Sunday 12 July 2015

A Jolly Sunday Jaunt.

Today after after an early lunch the farmer and I had a ride out.  We took Tess and went up on to the high ground where I haven't been for quite a while (the farmer often walks there on his Sunday walks).
We crossed the bridge over the Arkle beck and drove up into Reeth in Swaledale. (almost all of the dales are called after the water which flows through them; Wensleydale is the exception but it did used to be called Yoredale after the River Ure which flows through)
.

In Reeth we turned right into one of my favourite Dales, which is also one of the wildest.   We went into Arkengarthdale (called after that Arkle beck we crossed.In the distance is Calver, one of the high points of the Dale.



We parked so that the farmer could take Tess for a walk  - and how she enjoyed it.   Somewhere new, new smells, new opportunities for wees (she must have done twenty at least) and she came back full of the joys of spring.  And then it was on to Langthwaite, the only village in the dale.

The village has another claim to fame in that it has a shooting lodge which belonged to Sir Thomas Sopwith (of Sopwith Camel fame) 
and it stayed in his hands until his death in 1989 at the age of 101.


Then it was back through another road down through lead mine country, over Surrender Bridge and there we stopped by a ruin of lead mine workings; this area is peppered with lead mines where  many were active until the 1920's when foreign lead became cheaper and the lead miners had to find other work,  many of them leaving for America.

Back in Reeth again we sat and had an ice cream and listened to the Reeth Silver Band who were playing on the village green.   They played a magnificent rendering of Post Horn Gallop with some splendid triple tonguing by the soloist.   A super afternoon.

Apologies for the Langthwaite picture coming out of order (Langthwaite church).


15 comments:

Joanne Noragon said...

Your countryside induces tranquility.

angryparsnip said...

Outstandingly beautiful.
Although I love my desert life, it is my home.
I always adore the lush green of where you live.

cheers, parsnip

Sheila said...

One can sense Tess's excitement as she leads
The Farmer on their walk. Wish I could have been
on that drive

Tom Stephenson said...

Lovely. I like the new header photo too.

Bovey Belle said...

I remember we had a holiday, staying just outside Reeth, when our girls were tiny (and before Danny came along). It seems so long ago now.

I didn't know Tommy Sopwith had land up there. I knew him as a Hampshire man. Not as a personal friend, but the Hunt used to meet at his home once a season.

Heather said...

It looks as if it was the perfect day for your jaunt. Beautiful scenery - I love that stone bridge and am partial to a good brass band.

Frances said...

I am so glad that you had that camera with your for your Sunday jaunt. What a beautiful part of the world Yorkshire is! Seeing your pictures and hearing about Tess's exuberant walks, and the stops you all made along the way...so much history on this jaunt.

Having spent this weekend at work without much time outdoors, I cannot really tell you how much I appreciate your sharing these places with us.

(I'd also like to mention how much I liked your reporting of the delicious coffee morning get together with your friends. How grand for that obliging photographer to turn up at just the right time. The group portrait is a gem.

xo

Cro Magnon said...

Beautiful photos, beautiful bridge, and everywhere has a beautiful name. What more could you ask for!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I thoroughly enjoyed taking that ride with you. Made for a very pleasant afternoon. Would have loved coming upon the music.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

I've always felt that the name "Arkengarthdale" evocative of everything wonderful about the Dales - a novelist couldn't have made it up. And a silver band playing in the sunshine....

Gwil W said...

Another wonderful set of photos. The Dales landscape is so relaxing

The Weaver of Grass said...

Yes Joanne, tranquility is just the right word I think. It is so easy to take our beautiful landscape forgranted - but I try hard not to. Thanks for calling.

Linda Metcalf said...

You have such a beautiful and historic country. You are very fortunate. My dream would be to stay about a year and travel thru, but would then probably only touch the tip of things.

Mac n' Janet said...

Beautiful place for a walk. I had no idea that the Sopwith Camel was named for someone. Snoopy and I love that plane.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks everyone.