Curlews, skylarks and bog cotton
The nine-mile circular walk from Garsdale Station via Grisedale, crosses the Settle-Carlisle Railway in Mallerstang and turns back along the Pennine Bridle Way. Mallerstang is the remote dale that formed the background for my book "Frozen Ground”, with its storyline of sheep rustling beside snow-covered Wild Boar Fell. Fortunately there was no snow but I was subjected to strong winds and sudden heavy showers! Nevertheless, I was able to spot plenty of curlews in Grisedale, and...
Visiting the place that gave me the inspiration for “Craven Scar”
This week I completed the walks under “B” from the YDNP app, by starting out from Burnsall. To make it longer than a short stroll along the Wharfe, I added a loop up to Grassington, which allowed me to drop in on the Stripey Badger Bookshop. You will certainly recognise the village of Burnsall if you have read my fourth novel, “Craven Scar”. At the beginning of the book Mills Sanderson is attending a wedding reception at the “Red Lion...
We stocked up with pork pies from the Bakewell in Askrigg on the way.
The walk started in Bainbridge, directing us on the old roman road out of the village. I was pretty sure we’d walked this way before and when I checked in ‘Death Cart’ I discovered that it was on that very track that Millie first held hands with Jake. She was an archaeology student at the time, carrying out field work on the site of a chariot burial in Bainbridge. Despite expert Richard Hayton assuring me it was virtually impossible for such a find to be located in...
Isn’t it lovely to see the sun at last?
Lambs are appearing further down the dale and the oyster catchers have arrived. It is great to see so many walkers in the area, attracted by the dry weather, beautiful scenery and, of course, the village teashops. The Yorkshire Dales National Park has introduced an app with 35 walks in the area, so I have decided to challenge myself by doing them in alphabetical order. So far, I have enjoyed routes starting at Apersett and Aysgarth. The walks range from a half a mile stroll to a good...
Do you know the secret of happiness?
When Dr Anthony Clare, psychiatrist, was asked for his tips on happiness, he came up with seven, which I heard on the radio today, listed in the following way: have a passion (mine is writing of course), be part of something bigger than yourself, accept change, avoid introspection, live in the moment, audit your happiness, and act happy. Very good advice, don’t you agree?
Regarding resolutions for 2022, I plan to publish my 12th Mills Sanderson mystery, reduce my use of food...