Based around Malham, we had an awesome weekend of walking and talking with a tiny scramble for some and lots of laughs (as always). Plus of course a few bevvies. All in all a fun weekend. As trip reports go, these are just brief and hopefully others will elaborate on any details I’ve missed.
Day 1, Friday; answering the role call were Nod2,Peter and Scally, Youradvocate, Norfolk Boy,Devondave and myself. (Eek, hope I haven’t missed anyone). We met at Austwick and went up past Robin Proctor scar, and the Norber erratics. Peter told us the story of Robin Proctor who got drunk, took the wrong horse which didn’t know where he lived and died on the hills for his pains. Apparently, untrue but you just never know with these tales. With great views down into Crummackdale and of some well known pointy bit in the distance, the weather just about helf off for pretty much the entire day -just one cheeky bit of rain which had us all donning the waterproofs before it then stopped. Scally managed to get covered in sheep poo so got bathed in the sheepwash at the end of the walk (Scally is a dog!). I think the total was about 7 or 8 miles. Excellent day, excellent company.
Day2, Saturday ; Nod2,Peter and Scally,Youradvocate, Norfolk Boy, Mountaingirl , Jontea and me. We met at the information centre and made our way past Janet Foss where numerous twitchers awaited the arrival of a kingfisher. We didn’t see the bird but the waterfall was nice to see. From there we headed for Gordale scar where some of the group decided to take the high road and scramble up to the top. I was just a bit tempted but decided on the alternative walk so we meat up at the top via a more grassy route. The next stop was a lunch break at Malham Tarn, where amazingly Scally (the dog….remember?) was more interested in Jontea throwing the ball than in food. We decided not to go around the Tarn but headed off to the limestone paving above Malham Cove, and then after down to the cove itself, where we watched the climbers for a while, speculating on their survival prospects if they fell!! After the rather macabre 5 minutes we made our way back to Malham, and a few drinkies in the Lister inn. Another great day, maybe 7 miles, and no rain.
Day 3, Sunday; Nod2,Peter and Scally,Youradvocate, Norfolk Boy, Mountaingirl , Pleb and me. We met up in Settle and went up Constitution hill towarrendale Knotts and attermire scar. Skirting around and up we visited Victoria cave, and another small cave which I have forgotten the name of. Winskill and Cattrigg force. Then a brief stop for refreshment at the pub in Stainforth, where the friendly landlord entertained us with his cheery banter . NOT. It appeared we had stumbled on a bit of a domestic, and us all asking for teas and coffees didn’t seem to help the situation
. After tearing ourselves away from the pub we stood on the river bridge waiting for the salmon, but we were either too early or too late and didn’t see any.Then visited the Hoffman limestone kiln which is huge and very interesting.Back to Settle via the river and Stackhouse. Weather was good, we covered about 7 or 8 miles and I think we all enjoyed it.
So thank you all for your fab company, and especially to Peter for his local knowledge. Hope we might be able to do another in this area next year . Hoping folks will post up some piccies and comments.