Back from Malton now. It's amazing what memories can be forged in a mere two day break.
Though we saw very little rain, the sky above us was essentially a king-sized light grey quilt, blocking out sunshine and ensuring that the colours of the world around us were rather muted. Driving over The Yorkshire Wolds on back roads from Driffield to Malton would have been pretty exhilarating in bright sunshine - with the vast wheatfields still being harvested and The Yorkshire Moors brooding in a northerly distance.
On Tuesday, Shirley and I undertook a four mile walk east of The River Derwent. We parked Butch (new car) in the village of Westow and then a mile away, in the hamlet of Firby, we spotted some photogenic cattle which rather saved the day - photographically speaking...
The pilgrimage aspect of this break took me to my father's childhood home in Norton-upon-Derwent which sits directly opposite Malton. In fact, it's really just one big town community separated by the river and the railway track.
I also saw the grave of my paternal grandparents Thomas and Margaret. They are buried in the same plot where their youngest son, my Uncle Jack was interred in 1940 after being killed on active duty with The Royal Air Force. Thomas died at the age of 72 just a month before I was born. I left the three of them potted white chrysanthemums in remembrance.
Co-incidentally, my best friend Tony was also born and raised in Norton and Malton. We visited his childhood home and saw the place where he was born - a grand Edwardian residence in the village of Westow which once boasted a maternity unit.
I also walked up to Malton Grammar School where my father and Uncle Jack were pupils in the late twenties/early thirties. Tony followed in their footsteps in the early 1970s when he joined the school's sixth form.
On a gable end wall near Malton's historical marketplace, a special recipe has been proudly displayed. Can you see what it is for?
Nice cows... so clean and fluffy! Did you know there's a Malton here in Toronto? It's the area where Toronto Pearson International Airport is located.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and especially the yorkshire pudding recipe. I'll have to take a closer look at it and see how it matches up with my mum's recipe. Glad you two had a good break.
ReplyDeleteThe cows seem quite thrilled to be photographed!
ReplyDeleteNice of the town to immortalize you on the side of a wall!
ReplyDeleteThe four mile walk brought back many good memories for you.
ReplyDeleteThe cows are beautiful and look friendly. I wonder how many people photograph the Yorkshire Pudding recipe every year? I tried to read it but even enlarging the picture didn't help.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a wonderful break, short but filled to the brim with good things.
ReplyDeleteThe recipe for the one large Yorkshire Pudding is interesting; I wonder when people started to make small individual puddings and rather use lard as a frying/baking fat than dripping.
The cows look lovely, until they come up to you with drool coming from their mouths and snot running from their noses. The recipe is dated 1747. I am sure I could not successfully make a yorkie. You certainly have a strong connection to the area.
ReplyDeleteI can't halp but admire the work that went into 'decorating' the wall.
ReplyDeleteA very nice part of the world YP. I would imagine property is expensive there? I believe Brigitte Forsyth was born there? I remember her in The Likely Lads.
ReplyDeleteWhen you drive into Malton there are signs saying 'Food Capital of Yorkshire' or whatever but the only market I went to wasn't particularly good on food. I am sure you had a marvellous time visiting past relatives but I think the cows are pretty awe inspiring. Did you take photos of the churches there?
ReplyDeleteAnother small agricultural Yorkshire town that is a shadow of its former self.
ReplyDeleteYou started with just four eggs.
ReplyDeleteRather a serious journey, it sounds like. A bit somber. Did you have some lightness even if the sun was hidden?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a family history visit and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThe sun would have made it perfect, but the cows looked happy enough.
ReplyDeleteskies look leaden but photography doesn't have to stop with that you shoulda switched over to black and white for a bit of mood in keeping with your historic pilgrimage. Handsome cows. I admire the YP recipe.... must have took some work..... did you agree with the recipe?
ReplyDeleteI can only read the heading of that recipe, but how nice of them to paint a whole wall in honour of your visit... ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to explore our roots as you have done in Malton and I have done on the Isle of Man
ReplyDeleteA town after your own heart! It must have been interesting to visit a place with so much family history.
ReplyDeleteI actually used google maps to look up where Malton is. I LOVE maps and anything geography. Malton was farther north than I thought.
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