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Published: March 29th 2010
Malham Cove
It looks better than this in the fleshWe spent three weeks exploring the Yorkshire Dales - what an amazing place! The scenery is even better than that of the Forest of Bowland, and the hills even bigger, we’ve spent every day exploring, and would recommend a visit to Malham Cove. The weather was great for the first half of our stay, although there is still snow laying on the hill tops (which caused Jackie to fall off the top of Ingleborough and break her phone), but it has now changed and there is a weather warning out for heavy snow. We are surrounded by sheep and chickens and one of the farms we stayed on also had rheas. The highland cows were the only cattle we saw outdoors, it seems the others need it warmer (they might have to wait until August at this rate).
Interesting footpaths up here too, several used stepping stones, but the best was through Gordale Scar, this involved climbing up (or down) a waterfall then a cliff face, health and safety was covered by a little warning sign, but it was great fun.
We visited the Waterfall trail with Suzie and Rob (to celebrate Jackie’s ** birthday) and these were great, especially the
Barn full of rheas
They will grow anything on farms these days one you could climb behind, when we visited 3 days later after a night of heavy rain, they were even more spectacular. We also took Suzie and Rob to some caves, which involved squeezing through tight spaces and a lot of what the guide called ‘walking like a gorilla’ because of the low ceiling height. Luckily they gave us hard hats as Trevor managed to hit a rock hard enough to floor him (hilarious). We ended up in the pub after this adventure. Having decided we liked caves we got out our OS map (dangerous things, they lead you into all sorts of trouble) and went in search of more. Found several on the local hills, one covered by a sort of manhole sized wooden lid that covered a pipe through which you had to slide to get into the cave itself (didn’t fancy that), and another that we did go into, and through, but we didn’t fancy the very deep and dark one next to it. We also found some rather deep pot holes full of snow, wonder if these ever thaw.
Must be getting fitter as we now walk and cycle everywhere, sometimes we can even cope with
the evenings - Trevor plays a lot of x-box which seems to involve dressing up like a cyberman (he won’t at the next stop as there will be no electricity). On that note we also won’t be able to charge our laptop unless the sun shines on our solar panel so updating the blog, and answering emails, maybe difficult - but of course it’s going to be wall to wall sun shine.
On to the Lake District next, according to the OS map, hills will be even bigger, wish us luck.
ps. the beer we made in Chester is very drinkable, but running out fast.
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Mum /Val
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Envious I am!
Yep - very! Thanks for your wonderful updates. It all takes time I'm sure. Most Brits don't know what they're missing in this wonderful country of ours! -And there's still Scotland, Wales and Ireland later....! Last Saturday I let the house in Gorsley for a year to the lady that Shaun went off to work for and it's up to her now to get him to finish the last few jobs! It was a big decision and I'm only getting £800 pcm, but it now gives me time to get rid of more stuff without travelling! If she stays longer, I've warned her it'll be at least £900 next year, and probably more! Shaun said the huge barn-like place she rents at the moment is £1,400 pcm. I'm now concentrating on getting the bedrooms ready for my three Kiwi ladies 22nd - 26th April and cooking a couple of meals to freeze. We'll be going to Cardiff Castle, Cotswold villages and probably Bath. Thinking of you all the time. Love, Mum/Val xx Take care.