Some lovely local walks

The glorious weather of the last few days has given opportunity to get out & do some of the walks that we've been storing up for days like these.

Saturday: We had offered to give a guest a lift to a wedding reception at The Traddock Hotel in Austwick. Conveniently in time for a quick pint & bowl of chips at The Game Cock, the three of us (John Diane & Jack, our terrier) set off up into Crummackdale - lovely, peaceful valley between Norber & Moughton Scars. There were climbers on the cliffs, as we wandered along bridlepaths, past a quiet spot (Wash Dub - ideal for a picnic!) where there are a couple of clapper bridges across the beck.

On Monday we had thick blanket fog all day. Complete contrast on Tuesday, as fog cleared to a beautifully sunny day. We went to Horton & took a short wander down the Ribble (above) and back via the Pen-y-Ghent Cafe for a cuppa & cake & chat.

Wednesday: Di told her two males to "Go & climb Ingleborough - I want you out of the house!"

So we did! From the path up from Cold Cotes we cut across to the main path from Ingleton & up to the summit. 6 legs definitely better than 2 on the steep bits! Back home via Newby Cote - the closest path onto Ingleborough from home.

Thursday: Not quite enough time to do the walk we wanted to but in the same area. From the "Gated road" between Thornton-in-Lonsdale to Dent, & with splendid views up Kingsdale, a circular walk over the limestone scars at the southern end of Gragareth & back to the car via two tracks, Turbary Road & Tow Scar Road. The highlight of this was stopping in a grassy area for a break, lying back in the sun, no wind, & no sound other than the wonderful song of skylarks fluttering high into the sky. BLISS!

Lambing time!

Lambs are beginning to appear in the local fields and with the arrival of some wonderful weather, buds are bursting and the snowdrops are giving way to seas of yellow daffodils. It's been fantastic weather these last few days!

Catrigg Force

After several days of damp or wet weather, the sun came out last Sunday (between the showers!) - enough to tempt us out for a nice long walk with Jack, our Jack Russell. One of our recent guests had recommended this and others in the area and there was plenty of water falling over here!
Then just a short walk back into Stainforth & back home to tea & cake!

Stocks Resevoir

We got to Stocks Resevoir at last, having been defeated a couple of weeks ago by snow, slush & ice on the road over Bowland Knots.
There's a well marked circular walk around the resevoir of about 8 miles, from the main car park on the road between Slaidburn & Clapham. Yesterday, a thin skim of ice covered about half the surface, giving an impression of absolutely calm water & resulting in some beautiful reflections of sky & trees. A real shame we hadn't brought a camera! We have resolved to return in the spring & summer as there are wildflower meadows beside the lake and late autumn colours should be wonderful.
There is a hide not far from the car park for birdwatching. We saw cormorants, Cananda & Greylag geese & many species of duck.
There are informative maps of the circuit in the main carpark also showing several other waymarked paths & cycle tracks.

Dawn, 6th December 2010

The Inspector Called!

We have had our first Visit Britain inspection - a "Mystery Guest" overnight stay last Tuesday, and we have been graded Four Star with Silver award. Needless to say, we are thrilled!

The assessment covers all aspects of giving a Bed & Breakfast service - cleanliness, sourcing & quality of ingredients, and presentation - the whole guest experience from booking to departure.

Thiis also recognises that we are Walker- & Cyclist-friendly, pleasing as we are so close to paths onto Ingleborough and in the surrounding area, and on a National Cycle route.

Wonderful Walks

On a fine day recently we set out from Clapham along the bridlepath towards Austwick, then up a clearly marked path to Norber Erratics - huge boulders perched on small limestone plinths. From here one can complete a circuit through Austwick, or continue over the hill & down to Ingleborough Cave & the Nature Trail. As you can see, the autumn colours are superb this year!

Last Sunday we parked the car near Chapel-le-Dale, gently climbing behind the church to reach the bridlepath that runs below Whernside up to Ribblehead. This is a lovely walk on days unsuited to summit treks. It takes in views of all three peaks - Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent - and also the Ribblehead Viaduct, and returns via an often dry riverbed, so typical of limestone country.

One could break the walk by stopping at the Ribblehead Inn, or finish at The Old Hill Inn - both renowned for good food & warm hospitality.