Oop ont' moors

Said with a Yorkshire accent, of course.

Our home for five weeks, complete with a spidery visitor...

...and peacocks on our fencing.

We never tire of the view of Saltaire nestling in the valley

Proof we had lots of rain: the entrance to our site under water!

But we also had a FEW lovely days. Sunrise...

...or sunset, the choice is yours.

Tine took a few photos on one of her walks. Our caravan is in those trees.

The sun going down over Shipley Glen

Leaves and mushrooms, it must be autumn!

Knaresborough

Thirty-seven years living in Yorkshire and this was my first visit to Knaresborough!

Yorkshire’s most famous resident, Mother Shipton…

…and the cave where she reputedly was born.

My very own soothsayer, sheltering from the incessant rain

Nearby is a petrifying well where celebrities have donated belongings. Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley’s Catherine Cawood) gave a pair of stilettos from her role as Raquel in Coronation Street.

Looking up we spot the old castle

We found a lovely café for a spot of lunch. That’s Maddie with us, no photos of Steve & Joanne!

To the castle, practically all in ruins now…

…but with an excellent (if somewhat misty) view of the town down in the valley.

The old courthouse within the castle walls, now a museum

The courtroom…

…and an artist’s impression of ‘the good old days’.

Later Maddie & Tine pose at our favourite Bingley curry house.

Birthday boy & gig time

Incredibly Alfie reached double figures on 22nd October and we were able to be there to help celebrate.

Proud Papa Simon with the birthday boy...

...now joined by sister Betty too.

I can't remember what flavour the cake was...

...but Maman Nadine did a sterling job as always!

Later in the evening we went to watch a bit of music

Not just anywhere, but at Sheffield's famed venue 'The Leadmill' which is currently threatened with closure

Students at Tracks music hub performed in the first half, followed by their teachers

What a wonderfully positive & loving atmosphere! Not only that but well-needed funds were raised for future development.

That's Philippe far right (the one with the hair)!

Another day, another old railway track

This time it's part of the Monsal Trail in the Derbyshire Peak District, one we'd wanted to visit for some time.

Party leader Philippe, ably assisted by Tine

The opening to the Headstone Tunnel near Little Longstone. Sadly the 'puddle' was too deep for us to cross.

Here's the reason why: rainwater dripping over the rocks

Great Longstone station, the old platforms still to be seen

We saw dramatic skies...

...and a friendly robin red-breast, chirruping away.

Phil drove us onto Monsal Head with its view over the Wye valley...

...and more dramatic skies...

...including a 'murder' of crows (and yes, it's the correct term)!

In the evening we enjoyed a wonderful tapas meal with Phil's friends, but first of all: cheers!

Canal walk

As you might know I still don’t have full mobility with my left knee, and Yorkshire is not the best of places for walking with all its hills! Solution: drive down to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and head along the towpath.

Starting at Saltaire on a beautiful day (of which there haven’t been many)!

Looking along the towpath between the two main buildings

There were plenty of narrowboats to be seen, the one on the right named after my father-in-law

Not exactly a narrowboat but this one had an amusing shape

I was very pleased to spot the brewery for one of my favourite ‘newer’ beers, Saltaire Blonde…

…plus a family of snoozing swans.

Oh look, they’ve woken up!

The funnily named Gallows Bridge…

…alongside where the old Bradford Canal used to branch off.

Back to Saltaire. Can you spot the slug?