It's been a very active week in the Yorkshire Dales. After spotting what was supposed to be a dry, sunny window of weather mid week, we booked a night away at one of our favourite campsites near Bolton Abbey . We have had a fab couple of days hiking with some good friends from Cheshire and I spent a couple of nights at mum's house
The week started on a sad note as I returned with mum to Cheshire for my Auntie Margarets funeral. I find it quite sad that the only time extended families tend to get together now are for weddings and funerals, and we haven't had any weddings for a long time!
Extortionate cost of unreliable train services
I was planning on getting the train back to Giggleswick from Crewe thinking it was quite straightforward, how wrong I was! The journey goes from Crewe to Lancaster, then swap onto the Giggleswick train. However, the number of trains to Lancaster are very limited so an extra swap needed at Preston and the cost was £49.20 for a single off peak journey. The alternative going from Crewe to Settle via Manchester and Leeds was slightly cheaper at £43 but was nearly a 5 hour journey. To cut a long story short, Richard came and picked me up and we had a little trip to Cheshire Oaks!
A mid week campervan getaway
The weather forecast for the week looked as though we were going to have a break from the overcast wet days so we decided to get away for a couple of days. We have wanted to hike on the moors amongst the stunning, colourful heathers and this was our chance. We love the Bolton Abbey Estate and Barden Moor and Fell and there is a fantastic campsite close by- Catgill Farm. Luckily they had availability, I think they have really suffered with bookings this year due to the weather.
We had a really nice hike upto Simons Seat through the Valley of Desolation and the moors were a riot of vibrant colours. The weather forecast changed as we drove over Barden Moor from 5% to 40% chance of rain, and we had the 40% for most of the afternoon, but it was warm and just as pretty. Sadly, we did not spend much time on the moor as it has been the perfect breeding ground, in combination with the damp, for the MIDGES! The poor sheep could not escape the clouds of the little critters. Every time we stopped for just a few seconds they would swarm around our faces and they were definitely biting!
Richard spotted an opportunity to get his budgie smugglers on for a dip in Posforth Falls, I was less keen.
The campsite has had a new shower block, shop and reception since we last visited and was even better than we remembered. We even managed to have our first campfire and s'mores of the season.
We spent the second day exploring the Bolton Abbey Estate and took a hike along the river to the raging torrents of The Strid. The lighting was perfect with some blue sky for photography and we spent a happy hour amongst the Abbey ruins.
Weekend visitors
We've had a lovely weekend with some friends from our old cross fit gym up to stay. They are both keen hikers and kindred spirits and we all spent a couple of fab days out in the hills. On Friday we returned to Malham as they had never experienced the awesomeness of the cove and limestone paving before and we incorporated a hike into Gordale Scar and past Janets Foss. once again, Richard was quick to whip out his budgies much to the amusement of the passing hikers and young family who had also bought their swimmers.
Yesterday, we did a great hike starting from the Ribblehead Viaduct. We wanted to be off the well beaten track of 'The Three Peaks' so we approached Ingleborough from Park and Simon Fell. We had the hills pretty much to ourselves until we reached the last few hundred meters to the summit, then carnage ensued! There were literally thousands of exhausted hikers and the cloud cloaked the summit so we could not see more than a few feet in front of us. We beat a hasty retreat down into the valley and headed for a much deserved pint at the Station Inn. Again we have had a lovely weekend of fab food, lots of drink and great company.
The Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks is a challenge to complete a 24 mile loop hiking up the three highest peaks, traditionally starting in the quaint village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Hikers first summit Pen Y Ghent then Whernside and finally Ingleborough before a long stomp back to Horton. We have completed it once in just under 10 hours and we were broken for days after!
We have finished off the week with a quiet Sunday and some foraging in the hedges for blackberries to make a crumble. Looking at our activity Stats for the week we have smashed our targets with over 50km of hiking, 1700m of elevation gained and nearly 600 minutes of intensity. A busy, active enjoyable week.
Hope you have all had a great week
Jackie and Richard
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