Todays section of the walk was from Keld to Grinton via Gunnerside and Reeth. It’s shown on the map below and follows part of the coast to coast route. The red section is walking and the green section cycling. It follows the exact footsteps that Alf and Jim did back in the 1950’s and is described in Alfs own words in the book ‘James Herriots Yorkshire’. Yesterday (Day 2) will be a hard act to follow but the joy of…
Today I travelled the second leg of Herriots YHA walk which Alf Wight did in the 1950’s and is described so vividly in the book ’James Herriots Yorkshire’. Alf did this walk with his son Jim and a friend but also did similar walks staying in Youth Hostels with his daughter Rosie too. Alf passed his love for the area on to them both and they are now doing the same for future generations. The second days route is shown…
Today (24th June 2022) I travelled the first leg of the YHA tour that Alf set off on with his son Jim and friend Ian Brown in the 1950’s. I mapped out the route by reading the story that Alf writes in his wonderful book ’James Herriots Yorkshire’. Here is my copy which comes with me on my trips to the dales. The Day 1 route is in light blue on the map below. I started the day leaving from…
If you have read ‘James Herriots Yorkshire’ then you will recall this walk that he describes so avidly in this wonderful book. If you haven’t, t then now is the time to do so! The walk covers 50 or so miles and I will re-trace his EXACT steps from over 60 years ago. Day 1 = Leyburn to Aysgarth. Day 2 = Aysgarth to Keld, Day 3 = Keld to Grinton, Day 4 = Grinton to Leyburn. I will post…
During the dark winter nights James Herriot (Alf) and Helen (Joan) used to play a card game called Bezique – you will recall that from the famous James Herriot books I’m sure. But what kind of game is it? And how do you play it? Well, it Turns out that it is an ancient game that has kind of fallen out of fashion. But i hit google and taught myself how to play it after Christmas. It’s quite a fun…
James Herriot discovered that Piccalilli could mask the taste of the dreaded fat that he was served up on the Horners farm one day. But I think he does Piccalilli an injustice! Having never tasted it I made some in Autumn to the recipe listed in ‘The Best of James Herriot’ and it was a revelation! Served up with some cold meat left over from Boxing Day it was absolutely delicious – and was a real hit at the table…
In summer 2021 I decided to make some of the Elderflower wine mentioned in ‘The Best of James Herriot’ book. It is listed alongside the colourful story of James Herriot and Mr Crump tasting his home-made wines in the farmhouse kitchen after a visit. I didn’t want to post it on here until I had tasted the wine myself – but I did that on Christmas Day 2021. And I must say it was most acceptable! Why not have a…
I decided to make some traditional Yorkshire ‘Fat Rascals’ to celebrate Yorkshire day (Aug 1st 2021) . These were delicious and adapted from the traditional Yorkshire Turf Cakes described in the book ‘The Best of James Herriot’. Turf Cakes have been made since the 15th century and were named because they were cooked over a fire fuelled by turf dug out of the moors. You can have a go yourself – they are pretty easy to make with simple ingredients….
A bit of a wildcard this one! A recipe served to James Herriot by his friendly cook Nielson whilst he was sailing back from Russia after delivering their export cargo of sheep. The recipe is actually called ‘Burning Love’ but that was interpreted as ‘Hot Love’ which is a bit more attention seeking! Its dead easy to make, tasty and fits perfectly with the criteria which all the other James Herriot recipes on here adhere to: Easy to make with…
Bring a taste of James Herriot into your home this weekend! James Herriot describes in his books how Helen spoiled him with good food and the subsequent effect it had on his waistline. He wrote in his books: “ I knew what Helens daily food parcel would contain; not just sandwiches but meat and onion pie, buttered scones and ginger cake to lead me into further indiscretions” Now that summer has finally arrived I thought I would have a go…