Bank Holiday weekend, what to do? The thought of the usual hotspots and packed camp sites was a bit off-putting so I decided to BritStop quite near home, so nothing lost if I decided to abandon the trip. I plumped for the The Green Tree just outside Northallerton. A proper locals pub, with mostly men in attendance, fruity language and a real pub singer! (Mac the Knife, Lying Eyes). Uneventful night after a big chicken and chips dinner.On the way called in at Northallerton and found the Joe Cornish gallery, fabulous photos and sculptures, but prices to match. This is his photo of Roseberry Topping, not mine!
The next morning off early and parked up at Cod Beck Reservoir, a 40 min walk round and breakfast of croissants and juice by the dam wall.
Got a bit lost then, but finally made it to Hawnby, and visited the poetry church - and saw a real church mouse! It was scurrying under the pews. The church was full of the Tancred family, plus WWI memorabilia, including one window commemorating the rector's 3 sons killed in the war.
Final trip of the day was to Wharrem Percy, an abandoned medieval village I'd seen marked on the map 20 years ago and always wondered about. From the car park it was a long, hot walk (well 500m) down the hill and back up. Was it worth it? Well good job I took a picnic that's all I can say. Just a load of lumpy fields! And an outdoor hymn-singing group who started with All Things Bright and Beautiful then went on to Jerusalem - two of my least favourite hymns.
From the air, it looks like this:
So I'd wait for the helicopter trip if I were you.
By now I was shattered, and the forecast was for rain on Monday, so headed home..
