21st June 2009

21st June 2009.

Dear All,

We have just enjoyed a great week walking in the Yorkshire Dales with the U3A. There were 30 of us in total and our base was at Malham; most of us stayed in Beck Hall which dated back to 1701 with a stream running close to the front.
On Sunday we assembled at Bolton Abbey for a walk and conducted tour of the Abbey. It was heaving with folk most of whom seemed to be sitting by their cars watching the river. Did you know that Fred Trueman is buried at the Abbey?

Bolton Abbey

Monday we had a circular route from the Hall via Gardale Scar, Malham Tarn and Malham Cove. There was a family of Peregrine Falcons at the Cove and the RSPB had telescopes set up for easier observation.


View from the top of Malham Cove

On Tuesday we repeated a walk Kate and I had done previously in Wharfedale starting and finishing at Buckden. The weather was fine all day and the flowers were exceptional. We stopped at a church and pub in Hubberholme where J.B.Priestley’s ashes are scattered (in the churchyard not the pub!). We visited Grassington on the way back.


Wharfedale

Wednesday was a rest day and we had arranged a trip on the Settle to Carlisle railway. This was good planning as it rained all day. We had an enthusiastic guide and stopped at Appleby before returning to Settle. In the evening we had a posh meal in a country house arranged at a discount price by our Lieutenant Colonel.


Ribblehead Viaduct

Thursday was the longest walk 14 miles around Dentdale, a steepish climb, a long contour walk and return along the river.


Dentdale

Friday there was another walk south from Malham and we returned to the Cove afterwards where there were some Redstarts.


Friday walk

We visited the Bronte museum at Haworth on the way home Saturday and arrived. home in time to inspect the new kitchen and download the photos.

Love


Mike & Kate