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

 

A SHORT TRIP OVER THE BORDER

 

On Wednesday  morning  8.30 I finished work for the summer. So after a few hours sleep I set off for a couple of days with some friends in Scotland. Having arrived at the station early I settled down with a coffee and listening to an audio book on my phone so wasn’t really listening to the announcements a train came in and I heard the name Edinburgh said. Edinburgh was also written on the side of the train so I got on found my seat number then sat down. As the train pulled away I looked at my phone and wondered why the train was pulling out 10 minutes early, about 5 minutes  after that I found out. Yes I was on the wrong train the ticket collector told me. At least this train was also going to Edinburgh and the ticket guy said to stay quiet about it so I didn’t have to buy a fresh ticket. Despite this shaky start had a very pleasant journey up laid back listening to the soundtrack of the Clockwork Orange, and looking at some of the best scenery in country. What more can a girl ask for.

passing through Newcastle

On arriving in Edinburgh I was collect by Sid and taken over to Walter’s. Sid went back home to get some sleep and we were joined by Susan and after a natter over a dram we all retired to prepare for an early start.

Very early the next morning we were up and ready, Ionwan and pouch arrived first and we packed up the car then Sid made a brief appearance and as he wasn't feeling to he had to drop out. Walter bravely took over the driving and off we went. The famous five Walter, Susan, Ionwen and Buggod (I not sure of how to spell pouch’s name)

First stop Loch Lubniag, The water in this part of the loch is really still and like a mirror but not much further down it is not as smooth.

This Loch seems to be a popular place with fishermen as there were a few tents about and lots of rods lined up on the shore. No people they must have been still asleep.A place where fishermen leave their tackle out overnight!!!!

Onwards then stopping at Tyndrum for a coffee and bacon roll. Good value for money can recommend the bacon roll, £2.50 stuffed with 4 rashers of bacon. Everyone fed and watered it was back on the road again.

Heading up through Glen Coe towards Fort William stopping near  Buachaille Etive Mor and then the Meeting of the waters.

The drive through the mountains was incredible with Buachille Etvive Mor looming up as we passed looking more dramatic due to the cloud covering. All though when we stopped to take photos I seemed to concentrate on the pass ahead and a wild flower (Rosebay Willow Herb) They have recently become a bit of an obsession and feature alot in photo’s on this trip. We drove on in the hopes the clouds would lift the further north we went. We did stop again at the meeting of the waters although not much water in the falls,when we got back Walter showed us some photo’s he took not too long before when the falls had a lot more water in them.

We stopped this time at Spean Bridge,stopped to give the dog a bit of a walk and to stretch our legs.

Then went went to Eilean Doonan or Eileen Donnon or Eric Doorman or what ever we decided to call it, this came about as Walter once miss spelt it and so we gave it a different name each time we mentioned it. Any way we stopped to take photos its such a picturesque place even I couldn’t fail to get a shot. 

or two

This was the last stop we made before reaching the Skye bridge. Going over there was a road sign “ Please tell your passengers to belt up” unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to get a photo of it and I think Walter decided that obeying it with three females ( four including the dog but she only understands welsh) in the car perhaps wouldn’t have been the wisest decision.

The drive from the Bridge to Sligachan was breath taking. Looking at the Red Cuillins untill the Black Cuillins finally came in sight. We stayed at Sligachan near the bridge and had a picnic and spent some time just looking around and taking photo’s. I can’t remember the last time I was up in that area but it was certainly more than 25 years ago and being there brought back lots of good memories.

A view of the Red Cuillins

The Black Cuillins

Then it was time to set off back we stopped again at Eilean Doonan this time the light had changed. So got a shot from another angle

And then another shooting into the light from the other side.

The clouds were beginning to close in again on the way back and it started to rain on and off so wasn’t surprised to see lots of rainbows. This next was one of the complete ones we saw.

Despite this rain and incoming cloud we were able to see the Pap of Glen Coe which was covered with cloud on the way up.

The Rose bay willow herb puts in an appearance again.

Passing Buachaille Etive Mor filmed by Susan “Spielburg “ Wales

 

After retracing our steps through Glen Coe we stopped on the way back for fish and chips in Callander. Yumm although I regretted the mushy peas the next day, enough said. We arrived back in Livingston around 11pm tired but happy after a grand day out. Thanks again Walter, Susan and Ionwen for a smashing day.

 

The full album is here