The Dales Part Deux

Ahhhh! My favorite area of England. For some reason, this place just captures me and holds me in awe. I love the green fields, the yellow expanse of buttercups (a very good year I hear), the small country roads barely a car width wide, and of course the wee stone villages tucked away in the valleys.


After going through a village of about 60 people, winding up and over hills and dales down this road, passing 2 farms, we came to our B&B for the night.


Blean House is a 'longhouse', once a long barn with the farm animals living on the bottom and the farmers living in the top. The animals kept the farmers somewhat warm. But now it is two homes, divided in half. Our hosts, Pat and Peter moved there two years ago, rehabbed the place and now have two bedrooms for a B&B.


A typical English garden flanks the front and the back has a large yard, enclosed by a stone wall of course, and a stunning view of the Dales beyond.


The view from the front. Another little garden with table and chairs.




This is Peter, our host. A cheerful guy for sure.


They are up on a high hill that overlooks this lake. It's a private lake with each farmer owning a bit of the lake whose land reaches it.



Another farm down below.


From the backyard.


The old carriage house, now a garage.


And the resident hens, who lay the eggs for our delicious breakfast.


This rooster lives just down the road and comes to visit the hens daily.


This pic is for Ann who will get it.


I took an early morning walk down the lane to the small village of Stalling Busk. Only about 5 houses and 4 miles from the main road. It used to be a large farm with the workers living in the houses, but now is inhabited by artists and a jam preserve business.


Most of the farmers get around on their 4-wheelers. One Border Collie was riding on board and the other running alongside. The running dog came up to me and I told him he had work to do so he'd better get on.


A fragrant, pretty wildflower that was in bloom all over the countryside. It might be cowslip.


Many of these stone barns dot the landscape. They are spaced about 1/8 mile apart in the fields.


Some need a little help staying together.



I love the texture, the rusty pieces, the colors of these old structures. I passed five of these barns in just my short walk. I made it back just in time for breakfast!