With it being a bank holiday on Monday, Mick decided to tag a days holiday onto each end of the weekend. On the Friday we had a day out at Fraisthorpe and on Tuesday we decided to visit Hardcastle Crags. It wasn't the brightest idea really, not only was it one of the hottest days of the year but I've been suffering with sciatica and plantar fasciitis so I really didn't want to be walking far. Nevertheless, we did manage a walk.
Hardcastle Crags lies about two miles north of Hebden Bridge and ten miles west of Halifax. It's a wooded Pennine valley owned by the National Trust and there's over fifteen miles of footpaths to explore.
There's different walking trails, from gentle strolls to rugged hikes, and at this time of year the bluebells are covering the woodland floor.
It was a blisteringly hot day but the canopy of the trees kept us shaded, it was a welcome relief from the heat of the day.
There's wildlife to see along the way. This squirrel posed obligingly whilst I took his photo.
We passed sheep who seemed very interested in Archie, though he wasn't a bit interested in them! I felt very sorry for them in their woolly coats, they must have been red hot in the heat.
Archie found a way to cool off, he found a small spring so went for a paddle. He's feeling the heat at the moment too, he's ready to go to the groomers again, though it's not that long since he went last time. He's just so much more comfortable with a short coat during the summer months.
We could have stayed much longer had it not been for my painful back and foot but I'm sure we'll go back when I'm feeling more up to walking further.
Afterwards, we drove to Hebden Bridge where we ate our lunch.
I'd taken a salad with me but Mick bought a steak & ale pie from a local butchers. It was nice by the river.
It's really lovely to be getting out and about a bit now after all the time we've been under orders to stay at home. We're still being very careful when we're out and we're due to have our second vaccinations this afternoon. Let's hope that this is the first step to getting back to living normally again.
I hope your pain eases soon and good to know you're having your second covid jabs today. That looks a lovely walk and well done on capturing your squirrel photo as they don't usually stay still for long when people are about. Lovely to see Archie enjoying the cool water.
ReplyDeleteThat looks a beautiful walk - isn't it so restorative to be out again?
ReplyDeleteReally sorry to hear about your plantar fasciitis - I developed it last year over lockdown 1 when I just stopped wearing shoes as I wasn't leaving the house/ garden - it's miserable, isn't it? Have you found anything that helps? I wear Crocs around the house (fake Lidl ones) and got insoles for my shoes which I think have helped. It's not gotten any worse, anyway!
I think my plantar fasciitis developed due to wearing mule or flip flop style shoes and slippers for such a long time. I now make sure that I wear full trainers and full slippers too. I think that helps a little, though some days are worse than others with it and I can't really work out why.
DeleteHave you tried Birkenstock insoles? They’re amazing. I’m wearing them in every pair of shoes as well as my bedroom slippers, and the pain from plantar fasciitis is gone.
DeleteThat's really good to know, thank you for taking the time to comment, I shall definitely look into those.
DeleteJust weighing in on the plantar fasciitis conversation. I had it and my podiatrist said always buy shoes which have the toes lifted in a curve, never wear ballet pumps, and be careful of other shoes without a fastening across the foot. The exercises I was given were to sit with your legs out and pull your toes back (easy to do in bed!) and to stand on a step and lower your heels. Both of these help to stretch the muscles at the base of your foot and up the back of the leg. My plantar fasciitis has gone now, but I have arthritis in my toe joints instead!
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Thank you. I'll try the exercises you mention.
DeleteAnother place to visit! Was it v3ry hilly? I too have plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis in my hips don't enjoy steep climbs. I live on the outskirts of Leeds. Thanks to reading your blog we have visited Towton and Pontefract recently. Both interesting and enjoyable. My husband now understands why I read blogs!! I wish I was as talented as you at knitting and crochet.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your lovely comment. As I said in my post, we didn't walk too far at Hardcastle Crags but yes, I would say that it is quite hilly, especially on the track we took, which was actually signed as an easy trail, though they do say there are some gentle strolls and we did see people who were walking with sticks too so I should imagine it's just a case of doing some research and finding out the best way for you. I intend to go back again at some point and I shall definitely do more research before I go as there seems to be lots of different pathways you can take, it's just a case of discovering which is best for you.
DeleteWhat a beautiful walk you took us on, so very pretty. I know I should choose salad for lunch but I would have had to go with Mick for the pie, yummy! It is so nice to be out and about again.
ReplyDeleteLooks idyllic, I love walking in woodland, especially if it has a stream running through it. Pity you couldn't enjoy it more, with your poorly back and foot. Husband had plantar fasciitis quite badly a couple of years ago and has just been told he's got it again, although not as severe this time. So I know how painful it can be. Hope at least the back improves soon - although I expect the foot thing is throwing your posture out.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day out and it's made such a difference with the sun finally appearing this last week.
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful there. I love walking beneath trees on a hot sunny day, as the sun makes such lovely patterns through the leaves.
ReplyDeleteI hope your discomfort eases soon. X
I'm sorry to hear you're in so much pain Jo and hope you get some relief soon, some good suggestions in the comments let's hope something works for you, that looks like a beautiful walk, I have made a note of it as it's not too far away from me. Everywhere looks so beautifully green and lush now doesn't it, it's my favourite time of the year. Enjoy your weekend. Xx
ReplyDeleteLooks a lovely place to walk, but it has been a bit hot for being out and about this week hasn't it, much better than the rain we've been having though. I hope your foot and back are feeling better now and that you haven't suffered any side effects from your jabs.
ReplyDeleteLovely Jo and this place has been on my to-do list for years, but we've never had time & will it ever happen now? Keith also suffered with his feet & I've another suggestion, but I'll either email or even phone you with something he did too which hasn't been mentioned above.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you can improve your back too & I'm now on a 6 monthly injection for my osteoporosis, so please be careful with your back. We have our 2nd Covid jabs on the 19th June. Hope you were OK after yours today. Take care, stay safe & hugs.
It looks like a beautiful day and a fun place to explore.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, the perfect spot on a hot day with bluebells included! I'm sorry to hear getting about is so painful for you but it is great to go somewhere different for a change and enjoy watching Archie splashing about in the river. Good luck with the vaccinations, fingers crossed the side effects are minimal.
ReplyDeleteI remember walking there as a child, we lived not far away. Beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a really nice place for a stroll or a wander.
ReplyDeleteI hope your back and foot improves soon, and that your vaccinations went okay. xx
That looks a lovely spot, I enjoyed seeing all of your photographs, and that one of the squirrel is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteSorry to read you are in some discomfort, I do hope things improve for you, reading through the comments above their seems to be a few good suggestions that may help.
Hope you were ok after your second vaccination.
Have a good new week.
All the best Jan
This is a gorgeous setting for a walk, I hope you get to do it again when you're feeling better. Fantastic photos!
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
That looks like a very tranquil and peaceful place to have a wander, sorry you were hurting so much you couldn´t fully enjoy it. A second visit sounds like a very good plan xcx
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful walk, yes the sheep must be suffering under those coats. Archie sure knows how to cool down. I do hope your back and foot improve soon, pain does ruin a good walk.xxx
ReplyDelete