Balancing the Arts with Technology

Wednesday 4 April 2007
:: Grassington, England - Yorkshire::
Chapter 6: Part 1

Once again, Sirs Thomas Leaf and Ingo the Great awoke early long before the breakfast buffet began. Hanging out thumbing through some books on Yorkshire lore ... searching desperately about the tradition of the money tree. Once again, no luck. The buffet was ok - nothing for our adventurers to write home about. Before you knew it, the exploration party was out the door, heavy backpacks on, and off through the village center looking for where the Dales Way picked up. A little turned around, and Lady Vanessa and Sir Ingo doubting Sir Thomas Leaf's directions ... they turned out true as they came across the Scargill House (A global Christian commune) and continued along the Dales Way towards Grassington. More limestone pastures, past lead mines, up over the hills to high pasture. Small flat-topped hill with a cairne they came across that was known as Conistone Pie. Their journey took them through the medieval settlement of "Lea Green" which archaeologically stood as evidence of a Romano-British village of oblong hut shapes surrounded by a wall with a nearby dew pond as its possible water supply. Two lead veins cross the path and are marked by two lines of shallow pits as evidence of lead mining in the area. It was learned that the Faeries in the Yorkshire Dales avoided exposed areas on the Dales - bogs, marshes - they loved the sheltered middle reaches of the Dales, especially the conical hills. The adventurers past by a large 'privately owned' ash kiln along the way. Before the party knew it, they were in the bustling town of Grassington. Through the market streets, perusing stores, and picking up some chutney along the way for the Queen, they made it to a Tea house that welcomed them with the omen of a dead blackbird in the doorway. The adventurers ignored the superstition, and entered into the cafe, for a pot of yorkshire tea in the back patio. Sir Thomas Leaf, knowing this is soon to be his last day in the Yorkshire Dales, decided to order a Yorkshire Pudding for lunch. It was quite tasty! Before long, Queen Susan and Robin the Fool arrived, and joined the adventurers to afternoon tea excited to hear about the adventures. Plans were made to hop into the carriage and head off for the Ruins of Bolton Abby and then an evening to Bradford's infamous curries. Sir Ingo the Great of Koln, Lady Vanessa of the Rhine, and Sir Thomas Leaf Cartographer of Colorado

on to Grassington ... old settlement

This Lime Kiln was built about 150 years ago. Locally quarried limestone was burned in it to produce lime. Farmers used to spread lime on the land to improve the grass. Layers of limestone and coal were loaded into the top of the kiln. Kindling at the bottom of the kiln was lit and the limestone was left to burn for about three days. The arch at the front drew air into the kiln to keep the fire burning. When the limestone had burnt, the lime which was left was raked out at the bottom of the kiln through a small hole called the "eye". This kiln is privately owned and was consolidated with support from the Yorkshire Dales National Park in 1994. ~ monument marker.

The Town of Grassington
:: Grassington, (Yorkshire Dales) - England ::
A small town in picturesque Wharfedale, Yorkshire, England. First granted a charter and fair in 1282 that it continually ran until 1860 when lead mining took over the town bringing prosperity and in 1901 celebrated the opening of the Yorkshire Dales Railway to Threshfield bringing many new visitors to this limestone kingdom. Very much a market town ... Grassington boasts its shopping, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and giftshops. Also known as "Gurston" or "G-town" by the locals. http://www.grassington.net/index.htm