Horsforth

It has been about a year and a half so its high time to say something about the neighbourhood. Our experience of living in the North has some similarities with living in suburban Providence. This feeling probably comes from the relative lack of public transport as compared to Greater London, which has made us more reliant on our car.

So the area is called Horsforth, named for the convenient horse crossing on the River Aire. It has been around since at least 1086 because it is in the Domesday Book. One of the most distinct features of our block of flats is that it surrounds ruins of a old corn mill that was built in the late 1700’s (so yeah, not exactly old). Just down the hill, only a short walk away is our local pub, The Bridge. They are good about having local guest ales, and not always IPAs, which I consider a plus. They have decent pies but I am partial to the giant Yorkshire pudding filled with mash and gravy (so yes, I have reconciled with the savoury crust).

On most Sundays, I walk 20 minutes up the hill to St Margarets, which was built in the late 1800s (again not very old). And on my way I pass through the centre of the old village: Town Street. Krista Tippet and her various guests usually accompany me by headphone on my walks to and from church. Although I walk on Sundays, in true commuter fashion, any trips to Town street in the week are by car.

Oh, how could I almost forget the fantastic Chinese takeaway across the street, for shame.

Yorkshire people are very friendly. It is the kind of place that people will just strike up a conversation with you. And the best thing is it sounds like this!

Photo Credits

Cornmill Fold: Leodis.net

The Bridge: Geolocation.ws

St Margaret's: Yorkshirelife.co.uk

Town Street: Geolocation.ws

Jade Unicorn: Yelp.co.uk