Laykin Cottage-Swaledale.

Signs of Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 10:51:00 +0000

Signs of spring appearing. Last year we split and moved lots of clumps of snowdrops so we could spread them wider and enjoy them more. Aren't snowdrops lovely!

Tour de Yorkshire Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 10:24:00 +0000

Tour de Yorkshire Ride

It’s not just professional bike racers who can take part in the very first Tour de Yorkshire, now non pro bike riders are being encouraged to sign up for a an exciting new sportive on Sunday 3 May.

The Tour de Yorkshire Ride will give cyclists the chance to ride the route just hours before the pros race, but unlike the pros, you get to choose your distance! Three distance options are available for the sportive, from 50km, 108km or 140km routes. A women-only Cycletta sportive will also take place along the 50km route. Thousands of spectators are expected to line parts of the route offering familiar and legendary Yorkshire support, and timings will be available online giving sportive riders the chance to compare their climb times to the pros. View the routes here.

The event is being supported by five-time Tour de France winner, Bernard Hinault, who will be giving sportive riders tips. Participants in the sportive will cross the same finish line as the pro riders and a winners’ ceremonies will take place on the Tour de Yorkshire podium.

The sportive will be held on the final day of the Tour de Yorkshire, Sunday 3rd May just hours before the pro race starts. After leaving Roundhay Park in Leeds those taking on the 140km long route will climb Pool Bank and head towards Sowerby Bridge. They will join the pro route at Mytholmroyd and up the 2014 Tour de France King of the Mountains Côte De Oxenhope Moor, which will be taken in the opposite direction, a real test of stamina with over 6.7 kilometres of near continuous climbing. Shortly after riders will travel through the quaint village of Haworth and over the cobble stones, one of the most iconic images of the Tour de France Grand Départ.

Riders will climb 150 metres from Laycock to Sutton-in-Craven, before reaching the villages of Addingham and Ilkley. Riders on the long and medium routes will take on the Cow and Calf Climb, before the East Chevin Climb, after which cyclists will need all their remaining energy to climb the short but very steep Black Hill Road. The Tour de Yorkshire Ride culminates back at Roundhay Park where cyclists will be presented with their medal.

Demand for places in the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire Ride is expected to be extremely high and people are encouraged to pre-register at letouryorkshire.com/sportive.

Entries will officially open on Thursday 4 February at 9am.

More snowy pics

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 12:47:00 +0000

Snowy January

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 12:22:00 +0000

There has been quite a bit of snow in the last 2 weeks, but all the main roads have been clear.
The steep fields around Laykin are perfect for sledging.
Snow melted fast yesterday and temperatures were warm, but there is still a bit of snow on the tops.

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 13:24:00 +0000

Afraid that I have neglected this Blog for a while. It is so much easier to use Facebook. For those who enjoy the Blog I must resolve to keep it up to date a bit more regularly!

We are busy spring cleaning at Laykin and getting the cottage ready for a busy spell of bookings coming up. It's been very windy outside but lovely and cosy inside.

What a gorgeous day it was yesterday after the rain the days before.

Glorious Autumn Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 21:18:00 +0000

Glorious Indian Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 13:14:00 +0000

Haven't we had a most amazing Indian Summer?
Lucky lucky lucky.

Reeth Show Today.

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 22:08:00 +0000

The rain held off for today's very successful Reeth show. A great day out for all the family.

Happy Yorkshire Day! 1st August

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 13:33:00 +0000

Celebrate with a Yorkshire Pudding and a Quiz!

HOW well do you know God’s Own Country? (Yes, that’s the correct phrase: country, not county.)

August 1 is Yorkshire Day - so we’ve culled a list of 25 things Yorkshire: how many can you cross off your ‘How do’ list? The more you score, the more Yorkshire you are!
1. You cheered on the Tour de France. (New for 2014.)
2. You greet people by saying “now then”.
3. You call people ‘love’, irrespective of gender.
4. You call a snicket by its proper name - a ginnel.
5. You’ve watched Yorkshire play cricket at Headingley or Scarborough.
6. You’ve eaten fish and chips on Whitby pier.
7. You’ve taken tea at Betty’s in Ilkley, Harrogate, York or Northallerton.
8. You’ve seen the Emley Moor TV mast. (From your window doesn’t count.)
9. You’ve visited Jorvik Viking Centre in York.
10. You’ve climbed or walked the steps to the top of Malham Cove.
11. You’ve staggered between pubs on the York Micklegate Run.
12. You’ve strolled along York’s city walls.
13. You can say where the Yorkshire Wolds are.
14. You’ve been to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
15. You’ve camped in the Yorkshire Dales.
16. You’ve explored the North York Moors.
17. You knew that Yorkshire (actually, North Yorkshire alone) is the only county with two National Parks.
18. You’ve walked down the steps to Robin Hood’s Bay.
19. You’ve climbed the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey.
20. You’ve visited Skipton Castle.
21. You insist on drinking only genuine Yorkshire Tea.
22. You eat Sheffield Henderson’s Relish.
23. You like Wensleydale cheese with cake.
24. You know where the Hole of Horcum is.
25. You’ve walked the length of Marine Drive between Scarborough’s North and South Bays.

The Tour De France comes to Yorkshire

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 20:33:00 +0000

There were more cyclists than sheep in the Dale today, riding the roads which the elite cyclists will be racing along tomorrow as they set off from Leeds. We will be watching all the action on ITV and then getting ourselves into position to watch the peleton flash past!
There is bunting in every village and lots of creative decorations, as well as yellow bicycles. In Reeth there are crash barriers on the green.
Loos and catering trailers are dotted all over and there have never been so many tents and camper vans in the Dale before.
We are very excited to be here to experience the Tour de France- Le Grand Depart in Yorkshire. Keeping fingers crossed for the weather but the forecast looks good.

Dales Festival of Food and Drink 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Fri, 09 May 2014 21:36:00 +0000

The Dales Festival of Food and Drink is held annually in Leyburn, Wensleydale, and is a 3 day festival of local produce that you can try and buy.

It took place last weekend (3, 4 and 5th May) and was again very popular.

In the Richard Whiteley Pavilion was author Gervase Phinn, author, and Gary Verity, CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire speaking on the Tour de France Grand Depart coming through Leyburn in July as well as writer Neil Hanson, author of ‘The Inn at the Top’with his tales of life running the highest pub in Britain.

The beer Tent was run by Daleside Brewery who served a selection of real ales and ciders from local producers. Corks and Cases from Masham hosted the wine bar.

Put the date firmly in your diary for next year!

First Motorbike at Laykin

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 21:41:00 +0000

We were delighted that Laykin is accessible to motorbikes. We weren't sure but our friend Mattie managed it fine! It was a glorious day in the Dales and perfect for motorbiking.

Easter time

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 22:15:00 +0000

It's been great weather all week, and the Dales are looking lovely. Lots of lambs and flowers everywhere.

Le Tour Yorkshire

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 21:49:00 +0000

There is genuine excitement as the days count down towards Saturday 5th July when the Tour de France travels through the Dale over the Buttertubs and down the Dale to Grinton and then over the moors to Leyburn. Hoardes of visitors are expected and many events are planned.

Lovely day in Muker!

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 10:24:00 +0000

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014 - top 10 regions 28 October 2013 Need inspiration for your travels in 2014? These 10 regions have captivated our travel experts with their natural beauty and cultural riches. Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-arThe Lonely Planet's best in travel 2014 top 10 regions

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 22:04:00 +0000

For those of us lucky enough to either live here or visit regularly we know how wonderful the Yorkshire Dales are, now they are rated as the third best area in the world to visit by Lonely Planet 2014.

It’s only a matter of time before this rough-around-the-edges gentleman of the north gets the traveller attention it deserves. Yorkshire’s local athletes helped the county clock up more medals in the 2012 London Olympics than entire countries such as South Africa, Spain and even the 2016 hosts, Brazil. As if basking in Yorkshire’s glory, last year a poll revealed the North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate was the happiest place in Britain. Bradford has become the world’s first Unesco City of Film, a new state-of-the-art gallery in Wakefield is giving London a run for its money, and Yorkshire now has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other county outside London. In 2014, this welcoming region of rugged moorlands, heritage homes and cosy pubs will be able to hold its head even higher when the Tour de France begins its grand départ from Leeds.

Dreaming of a white Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 21:51:00 +0000

Photos taken on Sunday 22nd December.

Weather in Upper Swaledale

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 21:07:00 +0000

Weather in Upper Swaledale

A friend of ours keeps a daily log of the weather and has told me that November is one of the driest months on record, with 2.68” (68mm) of rain for the month, this is 48% of the 10 year average for the month. However the year as a whole is showing a cumulative rainfall of 47.71” which is 97% of the 10 year average. Lets hope it stays fine and dry for Christmas and New Year.

Autumn in Swaledale

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 21:59:00 +0000

The colours were lovely this year!

Our last guests were very happy!

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 22:05:00 +0000

Comments from our last guests at Laykin!

Wonderful autumn photos from our most recent guest Keith, with many thanks!

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 21:33:00 +0000

Swinton Park, a wonderful place for a special occasion!

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 19:46:00 +0000

Yorkshire wins Europe's Leading Destination award

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 18:06:00 +0000

Yorkshire has beaten Berlin, London and Madrid to win the title of Europe's Leading Destination in 2013.

The prize was awarded at the World Travel Awards in Antalya, Turkey, which are described by organisers as the "Oscars of the travel industry".
Yorkshire is the first location other than a major city or country to have won the Leading Destination title in the 17-year history of the awards.
Tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire said the award was a "major coup".
'Top destination' The awards are intended to highlight and reward locations and travel brands considered to have made the greatest contribution to the tourism industry over the past twelve months.
Tourism is worth about £7bn annually to Yorkshire, with 216 million visits made to the county each year, said Welcome to Yorkshire.
The award comes less than a year after Yorkshire won the right to host the start of the Tour de France in July next year, with the race's Grand Depart taking place in Leeds.
Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said the award was a "real validation" of the efforts put in by the county's tourism industry.
"It's fantastic to see Yorkshire taking its rightful place as one of the top holiday destinations in Europe," said Mr Verity.
Previous winners of the Leading European Destination award include Istanbul, Paris, London and Barcelona.

Reeth Show 2013- a scorcher!

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 19:36:00 +0000

Goosander and chicks

noreply@blogger.com (Lou) — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 17:04:00 +0000

Thank you to our guests in June who took these amazing photos on the Swale of this goosander and her 10 chicks!