Spring Sunshiney Saturday

For what seems quite a long time, Himself and I (and Moss of course) jumped in the van and spent some time on the hills walking miles and miles. 

Although I had hoped to set off Friday evening, we were both rather tired so opted for a night a home first then we set off early-ish Saturday morning.

Driving any distance these days has to take into consideration the price of fuel, so we bumbled slowly across country taking in the definite signs of spring. The lower fields were so full of lambs of all sizes from the teeny tiny wobbly legged versions to the more bouncy chunky 'mini' sheep size which were racing around in 'schools' around their mums.  We were going to stop in a lumpy farmer's field just outside of Leyburn.

Our first walk started from village of Wensley along the river Ure. Moss was unsurprisingly delighted, throwing herself in at every opportunity.

We stopped for break on a large fallen branch overlooking the river and breathed the fresh air. We could taste that tang of spring - a sharp metallic feel to the air, it was so delicious. Green shoots and catkins were in abundance as they pushed through last years twigs and sticks. We'd brought along a flask of tea, chocolate digestives (and dog biscuits of course) as we watched the river burble by.

The path led us up to a rather Victorian/Medieval pastiche bridge with a bit of an interesting history. We took our lives in our hands crossing it as there were no footpaths for about 200 metres and despite the narrowness of both the bridge and the road, traffic hurtled along it as thoughtless speeds - the worst being the tractor drivers - shame on you.

Middleham Bridge , now a Grade 2 listed building, has a rather interesting inscription which I managed to quickly snap a photograph between vehicles, unfortunately I still could not make it out, so with a bit of research I found this ...

'THIS BRIDGE was erected by Voluntary Subscription

A.D. 1830, RALPH RIDDELL ESQr. of Cheeseburgh Grange, Northumberland having

very generously contributed thereto thro' the medium of Mr. J. DOUTHWAITE

his Agent by a gift of the land on which the North Abutment and Wing Walls

are built. Messrs. HANSOM & WELCH, Architects'

The return journey was higher up (and much quieter) on the valley side, through farmlands and on simple tracks, finally returning to the village of Wensley and the van. It was time to drive up to the farm and set up for the night. The view from our stop was rather pleasant overlooking rooftops of the outskirts of Leyburn over towards the distant hills. After we'd eaten we wandered down into the town and did the touristy thing of looking at the shop windows.

source

We did pop into one cornucopia of culinary delight - Campbell's of Leyburn and bought some very essential supplies - shortbread, gingercake and some rather delicious locally made vintage marmalade. As it was getting late we left and promised ourselves we'd return tomorrow for 'serious further investigations'!!

Once we'd returned to the van we had to sample our foraged treats and cracked on the kettle, nibbled both the shortbread (ooh yum) and the ginger cake (swoon!) as we watched the sun go down behind the horizon. It had been a really good day, nearly eight miles of walking, swimming for Moss, glorious spring sunshine and there was still Sunday to enjoy!

More to follow .......