Blogs from Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

The Watershed. Up and out from Kirkby Stephen Hostel at 9.00am after meeting Denise, her family and Milly (their dog). we both had a hug with Denise and then set off. Today was the day we passed the halfway stage - up and over the Pennines. We had a choice today; either the low route or the climb to Nine Standards Rigg. I let Ellis choose - I think he might actually be enjoying himself as he picked the higher route to see the Nine Standards. It was worth it - not something you see every day, but it was bitter cold at the top with chilling winds blowing across us, so we didn’t rest for long. Off now across the moors at the top of the Pennines and the peat bogs. The guidebook warned of ... read more

We have just returned home after another epic May adventure. This year we hiked England's Coast to Coast trail which starts at the Irish Sea and ends at the North Sea. This trail is about 190 miles. Our journey (Jan, Marsha Brown and yours truly) started with us embarking for London Gatwick on May 6th via Calgary, arriving in the UK the next day. After the usual tedious flight, it was on to the British rail system using our 3 day passes. The train system is very efficient and easy to use with our first leg being the Gatwick Express . The GE takes people to Victoria Station where you have to switch to the subway (Tube) to get to Euston Station. Thanks to Richard Branson, by 5.30 PM we were in Lancaster at the Royal ... read more

Geo: 53.9636, -1.08518My first call today was on the York Minster, to see the interior this time. Admission includes a free guided tour, which is quite good because for 10 quid I'd want something a little more than the standard information pamphlet. Our guide was another lovely older lady and the tour was really very good, more churches should do these. However she did mention the Minster had 200 employees and 450 unpaid volunteers. It would not survive without the efforts of the volunteers. The current York Minster is actually its fifth incarnation. The first was a wooden structure, built for the baptism of the King of Northumberland, King Edwin. It was a condition of his marriage that he become a christian, so his wife (who's name I forget) and her chaplain traveled to York so ... read more

Geo: 53.9577, -1.08229 I was relaxed, refreshed and full of energy after my around the world trip and now I was looking forward to my day trip to York. I had booked the York train tickets in advance from the Kings Cross, the train was pretty full, but we had reserved seats. York is totally unique in Britain offering examples of Roman, Dark Age, Viking, and Medieval ages; York also happens to be one of my favourite cities in England. When we reached York it was dry but it had already rained heavily earlier and unfortunately; we were expecting more rain according to the weather forecast so we headed straight for York Minister passing the River Bridge and beautiful coloured Barges on the river. The Magnificent York Minster has a very wide decorated Gothic high a ... read more

Hello Everyone! I'm losing track of the days here, but the trek goes on! We are having a great time on this trip and the fun continues. We are stopped in Reeth right now in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales. We continue on to Richmond tomorrow, the largest city on the trek. I can't remember exactly where I left off last time, but I think I have a pretty good idea. SOOOO we left Grasmere and headed into more countryside (this trip is almost entirely countryside by the way). The more the better imo. We hiked from Grasmere to a town just outside the Lake District called Bampton. We were picked up by the guesthouse and driven even further into the countryside to an old country estate built about 400 years ago. The place was ... read more