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Yorkshire
Fountains Abbey was a favorite of all of us. We spent several hours exploring, the children finding places listed in their guide booklets.
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A little passage that the children wanted to explore was totally dark. I flashed the camera flash just to provide them a moment of light: |
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And then we were off to our day-and-a-half in the Yorkshire dales. We stopped in Grassington, and walked a short piece of the Dales Way -- up and over stiles, and down to the stepping stones across the Wharfe.
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Andres wanted the sheep to come to him, but they wouldn't.
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We then drove up and over the hills to Swaledale, where we were to spend two nights at a sheep and cattle farm, Oxnop Hall. It's an old farmhouse, built in the 17th century, with thick stone walls for the cold northern winters. The younger four of the family were in a room with mullion windows.
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| That evening we drove to Gunnerside for dinner at the King's Arms, where we enjoyed our dinner at a picnic table outside. |  |
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Tha next day (Alida's birthday!) was a day for hiking in Swaledale. We set off from the farm, going up the hill behind it.
We followed paths through farms and across fields for several hours.
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About lunch-time we saw the village of Muker, where we planned to have lunch.
We had arranged to meet another friend of ours, also met on a walking trip, who just happened to be spending the week in Swaledale on a holiday with her parents. We all had a very enjoyable lunch together in the pub in Muker.
After lunch we parted company with the friends, and walked back to the farm along the riverside path, by the Swale.
We were amazed by the rabbit holes. We had seen dozens of rabbits scurrying around during the morning part of our walk. Now we were walking over rabbit holes, having to watch our step where the path was like Swiss cheese. One hillside was particularly impressive, with its warren.
| Back near our farm, we crossed the Swale over pretty Ivelet Bridge. |  |
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For the birthday dinner, we drove over the moor to another valley, Arkengarthdale, for a very enjoyable meal at the CB Inn.
The next morning we drove over the Buttertubs Pass to Wensleydale, to visit the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes. There one can stand behind glass windows and watch cheese being made. We spent a good while there, watching and then buying in the gift shop.
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After this, we headed south, leaving the dales, starting our return towards London.
