Over Easter, Mike and I went to the Yorkshire Dales for a long weekend. I was not familiar with this area, though when I was younger, the family did go to the southern Lake District often as the then in-laws lived there. I was very impressed with the Dales, and I think that we will be returning again this summer.
Rather randomly, I chose a B & B in Hawes, and it proved very pleasant. But how prices have shot up recently! The good part is, this area is easier for us to get to, it is straight up the A1 and across. Shame about the traffic at Cambridge, although I see that a huge new bypass of Huntingdon is now in progress...
On the first morning, we awoke to a light covering of snow - and it was made the fells look very pretty, though it did not last long. After a cooked breakfast, we did a walk from Hawes to Hardraw and back to Hawes. There are many old stone barns in this area.
Here, you can spot the snow on the fells. Many new lambs were in the fields, some with plastic raincoats on to keep them dry.
The waterfall at Hardraw - there is an admission charge of £2.50 to gain entrance. In Victorian times there was a flood and mudslide which destroyed the waterfall. However, the landowner pieced together the stones at the lip and was able to repair the waterfall.
After lunch, we took a drive up the spectacular Beggar Man's Pass. We then parked up and walked along the Roman road. This is still a navigable road and there were occasional bikers and 4x4 owners testing their vehicles ability to traverse the track. This walk produced some of the best scenery of the weekend.
Here, you can just see some of the snow remaining at higher levels, looking into the dale.
In the evening, we did a final walk from Gayle to Askgarth Falls. I imagine these falls must be packed with walkers during the summer!
What gorgeous scenery! I kept reading the line about raincoats, and finally it hit me you said they really did put them on their lambs. Oh! Cooler climates dictate more extreme measures than ours, and what good care they take of the livestock. I'm impressed. Thank you so very much for taking the time to share your weekend adventure. I've so enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed your visit to the Dales and hope that you will enjoy many more! Hawes is a lovely bustling little town/big village as is Leyburn also in Wensleydale. The next Dale up, Swaledale, tends to be much quieter but not so many shops, pubs etc but hose it does have are great! We hope to walking up to see Aysgill Falls as well in a week or so, haven't been there yet.
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