Monday, March 25, 2013

God's Own County - Yorkshire

Did you know that no matter where you are in England,
you are never more than 75 miles from the coast?
Did you know that England is about the same size as Alabama?

I've mentioned before how much I love to travel by train, 
but there is really no better way to see England than by car.
Of course, I'm not the one driving so that's easy for me to say.
But, Matt loves it, too.

Yorkshire Countryside

A few weeks ago, we took a weekend trip up to Yorkshire for a look see.  Yorkshire is the largest county in England and is in The North.  As soon as we got out of London we began seeing signs pointing the way to The NORTH!  I love that.  I think we should adopt this in the US.  I'd love to see signs leading the way to The South.  

Yorkshire Road Trip

The highways motorways in the UK are great.   Road signage is plentiful and very detailed.  I'm still figuring out some of them, but most are pretty clear.  There are plenty of well-marked emergency refuge areas.  You will also notice quite a few Speed Cameras.  And obviously everything is reversed.  You drive in the far left lane and pass only on the right. 

Yorshire Road Trip Petrol Station

Gas stations are familiar looking with just a few differences.  First, it's called petrol not gas.  You will also notice it's sold by the litre rather than the gallon.  This works out to about $8.50 per gallon and diesel is a little more.  Diesel cars are very popular in the UK and they get great mileage.  We have one and can go forever on a tank.  I'm also in love with the Motorway Service Centers.  They are large, clean centers with fast food, cafes, coffee shops, bookstores, grocers, etc.  They are open and safe with huge clean bathrooms with showers.  Like a truck stop in the US but much nicer. 

Yorkshire Road Trip

Once we got into Yorkshire and off of the Motorway, everything changed; narrow lanes, hedgerows, roundabouts, dry stone walls, villages, markets, moors, sheep and pubs.  I turned on the radio and snuggled into the heated seat.  Then with Matt and Helga (our GPS) leading the way, I sit back and soak up England and the Yorkshire countryside.   

Yorkshire Road Trip

Yorkshire Road Trip

Yorshire Road Trip

Yorkshire Countryside

Yorkshire Wall

Lichen covered dry stone wall in Yorkshire

Yorkshire Sheep

Window Scene in Yorkshire

Muffins at Yorkshire Market

Red Lion

Yorkshire Church

Yorkshire Road Trip

Walking along Yorkshire Road

Road in Yorkshire

Yorkshire Sheep

Yorkshire Lambs

View of Dry Stone Wall in Yorkshire

Foothpath Sign

Several days later, we left Yorkshire with me declaring that I wanted to live there.  
(This usually happens wherever we go, mind you.)

I've broken our trip into the following posts which I'll be publishing over the next week or so.

York
York Minster
Harrogate
Skipton Castle
The Wheatley Arms
Bolton Abbey

I hope you enjoy the Yorkshire Road Trip!



21 comments:

  1. I see a lot of Bolton Abbey up there!!


    Love this- and YES. You should move to Yorkshire. It is the most perfect place on earth!

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  2. Fantastic to see other day trips, York is lovely!

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  3. Gesci,
    It's beautiful. I wish London was within commuting distance. I can't wait to go back and explore some more.
    xoxo
    Selena

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  4. Aw man, these pictures make me homesick! Not for Yorkshire, but for Fife. Same mossy green, same hills and grey stonework, same sheep. I can smell the cold damp air from here!

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  5. Yorkshire is so lovely, and you guys need to go further North and visit Northumbria!

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  6. I love the pictures of the spring lambs...if only it wasn't so cold still, I worry about them! When will spring ever arrive???

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  7. Love this, the pictures make me think of home. I grew up in West Yorkshire, about an hour from York and my family still live there. I'm looking forward to reading all about your trip.

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  8. These pictures are absolutely beautiful!! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your journey! Signs pointing to "The North" are so endearing - wish we had them here too!

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  9. Oh those LAMBS! I have been fortunate enough to visit York but it was 22 years ago. It was just like a postcard. I can't wait to see your upcoming posts!!

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  10. I wanted to climb the fence and play with them! They are so cute. I'm sure they are ready for some Spring weather, too.
    xoxo
    Selena

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  11. Thanks, Katie! We lucked out with some blue skies while we were in The North. :) xoxo
    Selena

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  12. I worry, too. There has been a lot on the news how the cold weather is really affecting this years lambing season. I hope it turns warmer soon! xoxo
    Selena

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  13. There is so much of this Island to see! Northumbria is definitely on the list. xoxo
    Selena

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  14. Green is my favorite color and I just can't get over the greens and blues here. It's so pretty! And it does affect every sense, doesn't it? Are you still coming back for a visit this Spring? xoxo
    Selena

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  15. Oh Selena! What a gorgeous part of the UK. I've been in many areas of the British Isles, but I'll admit, I have never explored Yorkshire. I pinned some of your pics to inspire me to visit the next time I am in the UK.

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  16. Love your new look blog! And I am a Yorkshire lass born and bred - so it was great to see the county through your eyes - looking forward to the follow up posts!

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  17. Sadly I don't think I will be. We're both hoping to make it back for Christmas, but I'll have to wait until Spring 2014 to see the naughty lambs bouncing around the lush green fields.

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  18. Ah my homeland - lovely to see some photographs of my neck of the woods and Yorkshire! Certainly different from Michigan!

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  19. Hello Selena, so very happy to have come across your wonderful blog. This particular post helps me relive my days in Yorkshire 30 odd years ago. I was living in Leeds then and your beautiful photos sure brought back wonderful memories of my trips to the countryside. Thank you for sharing. Azlin .

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  20. Yaya @ Dream it, DarlingApril 14, 2013 at 8:27 AM

    Great pics! I can't wait to make it to Yorkshire myself.

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  21. You will love it. I must have turned to Matt a dozen times and said "I want to live here." It's beautiful. xoxo
    Selena

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Thanks for commenting. I love to hear from you!