Two Days and a Night in Haworth, 22-23 April, 2016

The 22nd of April was the day after the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte's birthday and the day before my own birthday. There was no better way for me to treat myself than spend a couple of days in Haworth, despite missing Charlotte's celebrations. I arrived around 12:30 p. m., dropped my overnight bag off to the Old Registry Bed & Breakfast, where I was going to check in later on, and made my way leisurely up the steep cobbled Main Street towards the Bronte Parsonage. No matter how many times I have walked here I always feel excited and extremely pleased to do so again. It was a beautiful, sunny day, but just a tad on the nippy side.

The very first scene that made me take my camera out and start taking pics. It speaks about some of the reasons why I love Haworth - quirky, independent shops, old houses, embracing seasons.... The delightful wheel cart outside the Embers of Haworth restaurants always contains seasonal flowers. It is such an attractive and inviting entrance to a restaurant.

Just couldn't resist sharing this image I took of the wheel cart a couple of years ago. My favourite spring flowers, hyacinths filled with spring sunshine was such a gorgeous sight.



The most charming and very photogenic Main Street. There are countless photo opportunities here; you can take hundreds of different great photos depending on the viewpoint, light, time of the day and season. It is impossible for a photographer to find himself/herself here and not take photos, regardless of how many photos they have already taken of this street in the past. It is just an endlessly inspirational street in so many ways.

As I approached the Parsonage, I started looking for signs of yesterday's celebrations. This beautiful floral tribute to Charlotte for her birthday was placed on the steps of the Parsonage.

There was another little half moon shaped floral arrangement on the other side of the Parsonage door. I thought I would compose my image so the tributes are framed with the spring flowers growing in the Parsonage garden.

The Old School Room near the Parsonage. This is a side view; you can see the front here. It is where the celebrations took place. Lots of people came for a cup of tea and a slice of cake. There were also some stage performances, one of which the Haworth Primary School pupils acting scenes from "Jane Eyre". I peered through the windows to see if there were any traces of the party, but the Room was all conscientiously tidied and cleaned up, and left in its usual state.

Daffodils were at their prime, so I had to take a few shots showing the magic they weaved around the place. I took this from Haworth Church graveyard where I got a view with the daffodils framing the house in which John Brown, a sexton to Patrick Bronte and Branwell's drinking companion, lived.

Bright daffodils adding some cheer to the Parsonage and Haworth church graveyards.

My next destination was Pensitone Hill. I wanted to see the film set construction site. I had it in my head that it would be not far from the main entrance to Penistone Hill - the one nearest to Haworth , but soon realized it was nowhere near that side of the country park.

The sun has completely disappeared by now but the moors were still inviting to me.... I took the usual path towards the Bronte Falls.

I never before noticed this seat placed there in memory of someone who loved the moors. Love discovering new things around the moors.

The building site soon came into the view, far in the distance, at the southernmost point of Penistone Hill. "Monstrosity", I've heard people call it; a blot on the landscape it may be, but it is only a temporary structure and it is needed.

A replica Bronte Sisters Parsonage is being built, where the filming of the new drama about the lives of the Bronte family, "To Walk Invisible", is going to take place. I for one cannot wait to see it when it is screened this Christmas.

The last shot I took from the broad track leading to the rear of the building before I turned off to walk back towards Haworth.

The path was meandering and the sky menacing. I preyed it didn't rain, but I was ready for it.....I was just happy to be on the moor and feel like I didn't have a care in the world.

The picnic benches overlooking the Lower Laithe Reservoir looked forlorn on the day despite the wonderful view. Undoubtedly, they were going to be happily occupied before long, when real spring weather arrived.

The section of the path to Haworth running along a hill with discarded quarry stones. It seems isolated and remote around there, but you cannot actually get lost on these moors. All paths lead to the main road.

West Lane and view over Sladen Valley as seen from the path running parallel in the field and leading to the Parsonage.

Something different for a change. These old wooden work clogs caught my eye hanging in someone's garden. I enjoyed playing with some presets in Lightroom aiming at an old photo look.

The scene behind the Parsonage. I like the wavy line of the dry stone wall with the gate in the mid distance and the tree at the far end; and of course, the lovely forsythia in the foreground even though its bloom was far from profuse this year.

The deep pink flowering currant shrub is always a lovely sight at this time of year, and I liked it against the stone brick wall of the Parsonage Museum shop.

I took this photo after I checked into my room and went back out to have an evening meal at the Kings Arms pub. It was past 8 o'clock now, still cloudy and getting rather chilly. I began to long for a long, relaxing bath and a glass of wine....



The Lilac Room at The Old Registry, where I spent the night. It is a lovely, cosy and comfortable attic room.

The view from the skylight window.

I particularly liked the bathroom.

In the morning it was simply wonderful to wake up in Haworth for the first time ever and on my birthday too! I felt that for a first time in a long while I had done something worthwhile for my birthday, especially in view of the plans I had for the day. I have no photos though; it was not a picture taking day, it was a socializing day. After a most beautiful Yorkshire breakfast I went to the Parsonage to have another, closer look at the "Charlotte Great & Small" exhibition in the Bonnel Room. Then I met up with a friend, and after a couple of drinks we went to Ponden Hall for a fascinating bicentenary talk by Ann Dinsdale, the Bronte Parsonage Museum Collection Manager, entitled "Charlotte and Me". Julie, who runs Ponden Hall B&B, prepared a luxurious cream tea for those who attended and took us on the tour of the Hall which has many Bronte connections. No matter how many times I have heard about the history of the Hall I always enjoy listening again. To top off the marvellous day I went back to the Old Registry for an evening meal with G. It is such a great place not just to stay, but eat too. We so enjoyed the warm, romantic ambience, friendly service and most delicious food. All in all, it was a birthday to remember and treasure.

Phew, this is a marathon post for me! Special thanks to everyone who has read it all. I think I shall stick to my usual length in future.