Weather today: Sunny, warm out of the cool east wind
Daily Miles Covered: 12.50
Total Miles Covered: 575.50
Things of Interest: Redshank, several very large reservoirs, Hannah
Hauxwell's 'High Birk Hatt Farm, Lapwing chicklets.
Personal Comments: Now in County Durham, we left Bowes at 08.30 climbing immediately over the A66 and down into Boldersdale where the large reservoir of the same name was upon us. We continued along the never ending Pennine Way where Lapwings swooped close to us continuously to protect their young.
We also saw Redshank and Red Legged Partridges and Lapwing chicks today.
We later reached a place called 'High Birk Hatt Farm' where Hannah Hauxwell lived for nearly all her long life without electricity and gas. The BBC made a film about her called "Too long a winter" about the severe winter of 1962/63 when she had to survive with just a log fire and not much more!
This site is now called "Hannah's Meadow" and is owned by the Durham County Trust in memory of this extremely hardy lady.
The Pennine Way later brought us to yet another huge reservoir called 'Grassholme' in Lunedale - we climbed up once more from here to the high fells before seeing our first sight of Teasdale, quite stunning.
We dropped down into Middleton-in-Teasdale where tonight we are meeting Laraine and Janet (our respective partners) who are coming up till Sunday morning - that means a day off from walking tomorrow but back at it seriously on Sunday!
We are two adventurous guys from deepest Lancashire,England who will be walking from Lands End to John O'Groats ( starting off on April 1st 2008). We are trying to avoid roads where possible by linking together recognised long distance paths and thus following the most scenic routes from start to finish. Total distance approx. 1,350 miles. You can return to our main website by clicking on this link 'http://www.landsendtojohnogroats.com'
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Keld to Bowes (Co. Durham )
Weather today: Cool NE Wind Fine
Daily Miles Covered: 13.7
Total Miles Covered: 563
Things of Interest: 13 Pheasant chicks
Personal Comments: Overcast start to the day, with rain threatening, but it never came. We came back to Hawes from Keld yesterday to watch the Champions league final on tv. Off we set this morning to the exact same spot where we left it last night. Keld is the crossing point for the PW. and the Coast to Coast walk, so as you can imagine there is some quite lovely countryside around here. Severe uphill climbs were first on the agenda, taking us across a limestone terrace overlooking the village itself, and good views back to where we were 2 days ago. Always climbing for the first hour we soon came across Tan Hill Inn the highest pub above sea level in Britain. Now as you know people, Phil and myself are strangers to these hostelries, so as it had some noteriety, and it had to be 6.00pm somewhere, we thought we would have a look inside. No chance, it was shut due to a water failure, well, we didn't want one anyway!
Next across Sleightholme moor, a great expanse of peat and heather and nothing else. Just about half way across I came across a female pheasant led flat on the footpath. With wings outstretched, and her tail pointing backwards, we had eye contact. Within 5 seconds she had flown off to reveal 13 baby pheasants huddled together for warmth. I soon had the camera out and took a few shots, we didn't linger.
Still following the PW. we could see the busy A66, lorries everywhere. Our route took us on to Bowes. In Bowes we spoke to a lady who directed us to the village hall, where there was some spare land, just enough for a campervan and a tent, roll on teatime. Middleton in Teesdale tomorrow night.
Daily Miles Covered: 13.7
Total Miles Covered: 563
Things of Interest: 13 Pheasant chicks
Personal Comments: Overcast start to the day, with rain threatening, but it never came. We came back to Hawes from Keld yesterday to watch the Champions league final on tv. Off we set this morning to the exact same spot where we left it last night. Keld is the crossing point for the PW. and the Coast to Coast walk, so as you can imagine there is some quite lovely countryside around here. Severe uphill climbs were first on the agenda, taking us across a limestone terrace overlooking the village itself, and good views back to where we were 2 days ago. Always climbing for the first hour we soon came across Tan Hill Inn the highest pub above sea level in Britain. Now as you know people, Phil and myself are strangers to these hostelries, so as it had some noteriety, and it had to be 6.00pm somewhere, we thought we would have a look inside. No chance, it was shut due to a water failure, well, we didn't want one anyway!
Next across Sleightholme moor, a great expanse of peat and heather and nothing else. Just about half way across I came across a female pheasant led flat on the footpath. With wings outstretched, and her tail pointing backwards, we had eye contact. Within 5 seconds she had flown off to reveal 13 baby pheasants huddled together for warmth. I soon had the camera out and took a few shots, we didn't linger.
Still following the PW. we could see the busy A66, lorries everywhere. Our route took us on to Bowes. In Bowes we spoke to a lady who directed us to the village hall, where there was some spare land, just enough for a campervan and a tent, roll on teatime. Middleton in Teesdale tomorrow night.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hawes to Keld
Weather today: Cool and bright
Daily Miles Covered: 11.70
Total Miles Covered: 559.30
Things of Interest: Great Shunner Fell, Thwaite
Personal Comments: Last day today walking with our two walking mates from Ossy - Frank Mitchell and Mick Wolstenholme. They've been with us for the last 4 days but must now go home.
We left Hawes at 8.30am and walked into Hardraw (famous for the Hawdraw Force water falls).
There has been little rain in the last few weeks so we by-passed this site and headed to the start of the accent to the top of Great Shunner Fell. This is a 2,200ft. + mountain which stood in the way of us and our destination of Keld.
We climbed to the top in just under 1 hour 40 minutes and admired 360 degree panoramic views of spectacular Pennine peaks including what is to be our last view of Pendle which could be seen in the far distant south.
We dropped down to the pretty hamlet of Thwaite (not a brewery in site!!) and finally reached our destination of Keld where the Pennine Way and the Coast to Coast paths cross.
Enough walking for today - we're off now to find a pub with a large TV screen to watch the Euro Championship final - it has to be done!
Daily Miles Covered: 11.70
Total Miles Covered: 559.30
Things of Interest: Great Shunner Fell, Thwaite
Personal Comments: Last day today walking with our two walking mates from Ossy - Frank Mitchell and Mick Wolstenholme. They've been with us for the last 4 days but must now go home.
We left Hawes at 8.30am and walked into Hardraw (famous for the Hawdraw Force water falls).
There has been little rain in the last few weeks so we by-passed this site and headed to the start of the accent to the top of Great Shunner Fell. This is a 2,200ft. + mountain which stood in the way of us and our destination of Keld.
We climbed to the top in just under 1 hour 40 minutes and admired 360 degree panoramic views of spectacular Pennine peaks including what is to be our last view of Pendle which could be seen in the far distant south.
We dropped down to the pretty hamlet of Thwaite (not a brewery in site!!) and finally reached our destination of Keld where the Pennine Way and the Coast to Coast paths cross.
Enough walking for today - we're off now to find a pub with a large TV screen to watch the Euro Championship final - it has to be done!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Horton in Ribblesdale to Hawes (Wensleydale)
Weather today: Sunny, cool
Daily Miles Covered: 13.9
Total Miles Covered: 547.20
Things of Interest: Sell Gill Holes
Personal Comments: Having woke up to another bright, but cool sunny day, nothing was going to spoil our high moorland walk to Hawes via the Pennine Way. With Frank M. and Michael W. in tow we all left The Crown Inn at Horton by 8.30 am. Following the PW. we soon gained height to have the best views of Ribblesdale, across to Ingleborough and Whernside. Years ago when I first did the PW. I remembered a place called Sell Gill holes, where the water cascades down a pothole and disappears 50 ft. below. It was different today, it had dryed up, due to lack of rain. We all had a look around and off we set. Frank's dog Stanley had vanished, nowhere to be seen, He couldn't be far we said, but we couldn't see him. Frank M. looked down the pothole, and there 50ft. was Stanley, he had chased a rabbit, and gone over the edge, disaster. He seemed ok as he was moving about, and barking I tried to get down, to no avail, so we rang The Mountain and Cave rescue, a number got from the emergency services. They were there in no time and rescued poor Stanley, from a fate worse than death. I don't think he will be off the lead for a while.
Phil and I pressed on for the trek to come. Everything we talked about had a topic about the dog and how lucky he was. Up on the Cam High Road with the wind biting, Wensleydale came into view, with the lovely village of Gayle below us. The route was just as I remembered 33 years ago, with one difference!. In Hawes, Tuesday is market day so the town was very busy, with people selling their wares, Phil bought me an ice cream and we sat down and rested for 20 mins then off to find a site for the night. I don't want anymore days like today.
Daily Miles Covered: 13.9
Total Miles Covered: 547.20
Things of Interest: Sell Gill Holes
Personal Comments: Having woke up to another bright, but cool sunny day, nothing was going to spoil our high moorland walk to Hawes via the Pennine Way. With Frank M. and Michael W. in tow we all left The Crown Inn at Horton by 8.30 am. Following the PW. we soon gained height to have the best views of Ribblesdale, across to Ingleborough and Whernside. Years ago when I first did the PW. I remembered a place called Sell Gill holes, where the water cascades down a pothole and disappears 50 ft. below. It was different today, it had dryed up, due to lack of rain. We all had a look around and off we set. Frank's dog Stanley had vanished, nowhere to be seen, He couldn't be far we said, but we couldn't see him. Frank M. looked down the pothole, and there 50ft. was Stanley, he had chased a rabbit, and gone over the edge, disaster. He seemed ok as he was moving about, and barking I tried to get down, to no avail, so we rang The Mountain and Cave rescue, a number got from the emergency services. They were there in no time and rescued poor Stanley, from a fate worse than death. I don't think he will be off the lead for a while.
Phil and I pressed on for the trek to come. Everything we talked about had a topic about the dog and how lucky he was. Up on the Cam High Road with the wind biting, Wensleydale came into view, with the lovely village of Gayle below us. The route was just as I remembered 33 years ago, with one difference!. In Hawes, Tuesday is market day so the town was very busy, with people selling their wares, Phil bought me an ice cream and we sat down and rested for 20 mins then off to find a site for the night. I don't want anymore days like today.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale
Weather today: Sunny, Cool
Daily Miles Covered: 12.1
Total Miles Covered: 533.3
Things of Interest: Peregrine Falcon & A Green Woodpecker
Personal Comments: Left Malham early, at 8am, back on the Pennine Way to Malham Cove. We spotted a Peregrine Falcon & a Green Woodpecker as we assended 170+ stone steps to the top of Malham Cove, en-route to Malham Tarn. We had great views over Ingleborough and Penyghent and eventually we dropped into Stainforth. Then we followed the Ribble Way to Horton-in-Ribblesdale and we had the pleasure of Michael Wolstenholme, our regular partner from Oswaldtwistle. We had a great day ending up at the Crown in Horton.
Posted on behalf of Phillip Chippendale
Daily Miles Covered: 12.1
Total Miles Covered: 533.3
Things of Interest: Peregrine Falcon & A Green Woodpecker
Personal Comments: Left Malham early, at 8am, back on the Pennine Way to Malham Cove. We spotted a Peregrine Falcon & a Green Woodpecker as we assended 170+ stone steps to the top of Malham Cove, en-route to Malham Tarn. We had great views over Ingleborough and Penyghent and eventually we dropped into Stainforth. Then we followed the Ribble Way to Horton-in-Ribblesdale and we had the pleasure of Michael Wolstenholme, our regular partner from Oswaldtwistle. We had a great day ending up at the Crown in Horton.
Posted on behalf of Phillip Chippendale
Gargrave to Malham
Weather today: Sunny & Cool (Sun 18th May)
Daily Miles Covered: 6.73
Total Miles Covered: 521.2
Personal Comments: We left Eston Farm campsite at 8.50am to meet Frank Mitchell and Michael Wolstenholme at 9.00am - They were ready, so we set off following the Pennine Way. The views to the north were unsurpassed for beauty. These northern hills have something about them, they always seem to draw me along.
We followed the River Aire for quite a way - a lovely walk to the village of Airton. In Malham at the campsite at Townhead, thanks to the farmer and his wife we had a free pitch - very pleasant people.
Posted on behalf of Frankie Boy
Daily Miles Covered: 6.73
Total Miles Covered: 521.2
Personal Comments: We left Eston Farm campsite at 8.50am to meet Frank Mitchell and Michael Wolstenholme at 9.00am - They were ready, so we set off following the Pennine Way. The views to the north were unsurpassed for beauty. These northern hills have something about them, they always seem to draw me along.
We followed the River Aire for quite a way - a lovely walk to the village of Airton. In Malham at the campsite at Townhead, thanks to the farmer and his wife we had a free pitch - very pleasant people.
Posted on behalf of Frankie Boy