Pennine Way

I did tell you last week that my skies aren’t always blue? Sometimes you just have to carry on and do it. August in England- you never can tell what’s in store! My companion’s still smiling, so grab a mac and come with me to Gargrave. What’s a little rain between friends?

It’s a lovely village, but I’m not staying long. I hop over a stile in a stone wall and off across the field, even though that sky does look a bit ominous. I have a date with a canal. I expect it will appreciate a little more water! The sheep don’t seem terribly bothered, so why should we?

I do seem to have encountered a lot of sheep this summer. You might remember that I spent an anniversary weekend in the village of Skipton, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Gargrave is situated just 4 miles north west of Skipton, and I had in mind a 3 and a half mile walk to take in a few locks. The Leeds and Liverpool canal and the River Aire both pass through the village, as does the Pennine Way, so perhaps you can understand my enthusiasm, despite the dreary weather.

Halfway across the field the mild drizzle turns to a downpour. Nothing for it but to plod on, hoping to reach the shelter of a few trees. I always seem to get the giggles at such moments. Not so the other half, whose frown was growing deeper by the minute. With some relief, I spot the first lock, through the trees. A cheery lock keeper bids us “good morning!”. “I’m paid to get wet” he says, stoically.

Fortunately the rain has eased again and I stop to admire the lock keeper’s cottage. Imagine, if you will, a bright Summer’s day.

We cross over an old stone bridge and a pop of colour from a patch of tiny thistles catches my grey-weary eyes. These are Bank Newton locks.

Can you see what lies ahead? I will try not to bore you rigid with houseboats, but I do have a bit of a fascination with them.

One of the highlights of this walk was a small aqueduct, carrying the canal over the river. It was a first for me. Not very spectacular to look at but an experience in itself. I am full of admiration for the people who made these canals.

Happily, at this point a glimmer of sunshine appears in the sky. I don’t suppose you’ll be able to see it, but it puts a smile back on the husband’s face. And then we come upon a very strange craft!

One of the things I love about houseboats is the creativity of the people who live on, or near, them. We’re almost at the end of our walk so I’ll spare you any more lock details. You might want to observe a stately swan though, and I’m pretty sure I have an irresistible dog for you.

Gargrave has a very charming website with a choice of walks around the village. You could do much worse than follow one of them, and hopefully you’ll stay dry. This is the walk that I did.

‘What! No cream tea?’ I hear your outraged cry! We drove onwards to Malham, where the rain was once again a deluge, and huddled in the corner of a cramped cafe. Determined to see something of the mighty limestone crags, I persuaded the long suffering one to a short walk to Janet’s Foss. No need to feel sorry for him. We were homeward bound and, as we crested the valley, sun beamed down upon us. The scarecrow festival at Kettlewell more than made up for any disappointments. Time to put the kettle on?

I know time is a little tight right now, but please do visit the new folks on here, or at least bookmark them for later? So much work goes into these posts. I’d hate you to miss them. Huge thanks to all you for walking with me each week. Details are, as always, on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.

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I have some great mates around here! Thanks, Jude, for reminding me how very lovely Norwich is :

Norwich Part 1 : History and Architecture

Amy joins us with an extremely elegant walk this week :

A Walk of an Urban Garden

Geoff usually comes up with something different, and you’ll enjoy this :

Thomas Hardy and why he was miserable # walking

Next, a shout out for my birthplace, from Lady Lee :

Coventry Transport Museum

A dent in the head for poor Woolly? Oh, dear!

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Indented-Head

Something all too familiar to some of us. Thanks, Jesh!