Dublin and York Exploration

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Saturday, 15 September 2007 - Drive west from York to the Yorkshire Dales stopping at Bolton Abbey, St Michaels Church (Cathedral of the Dales), Janets Foss, Malham Cove, Catrigg Force, and Bolton Castle.

Today Cal was headed to the Yorkshire Dales park well west of York.

uk2007 — Not far from York are the radomes at RAF Menwith Hill, a Royal Air Force station. The base is operated by the United States National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). It is a hub for intelligence, surveillance, and communication, and is considered the largest intelligence-gathering base outside the US. The large white domes, often referred to as "golf balls," protect satellite dishes from the weather.

uk2007 — Sheep grazing in the early morning light. Cal was obsessed with the sheep - both the animals and the meals.

uk2007 — Countryside with old stone walls and beautiful views.

uk2007 — Ruins of Bolton Priory, located in the Bolton Abbey estate. The ruins are the remains of a 12th-century Augustinian monastery.

uk2007 — To the right os the runs is the Priory Church of St. Mary and St. Cuthbert the surviving part of the monastery and is still an active Church of England church. The Bolton Abbey estate covers nearly 30,000 acres and is a popular visitor attraction within the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

uk2007 — A hiking trail near Bolton Abby in the Yorkshire Dales.

uk2007 — Barden Tower, a ruined 15th-century hunting lodge located in the Yorkshire Dales. The tower was once the principal hunting lodge of the Forest of Barden. The adjacent building, known as The Priests House, was built in the 16th or 17th century and served as a chapel and accommodation for the residents of the tower.

uk2007 — Burnsall Bridge, a historic stone bridge that crosses the River Wharfe in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The original bridge was repaired in 1609, but was destroyed by a flood in 1673. The current bridge was reconstructed in 1884 after being severely damaged by another flood.

uk2007 — The area is a popular spot for walkers and tourists, with the bridge being a familiar point on the Dales Way walking route. Cal simply drove across on his journey.

uk2007 — A frequent issue while driving the small country lanes - sheep. You have to wait for them to exit or step aside.

uk2007 — St Michael's Church (Cathedral of the Dales) in the village of Kirkby Malham. The church is an active Anglican parish church. The church is believed to have originated as early as the 7th century.

uk2007 — Stained glass in St Michael's Church.

uk2007 — A short hike to Janet's Foss and Gordale Scar begins with - sheep!!!!

uk2007 — A small water fall - more like a rapid in a stream.

uk2007 — Along the path is a 'coin tree,' a log into which people have hammered coins. This practice is often associated with folklore and tradition, and these trees are sometimes referred to as 'wish trees.' The tradition is believed to have originated with the idea of hammering a coin into a tree to wish for good fortune or to be cured of an illness.

uk2007 — The waterfall Janet's Foss. The name "Janet's Foss" is believed to come from a legend that Janet, the Queen of the Fairies, lived in a cave behind the waterfall.

uk2007 — Continuing the hike up to Gordale Scar, a limestone ravine with pretty water falls. The limestone ravine is a natural feature of the Yorkshire Dales.

uk2007 — A closer look at one of the waterfalls in the Gordale Scar.

uk2007 — From the top of the Gordale Scar is a view of the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales.

uk2007 — Next stop was Malham Cove a large curved limestone formation.

uk2007 — The view from the top of Malham Cove on the hike around the limestone formation.

uk2007 — Beautiful old stone walls across the limestone landscape.

uk2007 — A marker of some sort on the wall - ownership? Location?

uk2007 — Very few trees in the rocky landscape.

uk2007 — Malham Cove was formed by a large Ice Age river that fell at this point as a cataract. The water drop was 260 feet high and more than 980 feet wide. The water flowing over the waterfall created the curved shape of the cove because the lip was more heavily eroded than the sides.

uk2007 — Next stop was Catrigg Force, a waterfall with a more challenging hike.

uk2007 — A beautiful falls with little water and a complex double drop.

uk2007 — On the drive west was the 100 foot high Ribblehead Viaduct, a historic railway bridge built in the 1870s.

uk2007 — It required a large workforce, up to 2,300 men, most of whom lived in shanty towns set up near its base. Over 100 men lost their lives during its construction.

uk2007 — A small stream on the on the way to St. Andrew's Church.

uk2007 — St. Andrew's Church is medieval but was substantially rebuilt in 1536 and again in 1866.

uk2007 — The final destination for today's travels, a 14th-century medieval castle - Bolton Castle. The castle was built by Sir Richard le Scrope, Lord Chancellor of England, and completed in 1399.

uk2007 — Bolton Castle is considered one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the country. The castle was partially damaged during the English Civil War. It is still privately owned by the descendants of the Scrope family.

And a sheep!!!

uk2007 — Bolton Castle is famous for being the place where Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned for six months in 1568.

A long day and several hikes - now a long trip back to York and lamb dinner.

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