Yockenthwaite

The high level path (see yesterday) eventually drops down to meet the Dalesway long distance footpath at the hamlet of Yockenthwaite. Eagle-eyed viewers may recognise this a location in the recent TV adaptation of 'All Creatures Great and Small', the tales of a Yorkshire vet. It features as 'Heston Grange' where Helen lives. The still-used postbox is a nice pop of red and an unusual addition to the scene. 

The hamlet is accessed by a rather fine 18th century bridge over the fledgling River Wharfe. You wonder that it needs such a high arch, when the river is almost dry in summer - but water can rage down here in a torrent in winter. 

At this time of year the meadows are full of wildflowers. I'm particularly fond of the fragile-looking harebells that grace our limestone areas. This one was nestled in a little pile of delicate thistle-down. 

Another rather unusual and attractive flower is the scabious. I think I'm right in identifying this one as the small scabious, with five petals to each little flower lobe; it's a native of limestone grasslands.