TRAVEL JOURNAL – ENCHANTED YORKSHIRE WEEKEND ADVENTURE

This wonderful two-day weekend adventure in Yorkshire packs in a lot of things to see!

Day 1 – The one with the stepping stones, a little accident, and boulder-hopping

? Location: Bolton Abbey, Nr Harrogate ? Distance: 12 miles ?️ Weather: Light drizzle

? Setting Off: Our group of 17 adventurers gathered at Bolton Abbey Car Park, full of energy and excitement. We meandered through the quaint little shops, their windows brimming with local crafts and treats, before arriving at a gate in the wall. Descending the steps, we were greeted by the majestic sight of the old Abbey, standing tall and proud to our left, a testament to history. I reminded everyone to save their photos for later, as we’d be returning to the Abbey at the end of our journey. ? The Stepping Stones: Soon, we reached the river and faced our first challenge: cross via the bridge or the stepping stones? The river was deep and wide, much larger than the stepping stones at Dovedale. It was a 50/50 split among the group. I opted for the stones, with Snay just ahead of me. Each step required careful navigation, especially for those of us with shorter legs. I could hear Snay’s focused breathing as she balanced across the stones. One by one, we all made it across, feeling triumphant after completing our first challenge of the day. ? Splitting Up: Shortly after, the group divided. Some chose the lower path, a gentle 8-mile hike along the river, while eleven of us took the high route towards the Valley of Desolation and Simon’s Seat. ? An Unexpected Dip: At another bridge, I wanted to capture a group photo. Everyone gathered, except Claire W, who decided to cross the ford in the river behind me. Just as I snapped the photo, Claire lost her footing and took an unexpected tumble into the river, ending up with a very soggy bottom. The group’s faces in the photo are priceless! ? Valley of Desolation: We continued our journey through the enchanting Valley of Desolation, with its moss-covered trees and charming river trail. As we ascended, the sound of a waterfall grew louder, and soon we were on top of a cliff, taking photos of the stunning waterfall below. ⛰️ Challenging Terrain: The walk featured varied terrain. Leaving the woods, we found ourselves exposed to the elements. Fortunately, the wind was mild and the rain had ceased. Entering the protected Laund Pasture Plantation, we were treated to spectacular views of the Yorkshire countryside stretching out before us. ? A Little Visitor: During a pause to catch our breath, I noticed something moving on Andrea B’s jacket. “Urgh… what’s that?” I exclaimed. “It’s a caterpillar,” Sudha identified, promptly flicking it onto Rachel. Nice shot! ? ? Summiting Simon’s Seat: The gradual climb up to 1454ft brought us to Simon’s Seat, a cluster of huge boulders crowned with a trig point. Clambering up was a real challenge for those with vertigo or a fear of heights. High five to everyone who conquered their fear today! ? Descent and Discovery: After lunch at Simon’s Seat, we began our descent back to the river. What we thought would be easier proved tough, especially for those with knee issues. The steep wooded tracks were challenging. A friendly family passed us, their mum moving at impressive speed. By the time we reached the river, a few people were limping, but Claire W was dry again! ? Sweet Surprise: As we started the long river walk, the speedy family from earlier caught up with us. “We stopped at the brownie cafe just off the trail!” the mum said. A cafe? How did I miss that? I made a mental note for future hikes—it would’ve been a great spot to rest our aching knees! ? Barren Bridge: Finally, we reached Barren Bridge and indulged in homemade cream. We also made good use of the portaloos. The weather had been on and off all day, but it was nice and dry for now, so we packed away our raincoats. ⛪️ Return to the Abbey: The last few miles were fairly easy, but the sight of the cafe was a welcome one. We stopped for tea, scones, and cake for about half an hour. The Abbey was now only a mile away, and soon enough, we could see it in the distance as we rounded the next corner. Despite our tiredness, the Abbey’s atmosphere rejuvenated us. ?‍♂️ Warm Welcome: The other group gave us a warm welcome when we arrived back at the car—a lovely surprise. That sums up the kind of people who join these trips. There’s something special about people who hike. It was a fantastic day, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s adventure. For now, it’s time to head back to Sid the van, get changed, and enjoy some live music at the local pub with Greek food and good company.

Day 2 – The one with Spanish rivalry, giggles, and an old witch

? Location: Knaresborough, Mother Shipton’s Cave ? Distance: 7 miles walking, then exploring Mother Shipton’s Cave

This was a lovely circular walk from Knaresborough, close to Harrogate in North Yorkshire. The Nidd Gorge is stunning and a magnet for walkers, while the pretty market town of Knaresborough has many dog-friendly places to pop into for refreshments. The route is mostly on grassy paths, tarmac lanes, and cycle tracks, but also includes some steep descents and climbs by the river.  We had to negotiate several flights of stone staircases and a few stiles. What a fabulous weekend! With good company, lots of giggles, and even some friendly Spanish rivalry, we explored the eerie Mother Shipton’s Cave. The teddy bears crystallizing in the petrifying well were a weird sight, but fascinating. We all made wishes in the well and got spooked by tales of Old Mother Shipton. If you’ve never been, I’d highly recommend it!