Wensleydale Creamery
Visiting the town of Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales had been suggested in early February. Finally, after weeks of chilly temperatures and Rick’s bad cold and cough, we are on our way! Not only Hawes, our final destination is its cheese factory.
Similar in size to the Blue Heron Creamery, a mile or so south of the Tillamook Cheese Factory, Wensleydale offers limited parking space. It gives daily tours of the cheesemaking process, a snack shop, a dining room, and a superb gift shop!
After using the clean restroom, the first notable place we visit is the cheese tasting room, kept at 33 degrees. (Boy! I’m glad to have my jacket with me!) Baskets of cubed cheese and bowls of toothpicks, line both sides of a long counter. We sample every flavor of cheese. I prefer cranberry, caramelized onion, and pineapple.
It’s lunchtime! We treat ourselves to a sit-down lunch in the large dining room. And then it’s back on the road, headed for Crofton about 74 miles to the southeast. We drive through miles of terrain that look like this:
The Yorkshire Dales differ from the rest of England because the hills are steeper, the valleys narrower, and the trees are mostly deciduous. Words that an Englishman may use to describe the area include “wild, unspoiled, and natural.”
Most remarkable of man-made structures in the area are the drystone walls that crisscross the land. It’s hard to believe that they are built without cement, pitch, or any kind of mortar. This ancient craft dates back to the Roman occupation. Regardless of weather or wind, which often blows just like the east winds blowing out of the Columbia Gorge, the walls still stand. Amazing!
Another feature of the Dales is sheep! 265 years ago the Industrial Revolution began as woolen mills were built in Dewsbury, Leeds, and Wakefield. They were supplied with wool from the sheep munching the grass that covers hills of the Yorkshire Dales.
Most of the sightseeing that we plan during the next three months will be in the Dales. Some places I have visited previously; some will be new as was this visit to the Wensleydale Creamery. It is a pleasure to share our outing with you.
It’s been run to read about your travels, Linda. I wondered since you were living internationally now, how the general feeling is about some of the decisions
our current US president is making from England’s point-of-view. With technology, we’re all even more connected worldwide now. Thank you, Sue Anderson
Good question, Sue – I’m also interested in Linda’s response.
Linda, loved the handcrafted, bold stone walls dividing lush green pasture grass throughout the countryside and your interesting tour of another cheese creamery…mmm, the various favors intrigue me – think I’ll check the frig for a cheese snack!
Well, Katie has never voted for Trump. She shares the strong opinions of derision held by her husband. However, he does agree with the President on the issues of traditional marriage and abortion. He is very impressed with the press secretary. Other than this which I hear in the home, the only other source I have of knowing what the English think of the President are the various news programs that Ian watches. It seems that they think of him much as many Americans do. He is a bully with great power and bravado and tactics reminiscent of Putin and Hitler. His treatment of President Zielinski on world=wide news was despicable. As in America, political discussions are avoided, especially if an American is present.
Thanks for letting us travel along with you enjoying the beautiful countryside. Spring has begun to spring here. Daffidills are at their best now, and tulip greens will soon show buds. Oh yes, cherry trees are blooming.
I am confused about comparing Trump with Hitler here and over there. Do people remember what he did to his own people by starting a World War in which their own were killed by the thousands, the Jewish killed by the millions, and the country left destitute? Hmmm. I love the Spiritual song which says “I an’t going study war no more.”
Lots of love, Shirley
One of the things we can discuss at our next time together can be the comparison of Trump to Hitler. Certainly, it’s not a topic that two, sweet little ol’ ladies would be expected to explore. But such ladies are still part of the current political culture; so, such a discussion shouldn’t be too surprising. What other topics will we converse about?
Glad to hear you’ve been on an outing to see a bit of the countryside now that Rick is feeling better and the weather has gotten better!
Glad to know that you enjoyed our little jaunt into the Yorkshire Dales. Four other places that we have discussed going to is Thirsk, where Dr. James Herriot practiced veterinarian medicine. I always like to go to York; it’s history reaches back before the Roman occupation. Whitby is a coastal town, home of Captain James Cook. A new-for-me place is the Isle of Man. Hopefully we actually will be going to these places. I’d love to write more travelogues.
Sometimes on the TV show about James Herriot they mention a week long walk in the area where the show is shot. Do you hear anything about that?
Enjoyed your ost.
Judy
I haven’t heard anything about a week-long walk through the Dales. 20 years ago or so, Katie and Ian belong through a walking group, which took walks through the Dales. On the drive to Hawes, we went through the actual village where Sigfried and James worked. The James Herriot Museum, however, is in a different village, Thirsk. We may be going there next week. Thanks for reading and commenting. ☺️
I’m soooooo happy you finally were able to get out and about and stretch your legs and invigorate your lungs. Does your daughter/son in law have grand plans for your upcoming birthday? Perhaps another outing with a big cake. LOL. Loving you from here, Nancy
Thanks for remembering that this is my birthday week; you’re the first to do so. We’re planning a “me day” for Friday with a shopping trip to a mall I remember visiting previously and a family dinner at a restaurant/pub with great reviews. I’ve requested no cake, but I plan to get one of the “puddings” (dessert); they sound delicious! Thanks for staying connected, Nancy. Love you, Aunt Linda
Enjoyed your description of the Dales. I was in England in late 1999 and I loved the rock walls, the narrow roads, and many sheep everywhere! I didn’t know why there were so many sheep, though.
I would say I don’t want to hear about political things on the blog. I know you didn’t talk about it on the blog, but I read about it in some in the comments above. There’s a plethora of comments about American politics wherever I roam on the internet or even television so NOT talking about politics is better for me. It really doesn’t matter what UK thinks about the US. We broke up with them 200+ years ago.
Keep up the descriptions–I love them.
Thanks, Shirley. I appreciate all your comments and encouragement.