Wednesday 27 June 2012

Feels Like Coming Home...

...well, it is sort of "home" because it is where I originated from. Where? Yorkshire is where. I tell you what, I haven't been to the Dales for about 15 years and I now wonder why I haven't been back for so long because it truly is the most breaktaking place in the world (yep, used my best Jeremy Clarkson voice for that lol) How could you NOT love a view like this eh?


Anyways... I thought I would write a few words (well, free WIFI in the hotel ain't to be sniffed at) and add a few pics to show you what we have been up to. Tis our 10th wedding anniversary tomorrow and after the start to the year that we have had, we decided to have a few days away, R&R so to speak, in our favourite county. Grim loves Yorkshire but has only ever been over to the North York Moors side to see the scenery... so, being as he has been inaugurated as an "honourary Yorkshireman" by my lovely old Dad (and hey, that is no mean feat cos Dad is a stickler for the "rules" of Yorkshire lol)





I decided it was high time to drag him to "my" side of the county, starting off with a little trip down memory lane to the house that I grew up in - everywhere looked so small! And then we made a little stop off at the Crematorium so I could pay my respects to loved ones who have passed... and then a drive past my old Grammar school... that was a bit of a sad affair because it has been flattened and is now a housing estate! Onwards we travelled, arriving in Keighley at around lunchtime... A quick little trip onto the station platform at Ingrow West in time to see a lovely big black steam train. (erm, I forgot to get a pic of that...ahem) Ahh, you can't beat a bit of steam! And then... what better excuse is there for a little snack of a lunchtime than the scent of proper Northern Fish n Chips eh? Well, I can quite assuredly tell you that they were, for want of better words... chuffing lovely!




Once we had refuelled, we carried on towards Harrogate, where our hotel awaited us. Hahaha, on the way there, we spied a sign for the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway... another preserved line... and it just so happened that there was a little saddletank train there... this is Norman, isn't he just a cutie? He issued forth plenty of smuts too so I had black freckles by the time he left. We made a smidge of a detour to go and see Burnsall. I remember coming here when I was a nipper and it looks exactly the same. Of course, it decided to rain while we were there and the ice-cream that we had treated ourselves to was a bit soggy. I shared my cornet with some ducks... Grim is now calling me the "duck whisperer" what with them eating out of my hand and of course, our little quacky friends from the Broads the other week.






Finally we arrived in Harrogate, settled into our hotel room (yay, Grim got us a free upgrade to a posh room too.... very comfy it is too!) We had a quiet night, a little wander into town for a beverage or two and then an early night ready for the early start today. We had a plan! Oh yes, a plan of where we were going and how to get there AND... we didn't get lost once (the fact that we have a sat. nav is neither here nor there obvs lol) We went to Aysgarth Falls - I love Aysgarth... did you know they used this setting for Robin Hood Prince of Thieves? You know the one, when Robin Hood went all American for a film (mind you, I have it on video (how old????) and it is still a fave!)





We also nipped into the Black Sheep Brewery at Masham... just as their tour was started, so obvs, we had to take part, would have been rude not to. Also it would have been very rude to refuse the little glass of delicious beer at the end of the tour. I tell you, if you ever get chance to sample Black Sheep do it! It is a lovely beer indeedily.. hic (haha, not really hic)


After a brief stop in Hawes where we had a wander around a rope making place, our final place to visit today was supposed to be Dent Station. Blimey, how steep is that hill? It is 1150ft up in the sky and as you will see from the photo, it was chuffing chilly and we were actually surrounded by clouds! Bah. How hilarious though... Freckles has come on tour with us again and here he is... posing as usual... and getting a bit damp too. Not impressed with said weather conditions we set off to see the Ribblehead Viaduct, only to get there and not be able to see a blinking thing - the clouds were low and the mist was very thick. We are going to check the weather tomorrow and hopefully see it then!

**yes, this photo really was taken today... looks more like November!!!**


Anyways... I shall away... all this waffling and I have left Grim on his tod bless him. I will be back tomorrow with pics of the thingywotsit I made for Grim for our anniversary. I can't say toooo much what it is yet cos he hasn't seen it yet, I am making him wait til tomorrow for it. Hope you all having a good week... if you have a few spare minutes, could you do a sun-dance for us please??? TTFN!

Hels x

27 comments:

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...gorgeous piccy's, the scenery is so loVely up North & it's an age too since I was last there...a loVely location for an anniversary break...as for the weather alas if I do a dance it'll bring on a blizzard!...Happy Anniversary for tomorrow...Mel :)

Anonymous said...

The photos are terric. I'm glad you & Grim are taking a break. Happy Anniversary for tomorrow & I shall have a word with the weather gods for you.

Unknown said...

cant believe you were so close! just a hop skip and jump to mine in Skipton. Next time you are this way do let me know and I will treat you to a fab cuppa in Bean Loved in Skipton :0) Happy Anniversary xx

thekathrynwheel said...

Wow, if you were at black sheep brewery you were just 5 mins from my house! I could have met up with you for a Blach Sheep! Happy Wedding Anniversary!

Carole Z said...

fab pics Hels, I'm in the West Country and have only visited Yorkshire a few times, but loved it - beautiful! Happy Anniversary, have a lovely day, Carole Z X

Inkypinkycraft said...

Happy wedding anniversary! The photos are lvely and looks like a wonderfulplace to spend your special day! Fingers crossedfor some sun! Trace x

Helen said...

Happy Anniversary, my lovely. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip - it certainly looks beautiful - and the foggy platform reminds me of the Railway Children.... hope you get some sun. (and I bet you managed to go to AFTH...well in Harrogate it would be rude not to, right/)

Elaine said...

You should be on the TV presenting holiday programmes!! Enjoy your time up t'north and hope the sun comes out for you.

Astrid Maclean said...

Happy Anniversary! Loving those photos, (just a wee bit like Scotland) That last one with the train and lamppost made me go WOW, that's like a piece of art that is, stunning.

Dancing away for that sun to come out....

Aquarius said...

Thanks so much for sharing the lovely photos of your away break and wishing you a happy anniversary. Hopefully the weather will improve for you - enjoy.

Barb Cady said...

Happy anniversary hon. Your idea of a holiday is xactly like me and my old man! This sounds fabulous, thank you for sharing and I hope the rest of your break goes well, I am sundancing round the kitchen for you! x

Artyjen said...

I am dancing! The sun is bound to shine now!! LOL Have a great anniversary and thanks for sharing the lovely scenes ;)
xoxo Sioux

Joanne said...

Hey duckie (get that??) so glad you are having fun despite the weather and in my part of the country too. Can I wish you both a very happy Anniversary today with many more wonderful celebrations to come.
big hugs Joanne xxx

rachel said...

Have a wonderful anniversary - looks like a fabulous trip - love all the places you mentioned! Big hugs! Rachel xx

snazzyoriginal said...

Have a very Happy Anniversary, looks as though you are having a fab time even with the 'Scottish' mist.Love the photos! Maybe Grim can get some training in before September and educate the Headmaster on the art of planning Anniversary trips lol xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Great photos of a lovely part of the country-nowhere better for an anniversary(speaking from experience!) Have a Happy Anniversary! Chrisx

Redanne said...

Oh Hels I love Embsay and Aysgaarth Falls....and Masham (but not the Black Sheep - sorry!). Your pics are wonderful, hope you both have a lovely day on your Anniversary tomorrow. Crafty hugs, Anne x

whyducks said...

Wow it all looks so beautiful my little ducky friend, thanks for taking us with you. Have a great time and dancing for you! x
P.s Phew can I stop yet, this is very tiring!

betjunroe said...

Happy Anniversary Hels to you and your husband! It looks as if you are having a wonderful time and I wish you a fantastic day today! Bette

Carol Plume said...

fingers crossed that the sun shines on you both.

Happy wedding Anniversary - hope you have a fab day together...xx

Kezzy said...

Wow gorgeous pictures, I have only been to yorkshire once but it looks beautiful. Thank you for your article in May 2012 Craft Stamper steampunk style, I took inspiration from the article and produced a gift for my dad, http://kezzyscraftyjourney.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/mojo-monthly-all-about-men.html
Kezzy xxx

Caz said...

Lovely pics Hels. We've been to the Black Sheep brewery - you just have to be polite and have the sample at the end - not that you really want it but you can't be rude! ;-)
Hope you have a good day tomoz too.
chat at the weekend
Happy anniversary
xxxxx

Andrea said...

put me in a house anywheres near them views and I would be set for life, what beautiful countryside, glad you having the bestest time and Happy 10th Anniversary xx

Rita said...

What stunning photos Hels. I love he countryside and luckily I don't have far to go either. Sounds as if you are both enjoying your tour anyway. Have a great Anniversary to-morrow. Hugs from Scotland. Rita xxxx

Joan said...

You are almost on my doorstep staying in Harrogate,visiting all my fave local haunts, hope you get to see the viaduct without the fog, it is spectacular !

Joan

Jenny Marples said...

Just seen this post Hels (it's been a week!!) Looks like you are really doing the rounds and recharging those batteries, and what a wonderful way to do it. Brings back some lovely memories of holiday trips with my parents. Hope you have had a lovely day and didn't get caught up in the torrents (gggrrrr, British weather!) Hugs, Buttons x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

WOW WOW WOW!!! You lucky girl, growing up in such an astoundingly beautiful place! You outta move back...so green, so clean, so perfect, so country!!! Heaven!!! Your anniversary trip looked wonderful...good for you to go! Happy 10th!!!

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Related Posts with Thumbnails