Text and pic contributed by Christina
The week was spent by most of the group at Wharfedale Lodge, Kilnsey. Almost opposite sits Kilnsey Crag and at one point I observed several people with full climbing gear attempting to climb it, not quite my cup of tea. Louise had some worries about Ian’s next walk with a scrambling section at the top involving similar challenges as Kilnsey Crag!
Glen and I were staying at Grange Farm Holiday Cottages in Hubberholme and had arrived one day earlier than the others. The cottages are located on a sheep farm and offer spectacular views onto lush green hills and fields where we heard the mesmeric bubbling trill of the curlews and the piercing shrieks of the oystercatchers.
On Monday, we drove to Grassington where we joined the group led by Ian on part of their walk. We crossed the river Wharfe initially via the stepping stones and later by the extensive bridge at Linton Falls.
Tuesday proved a particularly wet day necessitating postponement of a Malham walk, and participants made various alternative arrangements. Our group met at the Devonshire Arms in Grassington for dinner. We enjoyed a lovely meal and finalised plans for Glen’s Hubberholme Hurrah walk the following day.
Eight people took part on his walk of 7.75 miles. We started from Hubberholme, then followed the Dales Way to Buckden before ascending Buckden Rake. A brief downhill section to Cray preceded magnificent views back along Upper Wharfedale from the hillside to Yockenthwaite. Our group then regained the Dales Way for a riverside section and enjoyed a refreshing drink at The George Inn back at Hubberholme.
Later that evening, Glen and I rejoined the group for dinner, a tasty chicken casserole and Kate’s famous brownies and ice cream. Glen provided a Yorkshire-themed quiz after dinner. It proved great fun to watch some participants become rather competitive. It was suggested in jest that Ian might “drag down his team” of fine quiz competitors and so it proved with a third place finish for them. 😁 Victory went to a team comprising Louise, Kearton and Tony.