Walk the Moors

Just before we entered the New Year I went up to Ilkley Moor to have a wander and take in the views. 

It was one of those icy days were the snow was still crunching underfoot but the sky's warmth was melting the icicles away. 

We wondered up the hill towards the Bath House enjoying the views over Ilkley. 

Trying to work out which direction to take before heading accross to the Cow and Calf.

A wholesome walk where the air was fresh, the wind was brisk and you leave feeling a lot happier than you were before you arrived.  

We played with our cameras. I quite like taking "negative" pictures where the objects in the foreground become silhouettes against a vivid sky.  

There were even a few decent pictures of me (cheekily taken when I thought the background was being photographed and I wanted to get moving)

And we escaped the Moors as the sun set before heading to Ilkley for some food. 

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The Wilson Women

As part of my continuing 30 before 30 I arranged a day with my Mum and Sister in law (Little W) to do something that they wanted to do. At Easter we brained stormed options and settled on afternoon tea. As you will be aware this year has been a little cream tea heavy what with the Tetley, Chesterfield and Gomshall Mills, so I suggested that we picked to go to a stately home where we could wander arround the grounds as well. 

As we all live in different places Mama Wilson travelled up from London staying with Al and Little W the night before. They then drove over to Leeds collecting me en route to Castle Howard. 

Castle Howard is one of those stately homes that people inevitably recognise as it has featured as the setting for various films and TV programmes ahem Brideshead revisited. 

On arrival we met the resident peacocks (who after many attempts finally posed for us) 

We had hoped to wander the grounds and soak up the grandure but instead it rained in only the way that England can. 

We retreated to the indoors and took refuge in the opulent great rooms. 

Surrounding ourselves with the Stoney faced inhabitants (sorry I can hear your groan!)

Before coming across the breathtaking entrance made infamous by Brideshead Revisted. 

From which we preambulated through the exhibits of the fire and subsequent restoration. 

Stumbled across the kids mad hatter tea party

Flitting through the gallery

And the amazing arts and crafts chapel 

At which point we headed for warming soap and heavily laden scones. 

Before attempting the rain soaked grounds

As a side note recently the TeenageCancer Trust have been in the national news but before they were Little Mrs W was one of their last year when she was diagnosed with non Hodgkin's lymphoma aged 23.

It is easy to be impressed with the efforts of an individual but it is also easy to forget the human face of those who benefit from their efforts. Hopefully Stephen's legacy will mean that the Teenage Cancer Trust can continue to support and provide respite to other young adults such as my sister in law, who is now fortunately in remission. 

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Something for Nothing part 1

When my friend Jane lived in London we would meet up for "free days". A free day is when you do as much as possible without spending any money. Ok so there may well have been a coffee and cake thrown in but we would essentially amuse ourselves for as little cost as possible.

In London it's so easy as there are amazing museums and gallery's that are free to visit, the Tate was a particular favourite as Jane was based in Pimlico.

Outside of London it gets a little bit more difficult as there is not as much choice or range of options especially in colder months. So I thought I would start to put together a mini series of freebie ideas with additional extras for those with £5 or £10 to spend based around Leeds.

Free days for Culture Vultures
 

1.Galleries/Museums
This is probably the easiest to pull off as most large towns have at least one free museum or Gallery to perambulate around as you flit between masterpieces and the weird and the wonderful. In Leeds you can pick between the Gallery , Henry Moore Institute and the Museum which are all easily walkable. I prefer the Gallery which has a mix of new and old as well as a modern installation. If you have the use of a car why not visit the Hepworth or Yorkshire Sculpture park.

£5 to spend
After all that walking rest your feet in the Tiled Hall in the Gallery and tuck into a cup of tea and scone.

2. Do a Photo Tour
Grab a camera or you phone and walk around the city centre taking pictures as you go.  How often do you actually look up and enjoy the architecture in the city you live in? Give yourself a Theme and take images of the sights you see that for in that theme. Or take a book out from the local library on the history of your city and use that to take a tour stopping to capture images as you go.

If you are an Instagram fan create an photo your/treasure hunt for your friends to follow around town.

£10 to spend
For those posting to Instagram Sticky 9 will convert 9 of your images into magnets for £9.99 which you can then adorn your fridge with to remind you of your tour.

3. Wonder around a world Heritage Site
If you have the use of a car or are willing to hop on a train go visit Saltaire. Looking around Salts Mill is free and you can soak up the atmosphere for nothing. The village also makes the most of its heritage and there are often free events such as the Saltaire Advent and festival that enable you to learn some of the towns history whilst saving your pennies. 

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