DELIGHTFUL DENT IN THE DALES

Another trip out for five nights, this time back to the Yorkshire Dales and Dent. We camped on a basic site with one other caravan on the edge of the pretty cobbled village.

The sun shone on Monday so we set off to climb Whernside, we walked from the campsite which turned out to be a mistake. Taking the Dales High Way, either we were poor map readers or they had done away with the trail we were looking for, but we finished up nearly down at Ribblehead with too far to hike to reach Whernside, so we had lunch and returned without conquering the summit. We walked part way back with a couple from Philadelphia and enjoyed chatting with them. We hiked about 7 miles.

                                                              Dentdale

Dent Church - with bells!

Dent

Roy's ambition to own one of these!

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Sheep everywhere!

Tuesday, we drove to Ribblehead and took the well trodden route up Whernside, a lovely route up but tough one down. Sunshine all day, it took 2 hours up and 2 down and about 7 miles. At 736m its the highest hill in Yorkshire. When we got back we were the only ones on the site, we had a go with the kite we've had for years stuck in the back of the car, fun but we had no idea what we were supposed to do, Roy seemed able to keep the kite flying much longer than I did.

on way up Whernside 

Whernside in the background 

The top of Whernside!

Ribblehead viaduct from Whernside

 Another viaduct!

Almost got it flying

Success!

Wednesday – rest day – played tourists and enjoyed a gloriously sunny day in Hawes. Wandered round the shops (strange for Roy!) had a picnic, visited Outhwaites Ropemakers, interesting to see them in the factory making twines of all shapes and sizes and had a walk to Wensleydale Creamery.

Hawes

I wonder if they made my bell rope!

Gayle waterfall

Our last day and I completed my Three Peaks, not all on the same day of course! Ingleborough at 724m was such a pretty hike, sun still shone as it had for the whole five days of our stay, the heather was in bloom and the walk up was delightful despite one tough, short climb, which was worse coming down.

At the end of the day we were rewarded with the most spectacular harvest full moon – so very magical!

Ingleborough in background

Roy on way up Ingleborough

Whernside from side of Ingleborough

Paving the way to the top of Ingleborough

The summit! My last Three Peaks

Just before the steep bit

Beautiful heather

Spectacular Harvest Full Moon

 

NORTHBOUND TO NORTHUMBERLAND

Off again, 5 nights at a site near Bambrough, years since we have been up here, this is an area of outstanding natural beauty.

We have joined the Camping & Caravanning Club hoping to use the certificated sites but everywhere seemed booked up so got a listed site, not part of the club. Arrived to find a field full of tents, caravans and screaming kids, oh what had I done.....Roy booked in and thank goodness we were on the adults field, far away from the fun and games!

BAMBROUGH DAY

First day we walked to Bambrough about a 5 mile round trip, we took a bridleway across the fields and returned along the beach dodging the incoming tide.

Due to Northumbria's history of hostility against the Scots, there are more strongholds and castles here than in any other part of England. The first major stronghold was built around 550 by a Saxon chieftain, Ida the Flamebearer. In its heyday between 1095 and 1464 Bambrough was the royal castle used by the Northumbrian knights for coronations. Bambrough Castle is so photogenic.

BUDLE BAY

LONGSTONE LIGHTHOUSE

BAMBROUGH CASTLE

LINDISFARNE & BERWICK ON TWEED DAY

Day two saw us up early to drive across the causeway to Lindisfarne or Holy Island. We had just over three hours to explore before the long narrow neck of land sank under the North Sea tide for five hours. The island was made famous around 635 by St Aidan, St Cuthbert and the Lindisfarne gospels(held in the British Library).

We had a great walk round the sights and managed to escape the crowds, we sat enjoying our lunch while waiting for the tide to cover the road and watch the crazy people who tried to beat the tide with their cars.

ST MARYS CHURCH

St Aidan 600-651 Irish missionary founded monastery at Lindisfarne

PYRAMIDAL ORCHID

TIDE'S COMING IN!

On to Berwick Upon Tweed, an interesting walled town,which changed hands 14 times between the 12^th and 15^th centuries in the wars between the Scots and English. The English won in 1482!

We walked part of the walls, there seemed to be miles of beautiful trails around the town looking over the River Tweed.

                               THREE BRIDGES AT BERWICK

ALNWICK CASTLE DAY

A sightseeing day at Alnwick Castle was quite superb! We chose just to see the castle and not the gardens. It is the main seat of the Duke of Northumberland, whose family, the Percys, have lived here since 1309. This castle doubled as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter movies.

We enjoyed wandering round the state rooms, discovering that the Duke lives in the actual rooms during the winter, Downton Abbey was also filmed here. Heard about how they filmed the broomstick scenes in Harry Potter and laughed to see the kids and grown ups taking part in Broomstick training! A stunning Castle!

                                                      LIONS BRIDGE

BROOMSTICK TRAINING

                TREE HOUSE AT ALNWICK CASTLE

DUNSTANBURGH CASTLE

Our last day, we drove through Seahouses and Beadnell to Low Newton then hiked along the Northumberland Coast path to the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. Impressive even though there was not a great deal left, it must have been spectacular in its day. We walked back along the beach, missing the big black clouds that flew by. Ice Cream in Seahouses and ended the day with fish and chips – what more could you ask! Another perfect day.

St Mary's Church Low Newton end of 19th century purchased in kit form constructed from corrugated steel sheeting with pretty stained glass windows      

VIEW OF BAMBROUGH CASTLE FROM THE SEAHOUSES ROAD.