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
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