Friday 12 October 2018


;
Driving through Wensleydale with friend W on our way to Kirby Lonsdale and lunch with our friends - the last time this year as we never make the journey during the winter months; going over 'the tops' once we get to December is almost sure to encounter snow.
The dale is beginning to look its best as the autumn colours begin to show in all their glory.
The weather was atrocious - strong gales and pouring rain but my friend is an excellent driver and assured me all would be well, and of course it was.   The River Ure flows alongside the road in both these photographs and if there is heavy rain on the tops the Ure can rise twenty feet in one hour so there is always the hazard of flooding which can close the road.   But today all was well.

Lunch at Avanti in Kirby was, as usual.   I had King Prawn and Chorizo Risotto (a bit heavy handed on the chilli for me but still very good).
And yes, there was as much as there looks to be in the bowl.   I ate only three quarters of it but was sorry I couldn't eat it all.

I arrived home to find my neighbour H had taken in a parcel for me.   It was two Iris plants to put into my garden.  This is the time to plant iris and they are sent out bare rooted with instructions on how to plant.   Now all I want is a good day for planting with little or no wind.   Today I have been hardly able to stand up and had to hold on to friend P's arm on my way to the car after lunch.   Falling is one of my greatest fears these days.

Also when I returned the trap door into my loft had blown open and was down in front of the door into my computer room.   How or why this had happened I have no idea except that the wind is really very strong and it could have happened as I shut the door to go out when W arrived.   Whatever the reason my son has been to look and is coming back after his evening meal to put an extra fastener on so that it doesn't happen again.


Tess came with us to Kirby.   She loves friend W dearly (well she would, wouldn't she as W usually has a few treats in her jacket pocket) and she really is very well-behaved.   Lots of wees were accomplished between the car park and Avanti but then there were many Cumbrian smells to take care of and override weren't there!   I can't manage her, and my stick, and my handbag on a windy day but W walks her and it all goes swimmingly.

So, as usual on our KL visits we had a lovely day.

18 comments:

Derek Faulkner said...

The countryside looked fantastic Pat.
I rather suspect your loft cover came down when you closed the front door, it happens to me sometimes when I open the front door in a gale.
Normal weather here, windy, dry, sunny and warm.

Sheila said...

Does W still have her Jack Russell?

Midmarsh John said...

It is somewhat disconcerting when a loft trapdoor moves like that. Mine just rests in place. One gusty day some years ago it was lifted up into the roof space. I put it down to a sudden squall causing a drop in air pressure in the loft which sucked the door upwards. Fortunately it only happened the once.
Lovely Autumn scenery on your journey.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Such beautiful country, and good companionship and a delicious lunch! And you were able to post your photos!

justjill said...

A lovely day for you and your friend and Tess. We have had to lock the doors to stop them rattling which is a bit disconcerting but ...

angryparsnip said...

Everytime you talk about Tess I remember my Samantha. Border Terriers are wonderful gud dugs !

cheers, parsnip and badger

Heather said...

So pleased the awful weather didn't put a stop to that lovely trip and lunch. It has been the same down here and I was woken by the strong winds (they rumbled like approaching thunder) and heavy rain at 5.30 this morning. It has continued, on and off, all day.
We had a loft trapdoor which had to be pushed upward and to one side to access the loft. In windy weather it would lift and plonk down again into it's 'frame'. Most irritating after the first few times.

Bonnie said...

The English countryside is so beautiful! I love to see the rock walls. I'm happy you had such a nice day and that Tess also got a special day.

Living Alone in Your 60's said...

The wind was very strong today at times. The food looks delicious.

Joanne Noragon said...

I left my giant bearded iris in my old garden. Well, I know where to go look at them.

Tom Stephenson said...

Have you been slamming doors again Weave?

Cro Magnon said...

I always like to see your 'en route' photos. Have you considered illegal immigrants in the loft; they often leave trap doors open!

Derek Faulkner said...

Given your love of hares Pat, there was a worrying report in my paper yesterday about a sharp rise in sightings of sick or dead hares in the east of England, with many in Suffolk. Experts are concerned that myxomatosis or rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD2) might of "jumped" from rabbits for the first time. If that were the case it could quickly cause the near extinction of hares in a short time.
I recall when RHD2 first appeared in rabbits on the reserve here about 20 years ago, it quickly reduced them from thousands to a few hundred and they've never recovered.

Sue said...

How lovely that Tess was able to go with you. Sounds like you had a good day.

thelma said...

Unfortunate about the loft door flying open, but this storm has a lot to answer for. Looks a lovely drive and isn't it good to be able to take Tess out to lunch as well!

Librarian said...

I love a good risotto, but it is not often that they really know how to make it! Yours looks lovely and creamy. Yes, the dales are so beautiful right now. We have not yet decided whether to come to Yorkshire the week after next, as our Dad is still in hospital.
I understand how difficult it is to handle a stick, a handbag and a dog at the same time; how about using a handbag with a long enough shoulder strap to put across your body, then it can not slide off and you have both hands free?

Gwil W said...

If you can't see Ingleborough it's raining. If you can see it, it's going to rain. That's what the folklore is around KL. Aprops floods I've seen the River Lune rise over the white railings and almost up to the top wall on the bridge nearby at Hornby. That takes some doing, as the flood plain thereabouts is very wide.

thousandflower said...

I really enjoy the pictures of the autumn roads and of course, your pictures and descriptions of the food you have at restaurants. Lovely.