Sometimes, when you live in a city as big as Leeds, you feel that you could be living anywhere.
But one thing I really do appreciate about my corner of this city it how rural - how Yorkshire - it can feel, with it's horses and dry stone walls. I'm thankful that I feel safe enough to walk around my local area when it's dark, with my friends and my camera, chatting and snapping as I go, saying hello to runners, dog walkers or people just out for a stroll. Being friendly.
A couple of weeks ago, on a mild and overcast night not long after midsummer, my two very good friends and I walked to a nearby pub. We sat outside with our beers and food for as long as we could, until it started to rain a little, then we moved inside and ordered a bottle of red wine. When we left much, much later, the orange light from the streetlamp made the tall grasses glow and there was still a faint glimmering in the westernmost corner of the sky.
It sounds like a beautiful night, good friends, good wine and gorgeous pictures to remind you of that special night.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
It is a truly lovely region where you live... What beautiful landscapes ! And you say you live near to Leeds ? Wow, it looks like the middle of nowhere (in a positive way) !! Always nice to live somewhere where you have the advantages of a city nearby, but still be able to get "air" from nature...
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky to live in a place like this. I haven't ventured out alone after dark in years because it isn't a good idea around here. You like in a beautiful place and I'm glad you appreciate it so much.
ReplyDeletePrecious times
ReplyDeleteAh, bliss. Perfectly content! Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteYour views are breathtaking! You are truly blessed!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're having a great week!
Tammy
Love the photos - and I'm a total horse freak (it never really wore off despite having grown up).
ReplyDeleteI also love Yorkshire despite being a dyed-in-the-wool Lancastrian!
Sarah x
Great pics, it is great to see another part of the world. Jo x
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful area-I've only been to Yorkshire once when I was a teenager but I remember how struck I was by the landscapes and how friendly people were :-D
ReplyDeleteSound lovely hard to believe you live in a city, looks like a lovely corner of the world
ReplyDeleteClare x
Fabulous pics Gillian, especially the stonecrop on the dry stone wall. It's hard to believe you live in a city from these photos and looks like you enjoy the best of both worlds! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteJane x
You live in such a beautiful place. Your evening out with friends sounds perfect! And your photos are always so nice.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. Brings back memories of many runs and that evening in particular. Make it not be our last. x
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures, makes me feel homesick for the UK and this long summer evenings. T x
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and a lovely evening by the sounds of it!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos, you do live in a lovely area. And summer evenings are so magical. I bet you had a wonderful time with your friends. I miss going out in the evenings sometimes, especially when it's warm enough to sit outside. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteIt's good to live somewhere where you can wonder out in the evening without worrying. I've never been to Yorkshire, but it sure is on my list.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics! We are so lucky to live in Yorkshire. There's nowhwere like it!
ReplyDeleteJacqui xx
Beautiful pics and indeed you do live in a very pretty part of the country. It was lovely to see Yorkshire showcased so beautifully for the rest of the world to enjoy too on the Tour de France coverage.
ReplyDeleteBeer, red wine & midsummer... sounds like a good combo to me! ;-)
Xx
summer evenings at the pub. perfect x
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful pics again Gillian, and such a lovely way to spend an evening with friends. Like Gilly, we very much enjoyed seeing the Tour de Yorkshire, travelling roads that we knew and loved way back when …. We have no twilight here so when it starts to get dark it happens quickly - we miss the long summer nights; thank you for sharing some of yours - your pics and chat brought back some lovely memories! xoJoy
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great evening out, and how great that it is close enough to walk to. One day we would like to live somewhere with a pub close enough to walk to, so I cam imagine how much you appreciate it. xx
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures. In the one before the evening ones it looks like there is an interesting big house up the hill. Do you know if it is?
ReplyDeleteThat is Tong Hall. It used to be a stately home but now it's offices I think. x
DeleteHow lovely to be able to walk to a pub with all that beautiful scenery around. Take care.
ReplyDeleteFeeling safe out and about is something I can fully appreciate as I live just outside a small town, down a lane without street lights. I often walk home from evenings out with friends and never feel unsafe at all.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos as always Gillian, thanks for sharing a little bit of home with us
xx
Lovely photos - Yorkshire is a great place. Will be visiting there again soon.
ReplyDeleteSounds great, I live in a similar pace though that does depend on which direction you take!
ReplyDeleteSo peaceful and lovely!
ReplyDeletePerfect way to spend an evening :) Love your corner of the world!
ReplyDeleteSophie xo
Hello, I feel like I've been away for ages. So nice to catch up on your recent posts. Well I totally thought you lived in a big city so I never expected this to be on your doorstep - it's absolutely gorgeous!!! And to be able to stroll to the Pub, even better!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful it truly is but the fact that it is safe as well, that is what is really incredible!!! We live about 80km from the nearest town and believe me, even out here we do not dare walk out at night!!!! It just is not safe!!! What with poachers and burglars, not it is just not even a thought in our minds!!!! Have a fab week!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove
AMarie xxx
Sounds perfect bliss xxxx
ReplyDeleteGillian,
ReplyDeleteI love Leeds. It always reminded me of home when I was a student there. I always found it very green for a city. I love the vibe of the place and the edge. But it has it's softer side too, and your photographs demonstrate that beautifully. And I'm rather envious of that mid week wander down to the pub.
Leanne xx
Thank you for sharing your town with us Gillian - it looks just lovely. Sounds like you have the best of both worlds right at your doorstep!
ReplyDeleteCities are great, but it is always nice to get back to the countryside. I love those skies!
ReplyDeleteI have been horrible at commenting as of late, but I have been reading, and oh how I have been enjoying your blog, Gillian! *hugs* :)
ReplyDeleteYour evening at the pub sounds like bliss. I loved our local pub when we lived in London. Have been catching up on posts and love your Friday happies - will join in next week! xo
ReplyDeleteYour local area looks lovely. My heavily industrialised home town (in the North Riding of Yorks) usually tops the 'Worst place for .....' lists but it butts against stunning countryside on one side and the coast on the other which can't be bad.
ReplyDeleteit looks beautiful! I've never been to the UK but I'm going to visit London for the first time in October. Really looking forward to that! And I love the fact that I live on the countryside. Vienna, the next big city is just a 30 minute drive away (I commute there everyday to work) but in the evening I come home to nature and beauty and calm. Nothing better than being able to sleep with your windows open! ;)
ReplyDeleteYour area does look rural from what I can see in the photos and that's so lovely. You enjoy the benefits of city living but at the same time you have the big green spaces like in the countryside. What a wonderful place to live! x
ReplyDeleteLeeds is great like that - a perfect merger of City and countryside (Sheffield is similar too). :-) x
ReplyDeleteOh you are lucky! That is beautiful! I have the little white flowers in a pot in my garden, they are very sweet. Anna x
ReplyDeleteWhatt? Really, that's City? I thought you lived in a country town.
ReplyDelete