Yorkshire

 October 6th 

We made it up to Yorkshire, and then the Dales on Sunday afternoon. Had a quick glimpse at some pheasants and dry stone walls before finding our cottage in the town of Leyburn, It used to be the old Fire Station, managed to park outside the door (Ronda did) to get our gear inside. A pretty place to stay 

I slept on the sofa bed downstairs and Ronda had the upstairs room

With a view

We started out earlyish at 9 am but were thwarted by road works and diversions and a slightly confused Sat nav in the new car. First stop was to be Aysgarth Falls but on the way we were up on the moors, nearly got blown over trying to take these shots, was hard to keep the phone upright.

Stopped in a little town West Witton to get Ronda a coffee, was served by Phil whom we had seen earlier that morning in the bakery in Leyburn, the young lady introduced him to everyone as Phil as he collected a tray of breads and pastries. I recognised him in his shop by his pastries actually, apparently it was his cheeky daughter who said to everyone this is Phil - was a bit of fun. We then made it to Aysgarth - these falls are wide rather than high but quite full because of storm Amy that hit The North over the weekend.

Weather started to pack in a bit as we headed to Wensleydale of cheese fame 

Those are crows flying, not dirty marks on my lenses as I first thought, at Wensleydale we ended up having lunch at the Creamery, as it was that time of day. Mac and cheese for me - very tasty.

A bit clearer when we came out again - the view across the road.

We then continued on to another waterfall, at Hawes higher but not so wide, but in amongst some very pretty trees.

Interesting how the cliff was hollowed out, nothing on Punchbowl falls but still very pretty, It is on private land so they charge 4 pounds to go and visit, but the path most of the way was well maintained, with three bridges crossing the stream.

The view from the car park was rather pretty too, the leaves are only beginning to change colour, so I’m a little early over here, but still scenic around every corner!

Next stop, the weather had deteriorated a bit again - but not quite raining. Ribblehead Viaduct at Carnforth. A marvel of Victorian engineering, 24 arches, 32 metres high, 400 metres long 100 deaths in building it which started in 1869. Quite a wonder to behold and walk up to, to experience the true height. 

The views around it too.

We then stopped at a medieval bridge, called Devils Bridge. near the town of Kirkby Lonsdale, there was a bit of a commotion in the water as a canoeist had fallen out and was just about to lose the canoe to the current, but was able to keep hold of it. We were originally going to walk from here into the township, but judged it too wet and muddy after Storm Amy.

In to the town/village - not sure but of a reasonable size for a walk around and then past the church to Ruskin’s view. A panorama of the Lune valley.The scene was painted by Turner, Ruskin described it as one of the loveliest views in Britain.

Trees might have grown since it was painted, but it is a rather lovely view, a nice church and other buildings in the town

Then it was time to head back to our accomodation, weather started to improve as we came back past the viaduct again was good to see it in clearer skies.

A few shots from the car as we made our way homeward

Every corner you turn is another lovely scene, but the roads are narrow and mostly bordered with the dry stone walls so it is difficult to stop, if you could we would never be able to travel far because I would be wanting thousands more photographs.Here ends our first full day in Yorkshire.