Mon 3 Apr 2017
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You can tell we are in the Yorkshire Dales! |
In cold but bright weather I set off to
Ribblehead, and met up with Colin and John about half a mile along the Hawes
road. We first walked along the Dales Way which joins the Pennine Way at Cam
End.
Turning right there, south, down to Ling Gill Bridge, we stopped for our lunch in the sun but needing to shelter from the cool breeze by the wall.
After our refreshment we continued along the Pennine Way and found a farmer repairing a wall at Calf Holes. We had a chat about the skill of stone walling.
At Old Ing we joined the Ribble Way going north-west, and shortly we reached God's Bridge where Brow Gill Beck,(one of the few bearing a name with two words for 'river') passes under the track as if entering a cave.
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River Gayle |
Turning right there, south, down to Ling Gill Bridge, we stopped for our lunch in the sun but needing to shelter from the cool breeze by the wall.
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Ling Gill Bridge* |
After our refreshment we continued along the Pennine Way and found a farmer repairing a wall at Calf Holes. We had a chat about the skill of stone walling.
 |
Stone walling at Calf Holes** |
At Old Ing we joined the Ribble Way going north-west, and shortly we reached God's Bridge where Brow Gill Beck,(one of the few bearing a name with two words for 'river') passes under the track as if entering a cave.
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God's Bridge over Brow Gill Beck... |
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...and John photographing it |
The next stage of the walk continued along the Ribble Way to cross Ling Gill once more at Nether Lodge by way of an angled wooden footbridge.
From here the Ribble Way is clearly marked on the map, but only a vague path was visible on the ground. It was wet, very muddy and poorly signed, and it was clear that it is little used. Much of the Ribble Way is not very interesting because it is for many sections quite a distance from its namesake. This is a pity, as the Ribble is a noble river and deserves better.
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Ruined shippon |
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Seen these before! |
We came upon an old shippon, and inside were some wooden bars, or handles, similar to those in the building below Troutbeck Tongue near Park Farm which I posted on my blog here. (Opens in new tab)
We were not keen to get even more wet at the ford where the RW crosses Gayle Beck, so we used a footbridge a few yards downstream. It does not connect with the Ribble Way, which is shown on the map to go through the grounds of Gearstones, an Outdoor Adventure Centre where on the gate was a notice prohibiting public entry.
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Crossing Gayle Beck dry-shod! |
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Curious limestone boulder near Gearstones |
We reached the cars within a few minutes. The early part of the walk, with some excellent views, was good, but the sky clouded over later and the lack of signing and the muddy condition of the terrain on the Ribble Way rather spoiled the latter part. I think we were all tired by the time we finished it.
Thanks again, John, for the pleasure of your company.
*Photo taken April 20 2013
**The repaired wall can be seen here Completed repair (opens in new tab)
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