Otley is normally a busy small town but you don't have to walk far to find some space and tranquillity. The River Wharfe flows through the town, with parkland beside it. The weir dates from the time, not all that long ago, when mills lined the banks. Now a smart new housing development has sprung up, and the old Victorian engine house has been converted into a restaurant.
On one side of the river, Wharfemeadows Park and its colourful flower beds provides a place to stroll and relax. You can follow a path downriver to a small nature reserve, though I didn't go that far. On the other bank, a little park rejoices in the name of Tittybottle Park, where Victorian mothers and nannies would nurse their babies. It's only a few weeks ago that the whole of the area in the photo below was underwater with the bad floods we had.
I happened to bump (not literally) into some friends in the park. They live in Otley but travel a lot and I don't see them often. So that was a pleasant interlude. We conducted a brief chat at the required 2m distancing.
This area does indeed flood each year and the River Wharfe laps the front of the houses above. The pedestrian footpath attachment to the ancient bridge was fitted in 1958. To the left of the weeping willow tree stood until very recently an active mill manufacturing paper. Our art master made us paint this river scene. It is a peaceful and beautiful spot. I painted the colourful rowing boats.
ReplyDeleteYou had the whole place to yourself, almost!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place to photograph. Thanks. I love the spring flowers, which didn't do too badly having been flooded apparently.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just noticed the beds are raised.
DeleteNice to see the Spring haze on the trees.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got out and about. Thanks for the photos...
ReplyDelete