Perhaps you might be wondering why this peacock is wandering around the countryside in a field that's meant for grazing sheep? In fact the peacocks are a feature of the Strines Inn which we visited during our morning out the other week. Most of them stay on the rough ground behind the old buildings, but they're also allowed to roam freely in the nearby fields. It's Springtime so the peacocks strut around displaying their fine plumage. From time-to-time two or three of the birds twist and turn and the upper tail feathers of the 'train' shiver and shake as they're raised and fan out. They're probably competing with one another to show who is dominant in the group.
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The Strines Inn was originally a small manor house built in the 13th century although most of the present day structure is 16th century. It became an inn in the 18th century.
The road widens into an open area which would have been the courtyard where the carts and coaches would have drawn up, the horses rested and the farmers or travellers received refreshments and perhaps a night's stay before the ongoing journey which involved a steep climb up the nearby hills and moorland tracks. Today it's a good place for walkers and cyclists to take a break.
There are good views of The Strines Reservoir and the hills of Bradfield Dale.
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