Sunday 24 August 2014

A Wedding Anniversary Outing.


This being the week of our twenty-first Wedding Anniversary, we had a day out today.   But first the farmer took me up on to the Moor above our village, where the heather is in full bloom.   This has been a very good year for grouse and the heather was full of them.   It seems a pity that they have to be shot (the shooting season has already started). Our friends S and T have bees, so there should be plenty of good heather honey this year.
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Then we decided to go up into Coverdale (most of the Dales are named after the rivers which drain out of them), calling first at The Forester's Arms in Carlton in Coverdale for a roast pork and apple sauce lunch (delicious).  Then we set off.   Before we began our climb up to the top, the farmer took Tess for a short walk along the side of the River Cover and I took this sneaky photograph (the farmer does not care to have his photograph taken).
Climbing up the steep hill to the top of the Dale, we kept a sharp look out for what we knew were up here somewhere, and - sure enough - there they were, creating a very effective road block.   With horns like that (and most of them mothers with calves at foot) you don't argue, so we just had to sit and let them decided when to move.   There were a few scary moments I can tell you and one in particular was roaring loudly and kicking its heels.   Any of one them could have scored the car with a horn - but they didn't and eventually they moved off.   But they are magnificent creatures aren't they?  I sometimes buy Highland beef in our local butchers and it usually comes from this herd.
Then it was down the steep hill and into Wharfedale, turning off quite soon on to Langstrothdale Chase, where we drove alongside the infant River Wharfe.   Here the river flows between flat rocks which have been worn away by the water,  It is a lovely place for children to play as the water is quite shallow, but today there wasn't a child in sight so Tess enjoyed a good wander round.

Then we climbed up again on to the tops, where hang gliders like to play - and sure enough we saw at least five.   You have no idea how hard it is to get a photograph of a hang glider but the farmer took this out of his window.  If you have got the nerve to jump off the edge of the cliff, how wonderful it must be to float around with such a view below.
And so back down the long hill into Wensleydale and home territory again.   In the distance the village of Gayle and the little town of Hawes.   We were back by 3.30pm having had a lovely day out.   I hope you enjoy the pictures.
I see I have somehow managed to get the Highland cow into the post twice.   Sorry about that - but I shall leave it there - just to make you realise how scary it was.

And here is the photo I have forgotten, of the infant River Wharfe and the eroded stones.
I hope you enjoyed our day out.   I just hope I don't have nightmares tonight about those horns!

25 comments:

Joanne Noragon said...

First, happy anniversary.
Second, I wouldn't have missed any of that scenery; thanks for all the pictures.
And, third, what I would not give for the nimble footedness of your farmer!

Barbara said...

Happy, Happy Anniversary!
Thanks for taking us along on your outing. What a lovely day for a drive!
I agree with you...the horns on those highland cattle could do some serious damage. There are a lot of longhorns in our area, I find them completely intimidating. No nightmares for you, I hope.

mansuetude said...

Happy Anniversary. Thank you for all you write and share on this wonderful blog you create.

Heather said...

Happy Anniversary to you both, and what a lovely day for a trip to see Yorkshire in all her glory. I love that little stone bridge in the background of your first photo and I have never seen such a vast expanse of heather. Those horns do look a bit fearsome and I can see what a perfect playground those flat stones in the river bed make.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Dear Farmer and Pat,
Isn't a good match a great thing?
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY from Maureen and Josephina Ballerina!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! Thanks for sharing your day with us!

Cro Magnon said...

My bigger nightmare would be that lovely small town/village with its 30 mile an hour sign and its car park full of cars. Wouldn't it be perfect without them.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

An excellently charming day out - love the views and the stories. Those horns do look a bit on the dangerous side, for sure. The heather is beautiful - it starts blooming here in December and goes on through spring.

Happy Anniversary.

angryparsnip said...

Happy Anniversary week !
Love all the photos especially the ones with the Farmer and Tess.
Adore the lnfant River Wharfe. I would love to see that.
Thank You for taking us along for the day.
I must go see the village of Gayle, my namesake.

cheers, parsnip

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Happy Anniversary.
What glorious photographs. I notice that the cattle get bigger during the post - now that is scary!

Amy said...

Happy Anniversary to you both! 21 years - wow that's awesome

Rachel Phillips said...

Two pictures of the Farmer! I was going to write a post about partners and blogs. I will probably do it later. The photos were good.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Hear, hear Joanne - he is incrediblynimble footed and I struggle even on the flat.

Yes Cro - cars are a real menace in the Dales. The trouble is that the cottages were built before the days of cars and they are built close together - probably for warmth and security as it gets cold and often very snowy and windy here in Winter. Consequently there isno room for a garage and some homes have two or three cars. There is no answer to the problem that I can see.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for calling in. Glad you enjoyed the photographs and also the nimbleness of the farmer!

ChrisJ said...

LOVE that photo of the heather!

Linda Metcalf said...

I think Highland cattle are beautiful! We missed an opportunity to have a miniature a few years back. The photo driving back down is lovely!

Gwil W said...

Farmer looks well sound and nourished, well he would with your tasty recipes , Pat.

Doc said...

Happy Anniversary! Loved the photos of the heather and those wonderful Highland cattle, there is a fellow not far from our summer home that raises these beautiful creatures. Hang gliding would never be my cup of tea as I have a horrible fear of heights.

George said...

Happy Anniversary to you both, Pat. Well done! Lovely photos.

MorningAJ said...

Happy Anniversary to you and the Farmer. Well done on getting the photos of him!

John Going Gently said...

The farmer has a strong step
I am not surprised

thousandflower said...

I remember those cows when we drove into Coverdale last fall. And then you served us some for dinner. We almost got lost but stopped in the village at the bottom of Coverdale and the Vicar set us right again. That was such a lovely trip. Our best to you two.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for appreciating the photos - each time I put them on it gets easier to work the new system. Glad I caught the farmer in mid stride too - gave you a chance to see what he looks like.
Call again.

Bovey Belle said...

Belated happy anniversary from me too. What a lovely day out you all had, and I'm sure Tess enjoyed it as much as you both did.

I have always treated Highland cattle with the greatest respect as they never seem to be dehorned! The ones I've met have been docile creatures though (e.g. no bulls).

What fabulous scenery you have to enjoy on your doorstep. Those of us who live in such beautiful places are so lucky.

thelma said...

A belated happy anniversary, what a lovely trip, enjoyed it so much.