Two days ago we landed in Scotland into the embrace of the mist hanging low over the Firth of Forth and the capital. We got our first sighting of the new bridge in the far distance. Quite stunning.
Today the sun has shone and, between our final preparations for getting back to our own home tomorrow, we have enjoyed its warmth in our friend’s garden.
At 11.41 today, the 1st of August, the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity was read out to mark 1,141 years since the Yorkshire Ridings and the city of York were first recognised in 875 in Viking times. The Declaration asserts the inviolability of its ancient boundaries. (Interesting that the Yorkshire Dales boundaries changed today!)
It ends with the cry “Yorkshire forever, God save the Queen!” Happy Yorkshire day!
We are back in Marske-by-the-Sea after a stunning drive up Wharfedale and over into Wensleydale and then eastwards to the coast.
It was great to take a pre dinner stroll along the beach from Marske to Saltburn and back. The air was warm and salty and the light constantly changing on Huntcliff. We picked up our pace as we made the journey back under darkening clouds.
Pizza, salad and a beer were hugely welcome followed by an early night and a long, long sleep.
Yesterday, after a month of volunteering, we left Scargill House, a conference, holiday and retreat centre in the Yorkshire Dales run by an intentional community.
Being at Scargill has afforded us space to reflect on our experience of the past year of travel, on where we find ourselves at this point in our lives, and on what might be the path we take in the weeks and months ahead.
We have been touched by the welcome we received from the community and warmed by the openness and kindness of those we have got to know a little.
I’m not so sure we will miss the bed making, table laying, laundering or cleaning but we will miss the community…and we will miss the beauty of Wharfedale.
I had forgotten how well tended the walled garden is at Scargill House. This time of year it is a riot of colour, texture and form, and perfumed by its numerous plants, shrubs and trees.
The high limestone wall creates a very special place in which to wander or sit in secluded stillness, to listen to the song of the curlew or enjoy a moment’s relaxed reflection.
It has been a great foil to the fast paced shifts and changes of the current political scene in the UK.
Walking through the gorgeous meadows of wild flowers here in Wharfedale reminded us of similar meadows in Burgundy, France. Such simple colour, perfume and beauty.
However, it seems to me that it is the limestone barns and walls that makes the Yorkshire Dales landscape even greater food for the soul.
Spotted a family of siskins around the bird feeder. Lovely to discover the name of a bird I had not been aware of before now. Whilst the chaffinches, blue tits, and sparrows played nicely with each other the feisty siskins fought between themselves over the plentiful food.
Such a stunning colour and markings though. I really liked them.
This morning we took a circular walk from Buckden, via Cray and Hubberholme. The views from above the tree line straight down Wharfedale were wonderful. It was easy to see what a great example of a post ice age U-shaped valley it is.
We stopped in Hubberholme to take a look in the 12th century parish church of St. Michael and All Angels. It is a beautiful church of limestone and wood particulary known for the carved mice found on many of its oak pews, choir stalls and chairs. These were crafted by the furniture maker Robert Thompson of Kilburn who was part of the 1920s revival of craftsmanship, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement.
We ended the day with a great curry at the Bluebell Inn in Kettlewell. At one point it was hard to move around for the number of dogs near the bar. We returned to a message that our friends’ dog had died today. He was a most lovely natured dog. We shall miss his great gift of welcome.
One of the things we did yesterday on our walk around the estate was to wend our way along the labyrinth’s path.
It is eleven years since a group of staff and students from the University of Edinburgh came to Scargill to build the labyrinth out of limestone. It was a surprisingly special time for those of us who worked on it together.
Now it gives real pleasure to know it is used for contemplative reflection, de-stressing or just enjoying the wander amidst the beauty of the dales countryside.
Yesterday we arrived at Scargill House in Wharfedale, North Yorkshire, for a month of volunteering and reflection. As our work did not begin until today we spent part of the afternoon walking the 90 acre estate and taking in the views northwards to Kettlewell and south to Kilnsey Cragg.
In a feat of great timing we arrived on the day one of the community was having their leaving meal. Great cake and Wensleydale cheese!
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