And if we had believed the bad weather reports, we'd have never taken the chance and driven there today, Me, Hub and Bro...
Well, it was a truly unique experience, if extremely tough on the legs, the site was over a large area and there was LOTS of uphill steps...and downhill steps, and more uphill steps, you get the picture!
At the top of the first hill, there was the White Tower (actually a redstone folly), and there was this little tableau inside, a memorial to the original owners who created the folly back in the 18th Century. Some of the stone steps were so worn, you could see the imprint of thousands of feet etched inches into them, not a place for those unsteady on their feet but an amazing playground for the more able amongst us.
We traversed Rhodedendron Jungles...
Snake Walks...
... To get here to the monument. There was a door and windows so I guess in higher season you can get inside, the view higher up must be really amazing.
We could see across to a wacky outcrop, little did we know we'd be there...after an adventure or two...
...across the bridge...
...Through the tunnel, (you really need to bring a torch, some of these passages are pitch black!)...
...Up a great cleft in the rock, more worn stone steps, this path had to be cleared from feet of earth, it's a really atmospheric spot.
And then into the Grotto...actually the remains of tunnels of a Roman Copper mine but with a few romantic twists thrown in by those 18th Century owners, like fake stalagtites and a tableau as King Arthur was rumoured to have been there at one point.
Here, there was some light, as well as natural light from these unusual grated openings, this was the weird building you saw on the headland earlier.....
... And this is outside looking down to the floor below, waaay down...
It was a mass of tunnels, this was just one small segment. But for the flash, it would have been nearly pitch black.
And outside, up above is the arch...
...With the "awful precipice" and raven's lodge at the back. We must have spent 3+ hours scrambling up and down hills but as bro had kindly provided ample sandwiches and we provided drinks and crisps, I don't think it'll be much of a weight-loss issue...particularly with the ice-cream stand near the grotto! Still, a great Bank Holiday was had by all.
Anyway, Monday on the holiday also involved walking, this time in Malham.
...It also involved steps...lots of steps!
This is the view of Malham cove just before the steep incline, it led to the limestone pavement above which unfortunately I can't find a photo of. Suffice to say, it was tricky to navigate, va natural phenomenon where the water washes away the limestone creating uneven slabs with dips and hollows.
You can see some of the steps we came up, beyond the hill the steps were even steeper and many, I was quite red-faced by the time I came to the top!
Once on the top, the walk was much easier, following through fields to come to a handily placed roadside cafe, after a brief stop by the side of a babbling brook then another mile to the impressive falls at Gordale? scar. the pluckier members were doing the walk up it...we didn't... It also seemed to be the place for rock climbers...yeah, like I need to frighten myself half to death!
We retraced our steps to the road and on to Janet's foss before heading along the river back to Malham, footsore but feeling like we'd all achieved something. We had the treat of that yummy pork pie that night too so an easy cook night and boy, did I sleep well!
With a little luck and timing, I should be able to tell you about Tuesday's adventures tomorrow and so on through the week, it's the only way to do it without spending hours typing ;-)
I see the Furry Dogmother socks went down well with all concerned, it's the entrelac pair on Thursday so lord knows when I'll finish that pair!
See ya tomorra
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