"Seen a shooting star tonight and I thought of you."
So sang Bob Dylan on 'Shooting Star' from the album 'Oh Mercy'.
Well on Wednesday night I was even more fortunate. The annual Perseid meteor shower which took place this week provided a great end to my first day under the clear star-filled skies of the Yorkshire Dales. At about 11.30 PM I was fortunate enough to witness four shooting stars in the space of as many minutes. Absolutely fantastic!
But that was only one of the highlights of three days spent in the company of a good friend and ex work colleague. Living in different parts of the country, we hadn't seen each other for far too long and there was much catching up to do.
Among all the chatter was an opportunity for a fine 10 mile walk in glorious countryside as this shot of Wensleydale from near the market town of Leyburn will testify.
And over mid-day sandwiches, we were able to admire this fine English country garden.
Having enjoyed good craic, sunshine, walking, good food and company, fine music, plenty of laughs and of course shooting stars, we certainly won't be leaving it as long until our next reunion.
Last July I wrote of a walk I completed on a scorching hot day in the Yorkshire Dales. On that occasion we ended our walk in the village of Hawes and on route we passed Semer Water where I learned of the legend of Simmerdale.
http://eddie-graham.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Semer%20Water
For my first lengthy walk (over 10 miles) of 2015, I returned to the same area. The weather was dry, bright and sunny but fortunately not as hot as last year as there was plenty of climbing involved.
However it is always worth climbing when good views are to be had.
After all the climbing and stops to admire the wonderful scenery, we eventually descended into the pretty village of Bainbridge situated near the confluence of the River Bain (England's shortest river no less) and the River Ure.
There I gained my first sight of a working Archimedes Screw.
A local custom in Bainbridge is the sounding of an ancient horn which was once used to guide foresters and travellers safely to the village from the surrounding Wensleydale forests. The horn is still located at the Rose and Crown public house and is sounded every night at 10 pm between September and February. It was there that we convened after our exertions to enjoy some well deserved refreshment.
Earlier this week I took advantage of the gloriously sunny weather to enjoy a walk in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Obviously this area has been much in the news recently having provided the location for the opening stages of the Tour de France and there was evidence of this great event in every town and village we visited.
Our actual walk took us from Worton on the A684 to Hawes in Wensleydale. On route we stopped on the shore of Semer Water which just happens to be the second largest natural lake in North Yorkshire. It was there that I learned of the The Legend of Simmerdale.
It is said that a weary traveller went from house to house in the affluent town which stood on the site of the current lake, asking for food and shelter for the night. At each house he was turned away, but leaving the town he came upon a hovel occupied by one poor widow. There, he was offered a mug of ale and so overcome was he by the woman's kindness that he made a curse upon the town.
Simmerdale, Simmerdale, Simmerdale, sink.
Save the house of the woman who gave me a drink.
As a result, the waters rose and submerged the town and all of its inhabitants apart from the kindly widow.
Well, so says the legend.
Whatever the truth, the place has much natural beauty, a fact recognised by the painter Joseph Mallord William (JMW) Turner who made several sketches and paintings of the views. This painting, 'Simmer Lake' was completed in 1816 and on the north east side of the lake, a small garden has been created on the spot where the artist sat.
Our walk skirted the edge of the lake and then took us up towards the ancient Roman road now known as the Cam High Road. Our climb was steep and arduous in the high temperatures, but the views of the valleys and the crystal blue lake made all the effort worthwhile. And of course we knew that beyond the summit lay the descent into Hawes where a refreshing drink awaited us.
If the weary traveller of the legend had such a thirst, I can understand why he took such drastic action.
