There and back again………and we finally got there.

On the day before I went to collect my Mum from respite I woke early for some reason. My two daughters had said they were going to come over that afternoon and we would go out. I lay in bed and was thinking I had while until they came around and in a moment of madness decided to drive out to West Burton and back. When I had been up there earlier in the week the photos I took weren’t very good so had another go. Didn’t work that well this time either but a bit better. No matter though I enjoyed the ride out and the messing about with my camera.

 

Got back home again well before dinner time. Had arranged with my two daughters an afternoon out and perhaps a picnic. Got a few butties made and Lois and Kat arrived, we had decided to go to Brimham Rocks a place we would go occasionally when they were kids. Unfortunately I think I had warn out my internal navigation system with the 96 mile round trip I did in the morning. Lois drove and I navigated from the back seat. For some reason I went totally the wrong way and it was only as I realised we were getting near Bolton Abbey that the penny dropped, we were miles away. No problem I thought we would back track and turn off again towards Patley back up the road. Still wasn’t 100% sure of directions despite comments from Kat, saying we most be it right area as we were driving through countryside.  Well we saw lots more “countryside” before we got there. The countryside there is beautiful and so in my opinion was worth the extra hours driving through it. Well that’s my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

 

Brimham Rocks is an area of weird and wonderful rock formations,the area is managed by the National trust who look after the car park and paths. We only managed a short time there as we had arrived rather late eating our picnic in the car and a rushed walk around. All in all was a good day.

All photos can be seen here

What I did on my holidays 2011 Whitby.

My future son in-law works in Whitby and my daughter had suggested that one day I could get a lift with him to Whitby and then get a train back. So on the Thursday evening I went over there and stayed over  night so I was up the same time as them. 

Our first stop was dropping Kat of at work and then we went to Costa coffee and Steve bought me a coffee. This was to kill a little time as Steve had to call at a wholesalers on the way this morning.

Had a very pleasant journey over there, stopping once at a view point. I did take some photos but none I liked, its a breath taking view but hard to get a photo that expresses it. A panorama might have worked but I didn’t pull it off.

Steve is the manager at Graverley’s  fish restaurant in Whitby so that's were my day started from along with a coffee I admired the incredible views. Must have have the some of the best views in Whitby. The headland here looks especially when the sun is rising or setting.

After my coffee I set off for a walk around after been told to ring if I wanted some lunch. First off I went upwards up the Khyber Pass and up the steps so I was virtually above the restaurant.

 

Again great views. Some young sea gulls been fed too total oblivious to all the humans around them.

Down again and a walk along the pier. As I have a fear of deep water I stayed close to the centre of the pier when there was water close and didn't even attempt to go to the end. Not many people about here just yet and most people that did come were a lot braver than me and went further along than I did.

Time now to gird my loins and tackle the 199 steps up to the Abbey over in the old town at the other side of the harbour. There is the choice of the steps or the Donkey Slope up to the top.

Its well worth the climb up there. First arriving at the Saxon Church of St Mary.

Instead of carrying on to the Abbey I wandered around the other side of the church to the cliff top a cracking view from there too.

The views from the cliffs

Next I went to have a look around the Abbey this is now an English Heritage site. I do realise these ruins do take a lot of maintenance but I did think it was expensive for what is there. Still an interesting place lots of atmosphere.

 

Set of back down to the old town

great views out to sea.

One of the many ginnels.

By this time I was getting hungry and rang Steve to tell him I was going to go for lunch. When I arrived I was made very welcome and seated at a table looking out at the harbour and was soon tucking into a fabulous meal. I have no idea what it was called but it looked fantastic, my only regret was that I didn't take a photo of it. The whole thing was served on a grey slate. A selection of various fish and seafood. I don't know much about fish and its a few weeks ago now so I hope Steve will forgive me if I get the types of fish wrong. There was Halibut some cod I think, scallops, Big prawns and deep fried battered whitebait, this was served in a miniature deep fryer basket. I really enjoyed the whole meal. After that I had a black forest cheesecake which was also delicious.  The waiting staff were excellent too and very friendly. I would recommend Graveley’s any time and not just because of family connections. Thanks Steve for one of the best meals I have had in a long time. While eating I was able to watch the tide come in.

on the way to the Station

By this time it was time to set off to the station. The quickest way I think would have been a bus to Scarborough then train to York. But I decided on the more picturesque route and took a train across country to Middlesbrough then on to York. Part of this journey is part of the north yorks moors railway when the steam trains run to Whitby but if you get off at Grosmont to get steam train to Pickering. I love train journeys as its easy to relax perhaps  listen to music and look at the scenery. All in all another good day out.

See all photos from this Album here

What I did on my Holidays 2011….. Wensledale and beyond..

On the last morning I had thought to go up to the gallops early and take photo’s of moving horses. At 6 am I woke to the sound of hooves on tarmac. The first batch of horses were on their way up to the gallops to exercise. Getting out of bed yawning I made my way to the window and looked down on the passing horses. The next thing I knew I was curled back up again in bed and snoring. Finally rousing myself around 7.30. got up grabbed camera and went out. Was too late to go up to the gallops as I would have missed breakfast so I sat outside trying to get a shot of the horses coming over the rise near the village cross thingy. The landlady saw me outside and very kindly brought me some coffee, they treat their guests well at the Black Swan.  

Yet again I had a full cooked breakfast and after another few coffees got my bits and pieces together and set off home. As it was still early I drove home via Knaresborough and had a wander around this time leaving my camera in the car. Sat a long time near the castle gazing at the famous chocolate box view. I love it there no matter how many times I see it.

After an enjoyable few days away I arrived home, decided that had lots of the day left and would go for a walk towards the fly over and down a public footpath I haven't been down before.

Race Course from the flyover.

The path looked inviting and mysterious but lead, just as I thought, to a path at the side of the Old A1.

Lots of wildflowers and insects at the side of the path though.

Further down the path and close to the new A1 some fields.

What I did on my Holidays Wensledale day 2.

Got up early ish and had a very unhealthy cooked Breakfast. Decided on a round trip in the car through Coverdale and ending up at Hawes then back to Middleham. The drive through Coverdale was beautiful. Landscape very bleak a lot of the way narrow single track roads, which I wouldn't want to tackle in bad weather. In snow they would be impassable. Just my luck though for the first few miles I hit road works so was either following a tar wagon or waiting to pass one. Then had a few miles of loose chippings so the speed was down to a minimum as I listened to the chips ping off my car. Eventually arriving in Kettlewell and walk about and a coffee. Don’t know why but I took no photos here. Its a very pleasant place to stroll through two or three pubs some coffee shops and the usual gift shops. What I remember it most for is the place where the Leed’s Morris tour starts and finishes on the May bank holiday.

 

Kettlewell Leeds men’s morris tour may 2010

They dance at Kettlewell despite the weather Kettlewell 2010 at the end of the day.

From Kettlewell headed out for better roads to go to Hawes but went on a slight detour to go to Hubberholme to the George pub. Was very disappointed to find it was closed and had a for sale sign up. Didn’t get to look around the church either as a couple of vans were parked near by in the easy parking spot and I had lost the enthusiasm for looking by this time.

Onwards towards Hawes stopping at West Burton on the way. We have a couple of photo’s on the wall at work of the falls there and although I have been with the Morris there many times I have never seen them and wasn't really sure where they were. But they were easy to find and well worth the visit. Although I felt would need to go back again to get better photo’s.

 

 

Had a good walk around Hawes then went to the rope works not much happening there and down to the old station.

Here there is an old steam train which is used as part of the Museum next to it. Thought it was a good way to exhibit old things. Yet again didn't take many photos.

Set of back to Middleham going along better roads stopping on the way at Aysgath and a pub there ( i don't remember the name) for lunch had a very tasty but expensive wild mushroom risotto. A slow touristy drive back. A kip then a fish from the chippy in Middleham and a walk around the village and just outside it. Followed a public footpath that appeared to go no where just lead to some goats in a hut. Then a night in the pub.

What I did on my Holidays 2011 Wensley Dale, day 1

It seems ages ago since the Scottish trip but over the last couple of weeks I have managed to get out and about a bit more.

The last week in July Mum was in respite for a week so made the most of it . This is a continuation of that week.

Tuesday morning found me taking a leisurely drive up to Middleham  on arriving there dropped of bags and booked in and then went off to Leyburn for lunch where it is always impossible to park. The plan was fish n chips out of the paper but couldn’t find a chip shop that was open so had to settle for a pub lunch that was very good. I had Cumberland sausage in a giant Yorkshire pudding, yum.

Then a short trip to Aysgarth falls. Only went up to the top falls but not much water in them, plenty of people paddling and walking out on the rocks.

There were no cafes or shops open around about as the electric board were doing some work so decided to go up to the cafe up the road for a coffee. That was closed too. Had a strange War wagon thing from the film Gladiators. Seemed a bit random to me as I hadn't heard it was filmed around here. Robin Hood was and a few other movies too. Anyway didn't take many photos of it as had a long range lens on camera and didn't have time to change it as would have had to pay for parking.

A detail of wagon

church at Aysgath from the same car park

After that went back to Middleham had fish and chips there in a (polystyrene tray not paper) had a mooch about Middleham and then a few pints in the Richard the third before bed.

 

some buildings in Middleham.

What I did on my holidays 2011 day 1 Leeds.

On Monday I took my Mum into respite for a week and although I felt guilty leaving her I was determined to make the most of my week.

As I arrived in Wetherby  a bus to Leeds was in although I saw its was the one that went “around the houses” to get there. Undeterred I got on the Bus and settled back relaxing to listen to my Audio book. Although the journey was enjoyable my choice of bus turned out to be a mistake as be made clear later. So now for a wander about lunch and a look see.

A was told years ago when I was a kid that if a virgin walked past these lions they would roar. I have never heard them!

Outside the Art Gallery people playing on the giant chess boards. (wanted to say playing in the Sunshine but the day was dry at least)

The main reason for my visit this time was to look at the Damian Hirst exhibition at the Art Gallery it is part of the “Artist Rooms” exhibitions that are doing the rounds at the moment. I have never been sure about his work all though some I do like its the using dead animals and pulled apart butterflies I’m not too sure of. Never having seen any of them in the flesh I thought I would at least give it a look and perhaps I might change my mind.

 

This was one of the exhibits “Away from the flock” a dead lamb in a tank with formaldehyde.

Even less sure now.

Its only a few months since my last visit so I only went in the rooms that had changed since the last time, the idea was I would move on to what had been the The Civic Theatre when I was at art collage a few (well a lot) years ago. The theatre is now the Leeds City Museum .

When I was a student Jacob Kramer Collage had buildings at either side of the theatre. We had to get  from the main building to the other via a passage that ran back stage of the theatre. As I hadn't been in that area of Leeds for at least 20 years I was very interested to see how it had changed, I also like museums. I was gob smacked to see how different every thing looked. There was still an Art collage at one side of the theatre not sure about the other though. Unfortunately the museum was closed. Apparently a lot of this type of places do close Mondays for cleaning.

the view from the Museum

The civic Hall

and a rather nice sculpture.

After satisfying  my curiosity I decided to head back and get a bus, didn't have to wait long for a bus. This time it was a direct bus great I thought home sooner. Here my mistake showed when I handed over my return ticket a different bus company, hay hum had to pay again. No matter only hiccup in a good day out.

A saunter and a soaking

My last blog told of a trip to Skye, this one concerns the day after that. Not feeling as energetic as we had the day before. Susan and I set of for a walk into town, while Walter stayed home playing with his photos. I was pleasantly surprised by Livingston, a river walk leading towards the town. We walked as far as a large civic building which had a cafe open to the public. So we stopped to have a drink (well it would be rude not too). I went to the counter to get the drinks and Susan spoke to some of her ex work colleagues . I had just sat down at the small table and put my coffee down and handed Susan the glass of milk she had asked for. So far so good !! Then out of the blue much to the amusement of other people in the cafe Susan had some sort of twitch in here hand and the paper cup with the milk in flew at me, missed me though although it did get my camera bag but it didn't soak in. Had to sponge it down when we got back to Walter’s. Although I liked the idea of the smell of stale milk getting stronger as the train got hotter and a large circle of emptiness developing around me as passengers left my carriage.

Here are a few impressions of Livingstone