Yet another selection of photo's from the final leg...
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Day 4 - Patton Bridge to Bowness
This morning, for a change we got a nice leisurely start to the day as we weren't being joined by Andy and Steve until 10:00. The weather earlier on was torrential rain and high wind but the forecast promised it to brighten as the day went on.
Thankfully they seemed to be right and the rain stopped before we set off at 10:25, but the wind was still there in force.
We headed out today at a more leisurely pace - not in walking speed but as we didn't have as many miles to crunch today we had more time to take in our surroundings and stop to take photo's.
We made good time and added a detour into into Burneside to find the local pub at 12:00, only to discover it didn't open til 5:00. So instead found a local growler emporium (pie shop) and had lunch by the river on some picnic tables instead. We then pushed on to Staveley down a very picturesque river section and at Staveley found our pub - which was open. Stopped for a pint of local brew and then started to embark upon the last uphill sections of the walk as we approached Bowness. True to the forecast, the cloud made way to blue skies and sunshine to compliment the final stages of the walk.
Up here the scenery became very Cumbrian and we were rewarded with fine views of the Lake District to Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and the Langdale pikes. After a last push uphill, it became a case of descending into Bowness and we caught a first glimpe of Lake Windermere which was a most welcome sight. Easy going from here in to the finishing post of the Royal Oak in Bowness - the official finishing pub of the Dales Way. Before we headed in there for another well earned pint (or two) there was one more job to do - head to the lakeside for a victory paddle in lake Windermere. Job done - all to schedule, and the only casualties a few nasty blisters for Dave, and a big nasty blister for me. Taxi back from the pub to last night's B&B to collect Steve's car and then Steve kindly drove us all back to our doorsteps in Harrogate. Thanks to Andy and Steve for joining me, and Steve for driving - much appreciated.
Thanks to Dave for his company and towing me along on Wednesday. Biggest thanks of all to my fantastic wife Rach who did the much harder job of keeping the show on the road back home by herself whilst also doing 2 jobs.
Total miles walked today: 15 miles
Total walking time today: 5h 20mins
Total miles walked this week: 83 miles
Total walking time this week: 27h 50 mins
Thankfully they seemed to be right and the rain stopped before we set off at 10:25, but the wind was still there in force.
We headed out today at a more leisurely pace - not in walking speed but as we didn't have as many miles to crunch today we had more time to take in our surroundings and stop to take photo's.
We made good time and added a detour into into Burneside to find the local pub at 12:00, only to discover it didn't open til 5:00. So instead found a local growler emporium (pie shop) and had lunch by the river on some picnic tables instead. We then pushed on to Staveley down a very picturesque river section and at Staveley found our pub - which was open. Stopped for a pint of local brew and then started to embark upon the last uphill sections of the walk as we approached Bowness. True to the forecast, the cloud made way to blue skies and sunshine to compliment the final stages of the walk.
Up here the scenery became very Cumbrian and we were rewarded with fine views of the Lake District to Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and the Langdale pikes. After a last push uphill, it became a case of descending into Bowness and we caught a first glimpe of Lake Windermere which was a most welcome sight. Easy going from here in to the finishing post of the Royal Oak in Bowness - the official finishing pub of the Dales Way. Before we headed in there for another well earned pint (or two) there was one more job to do - head to the lakeside for a victory paddle in lake Windermere. Job done - all to schedule, and the only casualties a few nasty blisters for Dave, and a big nasty blister for me. Taxi back from the pub to last night's B&B to collect Steve's car and then Steve kindly drove us all back to our doorsteps in Harrogate. Thanks to Andy and Steve for joining me, and Steve for driving - much appreciated.
Thanks to Dave for his company and towing me along on Wednesday. Biggest thanks of all to my fantastic wife Rach who did the much harder job of keeping the show on the road back home by herself whilst also doing 2 jobs.
Total miles walked today: 15 miles
Total walking time today: 5h 20mins
Total miles walked this week: 83 miles
Total walking time this week: 27h 50 mins
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Day 3 - Cowgill to Patton Bridge
Was joined last night by Dave Mansfield from the Fire Fighters Charity which was good, we had a couple of beers and he joined me for the last 2 days of the trek. The landlord of the Sportsman's Inn informed us that the walk from there to Sedbergh was easy and all downhill which we were pleased about after a tough day yesterday. Turned out he was wrong as the first thing we did was head up into the hills.
Managed to navigate our way along the Dales Way despite some lack lustre waymarking and ended up descending to follow the river Dee until we got to the village of Dent.
Here we met the minister from Harrogate Baptist Church, Revd Alan Mair who accompanied us for about 4 miles towards Sedbergh before heading back to Dent to collect his car. It was great to see Alan and that he was able to join us for some of the walk.
After leaving Alan we departed from the river and headed up into the Dentdale hills which was fabulous. It would have been even more so if the weather had been better - we had drizzle on and off all day with a particularly wet spell half way through. But you can't plan the weather so on we plodded. Eventually left the boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and over the M6 via a cattle bridge and into some very muddy territory which was a bit of an energy drain.
Have seen many fabulous viaducts over the last few days which continued to be a theme today. I seem to have taken lots of photo's of bridges and viaducts.
With about 7 miles to go it started to become a bit of a trudge with a longing for the finish point to arrive, but this was a long time coming as due to some more poor waymarking we got lost once again adding some extra mileage to our already lengthy day.
Finally got back on track and into Patton Bridge from where our B&B was about a 10 minute walk. Arrived about 7:45 having set off about 9:20 this morning.
Was great to have Dave along today keeping the pace up with his long legs and being the master of gate opening for my weary frame to lumber through. Dave has some choice blisters as his waterproofs were about as much use as a chocolate teapot so we'll need to patch him up ready to go again tomorrow...
Looking forward to tomorrow as it will be a shorter day and we are being joined by Andy Bagot and Steve Humphrey to add to the total of 'jump on jump off' members of this trek.
Total miles walked today: 23.5
Total walking time today: 8h 3mins
Managed to navigate our way along the Dales Way despite some lack lustre waymarking and ended up descending to follow the river Dee until we got to the village of Dent.
Here we met the minister from Harrogate Baptist Church, Revd Alan Mair who accompanied us for about 4 miles towards Sedbergh before heading back to Dent to collect his car. It was great to see Alan and that he was able to join us for some of the walk.
After leaving Alan we departed from the river and headed up into the Dentdale hills which was fabulous. It would have been even more so if the weather had been better - we had drizzle on and off all day with a particularly wet spell half way through. But you can't plan the weather so on we plodded. Eventually left the boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and over the M6 via a cattle bridge and into some very muddy territory which was a bit of an energy drain.
Have seen many fabulous viaducts over the last few days which continued to be a theme today. I seem to have taken lots of photo's of bridges and viaducts.
With about 7 miles to go it started to become a bit of a trudge with a longing for the finish point to arrive, but this was a long time coming as due to some more poor waymarking we got lost once again adding some extra mileage to our already lengthy day.
Finally got back on track and into Patton Bridge from where our B&B was about a 10 minute walk. Arrived about 7:45 having set off about 9:20 this morning.
Was great to have Dave along today keeping the pace up with his long legs and being the master of gate opening for my weary frame to lumber through. Dave has some choice blisters as his waterproofs were about as much use as a chocolate teapot so we'll need to patch him up ready to go again tomorrow...
Looking forward to tomorrow as it will be a shorter day and we are being joined by Andy Bagot and Steve Humphrey to add to the total of 'jump on jump off' members of this trek.
Total miles walked today: 23.5
Total walking time today: 8h 3mins
Day 2 - Photo's
Day 2 - Kettlewell to Cowgill
A day of highs and lows, in both senses. Started out great - the weather was bright and the walk between Kettlewell and Hubberholme via Starbotton is just stunning. After yesterday's quick pace I wanted to slow down a bit today and take in my surroundings. At Hubberholme it started to drizzle, but my spirits were high as the section between there and Oughtershaw continued to be fabulous with the river Wharfe meandering and tumbling down a prefabricated limestone riverbed. Stopped for lunch at Deepdale then forged on and eventually left the river Wharfe to head up the hill to Oughtershaw where I was held up by a crazy old man who was obviously desperate for someone to talk to :o)
From here the pace started to get really slow as I had to trudge through a peat bog on Oughtershaw side over terrain that from the side profile would resemble an oscilloscope reading. This continued for what seemed like hours until eventually I headed through a wood and then out onto the tops and joined the Pennine Way for a while. Up here was surreal as the sun came out and cast a hazy mix of sunshine and cloud. I was treated to great views of Ribblehead Viaduct and some silhouetted hillsides in the distance making it almost worth the harsh journey to get there.
Just as I thought I had finished with peat bogs, I crossed the valley to find another one to traverse on the way to Cowgill.
By this point I was willing on the end and looking forward to seeing the Sportsman's Inn which was to be my resting place for the night. Constant references were made to my GPS to see how long was left. Just before arrival I washed my boots in the River Dee (nice change from the Wharfe) and was then unexplainably pleased to see the pub. A pint or two and another well earned pub meal will now top off my day nicely.
No signal round these parts so this update will have to wait until I near civilisation once more.
Miles walked today: 21.5
Walking time today: 7h 30mins
From here the pace started to get really slow as I had to trudge through a peat bog on Oughtershaw side over terrain that from the side profile would resemble an oscilloscope reading. This continued for what seemed like hours until eventually I headed through a wood and then out onto the tops and joined the Pennine Way for a while. Up here was surreal as the sun came out and cast a hazy mix of sunshine and cloud. I was treated to great views of Ribblehead Viaduct and some silhouetted hillsides in the distance making it almost worth the harsh journey to get there.
Just as I thought I had finished with peat bogs, I crossed the valley to find another one to traverse on the way to Cowgill.
By this point I was willing on the end and looking forward to seeing the Sportsman's Inn which was to be my resting place for the night. Constant references were made to my GPS to see how long was left. Just before arrival I washed my boots in the River Dee (nice change from the Wharfe) and was then unexplainably pleased to see the pub. A pint or two and another well earned pub meal will now top off my day nicely.
No signal round these parts so this update will have to wait until I near civilisation once more.
Miles walked today: 21.5
Walking time today: 7h 30mins
Monday, 28 March 2011
Day 1 - Ilkley to Kettlewell
Set out to Ilkley to start the walk bright and early this morning for a 9:00am kick off. All started on schedule in perfect spring weather and started the long trudge up the river Wharfe towards Bolton Abbey. Sadly got lost after 500 yards when a friendly dog walker pointed us in the right direction - not the most convincing start :o)
Had good company in Andy, Neil, Martin and Tom to make the journey pass quicker, then after 6 miles met Jo at the Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey taking our party to 6. Jo joined us for 7 miles up to Burnsall when we made our first well deserved pub stop and sat outside the Red Lion in the sunshine.
Parted company with Jo again at this point and headed up the river once more. An idyllic riverside walk in this section which took us on to Grassington at which point we got a welcome break from the river and walked through the village stopping at another pub, then headed off into the hills for a change of scenery through limestone scars and many dry stone walls - definitely Yorkshire Dales country.
The hills soon took their toll on our weary legs and the pace dropped a little. Got lost again briefly only to find that both available paths (neither of which were on the map) ended up at the same place. Tom then saved the day by going off to read a footpath sign before we headed off in the wrong direction down a steep ravine.
The final 4 miles seemed to last a very long time as our pace dropped off and we trudged wearily closer and closer to Kettlewell. Then did a radio interview with BBC Radio York whilst slightly out of breath and one handedly crossing stiles with the phone in my other hand - which as it turns out is quite tricky.
Last final push and we arrived at a very welcoming Kettlewell village and got our seriously well earned pints (the best kind). Then met with my wife Rach and kids Eliza, Finlay and Angus which was great at the end of a long trek.
Then (again) well earned pub grub with family and friends to top off a great day out.
Sadly no bath in my room to soak my aching muscles but nice King sized bed to sprawl out in tonight.
Feeling good now - no blisters yet and looking forward to another day out in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales tomorrow...
Miles walked today: 23
Walking time taken: 6h 57mins
Had good company in Andy, Neil, Martin and Tom to make the journey pass quicker, then after 6 miles met Jo at the Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey taking our party to 6. Jo joined us for 7 miles up to Burnsall when we made our first well deserved pub stop and sat outside the Red Lion in the sunshine.
Parted company with Jo again at this point and headed up the river once more. An idyllic riverside walk in this section which took us on to Grassington at which point we got a welcome break from the river and walked through the village stopping at another pub, then headed off into the hills for a change of scenery through limestone scars and many dry stone walls - definitely Yorkshire Dales country.
The hills soon took their toll on our weary legs and the pace dropped a little. Got lost again briefly only to find that both available paths (neither of which were on the map) ended up at the same place. Tom then saved the day by going off to read a footpath sign before we headed off in the wrong direction down a steep ravine.
The final 4 miles seemed to last a very long time as our pace dropped off and we trudged wearily closer and closer to Kettlewell. Then did a radio interview with BBC Radio York whilst slightly out of breath and one handedly crossing stiles with the phone in my other hand - which as it turns out is quite tricky.
Last final push and we arrived at a very welcoming Kettlewell village and got our seriously well earned pints (the best kind). Then met with my wife Rach and kids Eliza, Finlay and Angus which was great at the end of a long trek.
Then (again) well earned pub grub with family and friends to top off a great day out.
Sadly no bath in my room to soak my aching muscles but nice King sized bed to sprawl out in tonight.
Feeling good now - no blisters yet and looking forward to another day out in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales tomorrow...
Miles walked today: 23
Walking time taken: 6h 57mins
FW: Dales Way Begins
From: David Mansfield
Sent: 28 March 2011 13:02
Subject: Dales Way Begins
Sent: 28 March 2011 13:02
Subject: Dales Way Begins
Its’ 09.00 hours, 28th March, a beautiful spring Morning, and they're off!
Lee has been joined by his good friends Andy, Martin, Neil and Tom, on the first leg of his 82 mile challenge, along the Dales Way.
Leaving Ilkley, they will complete 23 miles today, through Bolton Abbey, Appletreewick, Burnsall, and rest up at Kettlewell, for a well earned rest.
Looking at the Photo’s, and the bright sun shining through the office window, I really hope they have some sun cream with them.
Fantastic start, and great support for Lee, well done guys, speak soon, see you tomorrow Lee.
Dave
Dave Mansfield
Regional Fundraiser
Yorkshire & Humberside
The Fire Fighters Charity
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Publicity Shot
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