Photos of the Yorkshire Dales Paul Jackson Ribblesdale
Another place on the western fringes of proper Yorkshire which deserves ‘framing’ (see previous blog) is Mallerstang. The B6259 which runs through this lovely dale starts off in Yorkshire, following the Settle-Carlisle railway, and enters Westmorland around Aisgill. To the east rises Great Shunner Fell while to the west (pictured) is Wild Boar Fell. The river Eden flows down this valley and it certainly is a paradise.
You will have already guessed that my picture wasn’t taken in the last few weeks. But as I passed this spot just above Sedbergh today in dreadful weather I was nevertheless reminded just how beautiful the Howgills are. I’d like to register a vote for this view of the western-most edge of Yorkshire as one of Ashley Jackson’s Framing the Landscape @framinglandsc candidates, just so this far-flung part of the county is not forgotten.
I don’t often dabble in the black (and white) arts. I prefer my snaps to reflect Nature just as I find it. But while I was at Scaleber Foss above Settle in Ribblesdale this lunchtime I thought I’d take the above shot with black and white in mind – and it turned out okay although professional photographers might think differently. The water looks inviting in the shot below but I can tell you it was incredibly cold as it flowed off the limestone scars above. Scaleber Beck joins Long Preston Beck to meet the Ribble just below Long Preston village.
I’ve written previously about wishing that my blog visitors could hear the thundering sound of the Ribble at Stainforth Force in Ribblesdale in the Yorkshire Dales… well here’s your chance. I was messing about with the movie feature on my camera and came up with a short 30 second sequence. There’s a wobbly bit halfway through when the camera strap got caught on the tripod (novice error apparently) but you get an idea of the sound made by the water as it rattles down the limestone. The falls had calmed down today after the deluge of the last few days and therefore the sound was not as wild as I’d previously heard. Unfortunately WordPress charge $60 a year to allow videos on their pages so I’ll have to divert you to another place…
The unmistakeable outline of Ingleborough greets those motorists driving from Hawes towards Ingleton near Ribblehead. This afternoon the sun was getting low in the west; there was icy blue sky to the east, while snow clouds were building up all around me. There’ll be much more of the white stuff here by the morning.
Fabulous no matter what the weather, Fountains Abbey is one of the county’s – nay, the country’s – greatest attractions. A cold, moody February day can add yet more drama to the magnificent 12th-century ruins. And a winter trip made early in the day usually means there are fewer visitors to spoil the tranquil atmosphere. Int Yorkshire great?
I just caught the remnants of a downpour crossing from west to east over Upper Ribblesdale today. Although there’s been a great deal of rain hitting the dale during the last couple of weeks, the natural flood plains and water courses have coped well and done the job they’re meant to do. Unfortunately this is not true for other parts of the country, especially in the South West. The weather there has been exceptional but also, irresponsible farming and building have added to the problems in some places. When will we learn that mankind will rarely get the better of Nature?
Amazing what just a spattering of bright blue in the sky can do to lift the spirits. My part of Ribblesdale has been lying under low grey cloud or been battered by rain for what seems like an eternity. For a brief spell this weekend I managed to get out and grab this picture of a small copse near Wigglesworth. There was a strong wind bending the tops of the tallest trees and the noise level rose and sank as it sought to find a way through the trunks and branches. A couple of years ago a large deer ran out of these trees, leapt the boundary wall and darted across the road right in front of me. I don’t know what had spooked it but the animal certainly gave me the willies.
The weir on the Ribble at Settle was in full throttle this morning. It once powered the mill here and even today it partly helps supply electricity to nearby houses. Sensible harnessing of Nature’s power and pretty to look at too…
While I was driving home along the back road from Paythorne this evening, there was a rare break in the cloud… just enough time for me to capture this briefest glimpse of late sunshine over a flooded field above Wigglesworth. The River Ribble looked very threatening at both the Paythorne and Long Preston bridges after a weekend of heavy rain and snow further up the dale.