North Yorkshire revisited

Last year was our first taste of North Yorkshire, and we were ready for another massive bite from this delicious part of England.  Okay, I know the weather isn’t the most desirable for exploring though when she shines what a beauty.  She did shine on quite a few days, though on our second trip it has proved otherwise, and it was a challenge capturing our attics.

As a discerning older gentleman reminded me in a local deli, “We are indeed in the heart of the world when living in North Yorkshire”.  Bless him.  I must admit I have the most intriguing conversations while shopping for food.  As we were departing company, I said the magic words “The All Blacks Rugby Team“, and, we both parted company smiling.

We love challenges, and we set off to see what we could find.

Richmond is an attractive small town with a sizeable imposing castle in the middle of it.  With the next generations building more houses around it.

Off the beaten track after walking along River Tees, we love walking along these country lanes.  Relaxing place to walk and chat with no distractions.

Walked along a bridge looking at a railway bridge over the River Tees in Yarm.  I love getting back to base and reading up the places we come across as I am always amazed at how much history is attached to these small towns.  For instance, Yarm was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.  Read more here.

As we were heading off for a walk along the River Tees, we came across this garden box.  It made us smile and think what a caring gesture that was from a community.

Yarm was incredibly busy; we couldn’t work out why? Maybe it was the shopping, the variety of independent shops and a great place to have a catch up over coffee?.  Or perhaps it was because of a few celebrities that had moved into the neighbourhood.  I loved the florist shop [my favourite], and you have to enjoy a town who calls their preschool LoobyLoo.

No walk around North Yorkshire is complete without a visit to Betty’s, so the locals say.  We have visited this Northern Institution and enjoyed a slice or two with a cuppa.  Also, enjoyable are the independent cafes with great coffee and atmosphere.  The above photo was captured in 2016 on our first visit to Saltburn.  A knitting exhibition on the wharf, a very creative idea.  It was an enjoyable few hours by the seaside.  Next time you are heading that way, the knitting bombers might have just created more fun creations to enjoy.  Who are these creative people?  It’s a secret, the locals know, and no one is telling.

We enjoyed exploring the seaside villages last year, and Robin Hood’s Bay was no exemption.  There is something about old fishing villages that make us want to linger and think of the people who worked on the boats.  It must have been a hard life out there at sea.

There have many beautiful villages, towns and wide-open spaces that we have found along the way, one place that endeared itself to us was the Yorkshire Dales.  Yes, it is diverse and awe-inspiring.  One part of the drive which made me scream “STOP, the car” and the result was this photograph and a few mutterings from the squire, though you would think it would be used to me it by now.

If you are in this area, we would wholeheartedly recommend that you stay at this Airbnb in High Gale, Kirkby Lonsdale [slightly out of the Yorkshire area].

It truly is a beautiful 17th C stone farmhouse on a quiet lane on the doorstep to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.  Rebecca and her husband are lovely hosts with an equally lovely relaxing haven to enjoy when weary from exploring.