Enjoying retirement
In The Red Rose County
We estimated a 40 minute drive to Ilkley on this day of blue skies, so for a change set out there for our daily exercise. The trip was pleasant enough, over the moor to the Keighley Road and then passing through Silsden and Addingham, substantial stone places with a variety of shops and buildings. Having found somewhere to park, we walked into town and headed for All Saints Parish Church the start of our walk. All Saints is a fine old building on the site of a Roman fort, and indeed has 2 Roman altars built into the tower (had I known at the time we would have looked for them). The church is thirteenth and fourteenth century, and certainly worth a visit when open. Opposite is Ilkley Manor House one of the oldest surviving buildings in West Yorkshire. Mainly Seventeenth century but with older portions, it is now an Art Gallery and Museum. Looking away from the church we looked across to the other side of the River Wharfe... ....and to the site of Olicana first founded by the Roman Emperor Agricola. We then strolled down to the river....which on first encounter we could see was very high indeed.... The walk along its south bank was a delight on a crisp day like today, and soon our first objective the suspension bridge came into view, one of four bridges in Ilkley. Beautiful views East down the Wharfe from the middle of the bouncy bridge....... ....and on the other side Middleton Woods where we did a little unscheduled detour.......certainly worth it.... We now retraced our steps to town but on the opposite side of the river. Reaching town we continued along Riverside Gardens, and then up into the shopping area passing a theatre, the operatic society, a bridge club (you can see what sort of a place Ilkley is.....). There are lots and lots of very good shops, restaurants and bars. I did like this sign outside a very large and very smart Deli........I've always wanted to enter somewhere through a 'pie door'! We couldn't visit a place that had a Betty's and not visit it.....so here is F. queuing to enter for a fat rascal for me, Yorkshire curd tart for her and two fine coffees...which we enjoyed in the sunshine in the gardens opposite... One location we didn't see is the big Lido......next time? Looks terrific.
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August 2023
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