I’ve wanted to have a holiday in Lancashire for a few years. When I was little we would go and stay with my Gran who lived in Colne. I have recently diagnosed myself with a fairly reasonable case of Nostalgia and this week away was a symptom. I found a farm in Clitheroe with a converted stable for holiday accommodation (My post about the farm is Here, it’s yarn related! Oh, and there’s a seriously superduper yarn related surprise at the bottom of this post too).
What I wanted to do was visit places I’d been to as a child and show my own kids a part of their heritage. A lot of memories about going up north relate to my fascination with the Pendle witches. I think it’s fair to say that I was obsessed with the stories from 400 years ago. When I was about eleven I even wrote a little history book complete with illustrations! The story of these people was told to me by Gran as we looked out of the back room window of her house. She’d ask me if I could see the witch of Pendle Hill, for that was the view we had. This time round, I think it was pretty much a done deal that we should do a mini tour of the Pendle area, including walking up Pendle Hill. As a child I was told that I wouldn’t enjoy clambering up the steep sides and therefore had never been further than the foot of it. Last week I achieved a life time ambition and went to the top!
First stop of the Pendle tour: Witches Galore in Newchurch, quite possibly my favourite shop when I was little. I think the promise of going there was more exciting than actually stepping foot inside. The animatronic display in the little far right window was also a lure. Put 10p in the slot and a witch would stir her bubbling cauldron whilst her familiars got up to mischief behind her (something like that anyway. Sadly, it’s not there anymore. I asked. It’s been gone for nearly ten years). Last week I bought a mug and a fridge magnet as souvenirs, which still tickles me for some reason!
In the village of Roughlee is a statue of Alice Nutter, one of the women accused of witchcraft. The statue was designed by a local artist and it was put in place in 2012 to mark the 400th anniversary of her death, well, all of their deaths; their hangings.
We also went to the Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford to learn more history of the area.
Interestingly, Pendle Hill is also where the Quaker movement was founded, so moved was the guy who founded it when he went to the top. Lancashire has a history heavily steeped in religion, which is maybe one of the reasons why witchcraft was more prevalent here than in other places. Also, I’m sure the fact that the Lancashire witch trials were recorded in great detail has something to do with it.
Another day, another trip down memory lane. I see this as Postman Pat country. The lanes are so reminiscent of one of my favourite programmes as a kid (I even had the lunch box. I remember picking at the picture on the front whilst I waited for my mum to come and pick me up from school because I had a toothache). OK, this Nostalgia thing is worse than I first thought.
Anyway, this is Malham, a village across the border and into the Yorkshire Dales. For years I thought I’d dreamed this place up. I must have been pretty young when we went for me to think I’d invented it. Revisiting, I have to say that it is completely within the realms of possibility that this place is a figment of someone’s imagination. Aside from the hoards of tourists that bring you back to earth, Malham Cove is an absolute stunner.
I think I’ve done pretty well in managing not to capture too many of the other human visitors. The kids likened the place to the world of Zelda and I know exactly what they mean. It’s a fantasy land. I can’t see any reason why a faery or two wouldn’t want to live here. Just look at it!!
Anyone else get Picnic At Hanging Rock vibes? Ethereal is a good word to describe it. This pic, by the way, is the bottom of that big cliff face. The water comes from somewhere underneath. That’s another kind of wizardry. Nature is awesome!
Mum told us we were foolish to try Lake Windermere in August. She was right, it was heaving with people. Traffic was hideous and I couldn’t quite believe how all of us people had turned somewhere so beautiful into something ugly. We did no research, just thought we were were close enough that we shouldn’t miss out on a quick look. Sat in a traffic jam, hastily googling on my phone I found lots of places that would have been much better but by then it was too late. We were idiots. Regardless, the views were breath taking.
For part two I want to tell you all about the holiday accommodation and the story behind Freda and Darrell’s farm in Clitheroe. I think you’ll like it. I couldn’t quite believe my luck that we’d found somewhere that had their own wool to spin and dye! More on that another day soon.
But wait, that’s not all. A couple of weeks before the holiday I happened to see on Facebook that Lucy of Attic 24 had put out an open invitation for a knit & natter group in Skipton. We were twenty five minutes from Skipton! It was an opportunity I really couldn’t miss. It was our last day and I thought why the hell not?! I’d regret it if I chickened out. Steeling myself, I stepped into Cooper’s Cafe and joined a group of very lovely and welcoming people. Crikey I was nervous. I don’t know how I came across, no idea at all. It’s all a bit of a blur really. I don’t think I made a twonk of myself but you never know! I had one moment where I thought “I wish I hadn’t said that” (I’ve got no filter) but mostly I think I was well behaved. It was a bit of a worry that I’d come across as a crazy stalker but thankfully there were other newbies there too so I didn’t feel alone. It turned out that they were normal; fingers crossed I was too. And I know that I’m not a weirdo stalker, so there’s that. I loved that everyone was equally enthusiastic about each other’s projects, I loved that we were all asking questions and sharing knowledge. I loved how relaxing it was. It was wonderful to join in and I left full of inspiration about starting a group in my own town. I’m extremely glad that I’ve started making myself do “brave” things. I know I wouldn’t have gone otherwise.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful memories, thoughts, feelings and gorgeous photographs. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about your holiday. So pleased you plucked up the courage to meet Lucy, you lucky lady.
Thanks 💜
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you too! 😀
A wonderful read, fabulous photos and you met Lucy! What a wonderful holiday, Thanks for sharing it. I’ll look forward to the next installment 🙂
Thank you! It really was lovely. Hopefully I’ll get some time to write part 2 tonight but I’m not sure if I’ll get access to the computer (share it with the kids !!)…
Fabulous post Rosina… we too were up North for a couple of weeks but right in the North East (blog post to follow soon)… I love your nostalgia! 🙂 🙂 xx
I’ll keep an eye out for your post. Hope you had a good holiday.
My blog reading has failed enormously over the last few months and I miss so much more than I used to. Maybe I can get back on it once the kids go back to school… X
Thanks Rosina. I can totally relate to that… the balance between being online and actually crocheting is getting harder to get right!! I can’t keep up with blogs I love either… but for me, when the kids go back to school it also means I go back to work (I work term time only) 🙁 xxxx
Oh gosh, so you have to find a completely different balance! I think it’s just that times are changing. We’re both doing more crochet “work” now and that takes over a little bit. 😀
XX
Absolutely…but that’s a good thing! 😉😉
Sounds like my kind of holiday. I’d love to go to a knit and natter at Cooper’s especially. 😊
I really enjoyed it. No rush rush rush, just plodding along at a gentle pace. Lovely. 🙂
Oh, oh , OH! OH. Love this post. Have wanted to visit Pendle, ever since we saw it on Most Haunted, and Malham because it looks awesome. The cliffs feature in the Water Babies btw. And as for meeting Lucy, hurrah for weird stalking, sounds a great idea.
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
:D. I must try and find the Most Haunted episode.
I googled the water babies thing. I didn’t know that! I have a copy of the book somewhere but I don’t think I ever read it. Probably saw the cartoon a few times when I was little though!
Great photos, looks like a nice holiday. Good for you getting ‘brave’!
Thanks! We had such a lovely time.
Silly, isn’t it!? But sometimes little things like that can be so nerve racking!
What a beautiful place! Well done for braving the knit and natter! I hope you do decide to set up your own group, I’m so glad we set up our sewing group. It’s been brilliant. x
Yes, it really is beautiful. We ran out of time, I reckon there are lots of other places we could have enjoyed.
The group is on my mind a lot, it’s definitely something I want to set up. And soon! 😀
Hi, I was sat next to you at the knit and knatter! (Crocheting a poncho) I promise I’m not a crazy stalker either! You didn’t come across as a twonk, I had a few moments like that there too. I’m a bit of a nervous chatterer, and say the first thing which comes out of my mouth. It was lovely to meet you and I hope you jumper is coming along nicely. Rachel
Hello!! I’m so glad you found me! Nervous chatterer here too! 😀
I finished my jumper over the weekend, I love it! You don’t have instagram if I remember correctly. I’ve also got a facebook page and I put a pic up of my jumper yesterday. I’m Zeens and Roger there too!
How’s your poncho coming along? x
I don’t mean to be antagonist in anyway, but why is there a hierarchy in crochet? I am so aware of it. I bet people were thrilled to see you at the knit and natter- they were lucky to get to meet you. Some people are no better or no worse than most people I am sure (in talent, skill or personality) but are revered in a way that other designers/bloggers etc. (with complex designs under their belt) are not. I can think of many talented designers who are largely and unfairly unsung comparatively. Yet they all are very talented and write great blogs or have nice podcasts, have excellent books and so on I don”t understand it! Often they are published in magazines and have their own beautiful designs and patterns in all areas of crochet. Not sure why we pick out only a few, to celebrate and give kudos to – it t seems really unfair to me. Here’s to a crochet democracy in the future (or meritocracy, even better).
I’ve never designed crochet beyond finger-less mittens but those of you who make shawls or garments and use differing/changing colours out of your comfort zones and who push the boundaries are those who have my admiration. I could give names but it seems inappropriate but I never get why these people and their talents are so comparatively unsung. Thank you for your own contributions, your podcast is really fun and entertaining as well as being full of lovely crochet. Your jumper as just seen by me on Instagram is phenomenally good and suits you so well – I love it. I am so pleased people are making woollies to wear because it show how adaptable crochet really is. It isn’t just for blankets at all (and I do love a nice blanket). Thanks for showcasing how great crochet is for all kinds of things.
Hi Sara.
I understand what you mean and have been thinking a lot about what you’ve said. I agree with you. It exists everywhere, in many industries. I don’t know why some people get put on a pedestal whilst others who are equally talented are overlooked. Luck?! Right place, right time? Yep, it can be frustrating and disheartening.
It is also a pleasure to meet people you know you have common interests with. I was excited to meet everyone in the knit & natter and not just the familiar faces (although yes, I thought that was exciting!). We all had Craft in common and it was refreshing to be able to chat freely about it in a relaxed environment.
I’m totally envious of so many designers out there (regardless of what kind of following they have). I’m also quite open about giving myself a pat on the back if I’m feeling proud of my achievements!
What do you reckon the answer is? It’s tricky.
Thank you for saying what you think, I don’t believe you were being antagonistic. Your comment has come at a time when I’m questioning my place in this crafty community. Lots of thoughts have been in my head about whether I’m good enough/original enough, the dreaded Imposter Syndrome has raised its head again etc. And it has also come at a time when I’ve seen my work being passed off as someone else’s (someone much “bigger” than me). It stings, I tell you!! So, really, thank you. Thanks for saying it! We all deserve a place here. X