A Reflected Landscape

We ventured out into the misty grey yesterday morning to take a walk around Grimwith Reservoir. We are generally an early-to-rise family (with the exception of The Teen, who's body runs on teenager time these days), and it's fairly easy for us to be up and out the house by 8.30am in the summer.

I have to confess that I have mixed feelings about this walk. It takes just short of 2 hours to do the 4 mile round route, and there is a part of me that finds the whole thing ever so slightly dull. There, I said it. I try not to voice this in front of the Little People, because really this is a great walk for them and us as a family - very easy footpaths, a known distance/time that they can cope with, toilets in the car park. 

So yesterday I did my best to adjust my mind, and I set out to appreciate the scenery, feel the benefits of the fresh air and exercise and enjoy some chatty-time with the Little Peeps.

I took the above photo to show you the water levels here in North Yorkshire which are still desperately low despite us having a very wet summer. It's odd to think that our drinking water may very well come from right here (this is one of five reservoirs in our area owned by Yorkshire Water). It makes me not want to moan about the summer rain quite so much!

This time around Grimwith (our third time walking here), we decided to walk the reverse way around the water and see how it felt. For some reason it worked a treat and I enjoyed the walk so much more than in previous times. Maybe it was the fact that we walked the most boring part first, or maybe it was the weather which although grey was blissfully still and just the right kind of warm. But perhaps it was simply the fact that we enjoyed our time together as a family, making the absolute most of these last days of the summer holidays. 

There is definitely something about being beside still water which is extremely soothing and restful. You can feel the peacefulness seeping into your soul, and although I generally prefer to feel invigorated by crashing waves and salty surf, I am finding a new appreciation for quiet, still waters.

We saw very few people yesterday as we walked, just a few dog walkers and a few sheep taking in the morning air.

The surrounding landscape was looking beautiful, with a purple blush of heather across the hilltops and so many shades of green all around. I stood still and breathed it all in. So so good.  

There are several of these carved stones set into the walls around the reservoir, but the poetry of this one is my particular favourite. I've just made a quick Google search and found out that this is the work of local artist Fiona Bowley. 

"A reflected landscape of shadows calling out from under the water" - isn't that such a lovely thing to ponder as you wander around the waters edge?

At this point in the walk we were about 2/3 of the way around, and the light and weather was beginning to alter almost minute by minute. 

The low grey cloud was beginning to lift a little, allowing a gentle brightness to creep into the morning.

The swaying summer grasses, as usual, stopped me in my tracks and made me hold my breath. I have no idea why they affect me so much - I feel like there is an old, old childhood memory tucked deep down just out of reach. I love how tall they are at this time of year, so delicate yet strong at the same time.

This was quite some hill, an unexpected climb which took us by surprise. Of course, as we were walking this route in reverse we would've been jaunting downwards not upwards when we walked here before. It felt good to get the blood pumping though - Little Lady and I proper power-walked up this bit, flopping down on the grass at the top of the hill gasping for breath. So unfit - jeez. I really could do with improving my fitness.

The light was extraordinarily beautiful as we neared the end of our walk, and the contrast of colours was just incredible. The water had turned a dark shade of grey under a heavy grey rain cloud, whilst the sun lit up our little patch of high ground. It was absolutely breathtaking. 

Ragwort (that yellow flower) is a funny plant, mostly ignored as an annoying weed (a bit like dandelions) and hated by land owners as it is poisonous to animals. But the colour of it on this grey day was nothing short of magical.

That grey and yellow colour combo is pretty powerful don't you think? It instantly reminds me of my dear friend Vanessa who used to love seeing yellow and grey together......I really do miss her very much. I think I might take a pootle through her blog archives later, she left behind such an inspirational treasure trove of words, images and ideas for us to dip into. Blogging at it's very best.

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Comments

[Olie]

Wow that is just spectacular.Keep up the good work! Very inspirational.

[Ahmad Ali]

this is too good content very awesome and qality photos you shared keep working

[Sohaib Ali]

Extremely really very good awesome photos
i love the photos you shared the content is too good

[Susan]

We've just walked around Carsington reservoir and got the same sense of peace as you😊

[Carol]

I suppose we shouldn't complain about the lack of rain when they are receiving such awful weather in Texas, but I have enjoyed the August weather in the UK.

[Carla]

I am currently almost done with my Hydranga blanket; loving every minute of it and starting your Harmony Blanket asap (grand daughters birthday presents). Also I just got my Burda Style Magazine in the mail the other day and one of the childrens models,Page 57, is holding your Hydranga blankets as a prop. The credit goes to "privately owned". How cool is that!

[Eilidh]

Could I just ask, should I put a hanging loop on my Yarndale crocheted heart? Is that the way they are going to be displayed? Or is it optional? Thanks:)

[Sine Robertson]

Vanessa is sadly missed, but there is something reassuring that we can share our appreciation and our memories. Although I only knew her though her blog, she was a 'feature' in my landscape. I was thinking of her creativity and the sadness of her passing the other day. Thank you for bringing us together to share our feelings on her legacy. Sine Robertson

[Kathryn]

I walked around Grimwith when I came to Yarndale last year - got half way round and the torrential rain started... I must admit I didn't take in too much of the scenery after that but my pace went up a notch so it was good exercise :) I love your photos - it certainly is a dramatic place x

[Madhurya]

I never knew how beautiful England actually is untill I started following your blog with your beautiful pictures. I always enjoy taking a walk with you trough the most stunning places. And I love the way you write, such wonderful use of your language. Thank you for that!
Take care.

Greetings from Holland, Madhurya

[Teresa Kasner]

I very much enjoyed going along with you on your walk around the lake. I agree with you on the grasses, I adore them, also. I miss Vanessa too.. and it still breaks my heart that she left us too early, I mourn all the years of her art that the world will miss out on. I cannot imagine the depth of despair that would drive you to the point she got to. I got a set of her cards with her artwork on them. I'm so glad I did. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Kimmy]

I absolutely love taking walks with you, Lucy. Denny and I often hike in vast unpopulated areas like this. At these times, we feel almost like we "own" all around us since our eyes are the only ones beholding all the beauty at that particular moment in time. What a privilege!

[ChrisTine]

la balade des deux moutons est tellement paisible, c'est l'idée que je m'en fait au détour d'un chemin.

[Paula bluck]

Stunning photos and you write so beautifully Lucy. So looking forward to my little trip to Yorkshire at the end of September 😄🐏

[Eleanor MacLean]

So beautiful!

[Anne]

I just got back from a vacation to Door County, Wisconsin and saw beautiful fields of grasses - I love them, too, and know exactly what you mean. Not sure why I love them so much, but I do!

[winifred waite]

Lovely photographs Lucy. Vanessa was such a talented person, so sad to lose her creativity.

[Jesa]

Those beautifull pictures and colour will give us new coloured granny-blanket, won't they ? It'll be a pleasure to see how it'll inspired you ! My best one : a grey, dark purple, "yellow" of dry grass (terre de sienne naturelle?) , a light blue of the lac, and the green of the fresh grass...
Your landscape is really beautifull ! Thank you to share it with me in the french alpes.

[CJ]

Vanessa's blog was indeed blogging at its best. A beautiful tranquil-looking walk, and I absolutely love the carved stone. I'm a big fan of all things calligraphy, I'm always on the lookout for fonts and exquisite lettering. A high level of unfitness here too. I had to run after the puppy the other day when he thought I'd gone in the opposite direction and shot off to find me. I honestly felt as though I was running through treacle. Have a good bank holiday Monday Lucy. CJ xx

[Marion]

Lovely post. I was looking back at Vanessa's blog archives this past week .. inspirational indeed. Grateful that her family have left it up.

[sew]

I was thinking of Vanessa a few days ago when I came across a couple of gift tags which she sent me when I ordered a 'Bunny Girl' picture to celebrate the arrival of my granddaughter.
Such talent - lost.

[Shasta]

So many beautiful pictures. So many of them look like they would be great inspiration for quilts. Thanks for taking us for a walk with you.

[Jill]

What a wonderful post! Your photos are so beautiful and your words so thoughtful. I love it when just a ray of sunshine breaks through on a cloudy day. Thank you.

[Angela-Southern USA]

I find nature lovely in all her forms. I think those are the same dreaded yellow flowers here, for the same reasons. Oh yes, Vanessa is sorely missed.x

[Jools Morgan-Jones]

Beautiful, as ever, Lucy. We took a guided walk around the St Anne's nature reserve this morning, learning of the local flora and delighting in tiny, gold-coloured frogs who were flopping about in the undergrowth xx