We hadn't planned it, but today on the spur of the moment we decided to head out for Sunday Lunch. It's the end of J's holiday and he is back to work tomorrow, so we took ourselves out into the glorious Yorkshire Dales to one of J's most favourite pubs, the New Inn at Appletreewick. It's a very traditional country pub, old, down to earth, cosy and informal. The views of the surrounding countryside are breathtaking. As soon as you step inside you are enveloped by the combined scents of wood smoke and furniture polish, which is one of the most comforting and nostalgic smells for me and instantly reminded me of the old farmhouse where my grandparents used to live.
We placed our food order at the bar, then settled down in a cosy corner to relax with our drinks. In winter there is always a roaring open fire in the grate in this corner, but today it was light and airy and gave us beautiful views across the valley. Very strangely, when Little B took off his hat, there was a large lump of pink modelling clay sat on his head, honestly, there are no end of surprises with that child! So I took it and divided it into three small balls, giving each Little Person a piece and instructing them to model something amazing whilst waiting for lunch to arrive. Little Lady made a beautiful rising sun, Little Man made a comical alien, and Little B made a very cute snail. I can highly recommend carrying a lump or two of modelling clay in your bag/pocket/hat when going on Sunday outings with small children, I have never known them so quietly occupied and well behaved :)
Lunch was scrummy, we each had filled baguettes, with some extra portions of chunky handcut chips to share. Incredibly delicious they were too.
We drove the scenic way home, across the top of Barden Fell, pulling the car into the layby at the top of the hill and taking a short stroll along the track.
I was surprised to see that the heather was already beginning to flower as I always think of heather-time as being in September.
It looks like it is only just starting to bloom....
....but already looking glorious.
This is such a terrifically beautiful place to spend a weeny slice of time, the views never fail to lift my spirits and chase away whatever worries or stresses are lingering at the back of my mind.
We had come prepared, and after a short walk along the track we settled down on some rocks to view the view and partake in some post-lunch refreshment. J and I had our Travel Mugs full of fresh coffee, and I'd packed some oaty cookies which Little B and I baked this morning.
I think it's fair to say that I fell in love with my patch of Yorkshire all over again and that my longing for the coast of Dorset has finally subsided. I really do love where we live. Very, very much.
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Hi Lucy, I cannot tell you the joy and good feelings you bring out each time I read your blog... i just love it. My son is almost 50 yrs old and the modeling clay in the hat sure brought back memories! Keep up the good work, lady, we love you on this side of the pond, too!!
Posted by: Laurel Pries | August 08, 2014 at 07:04 PM
The modelling clay in hat did make me giggle!
Posted by: Katherine, NZ | August 06, 2014 at 12:59 AM
Modelling clay - I love it! Great idea. I've noticed that the blackberries also seem to be out and ripe much earlier than usual, maybe it's the warm July we had. xx
Posted by: Gillian | August 05, 2014 at 11:39 PM
I have so enjoyed your recent posts--not to mention all the earlier ones! But these have been very special. Many thanks.
Posted by: Faith McLellan | August 05, 2014 at 11:34 PM
Hi Lucy,
Your flowers are a delight to see. I have geraniums on my deck, I didnt know that I could snip a few stems and use them as cut flowers. I will do that.
I didnt know you have butterfly bush and crocosmia too. Please could you do a post of your garden, both pots and on the ground. I have a tiny tiny strip of space next to my garage, so I can learn from your garden what will bring color to that space.
Thanks for all the inspiration.
Sapna
Posted by: Sapna | August 05, 2014 at 08:00 PM
And so do we Lucy! Thanks for sharing... xxx
Posted by: Laura | August 05, 2014 at 08:41 AM
Its good to get out and do something special. Seeing these pics brings back lovely memories of family holidays when we were growing up. The heather looks gorgeous, and the lunch is making my mouth water. yum!
Posted by: Teresa at knitbakecultivate | August 04, 2014 at 10:36 PM
I love where you live too! And I love coming along on your little outings. Thanks for sharing.
Cindy Bee
Posted by: Cindy Bee | August 04, 2014 at 07:45 PM
A lovely day before work starts again and you're soooo right, it is a beautiful. beautiful place you live in!!!! Have a happy week filled with fun and color!!!!
Love
AMarie xxx
Posted by: Anna-Marie Field | August 04, 2014 at 05:09 PM
I love Appletreewick! Thanks so much for this post. We live in Holland, but in the past, when my health was better, we came to Yorkshire almost every Summer vacation. A bit part of my heart is in Yorkshire.
To me, it's the most beautiful county in England. Your post took my being homesick away :-)
Love to you and your family!
Margaret
Posted by: Margaret | August 04, 2014 at 03:15 PM
I've never been to England, but your pix make me want to go and see it in person. Lovely heather shots and views--and I know my DH would just love that Inn...thanks for sharing, hugs, Julierose
Posted by: Julierose | August 04, 2014 at 11:49 AM
It's glorious, absolutely glorious. Beautiful England, seen at her best. The food sounds pretty good too. I'm never without a box of homemade cookies when we go out. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | August 04, 2014 at 09:39 AM
Barden Moor, is so beautiful at this time of year x
Posted by: Jacqui Galloway | August 04, 2014 at 07:44 AM
What a lovely scenery. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Wish you a peferfect day.
Posted by: Lunamon Design | August 04, 2014 at 07:44 AM
It's nice to get settled back at home again.
Posted by: Gillian | August 04, 2014 at 07:33 AM
Hello Lucy! I am a fellow crocheter (and I felt) and I just started up a hobby business making crochet hats, felted vessels, and a variety of little decor items. I had my 3rd vendor fair this weekend. I pointed a great many people to your blog for inspiration and great easy to follow patterns. Several of my business cards are handed out with a little handwritten "Attic 24" note in the margin. Thanks so much for your beautiful blog and wonderful COLORFUL crochet patterns. PS: I have a little B too that is just a week or so older than your little B.
Emily
Posted by: Emily Kelly | August 04, 2014 at 05:10 AM
.... oops in act please thank Little B a lot (a lot and a lot as my Little Tomboy used to say) as we are jetting off on hols soon and now I will pack some plasticine, which I hadn't thought of before :)
Posted by: JillD | August 04, 2014 at 02:03 AM
Little B is very wise. I never would have thought of bringing out the clay, but I know my 3 would love it. We are normally pens and paper, I refuse to let them play on DSs or similar in restaurants. Except a certain fast food joint. But that doesn't really count LOL
Jillxo
Posted by: JillD | August 04, 2014 at 02:02 AM
Lovely place to enjoy. Thank you for sharing. I live in Texas and if you stopped and got out and took a stroll, you would first need to spray everyone with insect repellent and then you still would be eaten up by mosquitoes and worse chiggers. We have some beautiful places for sure, but lots of insects that love to bite. And, the weather is 100+ degrees, hot and dry. Most places now are all dead looking for lack of water and heat stress. So, I really love looking at your place in this world. :)
Posted by: Gloria Philley | August 04, 2014 at 01:08 AM
Looks like a wonderful place on earth!
wish we had pubs like that in Germany... The foods sounds delicious!
take care
Anne
http://crochetbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.de
Posted by: Anne | August 04, 2014 at 12:10 AM
I dream of England!!!
Thank you for all the pics you showed.
Miss
Posted by: Miss | August 03, 2014 at 11:41 PM
So glad the stings have stopped tugging. A lovely Sunday outing. Signs of an early autumn here as well, I noticed a few leaves already changing. It's been a lazy,lounging day here for us, a bit of hooky for me, reading and screen time for the others. I remember plenty of times I'd been happy to have some modeling clay to work it's magic on my two! ;D
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | August 03, 2014 at 11:25 PM
Beautiful. So beautiful.
The Heather is lovely.
Posted by: Renae | August 03, 2014 at 11:10 PM
Lovely always to indulge your love for coast and countryside. Sounds like a perfect Sunday and I'm still laughing at the discovery of the modelling clay!
Posted by: RedSetter | August 03, 2014 at 11:00 PM
As for the pink modelling clay under the hat....I laughed so much..you have such a way with words Lucy xx
Posted by: Fiona Marchant | August 03, 2014 at 10:17 PM