A Walk for Cystic Fibrosis
Bowness-on-Solway: looking west to Criffel, Scotland, 5th April 2007
Day 7: Tanhill Inn to Hawes
What a fantastic morning!
There was a little mist swirling around to the north of Tan Hill but the sun was shining brightly. I was up before 8.00 and outside to take some photographs before breakfast. It looked like being a greatday.
Breakfast over, I was away by 8.45. There was a nip in the air but I warmed up after a few minutes walking. It was great to start at over 1700ft as it meant a long level section, with just one short fall and rise, before I dropped down into East Stonesdale.
I saw one or two vehicles on the road down in the valley but no sign of life up on the moors - save for the ubiquitous curlews and lapwings.
I went down to Kisdon Force and took some photographs there before following the lower path down into the valley to the lower falls - not a good path to take in the wet or if one has no head for heights!
Again, I decided not to go back up to the PW but take the road through to Thwaite and stopped there for lunch. There was nowhere else before Hawes so it seemed the sensible thing to do. I spent half an hour at the hotel there having a toasted sandwich and pot of tea for one - which gave me six cups! This proved to be a wise decision as I felt much the better for it.
Much refreshed, I set off up the road and then turned off along the farm track which the PW takes around and over Great Shunner Fell.
There was a lovely retrospect of Thwaite and the head of Swaledale when I looked back down the farm track.
I heard the drone of an aircraft engine and an enormous aircraft passed by, quickly followed by a second - hope someone can identify them for me. Had time to get the camera out as the second one went by.
3-4 walkers were heading north and I overtook a group of eight going south - the group I'd seen earlier. From what I overheard, they were obviously a guided party doing the Herriot Way rather than the PW. Sent Jenny a photo from Great Shunner Fell as it marked the highest point of the walk. Once again, there were numerous curlews and lapwings about.
It was a lovely long and gentle descent down to Hardraw in mid afternoon - I'd not seen a soul since passing the large group on the summit.
Reaching Hardraw, I followed the PW through the fields and into Hawes.
Afterwards, I regretted not having made the short detour to Hardraw Force.
I had a walk around Hawes before making my way to my B&B - the YH had been fully booked by a group. I booked in, had a shower and then went out for a meal. The restaurant was a glorified cafe but the meal was good enough.
Another excellent day over.
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Tanhill Inn
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West Stonesdale
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Down to East Stonesdale
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As I came down the delightful green lane into East Stonesdale I met my firstwalkers of the day - a young couple heading north.
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River Swale
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Kisdon Force
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River Swale
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Rather than retracing my steps to join the PW, I continued down on the good path that ran through the valley to Muker - a truly beautiful walk. I must admit that I was also avoiding a large group that I'd seen ahead of me although I did pass them a couple of hours later.
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Down into Swaledale
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Swaledale
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PW to Great Shunner Fell
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Thwaite and Swaledale
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Unknown aircraft
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Great Shunner Fell
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Descent to Hardraw
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