"I could just fancy some cheese, Gromit. What do you say? Wensleydale?"

**English Bloke** · 22nd February 11, 05:53 AM

Hi ho...

Went for a day out with my Son yesterday. We just fancied a trip out and basically followed impulse. From where we live we drove North

Up the M6 in the wilds of Cumbria and then East into North Yorkshire

Eventually arriving in Hawes at the Wensleydale Creamery, Yorkshire's own World of Cheese.

There is a museum at the creamery which traces the history of cheesemaking in the region. Fans of Wallace and Gromit will appreciate the importance of Wensleydale in the gamut of British Cheeses.

Part of the museum trail takes you through the factory complex and past the waggons continually delivering milk.

Inside the factory the visitor is able to watch the cheese making process.

After the factory visit we popped into the on-site shop where there is a complete range of Wensleydale products to try before you buy. I bought several including the 'oak smoked' (mmmmm...) before popping into the coffee shop for a brew and a cheese scone.

**English Bloke** · 22nd February 11, 05:54 AM

We then wandered into the village. A delightful, and typical Dales community. We went to the Dales Countryside Museum. Where Dales life is examined from Roman times through Saxon, Viking, and Norman influences through to present day. A touchy feely place with much to see, a great place to take young children as there is much for them to do. We didn't have any kids with us, we just behaved like kids.

The museum is housed in the old village station (the line was closed in 1959 even before Dr Beeching began wielding his Railways axe) and the displays spill out onto a locomotive and train carriages that stand where the last train from Hawes once stood.

A Dales kitchen (with stuff in it that I recall from my childhood as err... normal.)

At the Doctor's

Milk anyone?

**English Bloke** · 22nd February 11, 05:54 AM

A lovely spinning wheel, from a time before branding when clothes were made at home.

"You lost mate"? There is some beautiful walking country in the Dales. (If only these chaps could find it...)

Not usually a lover of taxidermy but someone did a great job on this fox.

What folk did at home before TV

**English Bloke** · 22nd February 11, 05:55 AM

From Hawes we pressed on into the Dale and found ourselves at Semerwater, Yorkshire's largest natural lake. Legend has it that the ancient village of Semer is submerged beneath it. A village cursed by a vengeful saint.

Access is a bit tricky in places but we passed over this lovely old bridge with pedestrian passing points to tuck into if caught out by a passing hay-wain. Safe enough despite the road falling away.

Even on such a drizzly, overcast day the lake's natural beauty is obvious...

We braved the full array of the best of British weather. There was sunshine, rain, hail, sleet, snow... Wait, sorry, there wasn't any sunshine. I have been in warmer places it must be said. (That's snow going down my neck hense the ram-rod pose.)

Definitely lovely weather for Ducks.

**English Bloke** · 22nd February 11, 05:56 AM

On the way home we stopped at a pub in the hopes of a warming brew. The Rose and Crown, with original buildings dating back to 1445 seemed like just the place. It advertised itself as "open all day". Unfortunately not on the day we chose to call... we pressed on.

We took the scenic root home. It really is glorious countryside, even on a wintery day with the cloud-base covering the snow covered hilltops.

On the way home we also passed the famous Ribblehead Viaduct. A bit bleak on the day we passed by but it can be positively breathtaking on better days.

(Not my picture)
It really is an industrial wonder. It took four years to build with the work carried out by 2000 navvies. It's 104 feet (32 m) high and is 440 yards long (402 m). The viaduct is Grade II listed (means the bean counters can't knock it down in the name of progress) and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It is part of the Steam hauled, Settle to Carlisle Railway line.

But I'll save that journey for another day.

**cessna152towser** · 22nd February 11, 06:00 AM

Fabulous pics, John, looks an excellent day out.
Its a pity your son missed out on the opportunity to wear his kilt.
Thankyou for taking us along with you through these excellent photos and captions.

**Spartan Tartan** · 22nd February 11, 06:25 AM

What a great day! Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

**Llwyd** · 22nd February 11, 06:30 AM

Awesome! Thank you! I will have to go home and dig up my James Heriot treasury..

**MacMillan's son** · 22nd February 11, 06:55 AM

Thanks for the photos and tour John. I need to quit admiring from afar and actually make plans to get to your part of the world. It's quite lovely.

Cheers,
Brooke