Isn't this the sweetest little road you ever did see? It looks as though it belongs to a farm but it is in fact a normal road, albeit a small, dinky, lamb-encrusted rural road. We love this piece of road, the opening of the gate, the slow drive to accommodate sheep and lambs strolling across at their leisure.
These photos were taken on Saturday afternoon, it's the road we take to visit Bolton Abbey :: there is a quicker road to take but we like this lamby gated one best.
Bolton Abbey is a very, very popular part of the Yorkshire Dales. Its kind of countryside visiting made easy. There is ample parking, toilet facilities, a cafe and a shop. Easy walking, carefully measured out and signposted routes for you to follow. No poo or mud, no stiles, no tricky paths. You can walk the paths in high heels if you so wish (and believe me, folk frequently do), no walking boots required. The downside to all this easily available nature is the crowds, it gets seriously congested at weekends, absolutely chocablock rammed with picnickers and weekend strollers. But nevertheless, sometimes we like to take the easy option and come here with the masses for a quick afternoon stroll or riverside picnic.
And can you blame us when the views are this good? Have you ever seen a more greeny green lot of greenery?? This is a combination of fresh wild garlic growing on the ground and freshly unfurled beech leaves on the trees. It was absolutely breathtaking, the colour was dazzzling.
The bluebells are just starting to go over but there was still a beautiful bluey purple haze in some parts of the woods.
And the river Wharfe bubbling its way along, beautifully reflecting the trees.
After our short stroll, we settled down with the masses by the river for a spot of afternoon tea. As we were taking it easy and not venturing very far from the car we abandoned our faithful picnic blanket and took things up a notch :: out came the folding chairs and our little folding camping table. A little table cloth, plates, napkins and mugs. Fresh brewed tea and lemon drizzle cake.
Yes it was crowded, a bit like taking afternoon tea in a car park. But a very beautiful, green car park at that. And the tea and cake was gooood. No doubt about it.
Ouch! That green hurt my eyes!
I kind of missed the bluebells en masse this year and have had to enjoy little patches of them here and there.
Posted by: Dragonfly | May 13, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Great photos - could we all share the lemon drizzle cake?
Posted by: Funkymonkey | May 13, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Beautiful photos! So glad to have found your inspiring blog. Off to make the lemon drizzle cake for tea!x
Posted by: thevintagemagpie | May 13, 2008 at 09:03 AM
I am totally loving this blog! I love the fresh green of spring, it's almost flourescent at times isn't it? I have a piece of my heart in North Yorks - a holiday cottage near Whitby to be precise - and love to find blogs from the best county in the country!
thanks for sharing your day.
Sarah x
Posted by: Sarah | May 12, 2008 at 10:27 PM
The green in the photo's is very striking. I love that vibrant lime green shade. I wish I had someone to picnic with. I'll have to sit out in the garden instead!
Posted by: simone | May 12, 2008 at 06:21 PM