21/04/2019

A Nidderdale classic.

We fancied a walk in the Yorkshire dales but wanted to avoid the crowds, not sure if that will be possible because..1 its the Easter weekend and 2 the weather is fantastic at the moment..The thing is you have to know where to go..there are quieter places to visit for a walk as we proved today,seeing very few people on this walk from Middlesmoor in Nidderdale..I like Nidderdale..Its just outside the National park and I suppose because of this it is much quieter...When the Yorkshire dales national park was designated in 1954 Nidderdale was inexplicably excluded..the reason according to the bureaucrats was that the reservoirs which flood its upper reaches had spoilt the natural environment..but the valley has everything that neighbouring valleys have ...Wild open moorland, gorges, caves and pot holes, sculptured rocks, pretty river scenery and lovely flower decked stone villages..Im thinking that despite exclusion from the national park, Nidderdale is the winner here.

We pulled into the little car park in Middlesmoor..Perched on a hill overlooking the dale..its a special place..Sun tan lotion applied and we were off up the track that crosses In moor..Boy it was hot..we said we would stop every 15 minutes or so for a gulp of water, mainly for the dog as he is not keen of hot weather, although he soon found a small stream that runs alongside the path..Along this track we noticed many small Green butterflies...Green Hairstreaks, dozens of them, which was nice to see as they are becoming increasingly rare. I tried photographing them but they don't seem to settle for more than a few seconds....Little Whernside soon came into view ahead of us with Great Whernside to the left..both superb hills..soon we were dropping down the zig zag path to Scar house reservoir.

Its an impressive spot..The water here mainly drains down from the vast flanks of Great Whernside...and from here it goes on to supply water for the Bradford area in West Yorkshire. During the construction of the reservoir and the building of the dam over 1000 people would have lived and worked here..Much quieter today, although many paths radiate from here keeping walkers and cyclists happy..We crossed the dam and found a spot to sit for a drink and a sarnie...Alfie went for a swim...we were all happy, although I couldn't sit comfortably as the place was swarming with little Beetles..

A second application of suntan lotion and we were off..The views were amazing now as we followed the rising path up to Woogill moor...we looked back often.

This is the type of path that I could follow all day..Around Dale edge and Thrope edge..We had a breather at the shooting hut..We recalled on our last visit here a few years ago the doors were open and walkers were free to shelter from the elements inside..we remembered bringing chairs outside to sit and eat in comfort..not so anymore, the place is securely locked. im guessing that a few idiots probably spoilt it for everyone else.

We strode on, Green pastures in the valley to our right, barren moorland to our left..A few belted Galloway cattle glanced up at us before carrying on munching...I asked Karen if she was enjoying it...she said it was fantastic, just what was needed.

A little further and we reached the old shooting lodge...A perfect spot for lunch..Cheese and Coleslaw on Granary..Fruit cake and mini rolls all washed down with a flask of strong coffee..Perched rather precariously on the very rim of Thrope edge the shooting lodge commands magnificent views across the valley...im guessing there has been a few parties up here over the years..we sat and looked..trying to work out the route back to Middlesmoor.

A steep descent and we were in the valley..we made it down to Thrope farm..not sure if the path went through the farmyard or round it...we just went for it, passing through the farm buildings..All hell was let loose as we set half a dozen farm dogs off..Collies to the left...Spaniels to the right..we just kept our heads down..eventually making it up to the road.It was all uphill now to the village..looking back to the farm we could still hear the dogs...giving it what for. The shooting lodge was also on view on the edge...looking very much like a church from down here.

Several squeezer stiles along this next section..Our chubby little dog had no chance and had to be lifted over 2 or 3 of them..he loved it..All of a sudden and we were back in Middlesmoor..and there it was like a mirage...the Crown..oh the Black sheep slipped down a treat..The perfect end to a perfect walk.

7/04/2019.

Dove..Beresford and Wolfscote dales.

When we woke we had no plans, although we had decided on a Peak district walk...but where??… I let Karen pick the final destination as she is good at picking classics..She chose a walk from the Derbyshire village of Hartington, close to the Staffordshire border..Pulling into the village we realised that we had no change for the car park but we soon found a spot in the main street close to the village pond..A bit dull/misty today but im sure the sun will break out later...So do I wear wooly hat or sunhat..I plumped for sunhat..As we booted up a chap pulled up next to us..while he was lacing his boots up we exchanged pleasantries, as walkers always do...then we were off...Its a busy place even at this time on a sunday morning...Cyclists in lycra gulpng water..Walkers with all the Trendy gear..Big bearded Motorcycle guys sipping tea with their little pinkies up..Old boys walking back from the shop..ladened down with the sunday paper and all the supplements that go with it....Alfie had a crap that wouldn't have looked out of place in a Lion enclosure at the zoo..Thankfully close to a doggie bin...2 small boys ran up to us excitedly.."Dad Dad can we stroke him"...Of course you can I said..They stroked his head..Alfie looked up.."come on get on with it"...Dad Dad...he's not very soft..They were wrong...he is as soft as a brush.

Leaving the village..we set of across fields bound for Beresford dale, a small valley of indescribable beauty where the River Dove squeezes between high Limestone cliffs..Some great displays of Lesser Celadine along here which will soon be replaced by great swathes of wild garlic.

Reluctantly we leave the river after Beresford dale as we head off towards Narrowdale, where we came across the rundown ruins of Narrowdale farm..Shame to see these old buildings fall into wrack and ruin..Someone really should do the place up...and get rid of that old Landrover in the drive...it has been sitting there for years rusting away...whenever I pass through I always take a photograph of it...im guessing im not the only one.

Soon we passed several groups of Duke of Edinburgh walkers...poor sods...They always look so miserable..as we pass we always hear them moaning that they are lost and that they cant go much further..I feel like slapping them round the face..."snap out of it...This is the best time of you're lives"..I know they moan but they will remember and look back fondly on the experience for the rest of their lives..we strode on purposefully enjoying the high ground...Before long we were in Alstonefield..Time for a bite to eat and a coffee sitting on a bench on the village green...how very English.

As we sat, we watched as a crowd began to grow outside the pub..All in all about a dozen folk waiting for the pub to open..we pressed on..Bloody alkies get everywhere..Passing the church we followed the lane down to Milldale..several sports cars sped towards us..we jumped onto the verge to avoid getting mown down..Toffee nosed gits...one bloke with his top down..said sorry but there are several of us...we stood on that verge for several minutes while a convoy of posh prats passed....very few acknowledged us as they passed...I suppose they thought they were more important than us..Milldale was buzzing but we didn't hang about climbing the zig zag path uphill to follow the rim of the gorge up to Shining tor. [not the famous one in Cheshire].,,lovely views although we were still waiting for the sun to break out...I need the sun to break out so that I can get my legs weathered...I have been wearing shorts for 9 days on the trot now but they still resemble lily white pipe cleaners.

Down hill rather steeply at times we passed more D of E walkers..some of them looking close to death..A good section of valley walking now..alongside the Dove into Wolfscote dale..a few stops along here to empty the flask and to empty the boots [ those little stones play havoc with the feet]..I have always loved these Dales...lots of birdlife...Dippers dipping...Yellow wagtails Wagging...Kingfishers fishing and Peregrines..[No not grinning]..err killing Pigeons..Uphill again...I have really enjoyed the day.

Downhill to the village...still lots of people about..The chap that we spoke to as we left was back at his his car taking his boots off...Have you been here all day putting your boots on I said..we laughed...I do like laughing..sometimes I laugh so much that my legs turn to jelly and I think I may faint...Its been good hasn't it.