Yorkshire Dales- Pen-y-ghant
Another beautiful day in the Yorkshire Dales, rain and thundery showers may be forecast but the skies were crystal clear. Today was the day to go up at least one of these infamous three peaks. We set off towards Horten-on-ribblesdale, a long name for a small place, to discover the town had more than a campsite and a pub. We stayed here several weeks earlier while passing through the Dales on bike but hadn't really venture passed the entrance. Since its on the Pennie way and three peaks circuit, it is a key area for walking and has a lovely cafe!
Inny meeny moo, Inglebourgh to the right and Pen-y-ghant to the left, Pen-y-ghant it was to be. Off we went along the Pennie way through the fields and sheep. We made quick progress past quite a few walkers going the other direction and were surprised to be at the summit in a hour. Since we were meeting Bridgette's parents at 1pm we had another 3 hours to kill. So off we went down the other side, soon finding out this was the steeper and perhaps more spectacular route. There was an amazing drystone wall that crawled its way through a boulder field and the tried to climb up the wall. However it didn't quiet make it and missed a section before continuing on the summit.
After meeting the mum and dad, everyone was filled with indecision about what to do that afternoon. We weren't inspired to walk up another hill, Chris wanted to sleep and Helen did know what she wanted. Eventually we headed towards Hawes, further up the valley deep into the Dales. We passed the Ribbleshead viaduct and the third peak Wernside. Hawes biggest attraction was a creamery, being tight fisted we refused the entry fee and went straight to the tastings. Great sheep milk cheese.
We then headed home through a town named Gayle! The small c road wound up through a deep valley to a pass. Here there were great view of velvet green hills, dotted with sheep and sliced up by long straight drystone walls. The road soon descended with a sign saying 25% decline into another valley. This was remarkably different with the village center around a wide flat river the flowed through multiple cascades. Bridgette promptly fell a sleep here and missed the rest of the scenic journey (thus end of blog).