Winter in Mayo, 3 February 2008

When we arrived back in Ireland from New York we were greeted by freezing temperatures and snow flurries. Here is what Croagh Patrick looked like with a dusting of snow, and a similar view taken last summer, for contrast:

New York, 28 January - 1 February 2008

Broadway and Times Square

Me and Bull, Financial District, near Wall St
On Pier 17, Lower Manhattan
The View Towards Brooklyn Bridge from Pier 17
View East from Top of Empire State Building (UN middle Right)Top of Empire State Building

View North from Empire State Building

Grand Central Station

Breakfast in Diner, Midtown

World Trade Centre Memorial, Battery Park

Looking Towards Manhattan from Liberty Island

Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Registration Hall, Ellis Island

View of Statue of Liberty from Ellis Island

View of Manhattan from Ellis Island

Farewell to Manchester, 26 January 2008

Tour of Our Apartment

Four Villages Half Marathon, 20 January 2008

Yorkshire Dales January 12-13 2008

When we arrived back in Manchester after Christmas our time in northwest England was nearing an end, and on the weekend of 12-13 January Marian,Brad, Sue and I took a trip to the Yorkshire Dales. We checked in at a really nice B&B in Grassington, Yew Tree House. I highly recommend it for a relaxing and comfortable place to stay in the Yorkshire Dales:

Yew Tree House

http://www.badgergate.demon.co.uk/

After checking in on Saturday around midday, we took a walk from Grassington along the River Wharfe to Bolton Abbey, a pleasant riverside walk leading through woods and passing next to the Strid, a notorious stretch of water where the River Wharfe is forced into a very deep and narrow thundering channel.

In Front of The Strid (note Danger Sign)
The Strid

At its narrowest, the Strid it is less than two metres across, but is more than 6 metres deep. Many people have drowned here trying to jump across the gap, slipping and getting sucked under by the currents and trapped under ledges beneath the surface.

After passing the Strid, a short walk along the river took us to Bolton Abbey, a haunting and beautiful old ruin standing on the banks of the Wharfe.

Bolton Abbey

Bolton Priory was built around 1120 by the Augustinan order. The Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII resulted in the termination of the priory in 1539.

Bolton Abbey by J.M.W. Turner c.1809

After arriving back at Grassington following our walk, we went into town to watch Manchester United thrash Newcastle and after that had a meal at one of the pubs. Grassington is a picture postcard Yorkshire village, and at this time of the year is very peaceful; during the summer it really does get busy here.

Grassington High Street

Sue in front of her Namesake's Tea Shop in Grassington

The next day (Sunday) we stopped in at Skipton on the way home. Skipton is home to an impressive castle. The castle has stood for 900 years, first built in 1090 by a Norman baron. During the English Civil War it was the only remaining Royalist stronghold in the north of England. After a 3 year siege, a surrender was negotiated in 1645 between Oliver Cromwell and the Royalists.

Skipton

Skipton Castle

After being handed a map and instructions, we did an interesting self-guided tour of the castle, in which we managed not to get lost or take too many wrong turns.

Marian and Brad (in local headgear) Consulting the Map Marian, Brad and Sue inside the Castle Courtyard Skipton terraced houses viewed from the Castle grounds

Christmas 2007