Maps: OL 30 (Yorkshire Dales: Notth and Central), OL 2 (Yorkshire Dales: South and West)
Party: Robert, Phil
Weather: sunshine with a slight breeze
Phil and Robert went in one car from Denby Dale, John in another car from Hepworth and Barbara and Jim in a third from Leeds carrying Jim Thackray's ashes. We all met up at the Coach House Cafe just outside Settle at 11.00am for coffee (Phil and Robert were late due to traffic). We then went in convoy to Dent Head to scatter the ashes.
Jim and Barbara then went home via Settle and John, Robert and Phil went into Dent for a light lunch after which Robert and Phil went round the Dentdale Exhibition while John sunbathed in the car park. We then drove to Sedbergh and along Garsdale to Hawes arriving at the YHA (now an independent hostel affiliated to the YHA) at 4.30pm to book in. In the evening we walked into Hawes to eat at the Board Inn, outside in the annex.
We walked 7.4 km
Party with Jim Thackray's ashes at Dent Head
Phil scattering Jim Thackray's ashes at Dent Head
Weather: high cloud and dry; sun later
We took two cars over the Buttertubs Pass into Swaledale, left one car in Muker and drove to Keld in the other. We then walked back to Muker via the Swale valley on the right bank of the river. The route we took has a steep and narrow section which we could have avoided if we had not been seduced by a track deviating from the main one and apparently leading us down to the river bank; it does not but took us almost to the river, then up again to rejoin the path we had left. This main path did take us down to the river bank at Hartlakes opposite Swinner Gill and along the riverside to Rampsholme bridge. From here we crosssed the meadows to Muker, arriving at noon. We had lunch outside in the sunshine at the village shop and tearoom.
After lunch we spent a little time exploring Muker, then drove back to Keld to pick up the other car. On the way back to Hawes we stopped briefly at the Millennium Cairn to admire the view down the dale. That evening we ate at the Fountain Inn.
We walked walking 7.8 km
Phil looking up Swinner Gill, Swaledale
Weather: high cloud, dry initially then light rain in the morning; heavier rain in the afternoon
Having booked a parking spot at Mirk Pot Farm we drove to the Snaizeholme Red Squirrel sanctuary. We walked round the pine wood and saw a few red squirrels darting about but none on the feeders.
After returning to Hawes for lunch we drove to Aysgarth falls and walked briefly along the river bank to look at the Upper Falls. There was not a lot of water in the river.
Everywhere being fully booked for evening meal in Hawes we ate in the annex at the Board Inn.
A red squirrel (photo by John)
Another red squirrel (photo by John)
Weather sunshine and high cloud
After booking out of the hostel we drove to Richmond via Leyburn to visit Altberg book makers where Robert ordered some new boots (but since they are very busy delivery will not happen until November). After coffee at the Old Station in Richmond we returned to Hepworth and Denby Dale, arriving just after lunchtime.