Mincing round Teesdale

Date: 12th October 2012
Route: Bowlees - Dirt Pit Farm - Caves via Ettersgill - Valence Lodge - Langeden Beck - Sayer Hill Farm - Whatgarth Bridge -  High Force - Low Force - Bowlees
Distance: - ~12 miles
Weather: - Dry, bright and windy with some showers later on

A combination of workload, dyer wet English weather and a major house rebuild at chez Garton meant it had been a few weeks since our last venture out. So when our diaries chucked out a free day and the forecasters predicted a dry day we donned our walking gear and headed up the Dales.
Starting at Bowlees at 10.45am in the sun we heade off up towards Dirt Pit Farm. Although the fields were wet the tracks weren'e too bad.

The Dales

Conversation as always started with a review of FC's season which we felt had been pretty good all things considered (made sweeter by Rovers poor season ans subsequent loss of players!). Optimism for 2013 is high - but then it always is prior to the first game!!! Feelings were mixed over Leeds victory over the Wire but hey, Wigan got nowt of note ;0)

Time to check the map

We carried on along the farm tracks into a head on strong wind towards the caves. it was still bright and sunny but the going was made difficult due to the stength of the wind. After briefly discussin Jimmy Saville we turned our attention to putting the world to rights. In particular all the waste we keep observing in all walks of industry. What is frustrating is the knowledge that we could save so many different organisation money and improve their efficiency if they just asked for help.

Flooded fields

Anyway we reached the caves and after a quick map stop we headed across a large field towards Langden Beck. With all the rain we'd had the field was absolutely sodden with not a dry spot to be found. Standing stationary for more than 4 secs resulted in you sinking into the swamp-like ground. The only way to cross the field was to hop, skip & jump our way from tuft to tuft, trying not to stop for more than a second or two. anyone watching would have seen a couple of large blue blobs 'mincing' their way across a farmers field. It was all to no avail as after 10 mins of poncing around we arrived at a gate and track with our feet well and truly soaked.

Who'd want to be a mole?

Langden Beck

Bob @ Langden Beck

We were now on more firm ground as we walked towards the Langden Beck pub (no chance of Bob letting us stop for a drink there!) and then off along the river bank. At 12.50pm we found a nice sheltered spot behind a stone wall were we stopped for a 20 minute lunch break. Within 5 minutes of setting off again the rain came down. It wouldn't have been too bad had it not been for the driving wind which ensured we got a soaking down one side of our bodies.

Looking back down to Wattgarth Bridge

We followed the river to Wattgarth Bridge before climbing up heading towards High Force. The rain and sun were competing to see who was going to win as we began to slowly dry out.

The water falls were all in full flow and and as we descended towards the quarry our path became more difficult due to flooding. Some of the stepping stones across the becks were under water meaning a bit of deft footwork across fence wires.

High Force

We hit High Force which was quite impressive with all the rain fall.

High Force

The paths here were a bit better with less surface water and we made good time along the Tees to Low Force ending up back at the car at 3.10pm.

Juniper trees

 Although the sun had won the battle and we had dried out, our feet were still soaking - thank god for the spare pair of socks in the boot!

Bob heading towards High Force

High Force

High Force

High Force

High Force

Low Force

Low Force

Low Force

A good run out despite the conditions.

Roadkill Ramble

Date: 23rd August 2012
Route: Willington - Brancepeth - Brandon - Broom Park - Ushaw Moor - Esh Winning - Waterhouses - Stanley Crook - Willington
Distance: - 17 miles

Weather: - Dry and bright

Back from cruising the Med I was carrying a few extra pounds and in need of a good walk out. The great British weather was its usual unpredictable self as Bob picked me up and drove the short distance to Willington to park down a side street opposite the church.
We began the short walk back into the town centre at 9.50am and the Co Op where we picked up the old railway line. There was plenty to talk about, certainly on the rugby front with the usual highs & lows of following Hull FC. A couple of wins including Catalan and a top 4 finish was in our mind. However this was blown away with a whooping at Widnes and a serious reality check. For the third season in a row all talk at the club is about the next season!

Rain + Sun = Beautiful English countryside

We passed through Brancepeth & Brandon and soon arrived at Broom Park, heading on towards Usher Moor & Esh Winning before stopping at our now familiar spot by the river near Rog Path woods for lunch. With all the rain & sun it was massively overgrown and Bob looked like a garden gnome sat amongst the wild rhubarb fronds! After half an hour we were packed up and heading off again through woodland as we followed the river through a series of small towns & villages on our way back to Willington. The size of some of the vegetation along the path was almost tropical in appearance. We had to take shelter as we were suddenly hit with a 30 second downpour before the sun came back out - how odd is our weather at the moment?!

Fern tree!

Wild rhubard trees!

Rugby continued to slip back into conversation as did talk of all the potential clients we have - fingers crossed some of them commit to dates in the diary. The walk had been surprisingly lacking in wildlife, plenty to be heard but little to be seen. We did however stumble across plenty of roadkill, or should that be pathkill!

Mr Mole

Mrs Mouse

We soon came of the railway track to hit the road back to Willington arriving back at the car at 3.30pm. The weather had held up for us and it had been a good run out after another long lay off from walking.

Fortune favours the Brave!

Date: 11th July 2012
Route: Bowlees - Low Force - High Force - Whatgarth Bridge - Ettersgill - High Force - Low Force - Bowlees
Distance: - 9 miles
Weather: - Bright & sunny

With all the rain and poor weather along with work commitments our last walk out together had been the Kettlewell break. With a business meeting held first thing it was 11.30am before we put boots on at the layby near Bowlees. The forecast had been poor with rain showers but as we looked around it was dry and bright with the sun doing its best to get out - our luck with weather was holding out.

Low Force

Low Force

We struck off to Low Force and the swollen river Tees. Conversation obviously turned to rugby and our mood dipped as we discussed FC's continuing run of poor form. Yet again another season that promised so much is delivering so little. A top 4 side now struggling to stay in the top 8 - and worse still Rovers looking likely to finish above us, could it get any worse?

High Force

High Force

High Force in full flow

Having depressed ourselves we stopped at High Force to take in the scenery before continuing along past the mine.

















With all the rainfall there were several smaller waterfalls in full flow.

As we approached Whatgarth Bridge we stopped for lunch looking over the Dales and Cronkley Farm. Surprisingly it was a busy day for walkers with a lot of large walking parties out and about.  Bob was clearly feeling unfit as our lunch break lasted almost 30 minutes!

We took a slightly different  route back after Whatgarth Bridge heading towards Ettersgill trying to avoid the sodden fields where possible. After coming over the most ugly sheep I have ever seen we then encountered a cow who took a very defencive stance with her calf and blocked our way through the gate. Being the brave duo we were, we found an alternative route!

Seriously ugly sheep

The Pitbull of the sheep world!

 
It wasn't long before we hit the road and then across the fields to High Force Hotel. A pint would have been nice but we decided against the hospitality of the charismatic Landlord (heavy sarcasm here!) and climbed the steps down back to the river.

The sun was out and the walk back to Low Force was a leisurely one with Bob frequently stopping to identify the huge variety of flowers.
We eventually ended back up at Low Force and then the short walk back to Bowlees and the car. A short walk by our standards but just good to get outside in the sun and blow the cobwebs off.

Booze, Birds & Quizzes in Kettlewell

Date: 16th - 18th May 2012

Route 1: Arncliffe - Monks Road - Dewbottoms - Middlehouse - Low Midge Hills - Malham Tarn - Lings Plantation - Street Gate - Goredale Beck - High Lineseed Head - High Cotes Moor - Arncliffe Gate - Outgang Lane - Skirfare River - Arncliffe
Distance: - 12.5  miles
Weather: - Light rain to begin, drying out & warming up by lunch time

Route 2: Pately Bridge - Eagle Hall - Ladies Rigg - Hillend - Ashfold mines - Ashfold Side beck - Low Wood Caravan Park - Corn Close - River Nidd - Pately Bridge
Distance: - 6 miles
Weather: - Dry but overcast

Wednesday 16th: -Once again it was time for the Kettlwell break with the FAC (Ferensway Adventurers Club) boys. I picked Bob up after tea and we drove across the dales arriving in Kettlewell around 8pm. After dumping our gear in the digs (Youth Hostel) we mosied on down to the local pub (Kings Head) to meet up with the rest of the guys and partake of the local sherberts. We returned to the hostel and meat pies & night caps all round whilst listening to classic "Derek & Clive".

Thursday 17th:- After a minor scare when the showers refused to give hot water (subsequently fixed when someone turned the boiler on!!) we headed to Zarina's for a cooked breakfast. Without our regular chef (Dudley the KR fan was away on a cruise) this was the easy option and as it turned out a very tasty one. Fully sated we drove the short distance to arrive at 10.00am in Arncliffe to begin our first walk.

Nathan the Twitcher leads the way

A steep climb soon gave us our height and the first views of the magnificent Dales. Leading the way was Paul Coates with his Smart phone Sat Nav - technology is great.

Bob snr

The drizzle was easing off as we headed towards Middlehouse where we found an old barn to shelter in for the first break of the day.

Mossy Old Barn

Tea up

 
Warmed up after our cuppa's we headed off towards Malham Tarn where the sun was now beginning to break through and warm the day up.

Malham Tarn

Bob snr, Me, Nathan, Bob jnr & Paul

It was during this part of the walk that resident twitcher Nathan began to educate us in the various bird life abundant around us including Oyster Catchers; Skylarks; Curlew; Wheatears; Sandpipers; Sandmartins; Great Crested Grebes and a Raven.
What did confuse Nathan was the cries of Hippo's, Monkeys & other jungle wildlife - all courtesy of Paul Holmes & his smartphone!



At Goreddale beck we found a place to stop for lunch and a well earned rest. Then it was a short climb back up before a long and surprisingly strenuous downhill trek that took around 45 mins and really took its toll on the knees.


We eventually found ourselves alongside the river Skirfare which we followed back into Arncliffe.

Bridge over the river Skirfare

The two Bob's

A shower and chillax followed before we drove out for tea at the White Lion pub in Cray. Food was excellent and well received. We actually dined in the company of celebrities - the original "Calender Girls" had also chosen to dine there. Pretty sure a couple of the guys went over for autographs! Then it was back to the Kings Head in Kettlewell and time for us to partake of the local quiz. Splitting into 2 teams the first round proved very easy with even me being able to answer (correctly) all 10 questions! Several rounds later (and having won a couple of spot prizes) we proved victorious - probably due to the fact that Bob the quiz meister was in our team! As our winnings were delivered both Bob snr & jnr leapt on the quiz master to challenge his answers to the Afghanistan flag & the 100 years war - despite the fact that we comfortably WON!!! Back to the digs for more nightcaps and the creation of a list of all FAC members past and present which had gotten to 70 at the last count.

Friday 18th:- Zarina's again for brekky then back to pack bags and load cars before our final short walk. Left Wharfedale and headed over the top to Nidderdale and Pately Bridge where we parked up. It was a reasonably bright start to the walk.

What you looking at?

We climbed up to Eagle Hall, past Ladies Rigg towards Ashfold mines where we stopped for lunch.

Ashfold mine

Nathan pondering his sightings!

While eating we saw a Red Kite circling overhead presumably looking for left overs. Inspired by this sighting Nathan turned his binoculars on the forest by the river and 'alledgedly' spotted a Woodpecker and a Crossbill though he was unable to offer any corroborating evidence!



Heading back along Low Wood Caravan site, towards the river Nidd - a nice riverside walk back to the car park and a well deserved pint before the drive back home.

Another great walking break in some beautiful countryside.



For more photo's check out the FlickR link:


The Kettlewell gang:
Steve Dennis
Bob Garton (jnr)
Bob Garton (snr) FAC
Chris & Nathan Pickering FAC
Paul Coates FAC
Paul Holmes FAC
Paul Craggs FAC
Colin Hutchinson FAC
John Kendrew FAC