Autumn on the Yorkshire Moors

In 2010 we dallied in the fresh autumnal air of the Yorkshire Dales. Five years later we were back for moor – the Yorkshire Moors that is. For those of us who hail from the crowded south, it is hard to believe that such a seemingly vast, empty landscape, tree-less, unbroken and bleak can exist in this small country, England. In fact the Moors cover less area than Greater London but there they are, around 450metres above sea level, carpeted in heather and bracken turning brown in early October, harbouring delightful small towns and villages, and criss-crossed by narrow, near-deserted roads so beloved of Giulietta drivers.  

The unpretentious and friendly Worsley Arms Hotel in Hovingham was our base for the two nights of our three day trip. Nineteen of us in 10 Giuliettas and Giulias were joined on our drives by Howard and Jacqui Bryan, and Paul and Jane Wignall who live nearby. They recommended the delightful figure-of-eight route centred on Hovingham, taking in the marvellous ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, the lively market town of Hemsley, the mist-shrouded white horse hill carving near Kilburn, the old railway yards and steam trains at Grosmont, wine tasting at Ryedale Vineyards, and much moor in between.     

It was great to have Don and Lynda Sanders from North Carolina, USA joining the party again having also been on the trip to Germany in June and the Italy trip in 2014.  We enjoyed meeting Martin and Liz Hunter with their beautifully prepared dark blue Sprint and hearing about their eclectic collection of classics, and it was good to see Ken Hammond back with his exquisite early Sprint with an unfortunate 2 litre transplant now happily replaced by the original rebuilt 1300 cc motor.

As for the rest, it was the “usual suspects” kicking tyres and catching up – Duncan and Bridget, Stuart and Jan, Paul and Kate, Julian and Stephanie, Peter and Marianne, Richard and Jackie, and of course Tony and Jane whose flawless organisation ensured everyone had a great weekend.  Many thanks to Tony and Jane, to Paul and Jane for the brilliant routes, and to Howard for inviting us to see his big box of well-used toys.

Photos by Jane Ives and Marianne Bradnock