Millions of people, both local residents and visitors, enjoy Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty every year – many without realising they are in a protected landscape.
Well I certainly didn’t know I was living a protected landscape, an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We are within the North Pennine AONB, one of very many areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland so designated.
This afternoon I was invited out for tea. We drove up the West Allyn valley, then turned left over the moors to Allenheads at the top of the East Allyn valley. There in a pleasant cafe within the lead mining heritage center where we had our treat. Later we headed down the East Allyn to Allendale Town, known by many as the centre of England. And then back up over the moor to home. That’s all within outstandingly beautiful countryside, naturally. And now that’s official!
Actually, until I came out to visit Throssel (still a little still centre in my memory when I need it), I had no idea that the moorland was there – I’d never been anywhere near Newcastle. Very beautiful but very bleak with little inlets shelter (like the Abbey, for example). It must have been truly terrible in winter 100 years ago – must get fairly nowadays, global warming notwithstanding.
I’m so glad tht the monastery has a fond place in your memory which you can recall. I think, or hear that the winters are mild in comparison with say even twenty years ago. All the same this winter has been a corker as far as high winds are concerned. And now, as I write, there is not a breath of wind. Cold and clear night with a full moon spotlighting.