Our sojourn at the Far Moorside Farm near Hebden Bridge is over. Hebden Bridge is a very pretty little village in a deep valley in the Yorkshire Moors, with narrow roads lined with iconic Yorkshire stone walls and historic houses. It suffered major flood damage a few years ago, and roads are still in the process of being re-built (major traffic jams in peak times).

The orienteering event, which was the primary reason to divert to Hebden Bridge was excellent. My course was long for a sprint course, 2.9 miles (4.5 kms) along canals complete with locks and narrow boats, and very brave ducks, who have escaping the locks when they are flooded down to a fine art!! In and out of parks with steep stepped access and exits, all while sidestepping dogs and their owners. Down narrow alley ways which seemingly go through peoples’ private back yards (complete with laundry hanging on lines and kids bikes lying around) but are called “right of way” and are accessible by anyone.

We stopped in Bradford to go to the Scholemoor Cemetery to find my granny’s (my mum’s mum) grave. We found a diagram with the layout of the cemetery, and then found the area she is buried in. Most very old graves have reference numbers, and by a process of elimination we found the row where granny is buried, and then narrowed it down to what we believe is the actual spot.

Searching the Scholemoor Cemetery

Unfortunately she didn’t have a headstone (we wandered around searching), maybe only a wooden cross which of course has rotted away over 65 years. I laid down the bunch of wildflowers I had gathered from the roadside in front of her farmhouse in Rezekne, along with a single yellow rose, and had a quiet chat for a few moments. I hope she knows I found her after all these years, and knows that she hasn’t been forgotten.

Here she is.

A quiet moment and a tear.

We found a laundromat and did our washing – very important – and after a sandwich and coffee headed off via a series of motorways, highways and byways to our final destination of York. Our accommodations are luxurious compared to some we have had. We are in student accommodation as it is term break here in UK. We even have a kitchenette. Pete’s jumping up and down for joy and is looking forward to cooking after such a long time of eating in restaurants.

After settling in we went for a short wander along part of the wall which encloses “old” York. The “Shambles”, complete with overhanging Tudor buildings is what medieval York streets would have looked like, but now sports souvenir shops. And anyone looking to buy something Harry Potter related, magic wands, broomsticks, cauldrons, Hogwarts uniforms etc. will be overjoyed. There’s even a spot where you can “park your broom”!

Lane to the market.

Everything a student at Hogwarts needs

Diagon Alley

York

Quidditch anyone?

We then went for a short walk along sections of the old town wall which gave us glimpses of tomorrows destination. York Minster, it is top of the list followed by York Castle Museum, Clifford’s Tower and whatever interesting things we find along the way.

Stairs on the left go up to the wall

The wall

Pete’s having a Poppy nap. Time to wake him up. He’s cooking dinner tonight.

Ilze xo