Hubberholme, Yorkshire Dales: 18-20th October
A fabulous weekend full of delights in stunning Wharfedale; welcoming local pubs with homecooked scrumptious food and friendly staff, green rolling hills, streams and trees lit up by mellow Autumnal sunshine, “fun” squishy bits, of which there was plenty, a very comfortable lodge, our own home cooked meal and a lovely group of walkers. A very nearly perfect weekend with the exception of rain stopping play on Sunday but meaning those heading back to London arrived at a sensible time.
Our group of 10, led by George strolled to the nearby village of Buckden on Friday evening to enjoy fresh game and venison with Stilton pies and fresh cod with accompaniments at the truly pleasurable Buckden Inn where the bar manager’s good humour and repartee continued all evening, perhaps a little at Ann’s expense but she was just happy to get her food. Back at the barn some stayed up a little longer for a night cap in the well appointed lounge area.
Suitably stocked up after breakfast on Saturday morning, George led his group of 10 Ibexers plus a local friend out on an 11 mile circular walk from the well situated and equipped bunk barn at Grange Farm. After walking alongside the river for a short time we reached the lovely Stubbing Bridge:
and on the other side of the bridge a touching memorial to fallen soldiers in the local graveyard. The ascent started in earnest after we’d crossed Buckden Rake just beyond Cray, but we easily reached Buckden Pike at 702m.
Then underfoot conditions across the moor got decidedly soft and wet for the entire ridge line from Buckden Pike to the Memorial Cross and beyond to Tor Mere Top.
However, the team were in good spirits throughout and the afternoon sunshine made the landscape on the delightful descent to Starbotton look stunning and superlatives were flowing as freely as a stream once we hit firmer footing off the top and could really enjoy the best of the Dales.
After a refreshment stop at The Starbotton Inn we completed the remainder of the walk on the Dales Way all the way back to a warm and toasty Grange Farm bunk barn where the Saturday cook team (Jan, Susan and Cathy) cooked up more delightful deliciousness with herbed feta stuffed peppers, salmon and veg traybake and stuffed baked apple. A convivial evening indeed.
We woke on Sunday morning to a bit of rain. It became rather a lot of rain then, in spite of Judith’s incredible optimism of a cessation, it turned into a downright downpour so Judith’s Sunday walk had to be shelved. Those of us heading back to London attempted an alternative; a National Trust property which looked enticing through the locked gates and the notice of closure due to bad weather.
Despite a soggy Sunday it was truly a delightful weekend up in the Dales and we all left feeling happy. With particular thanks to George for overall organising, Catriona for organising the Friday pub meal and the Saturday cook team. A great time was had by all.
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