A very unsettled night, I feel that I had minimal sleep. That’s normal for me at the start of a trip and it takes a while to settle down into sleeping in a tent again. I also am not used to my new inflatable mattress. I think I had over-inflated it, it was like sleeping on a wobble board. More experimentation required. An owl, or pair of owls, were also making a lot of noise
I woke from the lightest of sleeps at 5 and filled my pan to make a cup of tea. Schoolboy error. I had neglected to fill my water bottle the night before so had to traipse up to the kitchen for more water
Cup of tea and porridge for breakfast, and then a second cup of tea. The day was dawning cold and grey, and we were packed up and off before 7am
The low morning sun at least was shining, but did little to raise the temperature with a brisk cold wind that was to be a feature of the day
Easy walking through beech woods as we made good progress towards Skipton
The shops were full of Easter displays, and it looks an interesting town.
Cafe Nero had just opened at 8am. We stop for a morning coffee, sitting outside in the sun. Chat to the guy at the next table who retired to the area from Devon 10 years ago for the good walking country roundabout. He is now caring for his wife who has dementia. Really feel for him
Then it’s past the castle
and through garlic infused woods
Soon we are in open country, heading towards Sharp Haw, the pointy hill in the picture. The scenery is stunningly beautiful in whichever direction you choose to look
A bench, sheltered by a stone wall, just below the summit where we linger for half an hour. It is 18 miles today; we are making good progress but want to ensure we keep resting to avoid problems later
A very nice descent through moorland filled with brown heather and last year’s bracken
But life is stirring again here, as spring’s warm touch reawakens new growth
We stop at the Angel for a cheeky pint. It is nor a pub any more, but a Michelin starred restaurant. But they are happy to serve beer to bona fide travellers, and very good it us too
An abundance of bright dandelions on the roadside verges
An abundance of lambs of the fields
Sturdy hill cattle taking their Sunday leisure
Lunchtime. Chris has all the necessary gear and is busy making himself a hot lunch
Giant couscous with broccoli and mackerel. Meanwhile I eat some pork pies picked up from Morrisons in Skipton. I think Chris wins that one
We are now walking across bleak grassy and reedy moorland, but everything looks better in the sunshine.
Our first view of Ingleborough in the distance, which will be Tuesday’s treat. Possibly our last view of Ingleborough, as wetter weather is on the way
Jannet’s Foss,
and then but a short stroll before we are in Malham. Eighteen miles seeming almost effortless
We are staying in a camping pod at the youth hostel. Luxury
Were you tempted to pick some wild garlic and use it in your dinner? Or is it too young to forage? Photos are great. I hope the weather holds
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