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Friday 25 April 2014

Easter Outings in the North of England...Ullswater, Bollihope, Low Force/High Force

To start with, a pic of Billy being happy enough to show his trust in us.
Followed by us showing our trust in Billy. I put the picnic basket on top of the fridge to keep him from leaping up there. It didn't work!
Easter came and went with a variety of weather over the country. We watched the sunshine forecasts for the North of England and went to Pooley Bridge on Ullswater, in the Lake District, on Easter Saturday. A gloriously sunny day. There was still some snow on the tops and young lambs below in the fields alongside the lake.
It takes less than an hour and a half to leave home, pick up the papers and stuff at Sainsbury's, drive along the A688 past Raby Castle and the deer park, through the pretty village of Staindrop and the lovely town of Barnard Castle and on, up and over the Pennines to this place. The journey is better than the best coach tours.
I shan't tell you where you can park with views like this and spotless facilities for £4.50 a day!!!... Oh alright I shall. Park Foot Campsite
Next doors campers/parkers had a young lad with a penchant for cetaceans and we met him first with his shark. He offered it to us but we declined. We are older and wiser and can see when something is deflating of its own accord.
He was fonder of his Orca and worried about its possible beaching on the rocks.
Our walks along the lake later in the day showed the levels of water activity. Still far too cool for me to join in. This sort of thing in April needs very young blood and a very good wet suit.
On the Easter Monday we drove through the Bollihope valley south of Frosterley. An ancient and unique environment. Remnants of Roman settlement meld with mining activity through the ages. Lead, iron and limestone have all been vital to this area.
These are old but artificially created landforms.
On Easter Wednesday the weather was too good to go to the pictures to see "Noah", so we went for a walk instead. We headed up to Low Force. DJ had walked Low Force to High Force before while I was at painting class,and wanted to show me how lovely it was.
To get there you have to cross the footbridge at Bowlees.
One at a time.
Low Force looks like this...
and after a two mile gentle hike through the Strathmore Estate to the south of the Tees, High Force looks like this...

On the way we walked past lots of sheep...
and sheep with with lambs...
At last we returned to the car park at Bowlees, cooked some bacon butties and then went down to the Visitor centre for an ice cream.
Cheers Gillian

5 comments:

Josie said...

Gorgeous photos and Billy is a stunning chap too!

love those cupcakes said...

It all looks so lovely. Well, maybe not that bridge! Realised I haven't visited High Force since I was a little girl. It was one my dad's favourite Bank Holiday spots. Hope that ice cream tasted good.

helen tilston said...

Hello Gillian

What great variety of scenery. The camp area looked like the perfect place to relax following your drive.
Spring is my favourite season.

To a great week
Helenx

carol said...

Beautiful photos - and remarkable scenery. Thanks!

Lyn said...

It all looks lovely, a great way to spend Easter with the family. xxx