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Spring Walk June 2006, The Yorkshire Dales
08/6/2006-12/6/2006
Thursday 8th,
Travel day
The weather was hot fine and sunny with very little wind.
Dick, Paul, Dave, Graham, Andy, John W, Steve, Martin and Ian met at Haworth for breakfast at Villette café. After sustenance and a look around the village centre we parked in an old quarry for a circular walk.
The route was along the Millennium Way, Bronte Way, Bronte Falls then on to Top Withins, seeing the ruins alleged to inspire some of Bronte’s work. Whilst taking a breather at Top Withins the locals (sheep) came and pestered us for food and titbits. Afterwards we went back along the Pennine way to Standbury for a tea break at the Friendly Inn before crossing Lower Laithe Reservoir, Penstone Hill and returning to the cars and then on to the Hostel for the night.
Dave saw a cow with a great pair of balls, (we explained the difference between a cow and a bull). Steve told us about the Eaton Bray beer festival, saying how good it was. It was only a short walk from his house and he had plenty of room for people to sleep over. It had been the previous weekend. Again it was pointed out we need to know in advance to be able to attend. Perhaps it’s an early invite for next year.
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After a wash and Change we went to the Haworth Old Hall for food and refreshment. As we were leaving Norman and John S arrived telling where we were going we arranged to meet them later. When they joined us we had quite a shock. John S, who had been feeling unwell before coming away, abstained from food or alcohol. It was\a good job all were seated otherwise somebody could have had an accident. Returning to the hostel via the Bronte Hotel for a quick one. Upon return to the hostel at 23:01 we found our way barred having to ring the bell to get in.
Friday 9th
Again hot and sunny, with hardly any breeze. Visibility hazy in the morning, which cleared later.
Norman went to retrace his steps around Ponden where he had problems on his Pennine Way trip, and to look around Haworth before joining us later.
The rest drove to Lothersdale to walk to Malham along the Pennine Way, apart from John Stopani. He went by car to Malham and met us at the lunch time stop, at Gargrave, as he was still not fully recovered.
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The walk was good but tiring as it had been very hot all day. John had some problems finding the path as the signposts seamed more suited for a Northerly trip rather than a Southerly trip. He also saw a Red Kangaroo on his way out of Malham! We all thought he was still feeling unwell but when we got to the place later we saw it was in fact a Lama. The cars were collected and all of us washed and changed before going to eat. Some went to the Lister Arms Hotel, others in the Hostel, then a drink at the Buck Inn. We had some early retiree’s that night as some were going to do the three peaks challenge the next day.
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We also met Pete Tompson and his brother who were up for the three peaks challenge.
Saturday 10th
Weather again hot, sunny, clear but a bit more breeze.
Several things done by different groups today.
Pete and his brother went with their group to do the 3 peaks challenge, Pete’s brother pulled out after 2 peaks with bad knees but there group completed the challenge.
Paul and Dave went with two of Paul’s BT friends also went on the challenge completing it in a time of 8:57. IT had been very hot and windy on the top of Whernside.
All the others walked to Settle to watch England play in the world cup with the exception of Dick (blisters and a sweat nappy rash) who drove, (after a walk up to the cove and back) to meet the others at The Golden Lion. Martin, who got a mountain bike as he had blisters, also met us at the Golden Lion.
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The walk was from Malham on Long Lane past Butterlands Barn, Hanbar Side up to the ridge and along to Settle to the Golden Lion. After the game 1-0 win for England against Paraguay back along the same routes for dinner at the Hostel and light refreshments.
Sunday 12th
Weather again hot but started with cloud which soon burned off. Also a strong breeze which died down later.
Again a difference of routes taken.
Andy, Graham, Ian and John Wooton went to do the 3 peaks. They completed it in 9:58 without mishap but tired.
Dick and Steve went to do Peny Gent, Dick noticed he had left his poles in the hostel as he packed the car but missed the fact his boots were not in the car but luckily he had trainers on and some good socks in the car. It was a good walk though Dick found it a long hard slog going up. They met Martin for lunch at Horton in Ribblesdale, then went on to Ribble Head Viaduct and Malham Tarn on the way back.
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Norman and John went home as John had got his days mixed up and had to go to work on Monday.
Paul, Dave and Paul’s friends went for an easy walk up to the cove and back to loosen up then got a lift with Paul’s friends to Aireton walking back to Malham.
Dinner was taken at the Buck Inn followed by light refreshment.
Monday 12th
Early rain cleared by the time we were ready for a short walk before travelling home.
The route was South along the Pennine Way for a short while then turning off to go past New Laithe, Janet’s Foss, alongside Gordale Beck to Gordale Scar. At Gordale Scar we climbed up the water fall( not much water coming down) then on to Malham Tarn via Great Close and Lings Plantations, joining The Pennine Way by the tarn. We then followed the Pennine Way to the top of Malham Cove where we stopped for a while.
Whilst stopped we watched a pair of Peregrine Falcon’s flying around trying to catch prey to feed to their young (they had a nest not far along one side). After resting we went down to the bottom of the cove where the RSPB had some scopes set up. Here you could see a young Tawny Owl and a Little Owl. We continued on back into Malham, having lunch at the Lister Arms before going home. All having a safe journey.
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