25 - 30th May 2015
The wonderful North - This part of the country get's more beautiful with every visit! The rugged landscape, the spectacular coast and the amazingly friendly people... What's not to like!
I never say no to a few days exploring the beautiful north! The Isle of Wight is spectacular and has many charms, but the North enjoys much variety and we always find a new place to explore... and fall in love with.
Our itinerary went a little like this:
Monday 25th May - We cruise across the Solent on an early morning crossing to make the most of the day. Our first stop is the spectacular country estate of Stowe in Buckinghamshire. Grand architecture and a romantic landscape that takes you to many exotic locations.
Tuesday 26th - Wednesday 27th - We stay with our good friends Adam and Jan just outside of York. Always great to see them and Elspeth and Harry too. Going into York is a must, we wonder along the river and take in the views. On Tuesday we went along to Wallington Hall. This is a beautiful Country estate and House in Northumberland. Once home to the Socialist MP, Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, this place has wonderful grounds and is set is beautiful forests.
Thursday 28th - Time to explore a little further-a-field... We get in the car and head north-west... we drive through stunning countryside and take a break to admire the beautiful water falls and mill at XXX. We eventually reach our stop over for the night, The Black horse Hotel in Grassington. We unpack and take a walk into some of the most heart-stoppingly beautiful countryside I ever seen... Narrow stone lined tracks, rugged stone cottages and Mills, big Sky's.. tick! We enjoy a meal out in the evening and prepare for the next leg of our journey...
Friday 29th - Up and out early to start our trip to Manchester to see our chums Mark and Chris. The weather is wild as we head towards Ingleton and the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct. This wondrous beast is a Grade II listed structure, you can see why!! Next stop Manchester! We meet up with Mark and Chris and head off out to Saddleworth & surrounding district to enjoy the Whit Friday Brass band contest. This has often been described as the greatest free show on Earth... more than 100 bands from far and wide take part... it's bonkers and brilliant fun... The weather is very cold, a cutting wind sends us back to the warmth of Manchester City.
Saturday 30th - More exploring, this time we head off to Lyme Park House and garden. Set in 1,300 acres of lovely grounds, this country retreat holds many fascinating stories. In the evening we head into Manchester to enjoy a small selection of the many bars... great night out as always.
Sunday 31st - time to head South and back to our little Isle.
I never say no to a few days exploring the beautiful north! The Isle of Wight is spectacular and has many charms, but the North enjoys much variety and we always find a new place to explore... and fall in love with.
Our itinerary went a little like this:
Monday 25th May - We cruise across the Solent on an early morning crossing to make the most of the day. Our first stop is the spectacular country estate of Stowe in Buckinghamshire. Grand architecture and a romantic landscape that takes you to many exotic locations.
Dave at Stowe
Beautiful York from the river
Bath-time doll-house horror at Wallington Hall
Around Grassington
Friday 29th - Up and out early to start our trip to Manchester to see our chums Mark and Chris. The weather is wild as we head towards Ingleton and the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct. This wondrous beast is a Grade II listed structure, you can see why!! Next stop Manchester! We meet up with Mark and Chris and head off out to Saddleworth & surrounding district to enjoy the Whit Friday Brass band contest. This has often been described as the greatest free show on Earth... more than 100 bands from far and wide take part... it's bonkers and brilliant fun... The weather is very cold, a cutting wind sends us back to the warmth of Manchester City.
Ribblehead Viaduct
Brass band fun in Saddleworth
Saturday 30th - More exploring, this time we head off to Lyme Park House and garden. Set in 1,300 acres of lovely grounds, this country retreat holds many fascinating stories. In the evening we head into Manchester to enjoy a small selection of the many bars... great night out as always.
Sunday 31st - time to head South and back to our little Isle.
10 out of 10!
