Summer walk: 21-05-2024

 

From here...

... to here 

(and back!)

This week there was no need for tools as the NCVs had a week off and went for their summer walk instead. Liz planned for them to complete the 6.5 mile circular route from Fountains Abbey to Markenfield Hall, which you can see in full in the leaflet linked to HERE. Not only that, she had organised a delicious picnic lunch for everyone. Thanks LIz!!!!!

Here are the highlights from the day....

 

Excellent turn out this week -

 could it be something to do with 

the lack of task or, perhaps,

 the free lunch?

 

"Now David - what did you order?"

"The 12 course taster menu Liz." 

 

And then they were off along 

the boundary wall with views

 across to Fountains Hall...

 

....and the Abbey itself. 

 

Dave stopped and had a long

conversation with a horse.

The horse belonged to the owner of this little abode.

 

Then it was on to How Hill and the 14th century

Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel...

 

...from which there were excellent 

views of the surrounding countryside. 

 

After a coffee break (including a tasty 

flapjack - part of the picnic provided)

 the gang continued on their way. 

 

 

The way led down an old path 

bordered on both sides by an old hedge.

 

Then it was over a stile...

 

...and on to Markenfield Hall which 

dates back to the 1300s.

 

At lunchtime everyone enjoyed a sit in the sun...

 

...and a high quality picnic

(provided by Julie Hardcastle 

of  Nidd Way Catering).

 

David and Will pretended to be book ends. 

 

Now - what is of interest through the fence?

Go through the gate to have a better look.

Of course! It's the Mackershaw area

of the Studley Royal deer park.

And, just behind you is the Mackershaw Lodge

which was once an estate worker's house and gatehouse.

 

Now - who's going to go first through 

that particular gate?

After you.

No - I insist. You can go first.

 

Further along the path the air was 

perfumed with the hawthorn blossom.

These trees were not quite so pretty 

but were interesting due to the 

wind pruning they had suffered.

Onwards along the 13th century, 

11' high estate boundary wall.

Far below were 'The 7 sisters' -

a group of very old yew trees.

Two of these are classed as ancient trees.

This one is 4m in girth,

matching the waist measurement

 of the NCVs  after all the 

lunchtime goodies!!

 

This one, however, is an impressive 7m! 

After this point all that remained was to walk back down the last part of the trail to the car park.

A good walk with plenty of interesting things to see. 

 

Next week it is half term so the NCVs are going to have a week off. The blog will be back again on the 4th June.

Low Laithe: 14-05-2024

This week saw the NCVs working at a new venue, albeit a very old one. It was the ancient woodland above Low Laithe, where large quantities of invasive holly need removing. This is a job the NCVs relish - lots of cutting, dragging and dead hedging, even though it was on the prickly side. This was evidenced by a turnout of no fewer than 15, despite the wet weather forecast.

Take a look below to see them in action.

 

This is the job that was awaiting them.

 

 

And this is how they left the woodland

 at the end of the afternoon. 

 

 

Hang on - where's all that holly gone?

Don't worry - it's still all there.

It's hiding in plain sight.

That's it Andy - you can place the 

last log on the top of that dead hedge.

Of course - these hedges didn't 

just materialise out of thin air.

 

The holly needed a certain

 amount of coaxing...

 

...before it agreed to mobilise itself downhill.

 

Once in the right place it was pinned 

into place using poles created

 by master stake makers...

 

...and then squashed into position

by the master holly squishers. 

Here's another good hedge topper.

Break times for the workers 

were comfortable, if somewhat damp.

The landowners had provided 

a luxury bathroom for NCVs' use.

Unfortunately Sarah managed to 

disconnect the plumbing.

There was water all over the patio. 

Ken considered putting in a bid 

for this bijou holiday home.

It was a bit of a tight fit but he was 

quite happy watering the window box.

Liz gave a guided tour of the 

site of the old millpond high above.

It used to feed the nearby 

mill down by the river.

The water was held back by this 12' wall,

which is still in good condition.

 

Right folks. That's all for today.

Time to go home and deal with 

your wet, muddy gear!!

Summerstones: 07-05-2024

 

Pateley Pigeon Post

 7th May 2024

  Practice makes perfect

by A. Hack

This week the NCS took part in a performance of Mozart's little known opera, "The Magic Tree Tube", something they have been rehearsing for the last three weeks. The event took place in the impressive setting of the Summerstones estate in the wilds of Upper Nidderdale, where the group had left a section of hillside untouched during their previous practice sessions so that the audience would gain a more realistic experience. 

As  opera buffs amongst our readers may be aware, the plot of "The Magic Tree Tube" follows the adventures of Prince Tamino and his companions in their quest to find a magical tree tube - one that can remain vertical whatever the windspeed and biodegrade as soon as it is no longer needed.

The performance went off without a hitch - as you can see from the pictures below. The NCVs gave their all and the audience were overcome with emotion. It was a never-to-be-forgotten experience that fully deserves a 5 star rating from this critic.

 

 

Here the Queen of the night (Liz) can be seen

 sending the group off through the forest 

of darkness on their quest.

 

She had provided them with tools imbued

 with magical powers to help keep them safe.

 

Off the brave adventurers strode 

singing the song that became the repetitive 

 underlying motif of the opera - 

"Magic Tree Tube, wherefore art thou?". 

 

The audience held its breath as Prince Tamino 

fell to his knees and sang the aria 

 "Oh tube, oh tube, are you the one we seek?"

 

Papageno, in true comedic style, 

wielded an enchanted lump hammer to restore

 non-magical tubes to their intended position

 singing 'Take that oh useless tube".

 How the audience laughed.

 

Pampino's mournful aria

 "A treeless tube is such a sad sight" 

had everyone weeping....

...as did the sight of Parmigiano 

struggling to right this poor tree, singing

"How I hate to see you laid so low."

 

 

 Petronello wrestled with a marauding tube 

that was intent on doing damage to the Prince. 

Her rendition of "Begone oh tube from hell"  

had the audience cheering. 

 

Parmigiano's lifelike struggle with a pile 

of reluctant tubes, whilst yodelling the aria 

"Yooooou will not get the better of meeeeee!", 

had the audience biting their nails.

 

The duet "That's you lot found to be less than magical" 

was sung beautifully by Pimpinella  and Pompodoro.

 

 

As the opera reached its climax,

 dozens of non-magical tubes had been captured,

 but not a single magical one had been found. 

 

There was thunderous applause from the audience 

as Prince Tamino, singing

"This fruitless quest it over", 

finally came to the realisation that the 

magical tree tube would never be found. 

At last the group could return to their families.