We slept extremely well, I didn't notice Alan's snoring at all. After a good breakfast we headed up the dale past Buckden and past The George. Our friend once made a long detour on a walking holiday to visit this pub and as far as I can remember it was closed when he got there. It was too early for us so we carried on up the stiff climb made more difficult by a strengthening northerly wind. It didn't look like summer anymore but then why should it? It was June and England and so the weather was about right. By the time we reached the summit the views had long since disappeared and it was too cold to hang around so we whizzed down to Hawes. Now the Wensleydale Creamery is on this road just a mile or so outside of the village. Since we had Bakewell Tart in Bakewell we had to have some Wensleydale cheese in Wensleydale. Calum and I did the shopping then we made our way slowly to the foot of the Buttertubs Pass. Now this was a hill I've done in both directions several times and if I meet any cyclists from the Huddersfield area I will whole heartedly recommend it as a 'classic'. We were doing it in the easy direction, maximum gradient 16% but it is still a long slog. It was much too cold to hang around at the top so while the others looked at the rock formations Calum and I headed to the teashop in Muker. Alan and Bert arrived soon after. By the time we set off down the dale it was clear that our bodies (or was it our minds?) had had enough. We had arranged to rendezvous at the Black Bull in Reeth for a pint (no pub at Grinton Lodge) but Bert thought we meant The Bridge at Grinton so we ended up missing our pint and meeting up again at Grinton Lodge Youth Hostel. Calum and I cooked the dinner.
- Starter, a selection of Wensleydale cheeses with crackers and stuffed olives.
- Main course, Spaghetti Bolognese and garlic bread.
- Pudding, suet pudding with raisins and dream topping.