Haworth

 

At the beginning of the week, just after we had visited the pumpkin farm, we enjoyed a two night stay in Haworth, West Yorkshire. This was really down to the lovely Jo, who had piqued my interest in the area with this post here, 

I had been lucky enough to have booked us into a small cottage in a very convenient location,  just off the historic, cobbled Main Street. We were right across the road from the beautiful Central Park and a short walk up the hill from the railway station. Main Street is lined with the most charming, independent shops, it really feels like you've stepped back in time, and at this time of year most of them were beautifully decorated for Hallowe'en. Our cottage was lovely and cosy, and just perfect for the two nights we stayed there. And after a wander around the village, we spent a quiet first night in front of the TV with a delicious curry.

The following morning, I packed up a lunch and we set off for the station. Haworth Station is part of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, a heritage railway line, which runs along the 5 mile track between Keighley and Oxenhope. We travelled the full length of the line on a steam train, stopping to look around both Oxenhope and Oakworth stations. Oakworth is best known for the filming of The Railway Children, although now it is for where I enjoyed eating my picnic lunch on the platform, in the warm autumn sunshine :) 

The station is beautifully preserved, with an old style level crossing, separate waiting rooms for ladies, and it even still benefitted from an open fire in the booking office.

Returning to Haworth, we took a walk around the park, before enjoying another walk up Main Street, this time taking in the Church, The Bronte Parsonage, and The Old School Room. There might even have been a refreshment stop at The Black Bull pub, which Branwell Bronte used to frequent - for the historical interest, of course :) Then it was back to the cottage, once again, as by this time we were tired after our long day.

The next day, in order to enjoy the full Bronte 'experience', we walked out of the valley and on to the moors to view the picturesque Bronte Falls, the Bronte Bridge and Stone Chair. Then we walked further along the path up to Top Withens, the ruined farmhouse thought to be the setting for Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. It was definitely wuthering that morning, although, thankfully, it wasn't cold.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Haworth and might gladly have stayed there a little longer, if only there hadn't been something even more exciting I needed to do...

J. X

Pumpkins 🎃

 

Earlier this week, we pulled on our wellies and headed off to the farm in search of some Hallowe'en pumpkins. Previously, we have always just bought them from our local farm shop, but this year I thought it would be a special treat to visit an actual pumpkin farm and choose one straight from the field instead. 

I love activities such as this, as they are usually done under the guise of being solely for Lily's benefit, when in fact I get just as much, if not more, enjoyment from them :) 

We were taken by tractor into one of the top fields, where there was row upon row containing different varieties of pumpkins. There were orange ones, white ones, blue ones, yellow ones. They had small ones, tiny ones, regular sized and some huge ones. They even had some warty ones.

We took one of the wheelbarrows provided and went off in search of our 'perfect' pumpkin. We were spoiled for choice. I was almost certain I would choose an orange one this time, but I saw the cutest little yellow pumpkin and instantly knew I just had to take it home with me. 

Then it was back onto the tractor again to visit the stand where we would get our pumpkins sized. Afterwards, we were able to wander around the fields, where there were some great photograph opportunities and some scary scenes to help get us in the Hallowe'en mood.

Now we just need to carve them. 🎃

J. X

Autumn 🍂

The autumn season is fully upon us. Shorter hours of daylight mean that I am usually travelling to work in the dark, and at the very least the light is fading fast when I return home in an evening.  The days have mainly been cloudy and damp, although it still remains quite mild for the time of year which, thankfully, means there has been little need for the central heating to be switched on. A small but necessary victory in the current climate.

The surrounding countryside is displaying some beautiful autumn colour, but the paths are becoming treacherous, covered with soggy leaves, sycamore seeds and beechnuts. On the fells, the once vibrant green bracken has taken on a warm russet hue. My coffee table is, once again, covered in conkers :)

I've been spending more and more time at home lately. Partly, this has been because of the downturn in the weather but also, I've felt more of a need to anchor myself in these continuing uncertain times. I realise that comfort food, a cosy sofa and warm woollen blankets are what I require at the moment, and I am more than happy to indulge myself. Mog frequently positions herself on a cushion right beside me. Perhaps she feels the same. 

Yesterday, the weather turned out a little brighter than expected, and so we took ourselves off on a short walk up to Lanty's Tarn, near the village of Glenridding. The paths and lanes quite empty now, a sharp contrast to the height of summer. Fortunately, the weather remained fine for the most part, just enough of a light shower to produce a few rainbows. On this occasion, the low level of the walk meant I could leave my full waterproof kit behind, and made for more of a relaxing stroll.

Today, I've achieved very little, besides doing some baking and a few rows of crochet. Tomorrow morning, we're heading out in search of a pumpkin. 🎃 Then later in the week, things are going to get a lot more fun ;)

J. X

September

I do realise we are now into October, and as the title proves just how infrequently I have posted lately, I thought another little catch-up might not be a bad idea. 

The new school term began slightly later than usual, which meant we enjoyed a longer than average summer break and so we used this time to take another trip to London. We stayed for two nights, enjoying a full day out in the capital, taking in Tower Bridge, The Museum of Natural History, St. Paul's Cathedral and Hyde Park. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we made the most of the good weather, enjoying a picnic in the museum garden and spending much of the afternoon cooling off in the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. 

Back home once more, we barely had chance to unpack, when we set off again. This time, to Ullswater for a day of paddleboarding, before travelling further north to spend the night in what should have been a camping pod, but thanks to a double booking, we ended up staying in a safari tent instead. It even contained a double bed, which made for a very comfortable stay. A fish and chip supper, followed by an evening beside the campfire provided a lovely way to round off our summer.

Two days later we started back at school for the autumn term, and as usual it felt good to fall back into a familiar routine once again. 

Determined to eke out every last moment of summer, that weekend we drove to Blackpool so that we could see the Illuminations, eat fish and chips, and best of all, enjoy fresh doughnuts bought from the pier. Our faces almost pressed right up against the glass, just to see the wonder of the batter being dropped into the hot oil and transforming into this delicious sugary treat, right before our eyes - I really need to get out more :)  

The last two weekends, we've been out walking, taking in three more Wainwrights and we have, at last, completed all of the Eastern Fells. I'm looking forward to exploring further afield now, and I am challenging myself to make it to the halfway point by the end of the year. 

Looking back over the month, I can see why I've had little opportunity to post. And now that the seasons are shifting, summer is but a distant memory. It's time to slow down, prepare for the colder months ahead, and embrace all that autumn now has to offer. 

J. X