CARAVAN CLUB

My annual visit to Yorkshire to stay with friends became a holiday within a holiday this time, as we all departed for a weekend to a small caravan in Marrick, Swaledale. Close to the river Swale and in the grounds of an old priory, the little caravan nestled under a stand of trees far from civilisation. The priory grounds were home to an outdoor pursuits centre, but aside from the odd party of ramblers and the occasional group of eager school kids crossing the field, the site was an oasis of calm.
 

The field next to the priory was home to a handful of sheep and two cows and the rundown buildings at the edge were patrolled by wary farm cats.

Given my fascination with dilapidation and decay, the area was a gift to photography, with ruined walls reclaimed by wild flowers and a wealth of old storerooms and sheds next to the priory, full of junk and disorder. 

Neither the cows or the sheep seemed at all concerned with my wanderings and I walked down to the storehouse behind the old cottage, to investigate the several open doorways. The cottage behind didn't seem to show any signs of occupation and the activity centre was housed in a new build behind the priory wall, so I carefully approached the row of sheds. Inside each one was a midden of fallen timbers, discarded furniture and farm implements and all manner of detritus.

 

I used the A7 and my iphone to gather as many shots as possible, which was just as well, as due to my meddling with the settings on the camera, a couple of the interior shots suffered from camera blur, due to the ISO being set too low. However, the majority of the shots came out well, giving a real feel of isolation and abandonment.

Beyond the field, the rolling hills of Swaledale beckoned and we planned an excursion for the next day!