We decided yesterday to head out of town. At the beginning of the year J had booked the day off as holiday, and even though it was bad luck that he was unwell he said he still felt like getting out. He declared a need for fresh air, gentle exercise and a good dose of Scenery. He had obviously been pondering on it as he knew exactly where he wanted to go, and who was I to argue? Anywhere in the Dales is fine by me. Take me where you will.
We drove out to a beautiful village called Malham. In summertime, this quiet little village gets pretty mobbed by visitors, and it can get quite busy along this sweet main street when the sun shines and the holiday season is in full swing. But in the depths of a wintry week, all was tranquil and peaceful yesterday. In fact, I think Winter is my favourite time of year to be here, I remember walking here before at this time of year.
We parked the car in the village and walked the half mile or so up the road to the start of this track which leads to The Cove. As you can see this is a very toddler/pushchair friendly stroll and although we took the pushchair with us, Little B managed to walk the whole way there and back.
The track starts out quite high above the beck, but soon descends down to water level.
The beck here is newly surfaced, by that I mean it literally springs out of the hillside not far from this point. The water is remarkably clear and pristine looking, makes you want to kind of stick your head in it and drink till you're full.
We're following the little beck towards Malham Cove, there it is look. Magnificent, isn't it? It's one huge, great, big, incredible, ancient Marvel of Nature.
The whole landscape around The Cove is slightly strange, sort of barren but lush at the same time.
The mossy covered rocks and walls looks incredibly vibrant in the dim light of February, especially contrasting with the cool grey of the limestone all around.
We've reached the end of the Toddler-friendly path, and beyond this gate it becomes very rocky and wet. You kind of start walking in river beyond the gate. So I left my boys at this point and ventured in alone. I wanted to get a little closer to The Cove itself (or "The Waaaallllllll" as Little B called it). A very big Wall, well yes, I suppose it is just that.
I've got walking boots on, so I'm kind of half paddling and half rock-hopping my way through the shallow beck.
WoW. It really is the most incredible, incredible place to stand and stare. You look up. You look down. You look all around. And all you see is ancient limestone. You are towered over by it, surrounded by it. Do you see the man in the above picture? See how weeny he looks?
Standing near The Cove makes me feel like a little Dot. But I also feel very energised, it really is breathtaking.
Wow. I turn around and head back to the gate, Little B looking all anxious, then a big beaming smile when he sees me. He's tells me in his sweet way that he's been worrying about me in case I slipped on the rocks. Bless.
We walk slowly back along the track, then back down the lane to the village.
We pass picturesque houses and a campsite and a cafe and a farm. Little B is enchanted by the sight of these cows, he makes lots of talk and chatter to them. He can't seem to say Mooo, so he says "Hi" instead.
Ahhh such mossy delight in Malham! Moss seems to be everywhere, creeping beautifully over the landscape, adding green to the grey.
I really like Malham, the village has a wonderful, sleepy, quiet, contented feel to it. You feel as if time is standing still a little here. It feels ancient. I always come away from Malham feeling like I must return again very, very soon. Springtime I think would be good.
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Edit to add :: ooooooo yes, I had forgotten that the BBC is currently running a series called "The Great British Countryside" which featured Yorkshire in episode two.....at the moment there is an iPlayer clip where they show you Malham Cove, both from the bottom where I was, and at the top on the amazing limestone pavement where they filmed a Harry Potter scene.
The link to the BBC iPlayer clip is HERE, available until 15th March ( I hope the link works!)
wow, that is certainly impressive - and as you say, great for getting some perspective. Glad you had a lovely day out with your boys :-)
Posted by: Sasha | February 28, 2012 at 09:57 PM
Hi Lucy, It looks like a beautiful village, quintessentially English! xxBrenda
Posted by: Brenda | February 28, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Lucy, what a stunning part of the world! You are so very lucky to be able to jump in the car and have such a lovely day out. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Trudy McLauchlan | February 28, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Amazing pics Lucy, I read your blog on Flipboard now and the title picture of the cove is worthy of National Geographic. Fabulous!
Posted by: Kate | February 28, 2012 at 10:20 PM
Dear amiga Lucy, That is a magnificent view! Yes,Spring is going to be good. No matter how long the winter, Spring is sure to follow...the Spring's sweet cantata. :o)
Take care. Hasta Pronto,
Gloria x
Posted by: Pattygloria | February 28, 2012 at 10:25 PM
Looks like a good day had by all then!
Always nice to have a day out together when everyone else is at work, it feels a little bit of a special treat when my other other half is off in the week and we go somewhere a bit different.
Beautiful pictures as always.
Fleur xx
Posted by: Fleur Cotton | February 28, 2012 at 10:26 PM
Well, COR!
Posted by: Kate | February 28, 2012 at 10:28 PM
There is so much beuty in your blog, it has an healing energy.
Posted by: Gudmunda | February 28, 2012 at 10:29 PM
It's so nice to get out and about every now and then, isn't it. Especially out into PROPER countryside. Beautiful photos by the way! Alice :)
Posted by: Alice | February 28, 2012 at 10:31 PM
I think you live in one of the most beautiful areas of the world. Thank you for sharing your photos! Wish I could be there in person to see it.
Posted by: samme | February 28, 2012 at 10:32 PM
Dear Lucy I saw this on TV last Thursday evening with a man climbing the wall! Julia Bradbury and Matt Baker exploring the Geology of Britian with Yorkshire being the focus. Your photos are really smashing!! xx
Posted by: Sarah west mids uk | February 28, 2012 at 10:39 PM
It's years since I've been to Malham, at least 20, probably more. I seem to remember it was pouring with rain, there were ducks wandering around the village and I'd recently had a very big tooth out. What a strange memory. Perhaps it's time to revisit. Glad you had a nice day out. I bet your other little people wished they could have gone.
Posted by: Rachael Iddon | February 28, 2012 at 10:40 PM
We just did the Malham Cove walk over the Christmas Holidays while we were in England visiting family. It is one of our favorites, along with the Strid and pretty much anywhere in the Dales and Lakes. Thanks for bringing me back there again!
Posted by: Deanne | February 28, 2012 at 10:50 PM
Barren but lush at the same time - It looks exactly that. What an amazing place. I would love to come to Yorkshire. You sell it well! Hope the fresh air did J some good. Sarah in Brighton x
Posted by: Sarah | February 28, 2012 at 10:51 PM
What a truly beautiful place. I would, of course, prefer to be able to experience it for myself, but I appreciate your sharing of your walk so I could have a lovely armchair travel experience.
Posted by: Karen | February 28, 2012 at 10:58 PM
Thanks for a glimpse of your part of the world. It's truly beautiful and I feel as though I've been there myself!
Posted by: Linda | February 28, 2012 at 11:15 PM
Thank you for that lovely little visit out! I feel like I've been somewhere. What an incredible stone formation!
Posted by: Christina | February 28, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Lucy,
Great place! my favorite photo is IMG_3529 it includes everything and has a very nice composition to it.
Thank you for sharing your nice moments.
Adriana
Posted by: adrianacreations | February 28, 2012 at 11:33 PM
What a lovely part of the country! Thanks for taking us along with you.
(I'm also enjoying the BBC series, Edwardian Farm, which is being shown on television here in my part of Canada.)
Posted by: diana | February 29, 2012 at 12:05 AM
Very pretty Lucy, thanks for sharing!!
I hope you guys had a grand time!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | February 29, 2012 at 12:32 AM
I really loved this post - what a beautiful area.
Posted by: kim scarnavacco | February 29, 2012 at 12:50 AM
Such goodness. What lovely sites. Thanks for sharing. I could picture myself there and smelling the good damp air. I hope there was a nice luncheon treat afterwards.
Posted by: Toni | February 29, 2012 at 12:59 AM
Absolutely beautiful Lucy! I feel like I just went on vacation with your family - the photos and scenery are spectacular!! Thank you so much for sharing -
Posted by: kathy | February 29, 2012 at 01:08 AM
I love the mossy wall photo. Moss is amazing is really amazing isn't it? thanks.
Posted by: Susie | February 29, 2012 at 01:13 AM
It is always pure joy stopping by to see what your up to. Today I so appreciate you taking me and your other readers on such a beautiful walk.
blessings, jilly
Posted by: jilly | February 29, 2012 at 01:21 AM