Something slightly different on my blog today as Judith Barrow author of Sisters published by Honno takes us on a walk …
We walk, Husband and I, whenever we get the chance. And walking is at the centre of most of our holidays.
The following is of a climb walk we did last year on Pen-y-ghent, Yorkshire.
In both the Cumbric language and modern Welsh ‘pen’ means ‘head’, ‘ghent’ is either ‘edge’ or ‘border’. So … Pen-y-ghent or Penyghent … ‘Hill on the Border’
We arrived in Horton-In-Ribblesdale quite early in the day and parked in the village car park. Armed with warm clothes, waterproofs, water and snacks.
I was told Pen-y-gent is the smallest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dales, England. Although I’d read that it was an eleven kilometre circular walk ,I was told by the photographer that we would only be walking around the base of it. The photographer told fibs. He always tells fibs, to “get the best photographs”. You’d think I’d know this after all these years.
It’s just possible in this photograph to see the track way in the distance. Unfortunately, keeping my head down to make sure I navigated the rocks and ruts in the track, I didn’t notice at the time.
Before we began the ascent we did a detour for about five hundred metres to Hull Pot, a collapsed cavern. I’d read that after rainfall there is an impressive waterfall there, and even, after prolonged rainfall, it turns into a temporary lake. However we arrived after a time of little rain. Still the rock formation of grit stone and sandstone was fascinating.
Pen-y-ghent stands at six hundred and ninety-four metres. The higher we went, the colder and windier it became. And the higher we went the steeper some of the sections became, and the more breathless I was. A good reason to stop and take more photographs, the photographer said.
Approaching the summit is a man-made paved path and a series of steps leading to the summit – all two hundred and ten of them.
Unfortunately we discovered we’d walked up the alternative route, which meant that the scramble up to the top from the other side looked like a sheer drop downwards to me. We decided to retrace our steps. We returned to Horton via an enclosed walled lane called Horton Scar, with aching legs and feet. (The photographer wants me to stress that I’m speaking for myself here).
‘That is the longest, highest walk we’ll be doing this week, isn’t it?’ I asked.
He didn’t answer.
About Judith Barrow
I originally lived in Saddleworth, a group of villages on the edge of the Pennines, but have lived in Pembrokeshire, Wales, for forty-five years. I have an MA in Creative Writing with the University of Wales Trinity St David’s College, Carmarthen, a BA (Hons) in Literature with the Open University, a Diploma in Drama from Swansea University. I give talks on creative writing as well as being a creative writing tutor and hold workshops on all genres.
Like most writers I’m a people watcher. Not in a creepy way… well, I don’t think so! But in that way of, “hmm, they could make a wonderful character!” and, “I wonder why they did that? Said that? What’s going on?” kind of way. People are fascinating. As human beings we do and say the most extraordinary things – however mundane we think we are, however boring we believe our lives to be. But it’s the layers of the experiences we’ve all built up from childhood to adulthood that makes each of us interesting. And the way we react to others is fascinating. Not least in the relationships within families. Because where else, in what circumstances, is there such a capacity for secrecy, for deception, for lies, for love, for empathy, for forgiveness? For misunderstandings and misreading of siblings, of parents. It’s intriguing. And no two families are alike – so the scope for creativity is endless. And I love exploring all these aspects.
My social media and website links:-
Website: https://judithbarrowblog.com/
Author page on publisher’s website: https://www.honno.co.uk/authors/judith-barrow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judithbarrow2912/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-anne-barrow-02812b11/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/judithbarrow/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judith.barrow.3/
X Twitter: https://twitter.com/judithbarrow77
My latest book is Sisters. It’s a story built around one of the most devastating tragedies a family can endure.
About Sisters
Most of us like to think that our home is our safe haven, a place we live with our families, where we can just be ourselves.
But what if it’s not?
What happens when there is a family disaster and one member of that family is seen to be at fault? Tension inevitably builds, judgements are made. Whether it’s a total catastrophe or an avoidable misfortune, if the finger is pointed, estrangement can follow.
Some of these rifts develop over long periods of time, following a series of mistakes and carelessness, whilst others are brought about by a sudden, unexpected tragedy. Often, when it’s the latter, when it’s something so dreadful, so unforgivable, that the hurt within the family is too great, there seems to be no choice but to expel that member off, to disown them. They are denied a voice, become vilified. The estrangement widens and over the years layers of resentful memories build up.
The misery is more palpable when the alienation is between children. Sibling relationships can be one of the most enduring connections we have in our lives. Usually they are the first people we bond with, after our parents. When that bond is forcibly broken it can lead to unimaginable heartbreak. As it is in Sisters.
A powerful story of domestic violence, courage and forgiveness. An accident and a terrible lie by sixteen-year-old Angie tears her family apart and her younger sister, Lisa, being sent away. They don’t speak for thirteen years, until their mother’s death brings them together. Lisa quickly realises her sister is trapped in a dangerous marriage.
What does Lisa owe to the family that betrayed her? And if she tries to help, will she make things more dangerous for them all?
Book buying links:
Amazon.co.uk: Paperback: https://tinyurl.com/47n8ww4p
Kindle: https://tinyurl.com/4n8trsv6
Amazon.com: Paperback: https://bit.ly/3WGcuB1
Kindle: https://bit.ly/3QM0cD9
Honno: Paperback: https://tinyurl.com/5n782cew
Kobo: eBook: https://tinyurl.com/3jw3pjwj
Other Books by Judith Barrow:
And coming in November 2024 – The Stranger in my House watch out for it …
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My latest release is A New Arrival in Borteen Bay
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Published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books
Morton S. Gray - Author 
Love this. So interesting when authors let us into their real world.
Sent from my iPhone
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I’m loving this series of posts as it is fascinating to find out more about the people behind the books!
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I loved Judith’s account of her walk plus the great pictures! Sisters is a terrific read and I’m looking forward to The Stranger in my House when it comes out. I’m off to buy The Girl on the Beach now!
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Thank you 🙏
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