A Sunday Outing

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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★...more little snippets from the Attic...★

Cosy

Whitby in Winter

Cosy

Water and Sky

Around Malham

Autumn Half Term

Comments

[Teresa Kasner]

That pub sounds divine.. someday I hope to actually visit a real English pub myself! It really does look like a wonderful place to live. Little B saved the day with his clay on his head.. how cute! I'm lucky to live in a great area, also. Rivers, gorges, expansive views - and just an hour and a half drive to the ocean. We'll be gone camping for 10 days.. will put in and catch up when we return. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Laraine]

So beautiful. The last photo looks like a painting. :)

[louise]

What a lovely day out - I love Appletreewick, my 'in laws' close to the dales and we love walking in that area. We haven't sampled the New Inn, though we've passed it a couple of times. I've noticed the heather starting to flower in my corner of the Peak in the last few days, I thought it was early too, it's normally at it's best later in august, but then autumn is ahead of schedule this year, following the early spring and early summer, so I think everything is about three weeks ahead!

[Joy]

Little B is such a fantastic character and the modelling clay under his hat still has me chuckling! Bless him ... we hiked to Alum Bay today and sat and ate our picnic overlooking the sea and chairlift full of tourists going down to see the coloured sands on the cliffs. In the background over the hills we were very much aware of the purple of the heather out in bloom too ... must be the glorious sunshine we have had of late that has encouraged it to blossom Xx lots of love Joy Xx

[niki murray]

Cookies look amazing...I always use your basic cookie dough recipe and I'm a baker!! I will make these next. Thanks for sharing xx

[Paula bluck]

Oh Lucy I love where you live too!! And WE love the New Inn also!!, we had fabulous fish and chips and great beer! there the evening after my wonderful day spent in your studio making bower birds with lovely ladies!!! Happy days!!!!!! Xxxxx

[Jen]

You're so blessed to live in such a beautiful landscape. And you're doubly blessed, because you realise it.

LOVE that Little B had modelling clay under his hat. Very Paddington Bear!

[Winwick Mum]

You certainly do live in a beautiful part of the world, and we always love to visit Yorkshire. It's very different to our part of Cheshire which is much flatter xx