Stranger In A (Not So) Strange Land By Rich Mills

Another escape plan successfully put into action, and we were on our way back up to the heartland of God's own county. North Yorkshire was the destination, and a few days of tranquillity being at one with nature herself. This time it was the solstice and we took our friend Mark with us.

The first place we headed for was a farm near Ripon, where there exists a little-known stone circle, a beautiful (almost finished) iron-age round house, and the most eclectic mix of wonderful people you could ever wish to meet in a muddy field in the middle of nowhere.

It had rained quite hard over the weekend, and so when we arrived on the Sunday evening it was quite chilly. The encampment was smaller than usual, due to the rains and people needing to get home for the Monday. However the small handful of those who had stayed made the whole experience into a precious memory. After cooking and eating around an open fire (which seems to make you ravenously hungry, and all the more appreciative of what is presented to you), we all settled down under blankets and chatted into the early hours. The conversation skipped merrily along, and time slipped passed us, as the sun went down, never quite getting dark as the longest day quietly crept up on us, and we waited patiently for the new dawn.

All but Sam and myself eventually went to grab a few hours sleep, and we vowed to stay up until dawn, keeping the camp-fire burning. Unfortunately this was not quite the case, as we were found huddled together under a mound of blankets and throws just before dawn, like babes-in-the-wood. The camp-fire was still going though, so despite the slip into slumber-land, we had not failed the eccentric collective.

Most of the camp awake (except for Mark) we headed for the upper part of the field, to watch as the sun gradually crept over the horizon, breaking through the light cloud cover, eventually the first rays appearing through the trees off in the distance. Happy solstice everyone! An amazing sight to behold, shared with some very special people. We headed for the stone circle, and each spent time there contemplating, before silently coming together to hold hands and stand in a group, the thoughts of others and the world around us in our hearts.

This heart warming experience at an end, we packed-up camp. The three of us, thankfully, getting a lift up to Wensleydale and the village of Hardraw. The place, The Green Dragon Inn. A wonderful inn over 500 years old, that has the most amazing back-garden. Well it's actually the garden's water feature that makes it really. Hardraw Force, at over a 100 foot drop, the largest single drop water-fall in the UK. Now that's some water feature!

Innkeeper, artist and all round yorkshireman Mark Thompson and his partner Yvonne were our hosts. We descended on them, rucksacks in hand, smelling of wood smoke from the camp fire, in need of a good wash. They provided us with hospitality beyond the call of duty. Good food, a nice cold pint (or two, or three, etc…) and a room for the night. What more could three weary travellers ask for? After a heavy night on the beer, the next day was spent pottering around the Green Dragon and its grounds. Not doing anything in particular, although Mark did set-up a mini hair-dressing business in the corner of the bar at one point.

Sam helped out behind the bar, and I just plonked myself in front of yet another roaring fire. All were content and happy. Away from the rat race, away from the pressures of city life, away from the dull depressing grey of 'ull. Happiness can be found in the simplest of places, and usually these places also turn out to be the most beautiful, inhabited by the most warm-hearted and generous people you could ever wish to meet.

Sorry Hull, you are sadly lacking on all fronts when it comes to this. Not all, but in the most Hull is full of cold hearts and grey clouds. The Yorkshire spirit has been lost in Hull, it's time we made a real effort to reclaim what being from Yorkshire is all about. Get yourself up to the Dales, and you'll soon see what I mean.

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