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We've had some perfect winter walking weather in Yorkshire over the past couple of weeks - cold and crisp.
We went on a circular walk around Spofforth, near Harrogate, where I was hoping for chills of a supernatural kind. Last Christmas (The Tractate Middoth and The Thirteenth Tale) and this December (Remember Me and The Haunting of Radcliffe House), the seasonal TV ghost stories, have failed to freak me out. Is it my age? Have I, at long last, outgrown my fear of phantoms? I still remember the ghastliness of Schalcken the Painter, (here), Christmas, 1979 - I don't think I'd dare to watch it ever again, even with Mr N to hold my hand and a cushion to hide behind.
So we walked onwards, to Spofforth Castle, to test my dulled nerves. It has its own ghoulish legend of a woman, of a strange bluish-white hue, who appears at the top of this tower. She (allegedly) hurls herself down, the spectacle made even more scary by the fact that only the upper half of her body falls to the ground. I prepared to be spooked...
...nothing. (Phew!)
***
I've had rocks kicked at me by a sheep, I've had a squirrel fall out of a tree right next to me, I've had a pigeon...Well you know what pigeons do....but half a blue woman falling out of the sky would even spook me.
ReplyDeleteBlooming heck - I'll have to keep more of an eye on sheep!
DeleteYou have grown up Nilly, a little bit of childhood fear has departed.
ReplyDeleteI recall hiding behind the sofa when Quatermass was on black and white TV. I saw a clip of it recently and the horrible slime that scared me rigid looked like someone was pouring a bucket of porridge on to the film set.
Me too! For me it was the demonically rippling ground beneath a petrified workman that I've never forgotten! This was in Quatermass and the Pit in 1959 - of course, I was much too young to be watching...
DeleteLovely pictures - but the frozen puddle is completely amazing. I love it!
ReplyDeleteAnd a Happy New Year to you.
happy New Year Jenny - I think we are in for snow tonight!
DeleteGorgeous photos - thankfully no bodies to be seen. Looks chilly but bracing! Keep warm. I'm not easily spooked either. Axxx
ReplyDeleteI think I get more spooked when I read a really good supernatural story - The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman for example. Very scary and unsettling.
DeleteOoh such magical pictures..Jack's been out and about in your little corner..Happy New year Nilly ! ( I have missed you ) :)
ReplyDeleteI wonder if he's been running? The weather never stops athletes - you must be so proud of him. Enjoy every moment of his happiness!
DeleteBeautiful photographs nilly, I love a walk on a crisp frosty day as long as you are wrapped up warmly. Happy New Year to you and yours x
ReplyDeleteI swear by light-weight thermals and I've even got Mr N to wear them when we're out in all weathers. He loves his purple long johns!
DeleteI love the opening photo, tracks in the frost and a figure positioned just so. I have to thank you for the Booths catalogue info, I placed an order and the food was delicious! Glad no body parts fell while you were out walking!
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased the Booths info was useful. I bought some amazing loose teas from them last week and we enjoy their cheeses and artisan bread. I'll start saving for something special next Christmas!
DeleteWhat fabulous photos....Yorkshire is at its best here...just beautiful Jx
ReplyDeleteWill we have snow tonight I wonder, Janice? I think you are more likely to than us. I love the look of Yorkshire stone walls & buildings in the snow.
DeleteThank you for sharing your lovely crisp Winter walk..just cold, wet and windy here..not pleasant! Thanks for the message re the costume. Please do ask her to email me direct on lhasselt@dnfa.com and I will be more than happy to advise. Happy New year, Lizzie x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Liz - I will do that. Happy New Year!
DeleteBeautiful photos, cold and crisp is so much better than grey and drizzly. The photo after your comment ...nothing. (Phew!) is actually quite eerie! but beautiful. Happy new year. x
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you will have snow this year at the seaside? You must share the photos if you do!
DeleteThat's a cracking first shot. I was visiting the site of the Battle of Marston Moor once. It was late afternoon, I was thinking about the stories of ghostly cavaliers and roundheads frequenting the lanes nearby, when some damn farmer let off a shotgun. My self-control still impresses me.
ReplyDeleteThat would've made a really good story! It's often an unexpected sound that makes a slightly scary situation really frightening.
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