The Yorkshire Dales May 2012 - Day 7

Friday the 25th of May

Arncliffe to Kettlewell

I've recovered nicely to walk today.

It's a short drive from Grassington.

There's a poster advertising Cragfest back at Kinsley Crag this weekend.

We thought about going since both Top Loader and the Saw Docters were advertised.

It's a good job we didn't since it was cancelled due to a waterlogged field.

Arncliffe is a pretty little village. It's on the River Skirfare. It's claim to fame includes being the setting of Beckindale in the first series of Emmerdale Farm, and Charles Kingsley once lived here.

Only one of the group was small enough to get through the hole in the wall.

The diminutive sylph like Scoop is bottom right above.

  

The start of the route is a stiff climb through Byre Bank Wood and up Park Scar.

As we gain height we get lovely views back to Arncliffe.

We climb to just over 400 Mtrs (1300 ft). Looks like another Limestone Pavement up here.

Bird's Eye Primrose

The highest point of today's walk. Who's that with the map.

This was one of Cragface's walks, and having not read the route properly I'd thought that after visiting Kettlewell we'd be heading north up Wharfedale and recrossing by the derelict mines up here.

We probably could have, but in the end decided to continue the correct clockwise route.

Now it's downhill to Kettlewell.

We had an exciting moment as this jet zoomed across our path.

It was going that fast, I was lucky to snap it.

I believe it's a Panavia Tornado

We're almost in Kettlewell now................

........................but we've a craggy outcrop to negotiate first.

Once again the River Wharfe looks great.

Almost half of the Dales Way is on the Wharfe. Maybe I can pack my tent and back pack it sometime.

Once over the bridge the first building is the village garage.

It looks like it's straight out of the 1950's. Nicely quaint.

It's up for sale at around £275,000.

I doubt the new owners would retain the magic if it sold.

After passing the first tea room in the village, we end up at Zarina's for refreshments.

I can't resist a slice of Bakewell Tart, even at these prices.

Retracing our steps to the edge of the village, we think this signpost is a little bit misleading.

Back on the move our trail takes us south climbing towards Knipe's Scar.

There's a nice view of Kettlewell behind us.

As we gain height we get a view across Wharfedale.

The patchwork of the drystane dykes always make a nice picture.

Below is Scargill House , a Christian retreat.

It looks a fascinating place.

Here's a little of it's history. Holdsworth

Still climbing we get a totally different view back to the village. There's a lot more to it than we saw.

 Reaching the highest point, we stop for lunch.

My Bakewell Tart in Kettlewell has made much of my lunch redundant. I'm glad of the water though.  

Now it's downhill towards the village of Hawkswick. 

I missed seeing the sign which advised walkers not to roll stones downhill. It was there apparently.

Cragface's pictures make sure you don't take a wrong turn.

A llama or alpaca is spotted in a nearby field. What's the difference ?

It's a bonnie wee village.

We cross the bridge over the Skirfare. The river will be our track back to Arncliffe from here.

After a short road walk we regain the riverside path by this small steel structured bridge.

I wonder who made it ?

This cryptic message was under the bridge. Is it something to do with Orienteering or a Treasure Hunt? The GR is at Butterwick near Scarborough.

It's a gorgeous walk alongside the Skirfare.

Reaching the steep high banks at a river meander, the sand martins were out in force.

We're closing in on Arncliffe.................

..........................as our Water Babe again strips off.

Leaving the girls to their water sports, we three guys jump in the car and head back to the house at Grassington.

Tonight we're dining out. The Fountaine at Linton has been recommended, but upon ringing to book we're told that they are fully booked, but to come along as we could eat in the bar or the outside tables.  

 This is the Fountaine's Almhouse and Hospital
At the Fountaine Inn it was impossible to get enough seats, so we began to walk to Threshfield.
By now we're all hungry.

We follow Linton Beck via the 14th century packbridge.
The 'Teacher' rescues a flip flop for a local lad.
It was nearly another marathon walk as we crossed fences and walked disused railway lines to get to Threshfield.

Eventually we found the Old Hall Inn ,who said they could accommodate us for a meal..............after a while. Our bellies were thinking our throats had been cut !

The wait was well worth it, and the food looked even better than that we'd seen at the Fountaine.

The presentation and dishes were unique and it tasted scrumptious 

It was cooler as we made the mile long walk back to the house, but what a great evening.

A quiet rest of the night, a half decent sleep and we were packed up and on the road the following morning by 9.45.

A great week in brilliant company.

Shame about Thursday, it won't happen again.

Extra pictures added 24th June