In need of a break
Sometimes you just need a break. It’s not always logical, after all, the Christmas holidays were only a few weeks ago. But, I had a fibromyalgia flare in January, followed by a very mild cold that dragged on and on, leaving me exhausted. I wasn’t even sure I should go away, but we did and a few days somewhere else did me the world of good.
So, have I been to a relaxing spa or sunnier climes? Well, no! We headed north to Yorkshire, staying first with some good friends in Ryedale, then over to Harrogate for a couple of days.
Coastal colours
When you live inland, there is something special about the coast. It surrounds us, and yet we rarely see or experience it. Recent holidays have involved travelling under and over the sea, but not actually standing on a beach and breathing sea air. So, despite it being an unpromising day, weather-wise, it was great to take a long walk along the gloriously sandy beach at Hunmanby Gap in North Yorkshire.
In this light, the sky, sea and sand almost merge.
And I couldn’t resist the colour of this damp rock.
Colours of the dales
On another misty day, we stopped to see the most improbable rock formations at Brimham Rocks. What a strange and almost spooky place!
Maybe there are tree spirits hiding behind the stunted trees. And isn’t this moss the colour of elf green?
Exploring Harrogate
So, what do you do in Harrogate when the Knitting and Stitching Show is not in town? Explore different areas of this lovely town. Admire the latest exhibition at the Mercer Art Gallery. Take tea and cake at Betty’s. Relax in the Turkish Baths. Buy food goodies and lunch at Weetons Food Hall. Buy Wensleydale cheese from the Cheeseboard. Be astounded at the amazing choice of buttons at Dutton’s for Buttons. And visit Baa Ram Ewe, just because!
Well, just because it’s a gorgeous yarn shop with an amazing selection of yarn, particularly yarn from Britain and Yorkshire. I spotted yarn by Fyberspates, Jamieson and Smith, Jamieson’s of Shetland, North Ronaldsay, Toft Alpaca, UK Alpaca, Wensleydale Longwool and West Yorkshire Spinners, as well as many of the bigger yarn producers.
A Yorkshire yarn
There was my new favourite yarn: Titus by Baa Ram Ewe themselves. So soft! Made from fleeces of British flocks of Wensleydale, Bluefaced Leicester and Alpaca. Spun by West Yorkshire Spinners and dyed in colours inspired by Yorkshire.
Look at these lovely colours which just seem so right together. Since I bought them at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, I keep looking at them and picking out different colour combinations.
And now there are three new colours!
Which came home with me, to join their friends!
And now they are all wound into balls. Ideas abound! Now, where are my needles? The colours of Yorkshire have worked their magic!
