Today has been wonderful, a very chilly early spring day full of sunshine and cold, still air. The daffodils in my neighbourhood have only just opened their petals, it's still remarkably cold here in Yorkshire and this morning we woke to a frosty landscape.
I enjoy my school run on days like this, enjoy the pleasure of being able to walk along the water's edge, dipping in and out of sunshine and shadow, feeling rather blissed out by the pure blue colour of the sky.
The stillness of the air makes the canal water so mesmerising, I can't help but stand and stare at it, drinking in it's very stillness and the wonder of reflections. The ducks bring me out of my daydream, swimming over to me and sending ripples across the surface of the water.
Today was certainly a day for being by water. J was home from work, Little B home from nursery, so despite the chill we decided to go on a little outing. Little B is just recovering from a weekend of sickness and his energy levels were a little bit lower than usual, so we chose somewhere for a gentle stroll.
This is Swinsty Reservoir, somewhere in the midst of deep countryside between the Yorkshire towns of Ilkley and Harrogate. It was the first time we've been here, although we have glimpsed it often from the main road up on the hill above.
The water was really hugely big! Compared to the little local reservoir that we usually walk round, this expanse of water felt ginormous. There were even little waves lapping in at the shore, and for a few very brief moments I felt as if I might possibly be beside the sea.
No seagulls though, but plenty of ducks. After a short stroll, Little B was wilting so we found a wooden picnic table in the sunshine and sat down for a rest. Fresh hot coffee from my favourite Contigo, and some little foil wrapped chocolate Easter eggs.
J had his heart set on a pub lunch, a bit of a treat to enjoy on his day off. Normally we are a family of modest picnickers, so pub lunches do feel quite extravagant. A nice treat though, especially when the pub in question is so good. That's where we went look, that building teetering on the edge of the hillside in the photo above. This is high up on Ilkley Moor at the Cow and Calf rocks.
After a lovely lunch in the warm and cosy pub, we went for a little bit of a wander on the moor. We took in the expanse of sky and enjoyed being buffeted by the rather brisk wind that was whipping around the rocks.
These rocks are sooooooo huge! Look at this picture of Little B running and you can get the scale of them. It makes me want to hug them and run away from them all at once.
The views from up here are tremendous, it's a very high-up place indeed. I am SO glad I live where there are hills. I absolutely love love love to be up high and take in a view, one of the reasons we moved here from the Vale of York (which is flat as a pancake with zero hills)
It was a good day, a day of still waters and beautiful skies. And now I can't stop singing "On Ilkley Moor Baht 'at" over and over, and wishing very, very much that I wasn't. Go away, silly song, you may leave my brain now, Thank you.
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ps for those of you who don't know this famous Yorkshire anthem, there is an explanation here, and some vocals here. Darn it.
Last time I read a post from you, you were not feeling well. I have been worried about you and watching for a post - hoping that you would say you were feeling better.
Please be well. You are in my prayers, Lucy. We miss you and so look forward to 'visiting' with you via your blogs.
Posted by: Carol D | July 15, 2014 at 02:42 AM
Funny how I'm feeling homesick for Yorkshire, even though I only lived there for 5 years and moved away 29 years ago! But I still remember the traditional Yorkshire puddings at the Cow & Calf. Now I live in West Wales and am more likely to sing Mae Hen Gwlad fy Nhadau than On Ilkley Moor etc, I have fond memories!
Posted by: Melanie | April 05, 2014 at 02:48 PM
hi lucy, we relocated from your yorkshire town 10 years back. Now in southern spain I love to see pictures of our former home. I have spent many happy hours in the churchyard pictured. Happy days. Thankyou for reminding me.
Posted by: mrs h | March 30, 2014 at 09:37 AM
Such pretty pictures! I love the daffodils - can't wait for ours to come out!
Posted by: Lizy Tish | March 29, 2014 at 08:47 PM
Cow n Calf is one of my most special places in the whole world! When I am visiting my Aunt who lives a 15 min drive away, I will often say just popping out.. Drive up onto the moor.. park and have a few minutes to myself... its like being on top of the world to me...
Posted by: Claire Wickham | March 28, 2014 at 11:04 PM
So pleased you found Swinsty Reservoir, it's a favourite of ours as I can push youngest daughter round in her pushchair and eldest can ride her bike and then we can find a picnic table to grab a bite to eat. The ice cream van at the top carpark is always a welcome site!
Posted by: SIncerelyhooked | March 26, 2014 at 03:08 PM
Thank you Lucy, I thoroughly enjoyed the video, but of course I'll be humming it all day now. A lovely glimpse to your glorious Yorkshire homeland.
Posted by: aishakenza | March 26, 2014 at 06:10 AM
Oh my, that video is a hoot. My dad (English by birth) used to sing us (my sister and me, Canadian by birth) that song when we were young. I've just played the clip for him, and he insisted that we play it again for my mum. A Yorkshire moment in Vancouver. Thanks for the laugh!
Posted by: Anne at Shintangle Studio | March 26, 2014 at 04:36 AM
D'argh!!! You have me singing it now too!
...What's more, since it's a silly song, I have a sudden urge to translate it into franglais - liek we did with "Combien et le chien dans la vitrine".
Posted by: Mouse | March 25, 2014 at 10:52 PM
Get yer 'at on missus!
Posted by: Hazel | March 25, 2014 at 10:29 PM
Thank you so much for sharing such beautiful places. And, you are so blessed to have this to enjoy and Family time to enjoy all together.
I found the song and listened to several vesions. Wish I could go see these places for myself.
Those boats on the canal, are they house boats? I have always been in awe of the pictures I see of canals there lined with those pretty boats all closed in and painted so brightly. :)
Posted by: Gloria Philley | March 25, 2014 at 09:03 PM
Singing Happy Birthday three times is meant to get rid of an ear worm, a doctor said so - so it must be true!!!!
Posted by: Rachell | March 25, 2014 at 08:14 PM
As a Dutch living in North Yorkshire, i have tried to sing a long with this song many times.
Never had any clue what the words were and what they meant...
Thank you for the links with the info. Just realized I have made a complete arse of myself...lol
Posted by: Petra -Galphay Ripon | March 25, 2014 at 07:36 PM
Went to a wedding reception at that pub. It was along time ago about thirty years and along way from here in West Wales!
Pam
Posted by: Pam | March 25, 2014 at 06:45 PM
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos and your day out with us. It certainly looked very Spring like even, if as you say, it was chilly. Glad little B is on the mend.
Just tackling a crochet bag pattern of yours for the first time. Will let you know how I get on but for now my 'bottom' is looking good, x
Posted by: Cockney Blonde | March 25, 2014 at 06:43 PM
I live near Preston and would love to see the large rocks you pictured. Where is that? Or what are they called? The ones with little B running beside them.
Posted by: Debbie cowles | March 25, 2014 at 05:55 PM
Aw you had a lovely day out - lovely blue skies and lovely scenery. Hope Little B is on the mend :-) love Joy xx
Posted by: Joy | March 25, 2014 at 05:18 PM
I'll be checking the links on the anthem, being totally unacquainted with it. Your pics are beautiful, all that lovely blue sky. Today, we are anticipating a snowstorm tomorrow! March is hanging on with its teeth.
Posted by: WendyBee | March 25, 2014 at 05:11 PM
Don't mind this earworm, as it's totally new to this US midwesterner! Thanks for sharing your joy, Lucy.
Posted by: Tracey | March 25, 2014 at 03:08 PM
Thank you for taking us on that brisk and lovely stroll. And for introducing me to a really funny and charming song!
Posted by: Susan | March 25, 2014 at 02:20 PM
Oh how I long to live in your corner of the country. I live way down south in Portsmouth but have visited Yorkshire a few times and came to Yarndale last year and I keep trying to persuade hubby we need to move,one day eh one day x
Posted by: Heather | March 25, 2014 at 02:19 PM
Lucy,
Such great pictures. Your posts always encourage me to get out into nature. I purchase my very first issue of Simply Crochet magazine because you were feature in it. Thank you for the inspiration!
Kim
Posted by: Kim W | March 25, 2014 at 02:01 PM
Hi Lucy,
I may be a first-time commenter, but I am by no means a first-time reader. I've been popping in for quite some time and yours has become my favourite blog and you have become my favourite online personality :-)
Your blog inspires me, your contagious love for nature inspires me, your crochet inspires me...
Just thought I'd share that with you as I'm feeling particularly share-ful today :-)
Well done on the awesomeness!
Love Waheeda
(from Durban, on the east coast of South Africa)
Posted by: Waheeda Mahomed | March 25, 2014 at 01:54 PM
Lovely to see pics of Ilkley Moor, grew up in Ilkley, playing on the moor, down by the river and through the woods. How lucky we were back in the 50's n 60's to go off and play for hours. I have lovely memories of those days. (I also went to the Girls High in Skipton). I now live on the edge of the flat fens, I don't miss the hills, now I revel in the vaste expanses of sky and the ability to see long distances. So much beauty around in our countryside. We should all go and see as much of it as we can.thank you for bringing back good memories and for inspiring me to crochet (not very well) again!
Posted by: Hilary | March 25, 2014 at 09:25 AM
Thank you for sharing your lovely pictures and your clear tutorials.
Have a happy week.
Posted by: sarah | March 25, 2014 at 09:21 AM