Enjoying retirement
In The Red Rose County
Richard III is one of my heroes. He shouldn't be as I am Lancastrian! However his power base was the north of England which I like a lot. So off we went to Middleham Castle to see where he was brought up, under the Earl of Warwick (Kingmaker), and which became the centre of his estates just before he became King. We had a superb journey through beautiful Yorkshire scenery encompassing the Dales field walls down the valleys........ and wonderful moorland on the top. On our journey of 15 miles we saw only about three other cars. terrific. We dropped down from the moors through very isolated but charming hamlets to arrive............... ...at Middleham, a famous horse training centre with its castle dominating proceedings. It proved very impressive. This was a castle that wasn't slighted like many others at the end of the Civil Wars, so you do wonder how on earth it reached this state. Interestingly, there was a lone round tower on the outer defences....... and, in the inner bailey, plenty of signs of all the stores and workshops which would have been a hive of activity at all times. Here we are in the kitchens and cellars with the remains of five massive columns which would have supported a double barrel vault. Above was the great hall, and what a hall it must have been. It was difficult to realise standing in the ruins how palatial this building would have been. with its frescoes, tapestries, and fine walled gardens round about. On this giant stone you can just about see a mason's mark. We were able to ascend to the battlements where we could see what a fine lookout was available on all sides (and appreciate the Yorkshire countryside). Just off to the South we could see the remains of the motte where the original wooden Norman fortress stood., and in between an area which once had magnificent walled gardens. Needing refreshment we walked through the characterful stone-built market town, very quiet and very pleasant. and found refuge in one of the three or four pubs. We travelled back on a different road. We saw numerous of these signs. I wonder how many horse drawn vehicles the roads in these parts see? Virtually every field had its own barn or cow huss as the locals used to say, winter quarters for cattle and straw. Eventually we came to Hubberholme, which is where I had done a triangular walk with friend Malcolm linking it with Cray and Buckden many moons ago. What a wonderful little place it is. the church was full of character with its Mouseman pews and medieval interior..... and a very rare rood screen which survived Elizabeth I's edict to destroy all such objects. JB Priestly was exactly right. At Hubberholme there is just the church, the George Inn where he liked to drink, and a farm. Here is The George..... and an old bridge over the still nascent Wharfe completes the idyllic picture. We passed the huge, overhanging limestone cliff of Kilnsey Crag, a challenge for all the rock climbers drawn to it from far and wide. The severely overhanging South buttress capped by its enormous roof was first aid climbed in the 50s, but shot to prominence in 1988 when it was 'freed' by Mark Leach. It was called 'Mandela' – so named as ‘they said it would never go free’. (Sport First Ascents). My old mobile giving up I have acquired a Redmi Note 10 Pro with a much better camera (one of the best) so I am still experimenting with it.......
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August 2023
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