Entries about yorkshire

20th & 21st June'16:
Proud of their heritage & rich cultural history & with a reputation for good cuisine.!!..That's what you get when you are in the Ribble Valley & that's where I've been hiding out for the last two days. Basing myself at the YHA in Slaidburn could not have been a better spot to go & explore, whether you're hiking, cycling or even driving. There are a number of quaint & pretty little villages dotted within this valley & unspoilt countryside..Newton-in-Bowland/ Tosside/Bolton-By-Bowland/Gisburn/Pendle Hill & Clitheroe are just a few... and it all lies in an area named the Forest Of Bowland which has been designated as an Area Of Outstanding Beauty in England and rightly so.. The other advantage in this area is that most of the villages or hamlets are within walking distance, & with a pub or inn in each one your quench for thirst could be for all the wrong reasons..There are a few awesome tasting ales being produced at local breweries here.!!!
The hostel holds it's own piece of local history having started out as a coaching inn back in the 17th. century & formerly known as the Black Bull while the local pub opposite, interestingly called the Hark To Bounty was so named after a favourite hound belonging to the Lord of the Manor..
It's been an interesting past weekend too, highlighting an amazing catchup after six years with friends Christina & Malcolm Usher whom we've known when we lived in Tasmania. They coincidentally happened to be holidaying in the UK at the same time & were on there way up to the Yorkshire Dales .. Drinks & tea at "The Shovels" in St. Annes On Sea was the ideal spot to celebrate.

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Dunscar Monroe Ale ((Hark To Bounty) Slaidburn

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11th.June'16...Raining today but it still has it's benefits. I've managed to check out the tiny village of Malham & had a bite to eat with a local ale in one of the two pubs in town..Well, what else is their to do on a wet day in the Yorkshire Dales.!?!..
As YHAs go Malham is a good clean hostel & very central to all activities primed for this area of the Yorkshire Dales..The only weakness would be the wifi at times, but then it is out in the sticks & the weekend, when it's obviously the busy period with a host of walkers/climbers/cyclists etc. checking in & getting away from the 9 to 5 weekly routine..As long as you get a comfortable night's sleep after a few hours of healthy activity in the outdoors & then a good breakfast in the morning to fuel you up for the day & then, at a fraction of the price of a hotel or B&B..Sensible budget travelling is how I would describe it..!!!
Another popular event here with walkers & fell runners tends to be the Three Peaks Challenge (Whernside/Ingleborough & Pen-y-ghent). Whether it be a personal, team or a charity challenge, the idea is to finish the 25 miles in under 12 hours..Traditionally, the Penyghent cafe in Horton-in-Ribblesdale is the place to clock in & out for this walk .. Having booked midweek I did share the premises with a couple of primary school class groups and a German and Finnish family who shared some interesting & funny stories of their holiday in England..So hostelling does have it's perks when travelling. Meeting & making friends from all walks of life as you travel is always a fun & interesting experience.!!
Malham Tarn...next stop on my list.....

Friday: 10th. June'16..
About time for another update before I forget my daily dose of activities while I am here.. Tuesday was another morning walk through the country park in the Lytham Hall grounds & a small stock up at my favourite shop "Aldi" to fuel me for the walks in Yorkshire & Wednesday was a mother & son bonding day with a lunch date .!!.
An hour & a half's drive from St Annes on Sea on Thursday & I am in the Yorkshire Dales National Park for the next three days..
Staying in the heart of the Dales at the YHA Malham it's the perfect spot for exploring the outstanding landscape & history of the area..Walks & trails range from the easy to the more serious & strenuous for the seasoned trekker.. Me.. Well I'm more for the moderate style & have to keep reminding myself ... Relaaaax.!. I'm here on holiday.!!.
Seeing as I was not due to check in at the YHA until 5pm. I did the just over 7kms (4.5miles) Malham Spectacular yesterday with a couple of slight detours .. An awesome walk on an awesome warm & sunny day, which takes in all the major points of interests with some picturesque scenery and limestone terrain to boot..It's the ideal walk for the first timer here and also if you are limited for time within the area.!!..You also take in part of the famous Pennine Way on most of the walks in the area, including this one...."Simply Breathtaking.!!."
It's a vastly different sort of a day today though, thus giving me time for this update, but according to the weather forecast the rain is supposed to ease this afternoon..Daylight saving helps here too and with the sun not setting till around 10pm. it still gives me plenty of time to get out there and explore more of the region.!!.. A couple of primary school classes from nearby local schools are staying here too & have taken a keen interest in my Aussie flora & fauna pics. on the Macbook while on their lunch break.. With an authoritive teacher's okay obviously.!!. Kangaroos/Koalas/Kookaburras/ Lizards & Snakes..They're fascinated & totally intrigued.!!!!
Well, looks like the sun is trying to push it's way through the clouds so I'd better get moving.!!!!!

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