On our way to Yorkshire June 21st.

We left Middleton on a warm sunny day with a dubious weather forecast - rain, storms and a cool change!! Our journey took us towards Glossop and the high peaks - the road on a ridge with stunning views of the valleys and villages below, and of course, the ever present sheep and hardy walkers. As we left the peaks, heading for the Manchester motorways we criss-crossed on very narrow roads through picturesque villages. The motorway sections went well, not too busy and no hold-ups.  We stopped at Gawthorpe Hall, near Burnley for a walk in the wooded estate and a visit to the house. This is a Jacobean historic house, set in 7 acres and it as thechome of the Shuttleworth family for overv400 years. We discovered richly decorated Victorian rooms filled with ornate furniture and the original Jacobean panelling and plasterwork. The panelling was interesting as it showed variations in wear between the lower rooms where there would have been centuries of smoke from fires and pipes! Upstairs it was a lighter colour revealing the beauty of the oak grain.

As the photos show, the ceilings are very decorative and walls either panelling or richly patterned wall paper.

And, we caught a squirrel having lunch.

The rain was threatening but held off as our gps sent us over the hills on a very narrow and windy road, over 2 cattle grids into Lancashire. There were walkers and sheep everywhere so it was a slow journey over the hills and moors, but we did manage to appreciate the wilderness -  very Wuthering Heights ambiance!!

We arrived in Settle mid afternoon as the heavens opened but we managed to unpack the car and later took a ramble through town to visit the Co-op and sus out the local Indian take-away. A very ancient town situated between Kendal in the Lake District and Leeds, with an interesting history of markets, agriculture and manufacturing. 

It was a long day, so we were happy to have our delicious Indian food and relax for the evening!

Tomorrow is anther day!!