So back in 2013 I had my first trip up to Skipton to attend Yarndale. A huge yarn and craft event held in the cattle market at the end of September.
I have since attended, I believe twelve times, so only missing a few years.
It is incredible to think that people literally come from all over the world, as they have a map of the world and visitors can place a bin on the map to show there home country.
I shall write more on this shortly.
Over the years have stayed in a mixture of accommodation. For the first two years I stayed at Woolly Sheep Inn, which was perfectly located as an easy walk from the train station, had nice rooms to stay in and the food was delicious.
Since then I have stayed in a mixture of holiday let cottages, it is amazing how many are available in the town.
But this year I wanted a change of scene and opted to stay just a few miles out in a lovely village of Embsay. It is only small with a population of 2000, which suited me perfectly.
After the four and half hour drive up, I unpacked and before sitting down headed straight out the door for a walk to the nearby reservoir, it was an absolutely glorious later afternoon.
The next day was Yarndale, so I had a nice leisurely walk to the venue, having parked the van in a side street I knew well, having stayed nearby for the previous three occasions.
I had booked my ticket for 10am as they had a staggered time option to try and break up the entry which was good. It was initially and for a good few hours, still very busy, which is great for the stall holders.
The event has many talented yarn dyers, along with a mix of different crafts. This year I was purely looking to purchase items for my course, needing acid dyes and something different to use for peg looming that I need to create.
It was lovely to catch up with my good friend
A Happy Crow who is a yarn dyer and is kindly letting me share a stand when they exhibit at Tetbury in October.
It is nice to see sheep up close and I love the little peg dolls, I purchased one a few years ago which I keep in my bedroom.
Over the years, Yarndale, do a different charity event to raise money for a variety of causes. They then exhibit the relevant items which is always a very impressive display, the crotchet mandala's where from a few years ago, but still look so impressive blowing in the wind.
It is always interesting to see what "styles" are popular, I really like the fact that the slip over is popular as I am currently knitting one. I did these, the bottom two and top right all on
John Arbon stand and the top left on
Pixie Yarn.
On Monday I decided I wanted to venture out in the van, but not too far. So I headed a few miles up the road to Bolton Abbey.
The drive was very impressive, huge open expanses of views. I of course took my knitting and sat in several locations to knit. I did love the post box topper they had in the village. I was so so lucky with the weather it was glorious, I mean just look at that sky. I just wish I'd waited a little longer to get the clouds over the Abbey!
I am sure their must be thousands of pictures of the Abbey, but it is always lovely to take your own I find. I sat and people watched for quite some time with the view of Abbey as the backdrop.
I also went for an explore and came across this brilliant bridge, I have never seen anything like it and a water fountain in memory of
Lord Cavendish. The view overlooking the river to the Abbey is so worth it and they have a perfectly placed seat you can use to enjoy it.
On Tuesday the weather was a lot cooler and overcast, so I headed over to what turned out to be an absolutely fascinating museum, which I still can not believe is free, with donations optional.
The grounds of
Cliffe Castle Museum are lovely to walk around and it was fun taking different pictures of the fountains.
Inside, oh my goodness there was so much to see, from the architecture to the exhibitions, my blog just does not do it justice, but give you an insight into it.
It was then a half an hour drive through Keighley and across the moors to the Hebden Bridge. A town famously known to be a creative, bohemian culture with a large LGBTQ+ community.
It was a nice town and I did purchase some really lovely new jeans, but I have to say I have been to nicer towns.
Wednesday was a day of using
Alltrails walking app which I have had for months, but never used properly. I have to say I really enjoyed it, and having the app really helped, as if you went off track it would notify you.
The route started in Grassington and the weather was low cloud and very fine rain. Passing through the spectacular Linton Falls and then heading across fields, and down quiet country lanes, but over oh my goodness so many stone styles!
But you could then just see in the landscape the weather literally changing and the sun coming out across the landscape it was very special.
Perfectly located at the half way point is
The Red Lion where a much loved drink was had. The walk then followed the River Wharfe along the Dales Way back to Linton Falls and up to Grassington.
I stopped off for a delicious Earl Grey Tea, and cheese scone with clotted cream and the most delicious chutney, before sitting briefly outside the pub that features in one of my favourite tv shows
All Creatures Great and Small which is now in it's seventh season. The village of Grassington features often in the show, along with the stunning Yorkshire countryside.
Before heading home the next day I took my knitting and headed back to the reservoir to sit and take in the huge expansive on uninterrupted countryside and sounds of nature and water.
I am now on the hunt to find something as spectacular and quiet in the Cotswolds, which currently I have not yet found, but am determined to, as peace and quiet and nature are my true happy place.
