Threshfield and Skirethorns

 A new area for me, and I thought I had explored all of Wharfedale! 

The area is a few miles from Grassington but on the opposite side of the main road through the Dale. Just after The Spar garage a signpost for Threshfield and Skirethorns is followed until you come to the last of the houses of Threshfield and that is where you park up.

As I was new to the area I just followed the country lane through the delightful village of Skirethorns and headed off on the road leading up on to Malham Moor which eventually turns into a bridleway. That then joins the ancient Mastiles Lane which connects Kilnsey in Wharfedale with Malham. It is called a lane but is in fact and old bridleway.

The views back down and across the Dale are delightful and there are many footpaths to explore so this was a real walkers paradise. I didn't get as far as the moorland parts of the road but I hope to return in the not too distant future.

Afterwards I drove a few miles up the Dale and called in the cafe at Kilnsey Trout Farm. Excellent coffee as per usual.

Lower Wharfedale

Moss On wall

Lower Wharfedale

Ferns

Lower Wharfedale

Lower Wharfedale

Malham Moor

Malham Moor Lane

Frosted Woodland

Malham Moor Lane

Lower Wharfedale

Skirethorns

Lower Wharfedale

Harden Moor Woods

 I just managed to get the last of the recent snowfall in this delightful bit of woodland just over the road from St Ives Country Estate. Not many of the crowds of people who flock to the Estate on a daily basis know of this area, probably due to it being on a main road with only a small parking area.

The woodland is noted for its oak trees, badgers, woodpeckers, bats and cuckoos and sits on a natural fault through which Deep Cliff Hole beck drains. The whole area of woodland and moorland has been extensively quarried for sandstone in its time. 

There is a myriad of footpaths all around this area so walks can be as long or as short as you wish. The day was cold and the ground a bit slippy so today was a short walk with photography uppermost in my mind.

Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness

 A set of shots taken on a misty walk around St Ives Country Park in Bingley. There was just about enough colour on the trees to still give the impression and feel of autumn. Lots of webs and fungi about as well.

It was very quiet though, I only saw one horse rider and a handful of walkers, not that I'm complaining. Had a coffee in The Ivy Kitchen to warm me up on my return.