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Autumn Walk October 2022 Kettlewell Yorkshire Dales,
13/10/2022 - 17/10/2022
Thursday 13th October.
Travel day
We set off in mist and fog which cleared through the journey becoming fine and sunny for the warm up walk in the afternoon. The meeting place for the walk was The Crown Hotel at Lofthouse, where light refreshments were taken before setting out. The hotel was like stepping back in time but very friendly with good food and drink.
Those attending were Paul, Dick, Ralph, Mick, John W, Andy, Steve, Ben, Graham, Ian, John S and Pete. All did the full walk apart from Ian and Pete who just did a shorter walk ending up at a cafe in an outward bound centre. We did not get off to a good start on the walk as the footpath signs had been moved and the map was wrong!! But the locals put us right. The walk itself was a circular one around the How Stean Gorge before returning to the cars. During the walk Dick had a mishap, stepping of a stile onto what looked like firm ground his foot went down a hole. To compound matters his other foot found a hole on the other side of the path that was not apparent but he found the correct position of the path by sitting on it, with both legs buried to the knees much to the amusement of the others. Dick was not the only one to have a mishap as Graham slipped on some stepping stones getting a wet foot. Apart from pride he seemed alright though he suffered later. Several types of fungus were seen including some 6” across and Fly Agaric. It had been a nice gentle warm up walk of 5.2 miles and 707 ft of ascent.
Phil called us to say he had had a mishap at Grassington. He had travelled up by train and bus. Whilst changing buses he had left one of his bags behind, when getting off the bus to retrieve it the bus driver did not wait for him so he was stranded. He was picked up by one of the cars on their way to the hostel at Kettlewell. We had arranged to eat at the hostel as we did not know the availability of food in Kettlewell; this proved a good choice as the food was very good. After dinner we took some light refreshment in the Racehorses Hotel where Ray and Will joined us later.
Friday 14th October.
We woke up to a damp morning with low cloud, there had been overnight rain but it was fine and clearing.
After a very good hostel breakfast there was a differing of routes. Ian went to Malham for a short walk. Dick (suffering after his fall) and Pete went to Arncliffe to walk up the River Skirfare to Litton where they had arranged to meet the others for lunch. The others went over Middlesmoor Pasture along the ridge to the trig point then down to Litton via Ackerley Moor, meeting at The Queens Head. An excellent pub which brewed their own beer, recommended, a good atmosphere and food. After lunch we all walked back to Arncliffe calling at The Falcon Inn, again good beer but not the same as the Queens Head. Whilst having one for the road there was a discussion about the route back some went on down Littondale to Hawkswick then round to Knipe Wood and back to Kettlewell. Dick and Pete went back by car. Ben, John W, Ray and Will took a more direct route via Park Scar and New Bridge, Ralph had asked if they were going up and over?(Ben does garage doors).
After washing and changing we went to The Blue Bell Inn for dinner and refreshment. After dinner some went back to the hostel others went on to the Racehorses for a nightcap. It certainly worked for Andy.
Saturday 15th October.
We woke up to another wet morning though it did start to clear as we had breakfast. It stayed mostly fine with just the odd shower. This did make for some good rainbows though.
Most got the bus from Kettlewell to Buckden from where they were going to do a loop starting along the River Wharfe to Hubberholme and Yockenthwaite, then across to Cray, to The White Lion for lunch, (good but expensive). Then back to Buckden via the Buckden Rake to The Buck Inn to wait for the bus back to Kettlewell. Ray, Will and Ralph however walked back to Kettlewell along the river Wharfe.
Pete, Dick and Ian drove to Buckden before walking to Hubberholme. Here they saw a plaque to J B Preistley before returning back to Buckden and The Buck Inn to meet the others. Whilst waiting for them Roland and Alison turned up, it was good to see them again. They then went to Cray to try and catch the others then returned later and joined all of us for a while before going back to their accommodation at Gargrave. Dinner was taken in the hostel, again very good food. After dinner drinks were taken in the Racehorse Hotel. Ralph and Will decided to stay in the hostel and play scrabble in the lounge. There was a log burning fire which they tried to light but could not have been boy scouts as it was all smoke and no flames. It was a bit loud when we first got in as a group of lads were on a mission but after they left it was very pleasant. Ray was getting on well with the landlord, Kevin, maybe it was the long hair that was doing it!!
During the night Ben took his duvet into the lounge to sleep on a sofa as Ralph was digging up the road in his sleep, it could be heard through the walls. Mick also was hitting the wall as he could hear Ralph in the next room.
Sunday 16th October.
We woke up to a sunny morning. The forecast for the day was quite good, though windy and cool on high. Breakfast was again taken in the hostel. After breakfast we split into two groups all walking from the hostel.
Group 1
Dick, Pete, Ian, Steve and Phil set out to walk along The Dales Way up the River Wharfe. Ian walked as far as Starbotton before turning back then drove to Grassington for a look around the village before returning to the hostel. The others were going to walk to Hubberholme to The George but Dick was still struggling with his legs so was only going to go as far as Buckden and stop at The Buck Inn. Pete joined him but Steve and Phil carried on. The landlord was a bit brisk with Steve and Phil when they arrived at The George but mellowed and they had a beer, Phil also had a Brisket roll which was very good. They then walked back to Buckden to The Buck Inn to meet Dick and Pete who were just about to leave. Steve then had a sandwich which came with lots of salad and chunky chips. Dick and Pete walked back to Starbotton to the Fox and Hounds, getting there just before last orders for food where they were able to have a beef and onion sandwich with fries, very tasty.
Group 2
All the rest set off from the hostel to do a loop via Hooks Bank, Hagdyke, Great Whernside, Castle Crag, Tor Mere Top, Memorial Cross, Buckden Pike then back past the Memorial Cross to pick up a path to Starbotton to meet the others at the Fox and Hounds and then along the river back to Kettlewell. It had been windy and chilly up top and a couple of stumbles but nothing serious.
Roland and Alison met us again at Starbotton having a drink before we all made our way back to the hostel at Kettlewell.
On the way back Ray and Will were behind the others and fancied a bit of wild swimming, so they got their kit off and went in but had no towels.
During the weekend Ben had lost several items, a hat left in The Buck Inn which Dick retrieved the next day. A jumper and hat in his room, despite searching the hostel he could not see them on his bunk!! So he is now Mr Forgetful
Dinner was taken at The Racehorses Hotel. After dinner Ian gave us a couple of songs. Steve and Ralph started a pop quiz then it was back to the Hostel and a toast to absent friends as has been our tradition of late before retiring.
Monday 17th October.
We woke up to another fine morning though it had been wet during the night. After breakfast we started our journey home with a visit to Brimham Rocks for a wander around before driving home.
It had been a great weekend, very lucky with the weather, as the forecast before we were going was very wet. The hostel at Kettlewell is an independent one. The owners were most helpful and friendly and the food was excellent. One of the best hostels we have been in on our walks.
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