22nd June 2019

A walk around Nidderdale.

Each summer the Doncaster Ramblers organise a summer coach trip to somewhere a little bit further than they would normally venture on their weekly walks, this years destination was Pateley bridge [the capital of Nidderdale ] A choice of 3 walks on offer today ranging from 6, 9 and 12 miles..We chose the 12 miler, with fine weather forecast it was going to be a cracking day out...We pulled into the car park at Pateley bridge, [Pateley to the locals]..Boots on, sunscreen applied and we were off up the main street of the small market town...Plenty of teashops, pubs,Fish and chip shops, Ice cream parlours and independent shops...Im sure we will be back in time to sample some of the towns delights.

Leaving the road we were to follow a flight of steps, then a walled lane steeply uphill, this track goes by the name of the Panorama walk, a popular walk in Victorian times with visitors to the town...Its just as popular today with walkers as it springboards us out into the countryside..Lovely views of the valley were developing to our right..We came to a viewpoint called "The rock" a welcome spot to stop for a slug of drink and a quick perusal of the view.

Much of our walk today was to follow along the Nidderdale way a 52 mile trail that mainly follows the high ground on one side of the valley then returns alongside the other side of the valley, its a walk I would love to do in its entirety..maybe one day..Its just finding the time..you know what its like when that horrible four letter word "work" gets in the way..We passed through many a lovely pasture, lovely scenes..Streams..small sections of woodland..We were bound for Brimham rocks. After half an hour of uphill walking we were there, and what a spectacular spot it is..Looked after by the National trust there are 400 acres of rocks and moorland to explore.

We had a half an hours break here..An ice cream, a cup of tea then.i took a quick look around, Lots of people..Kids screaming..Its a great place, but not today..Maybe I will return when its much quieter..A Tuesday afternoon in January rather than a Saturday in summer.

Another quick photograph and we were off..We soon left the noise behind...All downhill now to the village of Summerhouses. A gentle walk gradually descending down to the River Nidd...Curlews and Kites above..Life felt grand. At Summerbridge we had a choice...Tea room or pub..an easy choice, most of us squeezed into the tiny backroom of the flying Dutchman pub..Its a Sam smiths pub which is always a treat...£2 a pint of bitter [ good stuff it is too]...someone sampled the Mild..£1.35 a pint...Am I in heaven or what ?..

Not wanting to get too comfy we set off for the afternoon walk back to Pateley..Over the Nidd and up to the high ground on the other side of the valley..We were bound for Nought moor..it was a heads down affair..Conversations flowed while we climbed...Main topics were Hay/Silage....Trump/Johnson...Ticks...The humid weather...Is it better climbing than descending..Best boots....Gates/stiles..etc etc...I enjoyed the afternoon section as it was all fresh ground for me and the views were superb...much to be admired in every direction..And suddenly there it was before us..The end.

Downhill steeply...what a great day it had been...The best walk I have had for ages [that's 3 times I have said that this month]..Boots off at the coach...we have an hour before we set off back to Doncaster...Tea room?..Fish shop?..sod it lets go to the Crown.

So ends a perfect day... a couple of pints of Saltaire blonde....