NIDDERDALE WAY LOOP HIKE

SHELDUCK

   
Our last day here and still the sun shone, we had a gentle hike from Lofthouse along the Nidderdale Way to Gouthwaite reservoir on one side of the valley and back on the other. About 7 miles through fields full of lambs, bluebells, an odd shelduck on the reservoir, a cute pony and even fairy doors, ending at the icecream lady in Lofthouse!

We've had a wonderful, relaxing Easter break.

WHO SAYS FAIRIES DON'T EXIST!

VIEW BACK TO MIDDLESMOOR

ONE SWALLOW DOESN'T MAKE A SUMMER

THE ICE CREAM KID!

SCAR HOUSE RESERVOIR HIKE

LUNCH LOST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MOOR! (WELL NOT REALLY LOST!)

Sunshine again, we drove short distance to Scar House reservoir and did a 7 mile loop hike which felt more like 10!
Sometimes the walks we use don't explain clearly that half the walk is on unmarked path along the edge of a wire fence on top on the moor with bogs and big holes to tumble in!

Enough said of the 2 hours we trudged along the wire fence till we finally found the shooting butts and the way down. First part and last part of the hike was lovely!

Ice Cream at the end for Roy and back for hot cross buns and a well earned cuppa!

LOVE THE PATCHWORK ON THE REAR RIGHT CAUSED BY FIRES

THE DREADED WIRE FENCE AND ENDLESS MOOR!

COVERDALE TARN AND ALL THE MOOR WE'D JUST WALKED OVER

                                                        

A NIDDERDALE WAY HIKE

Another glorious day, unbelievable to go hiking without waterproofs or even a jumper!

We did a 7 mile loop hike up the valley towards Scar House reservoir then back across the tops to Lofthouse and up the hill to Middlesmoor.

Ended the day with a beautiful meal at the The Crown Hotel.

SCAR HOUSE RESERVOIR IN IN DISTANCE

LUNCH TIME

HUNDREDS OF THESE FLYING BUGS AROUND

ROY'S FAVOURITE PASTIME!

MIDDLESMOOR CHURCH

THE CROWN HOTEL MIDDLESMOOR - WE ARE CAMPED AT THE BACK

EASTER IN MIDDLESMOOR NEAR PATELEY BRIDGE

The forecast was for a heatwave Easter so we loaded up and made our first outing of the year to the Crown Hotel Middlesmoor campsite. 
A basic but fabulous site at the top of the moor, field, electric (TV worked) and shower/toilets and a pub at the side of us, just one tent and two campers and us. Bliss!
First day we hiked from our site, a five mile circular route including the unique natural wonder of How Stean Gorge. A spectacular limestone ravine carved out of rock over thousands of years by rainfall and water flow. Just half a mile long and 80ft deep in places, looks more like something from the Amazon jungle. Its about 30 odd years since we visited here with our kids. You didn't have to pay then!
The weather was superb, a gentle pleasant day.

A SUNBATHING EASTER BUNNY

RIVER NIDD - DRIED UP ALMOST

                                 HAZY VIEW UP THE VALLEY TO GOUTHWAITE RESERVOIR

MIDDLESMOOR FROM ACROSS THE VALLEY

SIGN ON A WATER TAP AT LOFTHOUSE

HOW STEAN GORGE

TOM TAYLOR'S CAVE ENTRANCE DIDN'T FANCY GOING IN - A HIGHWAYMAN OF OLD

HOW STEAN GORGE

End of a perfect day - the full pink moon popped out from the top of the hill!