Wednesday, 9 July 2014

Through the Peaks to North Yorkshire

No blog post yesterday because we were too busy gassing with my brother and sister-in-law where we ended up, of which more below. We started the day in Belper and then meandered through the Peak District - stopping first in Matlock Bath, where we spotted this memorial statue (not sure what's glorious about being dead, mind you….
Rather grand building next to it in the park. 
Next stop was Matlock itself, with its interesting architecture and street names (for example Olde Englishe Lane alongside the building with the circular turret).
We went through Bakewell, Buxton and Glossop before stopping for lunch above the reservoirs in the Upper Longendale Valley, with their imposing neighbours.
We'd stopped just by a memorial forest… 
… every tree has a plaque dedicated to somebody's memory. 
Up the hillside from here we found the old railway line, which has been turned into the Trans-Pennine Trail. 
In one direction, this fearsomely named clough. 
In the other direction, this sign… 
… in front of this muddy track - maybe this is the path's restored state? 
Above the car park, evidence of a recent cycling event. 
In the car park, an unusual personalised numberplate - wonder if the owner is a greengrocer, or a militant vegan? 
After that stop we climbed up and over the peak to Holme, seeing loads of messages of support for Tour de France cyclists on the road - on such a steep climb they needed all  help they could get! From there we went through Holmfirth and then on to Huddersfield, which is as charming as ever…
The roads everywhere were lined with yellow jersey and other bunting, pictures of yellow bicycles and more Tour de France paraphernalia. 
After that we went through Halifax, and then on towards Keighley. On the way, we saw this oddly named pub. 
Our destination was Wharfedale, just north of Grassington where we met up with my brother and sister-in-law with whom we spent the rest of the evening talking - hence no blog post last night. This was the view that greeted me when I took Bella for an early morning walk today.
Later on, we went out with Robin & Jean to Grisedale reservoir which reminded us of when we lived in West Yorkshire.
At one end of the reservoir is Grimwith High Laithe - a restored cruck barn thatched with heather, estimated to be at least 400 years old.
Brin on a path edged with alchemilla. 
Bella not far behind. 
Then we went into Grassington for lunch, spotting yet another yellow bicycle. 
An interesting cycling-themed window display 
After lunch, we went down to Linton Falls 
Bella got into the water and really enjoyed herself. 
Looking up river. 
Walking back up the hill into Grassington, Su spotted these most unusual road names. 
In the front garden of a B&B - something to do with the Grassington festival? 
Brin and Bella at the end of the walk in the boot of Robin's car. 
This day a year ago, I made my second-ever spinakopita

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