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!)
I love your pictures. ALL of your pictures!
Posted by: wattacukor | March 16, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Super!!! I love your blog! :D
Posted by: iuliana | March 08, 2012 at 03:47 PM
What a beautiful part of the world! Love your photos, too. It's always a pleasure to visit your blog :)
Posted by: Loretta | March 05, 2012 at 09:30 PM
Hello Lucy!
I live in the U.S. and just recently discovered your blog. I am AMAZED by your gorgeous crochet creations and am in awe of your wonderful talent for design.
I learned to crochet as a little girl, and have dabbled in it a bit here and there throughout my adult life (I'm 42), but your blog has made me want to crochet like a mad woman! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your colorful style, and wish I could redo my entire house so that I could make similar items and have them fit with the decor.
As things are, I have a deep burganday-colored sofa and chair (new) and neutral beige/tan carpet (also new), and mostly darker green, beige and creamy yellow paint colors in the rest of the house, with the same carpet throughout.
I cannot tell you how much I prefer the cheery colors you favor, and wish I could do the house all over again! Unfortunately, it will be many years before I can redecorate, as we have just done so over the last year. You have so inspired me, however, that I think I may try to re-create your beautiful masterpieces using deeper colors and earth tones, and see if they might still fit in with my current color scheme.
Last night, I did a swatch of your ripple blanket pattern, which worked up wonderfully. Your instructions are so clear, and all I had to do to "translate" them in American English was to change "treble crochet" to "double crochet." I think I may attempt a lovely ripple blanket as my first Attic 24 project.
Thank you so much for rekindling my love of crochet. I look forward to enjoying your blog for many years to come. God Bless.
Posted by: Kelly P., USA | March 05, 2012 at 09:01 PM
I love the way you present your adopted county in such a lovely way. Dorset's loss!!!
Many thanks for the BBC link I really enjoyed seeing the variety which Yorkshire has to offer.
Posted by: Jan Marchant | March 05, 2012 at 04:29 PM
I LOVE Malham :D We once stayed at the campsite at the bottom of the falls. It was magical. I would love to return there again with small people!
Posted by: Ali | March 04, 2012 at 10:10 PM
Lucy, what a lovely trek to the Cove! And to see a bit of the Dales. I am reading some books by Gervais Phinn about his years/stories of being a County School Inspector in the Dales, and he describes the region, but my wee imagination can't keep up well with picturing it, so seeing a glimpse of part of the Dales is a help to me. And Phinn's books are so good...easy, warm, fireside reading. Bless you and your family, Lucy, and congrats on your Blog Award! Your writing, crocheting, talents, pictures, etc., are as lovely as you!
Posted by: Elizabeth Hansen | March 04, 2012 at 06:01 PM
I love your blog so much. It makes me want to visit your little corner of the world!!
Posted by: DeeDee | March 04, 2012 at 05:14 AM
What beautiful country - and about as much moss as Seattle. lol
Posted by: Furniture Stores | March 03, 2012 at 09:21 PM
Beautiful! Thank you for takin us on that wonderful walk through Malham!! I wish I could get tickets and go there myself!! I'm glad your family had fun.
Posted by: Taylor | March 03, 2012 at 08:10 PM
LINDOOOOOOO!!!!
Posted by: PATYices | March 03, 2012 at 04:01 PM
I just wanna be there ;)
Posted by: Hidee | March 03, 2012 at 02:23 PM
How beautiful - very Alan Ingham
http://www.alaningham.co.uk/
view with care - wanties may erupt!!
Posted by: Trickster | March 02, 2012 at 09:25 PM
Lucy, Looks as though a Fairy might pop out from around the corner... so beautiful!!!!! Thank you for sharing with us!
Posted by: Donna | March 02, 2012 at 08:49 PM
OoOh we holiday every November in Malham :)
I'm glad you like it as much as we do. Did you know that the last Harry Potter was filmed there and up on Malham Tarn?
(the bit where they're in the tent)
~ Natalie
Posted by: Natalie | March 02, 2012 at 06:31 PM
Such a lovely, out of the way place. Thanks for the tour.
Posted by: erin | March 02, 2012 at 04:15 AM
This post brought back some lovely memories - I have photos of my boys climbing the boulders at the base of the cliff wall when we were camping nearby. They were probably 4 and 5 years old. It was a great holiday, one of those paddling and throwing stones into water sort of young family holidays that don't quite cut it now that they are 10 and 12! Thanks for bringing those memories into focus x
Posted by: Jacqui | March 01, 2012 at 09:34 PM
It's a fantastic place isn't it? I went there a few years ago with hubby and,our then old,golden retriever,but sadly she wasn't able to walk that far,so I had to wait at the bottom while hubby walked right up to the cove and then climbed up and walked on the huge stones along the top.I'll never forget that magical place. :0)
Posted by: bellaboo | March 01, 2012 at 07:51 PM
This has taken me back to my childhood and as I now live in the SW of England it's a lovely reminder of my Northern roots. Wonderful how Malham never changes, you're right time had stood still.
Posted by: Ruth Mitchell | March 01, 2012 at 03:59 PM
This post is so beautiful like everything you do
Thank you.
Posted by: Moran Malron | March 01, 2012 at 03:16 PM
Such beautiful pictures. You live in a very pretty part of the world. :)
Posted by: JoAnn | March 01, 2012 at 03:07 PM
I remember someone posting a link to your blog on Facebook about a month ago and I've been checking it out ever since. I live in Michigan in the US and I've enjoyed reading your blog. It's so beautiful where you live! I've never seen that color green in my life! People here would kill to live where you do. Thanks for sharing your life with random strangers across the globe!
Posted by: Marie | March 01, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Hi Lucy... great blog as usual. Thanks for the countryside walk and I hope J is feeling much better.
Cheers
Posted by: Gloria J W | March 01, 2012 at 01:04 PM
Hello Lucy! I'm Sara and I'm Italian. I follow your blog a long and I must tell you "thank you" because you made me wanna learn to crochet!!! sorry for my bad english. xxx SARA
Posted by: Sara | March 01, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Très très belles photos!
Posted by: chris | March 01, 2012 at 09:45 AM