one of my favourite pieces was an etching called 'High Rise Appartments' which was of tree tops and rooks nests.

I think if folk take the trouble to mount an exhibition like this (my previous husband was a painter so I know just how much work goes into such a thing) then the least we can do is to go along and see it.

We popped over the road to the Craft Gallery where Fiona (Marmalade Rose on my side bar) has work on show too and then drove on the two miles further than Hawes to Cotter Force.

The farmer and Tess set off at a fair pace, I followed, stopping when I had to, taking a few photographs, resting my ankle.   But I made it all the way to the Force and back and it was such an exquisite day that I enjoyed every minute of it.

In a field at the side of the Force were some lovely goats - I thought at first they were deer from a distance, but then I saw the Billy goat and there was no mistaking him!  Grey, shaggy, scruffy and long-bearded - as the farmer quite rightly said, we were lucky to be upwind of him rather than downwind!

The Autumn trees along the river were very pretty and the Force itself was quite full.  I took a rare photograph of the farmer looking at it.  Sorry it is in full sun - but any photograph of him is hard to get and I have to snap him while I can!


 

11 comments:

Joanne Noragon said...

A lovely fall; how fortunate to catch it running full.
We have a lovely fall near us, Brandywine Falls, that is too much a hike for me now. Some family members went after a large, flooding, storm this summer and those who knew its regular course were stunned at the volume of water over the fall. And the noise.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

You've inspired me to get out of my chair and go for a walk.

Gwil W said...

You've reminded me there's a new art exhibition in town. I'll go this week.

Crafty Green Poet said...

what a lovely waterfall and nice goats too!

Willow said...

Sounds like a pretty stroll .
Ha ha Yes I do know the scent of a billy goat , not a pleasant aroma !

Heather said...

So pleased that your ankle allowed you to take that lovely walk. The Force is beautiful, as are it's surroundings. I love goats - my grandmother kept them - but not the scent of billy! The exhibition must have had something for everyone - a lovely mix of mediums. (Or should that be media?)

Em Parkinson said...

When you said 'ride out' I had visions of you on a couple of Dales Ponies!

Gwil W said...

I admire your determination to make this walk in an age when many a favourite walk is the hike from the tv armchair to the fridge and back. Bravo, Pat!

Anonymous said...

A lovely walk Pat - and you captured the Farmer - good one!

angryparsnip said...

Lovely walk and art viewing. Loved the photos.

Friends came by for a weekend visit and we went out for a walk (I posted) but so different from yours.

cheers, parsnip

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for popping by.