Summary

Summits Achieved

Preface

Tetley and Allen were looking at the list of Yorkshire Dales fells, checking up on progress.

"We have done more than 50 now", remarked Tetley.

"Yes", replied Allen, "and in the process we have added a few more to that original list of 75. Still we are now over halfway."

"It would be nice to get Addleborough, the first one on the list ticked off, wouldn't it?", he continued.

Just then Shaun and Grizzly trotted in.

Grizzly said, "I heard what you said Allen, and I can tell you that Dad has arranged a walk with Uncle Bob, and we are going to climb non other than Addleborough"

"That's just great, your wish has been granted Allen", cheered Tetley.

"It's in Wensleydale", remarked Shaun, "so we will not have to get up too early on these dark mornings."

The Walk

On a very windy but dry day, after driving over that familiar road from Ingleton to Hawes, we met Uncle Bob at the pretty village of Bainbridge about 08.30. Today's walk was linear in nature starting from the village of Thornton Rust, and ending here in Bainbridge. Uncle Bob's car was left here and after his kit had been transferred, Dad drove us all to Thornton Rust. Along a narrow road and behind the houses of the main street the map showed a car park. However large amounts of soil had been tipped making it virtually non existent, but after a bit of manoeuvering Dad managed to park safely.

Just before setting off Dad and Uncle Bob chatted to a local gentleman who had been walking his three pointer dogs - beautiful animals too. When he spotted us, he was amused about Dad taking Bears on walks - it gave him something to talk about no doubt!

We crossed the ford and ascended the track which became a grassy bridleway after a while.

As Dad walked along we enjoyed the terrific views further along the dale.

Tetley called out, "that's Penhill and Harland Hill over there"

"You're right" said Allen, "and there's Naughtberry Hill too."

"They were our last two walks", called out Shaun.

"Yes that's right", said Dad stopping to look at the views. "Naughtberry Hill was hard going and very wet. I will not be going back there again in a hurry."

Ahead our objective Addleborough was always in view as the bridleway took us round the back of the fell.

Eventually a wall was reached, which we passed through via a gate. Not before however Dad took this picture of the grass caught in the wire mesh fence above the wall. Just see how it is streaming out in the strong wind.

Continuing along we passed the only other walker we saw all day, and then after a further short distance, we left the bridleway at a signpost that directed us along the permissive path to the top.

photograph courtesy Bob Woolley (Uncle Bob)

Here Dad checks the route on the information board before we set off along the clear path. The fact that Dad is wearing his gloves is a testament to how cold it was. Oh, and we apologise about that silly hat he is wearing.

It was over the ladderstile, then down into a dip and up the other side, to a wall corner, where the path climbed steeply to the summit plateau area. To our left was a cairn, which Dad and Uncle Bob decided to investigate first. It was in fact on the far side of a wall, and had been built at the end of another wall - rather strange!

Circling round the summit area by the wall another ladderstile was reached. Once over this and after passing another trig point like cairn erected by the National Trust, it was just a short walk to the actual summit - a collection of rocks poking out of the grass. It was extremely windy and it nearly blew Uncle Bob and Dad off their feet. Nevertheless we were undaunted and determined to have our picture taken as usual, so Dad wedged us below a rock out of the wind. While doing this, had Uncle Bob not anchored Dad's rucksack with his walking pole, it would probably have blown away. Thank you Uncle Bob!

Nearby are two rocks with cup carvings that were made by Neolithic and Early Bronze Age people over 3500 years ago. Stan Beckinsall is the renowned expert on Prehistoric Rock Art, and in fact Dad was fortunate enough to meet him some years ago. Much more information about this subject and in particular such examples in Northumberland, can be found at rockart.ncl.ac.uk.

It was time to get off the top and out of the worst of the wind, and it had been planned initially to continue along the summit, but a waymarked descent route had been passed as we approached, and it seemed sensible to follow this. We were all very glad we did, as this side and the end we had first intended to head for, is defended by steep crags that we could not have got down.

It was a steep descent but fairly short, after which we then walked left, and climbed a fence, to gain the path we wanted that skirted Huckermire Moss. This led down to the bridleway, that we followed to the group of buildings at Cubeck. Then we crossed pastures above Worton Scar, and entered woods, by a gated gap stile.

The path led through the woods above Worton Scar and Brough Scar. Stiles led us out of the woods where there were good views of Bainbridge, as we descended over the pastures to reach the main A684 road through the dale.

The road descends steeply to the village and just on the right was a seat where we all sat to eat our sandwiches. Of our group, Allen finished his first, so then sat waving to the people in the passing cars. It was just then a short walk down the road and over the bridge into the village and Uncle Bob's car. Dad paused near the bridge to take this dramatic shot of the falls on the River Bain.

Well, that was the walk over and despite the strong winds, it had been excellent. Of course that was not the end of things as there was the small matter of tea and cake! As it is the depths of winter the Corn Mill Tea Shop in the village was shut, so plan B was to go to the Wensleydale Creamery. Uncle Bob had to be home early as there was a family party so time was of an essence. Dad suggested that it would therefore be best for Uncle Bob to drive there first and then go to Thornton Rust and Dad's car. This worked out fine and they enjoyed a warming pot of tea and cheese scone - well it is a cheese factory after all. Before leaving Uncle Bob bought some cheese and cake in the shop.

Then it was to Thornton Rust. Dad and Uncle Bob got their boots off etc, while we settled ourselves in Dad's car. We called out our goodbyes to Uncle Bob, and he and Dad went their separate ways.

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