I devised this route from familiar paths on the map although we have never walked the entire circuit as one walk before. It has been an enjoyable day. Now after about nine miles we’re back in Pateley Bridge and soon we’ll be home in York enjoying our tea.
This the river that gives the dale it’s name. Peaty and deep at this stage. This weir creates a diversion for water to feed the fish farm and a lake we’d just passed near Glasshouses.
From Brimham Rocks we’d descended on a familiar track to Low Laithe and then along the riverbank to Glasshouses and ultimately to Pateley Bridge.
Joan spotted this red toadstool in the undergrowth at the side of the path.
I’ve been coming here for years. These rocks carved put of the daleside by wind and ice are twisted into a moonscape that’s both fun and stunning.
They sell ice cream here too – so we watch the view licking our vanilla cornets and remind ourselves of visits made with our children over the years. “Do you remember being stung in your mouth?” I did and always will. The little National Trust shop wouldn’t let me have anti histamine cream from their first aid kit because it was only for external use only. I said I’d risk it and the sting in my mouth seemed to be dealt with by a generous layer of cream on my gum. Or perhaps it was the beer I’d just comsumed at the same Fell Beck pub we’d visited today that eased the pain. Who knows.
We made a short detour at Fell Beck House because the footpath wasn’t clearly marked. Incidentaly there are several peacocks in this area. They call to each other with loud screeches unfamiliar in this part of the world.
We arrived at the Half Moon in Fell Beck a couple of minutes after two. They had officially stopped serving food but came up with a plate full of beef sandwiches and we ate them outside.
The Half Moon has several holiday rooms around a small yard – you might call them chalets. The barman told us that two of them are let permanently to people who came short term and have never moved out.
After a good pint of Black Sheep we set off for Brimham Rocks, visible on the skyline from here.
We’re about half way to Fellbeck walking along the Nidderdale Way. Destination, The Half Moon. Let’s just hope we make it before they stop serving food.