Last half term we took a very welcome break from the electronic world and all its intrusions, and returned for a blissfully happy few days to Abbots House Farm on the North Yorkshire Moors, a campsite with clean, basic amenities (loos and hot showers) along a beautiful drive, right in the place where the television series Heartbeat was filmed. Goathland has retained its latterday charm and a walk into the village from the site sees you navigating wandering sheep, roaming free wherever they choose. It’s about as picturesque as you can get.
Our field was entirely empty apart from us. We set up camp with three hikers’ tents and a tarp, under which we constructed the fire pit barbecue where we cooked our suppers every night. And along the bottom of the field ran the old steam railway with half-hourly trains providing plenty of waving opportunity for the children.
No screens, no social media, no intrusion… we even had a visiting squirrel allow us to feed and stroke it.
The time not spent hiking saw us whittling, reading and – of course – knitting. The picture at the top was taken from the doorway of my tent. Other than a 100-mile stint on the Pennine Way before my youngest was born, I don’t think I’ve felt happier or freer.
Our beloved Teddy was diagnosed with autism back in 2012 and it feels as though we are just emerging as a family from the restrictions such things (happily now mostly in the past as he continues to develop and amaze us) as major meltdowns and flat refusals can put on daily life and especially on outings. Camping and hiking are just perfect for this little whirligig – totally content and always exploring.
Other than simply describing our last break, what is the point of this post, you ask? On a knitting blog, you ask?
Well, the most wonderful thing happened this morning.
I received a message through my Facebook page containing this link: http://www.pitchandstitch.co.uk/
Yes, ladies and gentlemen of the yarnie persuasion – an entire weekend of camping AND knitting! In the most idyllic setting….
I’m in. Who’s with me??
Alice's Adventures in Knittingland 
That sounds lovely!
Looking forward to it. One of my favourite places 😊
We adore Yorkshire too, I’ve shown Mr C this! 😊
Ooh, that’s a bit exciting! Might see you there 😊😊😊