I'd like to be here... #3

Another place I'd love to visit right now is Malham Cove. Possibly one of the most famous of the Yorkshire Dales beauty spots, the dramatic limestone cliff is a magnet for climbers. Birdwatchers flock (!) there too, since it is home to a breeding pair of peregrine falcons. Sometimes the RSPB set up telescopes so that visitors can see them close up.                                                                                                                               It's a stiff climb to the top, up the steps at the side of the Cove, but the views from up there are wonderful. There is a superb area of limestone pavement, the rocks (clints) dissected by deep fissures (grikes) with an interesting array of flora to be found within the clefts. 

Lockdown in Skipton

Skipton is normally packed with shoppers and tourists, especially on its frequent market days, when the High Street hosts a huge array of traders on open market stalls. It wasn't market day when I went to the optician's and, with very few shops  allowed to trade during lockdown, it was eerily quiet. (Plenty of space to park though, which is something of a novelty in Skipton!)

Normally this pretty little shopping precinct, Craven Court, would be crowded. As it was, I was the only shopper and the one shop open in the precinct - The Grape Tree, which sells large packs of dried fruit, nuts, lentils and other cooking items - seemed pleased for my custom. 

The lack of people meant I could appreciate the way this court was created, in the 1980s, from a 16th century theatre. The stone walls are original and listed.  I don't remember what it was like before but it's certainly a pleasant environment now, being sheltered from the elements whilst still retaining a light and airy feel. 

Titus on holiday?

Look what I spotted moored in Skipton's canal basin... Titus, the Saltaire Trip Boat. It's normally to be found moored by Saltaire's Victoria Road Bridge, and takes people for short trips up and down the canal. I keep meaning to enjoy a cruise, to see a different view of my familiar stretch of the canal - but I have never done it so far. I think the terms of the boating licence probably state that the boat has to be moved every now and again to another mooring. I guess it may be safer overwintering in Skipton, where there are generally more boaters around and more activity going on. Better than spending the winter idle and isolated in Saltaire. 

I like to think that Titus is on his holidays, anyway (luckier than the rest of us at the moment!) 

Skipton canal basin

I had to travel to Skipton for an appointment with my optician. It felt like 'a big day out' since I haven't been as far as that for months! Unfortunately it was dull, cold and drizzly but I still had a little walk round the town and along the Springs Branch Canal, an offshoot of the Leeds-Liverpool. It was a refreshing change to see something different. This photo is taken from under the Coach Street Bridge, looking into Skipton's canal basin at the junction of the two canals. All the Pennine Cruisers hire boats are moored here, overwintering. 2020 was an uncertain season for these tourist enterprises and it looks as though 2021 may be the same... 

Sunday Meditation: Snowdrops

I've been looking out for snowdrops but I haven't found many locally yet. These were in Roberts Park. (It was only after I processed the image that I noticed someone has been doing a little 'gardening', cutting some of them at the front. Tsk, tsk!)  I used to work in an old mansion that had a large garden with an orchard. At this time of year the orchard was a mass of white snowdrops, very beautiful. The land was sold for development and the snowdrops will have been wiped out - rather sad, as they take a long time to spread so densely and prolifically. 

'Dead sleeps the winter, 

Cold, wet and grey; 

Surely all the world is dead;

Spring is far away.

Wait! The world shall waken;

It is not dead, for lo, 

The fair maids of February

Stand in the snow!'

Cicely Mary Barker

'See, the winter is past; the rains are over and gone. 

Flowers appear on the earth, the season of singing has come.'

  Song of Songs 2:11-12

Nabbed in Nab Wood

Saltaire's housing was built between 1854 and 1868, mainly for workers at the mill.  It was a time of huge expansion in industry and population and, just as Sir Titus chose to move his workforce from the slums of Bradford, so the middle classes also desired to move to more spacious properties outside the city. There were some fine, grand Edwardian houses built in the Moorhead and Nab Wood areas, across the turnpike road from Saltaire. The area was then steadily infilled in the 1920s/30s and onwards. It's now a pleasant residential suburb, still retaining some of the large detached properties, though some have been converted to flats and residential care homes, and some of the land has been been sold off for smaller houses in and amongst, with a few low-rise apartment blocks too. 

I spent a happy time exploring the 1911 census records for Nab Lane and Staveley Road, their large houses then newly built and occupied by the likes of engineers, chemists, merchants, works managers, a surgeon, a dentist, a bank manager, a master dyer, a solicitor and those 'of private means'. Most of them list domestic servants: housekeepers, cooks, housemaids and several of them record visitors staying - relatives from Canada, a musician from Australia, a jeweller. Fascinating glimpses into a bygone time. 

It's not the best area for taking general 'view' photos - lots of foliage and high walls obscure the houses. I came across some rather grand gates (not the originals, I don’t think), and a delightful Edwardian porch, which I took the liberty of 'nabbing' in photos. 

As I discovered from the 1911 census records, the initials above the door of this semi-detached Edwardian house are those of Isaac Lindow, a clerk aged 54, who lived here with his wife Jane and his son Edwin. 

I'd like to be here... #2

I wish it was Spring! I wish I was here... This is the village of Arncliffe, in Littondale. Littondale is the sheltered, fertile valley of the River Skirfare, which flows down to join the Wharfe. Most people go past on the way to Kettlewell and upper Wharfedale without noticing or exploring this picturesque limestone dale, up a narrow side road. It is well worth a visit, with a few picturesque villages and some lovely old properties dating back to the 17th century. The church of St Oswald sits prettily on a bend in the river. 

Travel up Littondale right to its northern end and you can skirt the flank of Pen-y-Ghent, one of Yorkshire's Three Peaks and drive over into Ribblesdale. 

A glimmer of hope

My goodness, I have rarely looked forward to Spring with quite the fervour that I feel this year! Despite last year being more than averagely pleasant weather-wise, the winter has felt long and miserable, compounded by the lockdown and gloomy Covid statistics. It was with a great deal of pleasure, therefore, that I spotted these crocus pushing up through the leaf litter, just by the roadside at Cottingley Bar. 

Idly wondering, as I wrote this, why the area (the junction between the Shipley to Bingley road and the road up to Cottingley village) is called Cottingley Bar, I looked it up (as you do!) It turns out there was a toll bar here in times gone by, where road tolls were collected from travellers using the turnpike road from Bradford to Skipton. (See HERE). The Bar House was demolished in 1913. Fascinating, 

 

All the Bs

I'm reduced to taking photos of really quite ordinary scenes these days. There is little colour or beauty to be found. Doesn't everywhere look rough just after the snow has melted? 

This is a view from Dowley Gap Lane where it passes over the Bingley Bypass. When our lockdowns first started last year, there was a sudden huge drop in the amount of traffic. As time has gone on, the amount has increased but, even so, I think it's not up to normal levels. It will be a big shock when the roads become congested again. 

The Bypass skirts the clubhouse and pitches belonging to Bradford and Bingley Rugby Club (right of photo).  'The Bees' are a class outfit, in the top 10% of English Rugby Clubs. They have a proud history. The world famous Barbarian FC, an invitational rugby club, was founded in Bradford in 1890 and there is memorabilia in the Bees clubhouse.   

Sunday stroll

I spent a lazy Sunday watching the Australian Open men's singles tennis final, my lethargy only redeemed by clearing a pile of ironing at the same time! It was rather late in the day when I popped out for a short stroll and by then the clouds had gathered, promising rain later. I just had a quick circuit of Roberts Park. There were plenty of people about, though not much new to see. The river levels have dropped a lot since the snow melted. 

I rather liked the dome-shaped cloud above the bandstand, echoing the shape of the roof and surrounding trees. And no, I didn't get wet! 

 

Bathing beauties

Humans, animals and birds seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as the sun came out, radiating a little warmth into the air after weeks of icy, wintery weather. I was amused watching the geese and a pair of swans. They were perched on the edge of the ice still covering part of the canal, preening their feathers as though it was a beauty parlour. In the melted water, a swan was having a really good, prolonged bathe, obviously thoroughly enjoying the sensation. 

Window art

I spotted these rather lovely and very well executed small paintings in a window in Saltaire village. The little sign said: 'National Gallery - The Great Big Art Exhibition. Put one of your paintings/drawings in the window. 1st fortnight - animal theme. Tell your friends and neighbours. Janet - no 17'. Well, that's something I'd not heard about before... but it is apparently 'a thing' - launched at the end of January (see HERE) As you know, Saltaire's residents are an arty, creative lot and LOVE putting stuff in their windows, so hopefully I shall spot some more lovely little artworks on my meanderings. 

Drama in my mind

I was blinded by the sun as I walked up Victoria Road past Salts Mill. It was very dramatic light so I took a phone pic, despite the fact that I couldn't see a thing! A bit of processing brought out some detail and I quite like the gritty look that resulted. The man walking down was totally innocent but in my mind I have him with a cowboy hat on and guns slung around his hips. Playing in the background, the theme tune to 'The Good, The Bad and the Ugly'!

I'd like to be here... #1

Our lockdown continues, so we have to stay at home except for essential journeys (work, food shopping, medical needs) or for daily exercise. Exercise must be local (people have been fined for travelling too far) and taken alone, with your own household members or with just one friend. It is (intentionally) quite limiting. Consequently, I don't feel justified in driving anywhere but I'm getting really rather fed up with the same old local walking routes, lovely though they are. Added to that, the weather has been uninspiring: cold, wet and dull. We had a little snow again recently but only enough to make everywhere slippery, not enough to make it pretty! 

The end result of all that is that I am running out of photos, inspiration and motivation. I considered having a short blog break (and I may do) but then I thought I could look back and enjoy my archive photos of some of the lovely places a little further afield that I would like to visit right now if I could. 

I'll start with this one: Bolton Abbey, on the banks of the River Wharfe, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It's a ruined Augustinian priory, set in a beautiful landscape that has belonged to the Dukes of Devonshire since 1755.  With acres of estate to enjoy - not only the ruins but also woodland, moorland and the river (with its stepping stones and, further upstream, the dramatic Strid gorge) - it really is a wonderful place. It gets terrifically busy, especially in summer, so best to enjoy it out of season if you can. 

Ice, ice baby

After days of freezing, icy weather we got sunshine, blue skies and a swift rise in temperature. The ice on the canal slowly responded. I liked the broken reflection of the New Mill in the water. Also thankful that the lad walking past was wearing a sky blue jacket! If I'd had my big camera I could have zoomed in a bit on the reflection but this was taken on my phone.