Details

Hits: 2889

No doubt you were all impressed by the accuracy and veracity of the last issue of "Recycled Friends". Unfortunately, Arthur has started the descent from those high journalistic ideals by asking me to write something about the tour of '86 when we took a gentle stroll around the Yorkshire Dales.

Disclaimer: Any relation to anything which may or may or not happened and any similarities to anyone, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Day 1.

We caught a coach from Newcastle to Barnard Castle. There were five of us - Bert, John, Alan, Arthur and me - we were young (ish), we were fit (well sort of) and we set off with a light step and the proverbial song in our hearts. The first day was a short walk across the moors to Grinton Lodge. The route had been carefully planned to take in a village called Washfold because it had the all important 'PH' symbol on the map. Unfortunately, the pub had closed some decades ago and there was nothing at Washfold other than the sadistic laughter of an Ordnance Survey employee. So it goes. We enjoyed the excellent view of Swaledale from the top of Fremmington Edge and then made our way down to Grinton Lodge. 

Good hostel (converted hunting lodge), good foot baths and a good pub down the hill, Alan's snoring.

Day 2.

A dull grey day and some dull moorland scenery. Bert decided to lighten our mood by showing off his new skill in animal impersonations - "imanimalations". Unfortunately, he only seemed to have mastered the sections on mating and fighting - as a result we nearly got chased by some bulls and some of the sheep looked decidedly worried!! We stopped off in Bolton Castle for a brew and a look around the village, and then it was but a hop and step to Asygarth Falls. 

Reasonable hostel, decent pub, no foot-baths. Alan's snoring.

Day 3.

Completely yucky day weatherwise with that soft Yorkshire rain which never lets up and manages to soak into every crevice both in your rucksack and you.

The day should have been pretty easy - just a bimble along the River Ure - but the weather got everyone a bit down. Alan and I took a 3 mile extension into Leyburn to buy some provisions - what heroes! Stayed the night at Ellingstring YH. Fond memories of John taking off his boots and steam rising from his feet. Two very odd people also staying at the hostel - leather-clad and a scary selection of combat knives. 

Good hostel, no pub, no footbaths, scary psychopaths. Alan's snoring.

Day 4.

Next day was a bit brighter and we were in fairly good spirits. We stopped off at Brimham Rocks ( rocks which have been weathered into interesting shapes by the wind and rain. Stopped at Dacre Banks. 

Good hostel (converted school, now closed), no footbaths but a decent pub. Alan's snoring.

Day 5.

Good walk over the tops from Nidderdale with lovely views over Wharfedale. Stayed at Linton YH. 

Good hostel, no footbaths but an excellent pub. Alan's snoring.

 

Day 6.

Bert had to leave the rest of us. While we were waiting in the rain for his bus, Alan decided to entertain us with his singing in the rain act. As the bus stop was next to a dry stone wall, when he wanted to swing around it he had to jump up on the wall. However, he head butted the sign on the bus stop and fell to the ground. When we asked what had happened, he promptly did it again! Once Bert was safely on the bus, we made our way through Grassington and up to Kettlewell. 

Decent hostel, no footbaths but several decent pubs. Alan's snoring.

Day 7.

Willie the German joined us. I took the opportunity of a "rest" day to walk across to Litton - I wanted to go to a very special pub which was, of course, closed - while the rest of the party took a walk up Great Whernside and Buckden Pike and then on to the pub at Starbotton. One of Willie's famous quotes "Two pints of beer please, and two more for my friend McDougall". The rest of the group took pity on their livers and headed back to Kettlewell while Alan and Willie stayed in the pub. 

Seem to remember Alan's snoring being even worse than normal that night.

Day 8.

Willie drove off to Hull while the rest of us made our way to Hawes. 

Not a bad hostel (for a Superior grade), footbaths!, the Crown and Chequerboard pubs. Alan's snoring.

Day 9.

Quite a long slog up Abbotside and then walking above Garsdale. Stayed the night at Kirkby Stephen. 

Decent hostel (converted chapel), no footbaths but excellent flapjacks, decent pubs. Alan's snoring.

The next day we caught the bus back to Newcastle, footsore and somewhat weary but in good spirits.

George