Scenes of Swaledale

After suffering for over a month from a bad case of bronchitis, two courses of antibiotics later I'm beginning to feel like blogging again.

Despite the infection we did enjoy our trip to the Yorkshire Dales.

The scenery is stunning, the people are friendly, the houses are so characterful, it's all very much like something out of a novel by the Bronte sisters.

We stayed in the tiny hamlet of Healaugh just 5 minutes from Reeth the heart of the two dales, Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.

Our cottage is on the left in the above photo.

 The tiny front door leads straight into a cosy kitchen.

The views across the dale from the two large front windows were breathtaking.
Can you imagine lying in bed savouring the first cuppa of the day and gazing out of that upstairs bedroom window?
I don't think I'll ever forget watching the snow falling and covering the fells on the opposite bank of the River Swale.

The Hudson House Community Centre in Reeth is housed in a building which dates back to Victorian times. Prior to becoming the hub of the village it was once a branch of Barclays Bank.

In 2002 a group of local volunteers joined together to restore the derelict walled garden behind the property into a productive orchard, a quiet and peaceful place for the Swaledale community to enjoy.

Even in March the garden was looking lovely, a hidden gem.

The old privy (there was no indoor plumbing apparently when the house was first built!) now houses a small exhibition of local artifacts.

Wherever we went I saw quirky things to photograph and couldn't resist taking a shot of these twin doors of a neighboring cottage.

bon weekend tout le monde..................................

Arkengarthdale in the snow

Still trying to get ourselves sorted here at home after our recent trip to the Yorkshire Dales.

I have many photographs to sift through and there will be plenty more for you to see but for today just take a deep breath and take in the view at the top of Arkengarthdale, almost 300 meters above sea level.

Swaledale sheep are hardy beasts!

I took these photographs on our way from Reeth in Swaledale to Barnard Castle, Co. Durham. As the weather had turned mild we took the Arkengarthdale road not the easiest option as it turned out.

Barnard Castle is a lovely historic market town home to the Bowes Museum which we enjoyed visiting. More about that in another post soon.

 Joyeuse Paques!

What happened to Spring?

You may have heard it mentioned on the news this week that life in Normandy has been disrupted by a little snow?

At the weekend the garden was looking wonderful with hundreds of daffodils in bloom, the flowering quince was covered with red flowers, the forsythia was beginning to get a slightly yellow aura, as it does before it blooms and of course wild primroses, scattered here and there, all added extra charm.

Then on Sunday night, blowing in from the East, came the snow.

It snowed all day Monday and all through the night.

All day Tuesday it snowed and blow'd.
A local farmer attempted to clear the road, using a tractor as a makeshift snowplow, the 5 foot drifts in the lane soon defeated him.

Our driveway was reduced to a 18 inch footpath down one side as the drifts continued to form. Walking was difficult to say the least.
Tuesday night the thaw began with great whooshes the snow fell off the roof, scared M'selle Fleur half to death.
So, here's the problem....................

Tomorrow the SP & I supposed to be driving to Calais to catch the Eurostar to Folkstone, UK. We have long been looking forward to a short stay in the Yorkshire Dales and have booked a pretty little cottage close to the village of Reeth. I spoke with the owner and he assures me that the weather in Yorkshire is lovely, with blue skies and sunshine!

Afterwards I went out to check the situation in the driveway, still impassable, so I called Remy, Mayor of our little village, and explained the dilemma. He informed me that his fils was out and about clearing the lanes and that we will be able to "sortir la maison aujourd' hui". I really hope so.
Now, all I have to worry about is that June & Leighton (our trusty house & dogs sitters) will be able to dig themselves out of their own snow bank and get to us safely in the morning.

C'est la vie en Normandie!

A patch of blue sky

It's Wednesday, so it's Wordless.

click on the link above to join in.

My Valentine to you!

Be my Valentine?

Sending you a delicious strawberry tart from my local patisserie!

Wordless (almost) Wednesday!

and
Laurie's Annual Valentines's Party

Thursday morning sunrise.

This is the beautiful sight which greeted me as I drew back the bedroom curtains this morning.
It made me smile and I hope it brightens your day, too.

Linking to Sunlit Sunday @ My Little  Home & Garden.

Down at le lavoir.

spotted down by le lavoir in a nearby village

Wordless Wednesday