Thornton in Craven to Malham
Today's Miles - 11.5
Today's Ascent - 2178
Today's Descent - 1902
Total Miles so Far - 83.2
Star Team Member - Everyone, for their fabulous effort in handling the four legged milk producers.
Today was our shortest day so far, but don't get me wrong it was still quite a way! It was really hot, but I am sure you will be pleased to know that this time there was en route refreshments; I think it was well deserved, after a bit of a pub shortage. Unfortunately Thornton in Craven had no chocolate shops, as it suggests in the name, but we did have some boiled sweets from the hotel reception. Pockets loaded with small boiled sweets (they were complimentary okay?) we set off on Day 06....
We walked out of our hotel and into some lush green fields to try and pick up the Pennine Way footpath again. Paddy scouted ahead, as per usual, through the long grass and we came to a road.
 |
| Walking out of Thornton in Craven |
We crossed the road and dropped down to a canal. This canal joined Leeds to Liverpool, reminding us that yes, we were near(ish) civilisation. We walked along the canal and turned into some fields where we had our first break. After our break we made our way to the village of Gargrave, 2.5 miles from where we had stopped.
 |
| Leeds - Liverpool Canal |
 |
| Church at Gargrave |
We stopped off at a sweet shop to stock up on supplies, and with 6 miles to go, we were feeling we had broken the back of the walk. Dad went to try and find Paddy a river to dunk him in as it was getting very hot for him. He gave Mam and I the SatMap and told us to go straight on. So we did. 15 minutes later we heard a bellow echo through the dales. We had gone the wrong way. We rejoined Dad on the correct path and continued onwards.
 |
| Back over the canal |
This is really when our animal troubles began. first we couldn't find the path, but we soon sorted that out. The path took us through a big field of cows, and as I explained yesterday cows and dogs don't get on. We used our usual method, and with Dad and Pads walking down through to the end of the field, the herd was following them, but at a slow pace. A passing couple helpfully told us 3 ladies near where they lived had been trampled on. Really helpful. With nothing to see any more they turned their attention to Mam and I. The started walking towards us, but luckily there was a gate we slipped through. Dad gave me a ring and told me to scare them away by standing on the gate, waving my arms and bellowing. What a sight I must have been! Help factor: 0. They got a bit angry but we were safe on the other side but had no way to get to Dad and Paddy. In the end we had to climb over the dry stone wall and barbed wire and walk to the road where we met the rest of the team. Stressful!
We had a well deserved rest and continued onwards. We had another cow dilemma, but with unhelpful input from some horses too, but finally we reached a road taking us to a little village called Airton.
 |
| Wild Beasts of the Pennines |
You are not going to believe it but we had ANOTHER cow problem. We walked through the field and as some cows were following Dad and Paddy in one field, Dad slipped into the other, where he was greeted by another herd of cows. Hurrah! We power-walked for Britain until we got to the safety of another road that took us to Airton.
 |
| Airton |
Passing through Airton, we stopped for a rest by the river with two miles to go, and I through some stones for Paddy. With 2 miles to go we marched on through the fields (more cows- this time less unfriendly) that took us to Malham.
 |
| River Aire on the way to Malham |
We reached the village, and having been here on Geography fieldwork before I roughly know my way around so we found the hotel quickly, where a meal with Petra (the German lady we have met along the way) followed, and now I am most definitely ready for bed.
Thank you for reading this post. Tomorrow up and over Pen-y-ghent to Horton in Ribblesdale; see you then!
Caitlin :-)
No comments:
Post a Comment