On Saturday we drove ten minutes out of town for our permitted socially distanced exercise. It’s the first time I have left Clitheroe in six weeks. Wil still drives to Blackburn for work five days a week, so he wasn’t as excited to be out in the car as I was. It’s been a while! Anyway I think the change of scenery did me good. Apart from the odd dog walker, it was fairly quiet at Dean Clough Reservoir, a pretty body of water above York village near Whalley. We parked in a lay by outside the village and soon found the footpath that leads down to the reservoir.
At this time of year the golden yellow gorse flowers are all in bloom, giving off a heavenly coconut fragrance. There were bees buzzing round bugles and I saw my first swallows of the year.
In a few weeks the Yellow Flag Irises will come into flower, for now they are letting the marsh marigolds and cuckoo flowers take all the glory.
On the water we saw various birds including cormorant, Canada geese, mallards and this gorgeous Great Crested Grebe.
Instead of following the path around the reservoir we took another trail up to some rocky outcrops and admired the views for a little while. Butterflies fluttered by in a gentle spring time breeze.
We took the path back into York which is a small hamlet with a nice looking pub called the Lord Nelson. Hopefully it will open back up in the coming months. Spied some belties at a nearby farm.
Back where we had parked the car, this was our view! A rather large man standing on a small hill.
It’s a sculpture of some kind but I haven’t been able to find any information online about why it’s there. In the future will have to walk up to it for a closer look. 😁
Thanks for reading & stay safe. x
sunshine and celandines 
Looks like a nice walk, maybe I’ll explore it myself sometime. I love the first photo, the one above the post title, it’s lovely 🙂
The countryside above the res reminded me of the Yorkshire dales. x
Great to get some different views, especially with the sun shining. Like you, I haven’t really been anywhere since the end of March, except on foot. Can’t really complain, because others are much worse off, but it’s going to be quite odd now when I do venture further afield I think.
It was so exciting to get out of my home town. The excitement should last me a couple more weeks. 😅
Yes i’ve seen that large man, let us know when you find out about him.
Haha, I will. My other half thought it was a scarecrow. But it’s to big and solid. 🙂
You have such beautiful walks around you. Thanks for sharing this one. And yes, do get us some info on the giant sculpture. So odd isn’t it when you actually go out in the car. I don’t think I’ve driven for a month – hope i can remember how when I do 😉
Will do! I don’t actually drive, one of life’s permanent pedestrians after about a million lessons. x
Then you really should learn to knit – I get so much done in the passenger seat.
Need to investigate this one – looks a lovely, rewarding walk. Like you, haven’t been anywhere far – other than the beach every day! Feeling the need to explore hills and see trees! But mustn’t grumble! 😉
I feel the need to see the sea. 😉 X
What a lovely walk! Thank you for sharing your lovely photos. I do hope you are able to find out what the large man is doing on top of the hill, how intriguing!
Yes it’s strange, can’t find anything online. Hopefully the man has a plaque or something! x
Lovely Sharon & we can still only drive 2kms from home supposedly so look forward to being able to go further soon. We’ve been to Dean Clough nursery, which I expect is in that vicinity. We also went to Sawley, which I think is close by or that way, so maybe somewhere else you could get to for a nice walk around the ruined abbey & village & by the river. Take care, stay safe & hugs.
Hi Susan not sure about the nursery, but definitely been to Sawley. My sister used to live there. Take care too. xx
That certainly was socially distanced! Amazing that such a beautiful walk was so quiet.
We went in the morning so maybe it got busier after lunch. I have noticed the roads in and out of town are so much busier now. Think everyone is chomping at the bit to go out. x
Yes, I think it’s busier here too.
It’s amazing how little makes us happy these days! Perhaps how it should be 🙂 🙂
You are right there. x
That’s a big man sculpture! Love the beltie- I am getting a cow obsession! What a wonderful walk, and how good to escape!
It was sooo good to escape. This weekend planning a longer walk but starting from home. X
It’s great to see more and more bees and butterflies with each passing week. Looking forward to finding out about the mystery man.
Ha, me too! X
Must be nice to be able to explore, thanks for sharing your walk with us xx
It’s very local. Planning a longer walk from home on Friday as Wil is off for bank holiday. Xx
What Bank Holiday??
Enjoy your walk.
Friday is a bank holiday apparently. Will do!
Every day is a Bank Holiday for me at the moment.
I’ve become used to the silence, the sunshine and the back to nature moments. Not sure I want it to end – but that is being selfish – its time the rest of you went back to work. Only joking.
My other half is working so it will be nice to have him here for a long weekend. There’s definitely things about lockdown that I enjoying. Walks and nature for sure. But I’m definitely ready to get out and about again. 🙂
Enjoy, look forward to your pictures xx
Looks lovely – wide open spaces. I went in the car for the first time in a month on saturday, drove about 5 miles to do a walk – it felt weird!
It does feel a bit naughty.
However I’m hoping to find quiet walks ( which we have so far) in not as visited places, over the coming weeks. X
It does seem like we are allowed out a bit more now. Enjoy the new socially distanced freedoms! I know I will 😀
Although I’m not sure I’ll venture too far yet, I think I’ll keep it fairly local.
Me too. X
This looks like a great walk, I’ll have to add it to the list for when I’m next near Clitheroe, though I imagine that won’t be for some time!