A drive through Gillamoor, down or up, to Farndale, or Low Mill. It is hardly a village more like a hamlet. I have read that you go through some of the wildest moors landscape, and I see from the map that there are plenty of cairns up on the moors But for me it was up and down the dale, trying desperately not to drive over the steep side as a large lorry hove into view.
You may not of heard about the Farndale daffodils but there is a walk to a mill along the River Dove (the dark river) which is called the 'Daffodil Walk' and is very popular when they flower. My acceptance of daffodils as a wild flower is somewhat limited, we cover our verges with them at this time of the year, Wordsworth has a lot to answer for! They still weren't out at Farndale, just green leaves protecting pale lemon buds.
But Lucy and I loved our walk of a couple of hours, the trees are still bare but the sound of the water by the river was calming. The sun was out, only a few people around walking, and the trees an architectural delight. We did not get to High Mill but perhaps next week, we will make it. There was one problem, a dozen or so gates along the path needing to be opened and shut, echoing the field patterns of stone walls.
As there were two mills on the river here, it would be interesting to see the history of the place. Difficult to get to over the moors what were the mills used for?
As there were two mills on the river here, it would be interesting to see the history of the place. Difficult to get to over the moors what were the mills used for?
Etymology from Wikipedia
Sources disagree on the origin of the name Farndale, although it is a combination of two parts "Farn" and "Dale".
There a four possible origins for "Farn" all of which do describe the dale. It may be derived from the Celtic "Faren" meaning beautiful; alternatively it could be derived from the Scandinavian "FæN" meaning sheep or possibly from Old English "Fearn" meaning fern or ferny place[or from the Gaelic "Feàrna" which means alder tree of which there are many in Farndale.
While Dale probably means Valley either derived from Scandinavion "Dalr" or Anglian "Dæl" although it could be derived from the Gaelic "Dail" meaning level field by a river.
The name of the River Dove which Flows though Farndale is almost definitely from either the Old British "Dubo" meaning Black or from the Gaelic "Dubh" also meaning black, hence Black (or Dark) River.
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| Stories or folk tales wander down from the past, this misshapen trunk could easily become a writhing witch |
My dad had a book "Remains of Elmet" with poetry by Ted Hughes and black and white photographs by Fay Godwin of industrial ruins scattered about the moors. Old places where things have moved on.
ReplyDeleteI have that book. The black and white photographs are really dark and grainy, very reminiscent of Yorkshire on a dark day. I have been reading a book on the folklore around Ryedale, two stories regarding young women who drown in rivers because of their scoundrel lovers leaving them to find their fortune elsewhere, but unless the rivers are in full flood, they are very shallow to drown in.
DeleteThe Farndale Daffodils have always been on my list of things to see but I have never caught them yet - don't suppose I shall now as it is too far to drive now.
ReplyDeleteFarndale is also quite difficult to get to as well, but it is definitely worth the experience.
DeleteMore lovely photography. I especially like the wide, sweeping views of the hills.
ReplyDeleteYou can see how the land is farmed up to the moors, a clear line. There is something strange in the abrupt lines of the hill though. Will take more photos next time I go.
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