The Glebe Blog: River Wharfe

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

Wednesday the 23rd of May

Trollers Gill

Although I slept better I'm still out of sorts.

Today's walk begins in the lovely little village of Appletreewick.

This is the pre 1700 Monks Hall, a very interesting building.

We begin by heading back the way we came towards Burnsall, passing the 'Craven Arms' which will be our watering hole later.

A path takes us down to the Wharfe side, and we then turn back south.

The river's featured a lot in the walks this week.

There's no complaints from me, it's a cracker.

A short rest before we leave the river at Howgill Bridge, the point we joined it after descending Simon's Seat.

A short climb to Howgill lane, then across the meadows to the village of Skyreholme......

....................this brings us to the tearoom at the entrance to Perceval Hall

As I'm looking at the map, the others are conversing with the tearoom owner. She's doing her best to drum up trade, and as I look towards the woods behind the tearoom, she informed us we could get up to Trollers Gill that way, but it'll cost us £5 apiece.

Looking at the website, it may have been worth it.

However she put us on the right track when she realized we weren't parting with any money.

We split into two groups here. I had the map and Scoop had the agenda.

They caught us up later. Scoops group revisited the Gill Head mine when we did. No worries.

The entrance to Trollers Gill.

Thanks again for the pictures Scoop.

A group of 29 from the Harrogate Ramblers exiting Trollers Gill.

Trollers Gill is the home of the Barquest, the spectral hound of Craven, and may have been the inspiration for Conan Doyle's 'Hound of the Baskervilles'

We were on our toes, but luckily never encountered any four legged creatures.

After a photo call at the disused mine, it's a short walk to the bridge over the Skyreholm Beck.

Now our track takes us west to the junction of the path leading down to Gill Head mine.

We stop for an extended lunch allowing the others to catch up.

It's a hot day and little shelter from the sun.

A look at the Gill Head Mine.

We missed the pothole known as Hells Hole or Swallow Hole by accessing the road to early.

It's a lovely track back towards Appletreewick, but I'm struggling today.

It's a welcome Craven arms that quenches our thirst.

It's also a great day for one of our walkers as she's joined at the pub by family and friends carrying her birthday present.

Scoop's punishment for straying from the path is complete as we put her in the stocks.

On the way back to the cars we spot what may well be the original miserable smiley.

Back at the house we relax in the garden, we're eating out tonight.

Fly fishers just below are great to watch.

I wonder if there are many lady fly fishers.

That night we went to the Devonshire Hotel to eat and drink.

My downfall had been brewing. The meal and wine were excellent. I shouldn't have bothered with the couple of pints of lager. I had a bad night.

The following morning I was going nowhere.

Thursday the 24th of May

Dehydration

The group were heading for Brimham Rocks, I was heading for the chemist.

I must have looked rough as I spoke to the assistant in the pharmacy as she suggested I needed to talk to the pharmacist.

I was swaying by the time she took me into her office to talk to me.

After learning what medication I was on, and what we'd been doing this week, combined with the sudden rise in temperature, she told me I was dehydrated.

I would thoroughly recommend to anyone Boots own brand Rehydration Treatment. Thanks to that lovely lady for her correct diagnosis.

Back at the house I managed to sleep for a while as the medicine began working.

By early afternoon I was fit enough to take a little walk down the river to Linton.

I got talking to the occupants of these two RIBs.

They were from Burnley and had earlier been laying bricks when the heat of the day made them abandon their job to relax on the river.

There's a short video below.

I find a nice high vantage point to relax and watch the world go by and the fisherman catch nothing.

(There's plenty trout, as we saw a good catch earlier in the week)

I take this panorama.

Panorama of Linton Falls on CleVR.com
It can also be viewed full screen here on Panogio

Here's a video clip, look out for the Burnley Brickies.

After mooring the RIBS below the falls, it looks like the lads are out for a walk.

Yup! Nicely moored.

The medicine has been working. I'm feeling better as the day goes on.

When the others get back I volunteer to go shopping for them.

I'll be ok for tomorrow.

I've never suffered dehydration before. I hope I never do again.

Ah well !

N.B. I've made reference to the boats here and in the video clip as RIBS, but thinking about it they aren't are they ?.
Right ! That's sorted