"It's been nice walking in Yorkshire again this last week, and that Dad feels able to go to Elaine's again now the lockdown has been eased a little", said Allen.
"Aye pal", good to be back in my home county", agreed Tetley.
"I know the walks were repeats, but they were enjoyable", added Southey.
"We have discovered new places in Lancashire over the last few months, but nice to be able to go further afield again."
Shaun trotted in with Little Eric and Grizzly. "I bring news of our next walk."
"Great", cheered Southey. "But tea and cakes first."
"Quite", agreed Allen. "I'm gasping for a cuppa."
"And hungry as usual", laughed Tetley, as he passed the plates round.
Southey lent a paw filling the mugs. "Thanks", said Shaun.
Grizzly announced, Little Eric has made blueberry slice, while I have done Chorley Cakes."
"Lovely pals", replied Allen immediately taking one of each.
The cake stuffer is off", laughed Little Eric.
There was quiet then as we all tucked in.
"The blueberry slice is delicious", said Tetley, taking another.
"And the Chorley cakes are scrumptious", enthused Southey. He then produced another tin. "I have made some oat cookies."
"Oh pal, thanks", said Allen. "I absolutely love them.
"As to I", said Grizzly, taking two.
"We are so fortunate to have such expert bakers in our group", cried Tetley. Then turning the conversation to walking, he said, "where are we going, Shaun."
"To your home county again pal. Dad has decided he needs to see if he can get onto the fells again. So on Saturday we are walking up Ingleborough, starting from Clapham."
"Fantastic", called out Southey.
"Yes pal", agreed Tetley. "If all goes well, maybe then we will return to the Lake District."
"Now that would be really wonderful", said Little Eric. "But I still say that I do not want Dad to feel obligated to take me to complete the Wainwright challenge. His health and safety is paramount."
Having refilled his mug for the fourth time, Allen raised it saying, "here's to the best Dad in all the world."
We awoke to sunshine, and Tetley commented, "the winds are very light, so it should be pleasant on the summit, in contrast to previous visits when it was blowing a gale."
The drive was so familiar. "You must have driven this route hundreds of times with Uncle Brian for your regular Monday visits to Elaine's Tearooms, at Feizor", said Southey.
"Yes lad. He loved to go there. I still get emotional on the journeys now, wishing he was sitting in the seat beside me."
"I am sure you do", sniffed Allen. "We all miss him so much, but none more than you Dad."
"I guess you will be going to Elaine's after the walk, and I know that Uncle Brian would be so pleased you are still going regularly, lockdown rules permitting", said Shaun.
"Yes lad."
Turning off to Clapham, Dad parked in the National Park car park, and paid the fee. Then soon ready, and with us safely tucked in the rucksack, off he strode.
"Turn right and follow the road past the church", instructed Shaun.
Grizzly said, "this is the parish church of St James. The tower dates from the 15th century the rest being 1814 with alterations made c1900. The plan is a 4 bay nave with north and south aisles, chancel, and tower. The south porch dates from 1899. The tower has an embattled parapet with a central gargoyle on each face. The church was rebuilt by the Farrar family of Ingleborough Hall. It carries Grade 11 listed status."
"Thanks pal", said Allen.
A few yards on this signpost pointed to the track to start the ascent.
For the sake of other walkers we should mention that the distances are understated, it being 1.5 miles to the cave and 4.5 to the summit.
The surfaced lane climbed gently between walls. Coming to a gated side track a gentleman had opened it to get his car through to proceed down the lane.
Hurrying Dad said, "I'll shut it for you."
He replied, "thank you, much obliged."
First good deed of the day
Coming to a gate across the track, Tetley commented, "this is where there is the tall step stile over in the wall."
"It's gone pal", exclaimed Allen. "The wooden steps have been sawn off."
"Must be for safety reasons", suggested Little Eric. "The wall is very tall."
The track led on soon coming to Clapdale Farm.
Here Dad did his second good deed holding the gate open for a gentleman who was following us, and then seeing the farmer approach in his tractor reopening and closing the gate, getting a wave of thanks.
Dad had noted a path on the map branches left here up to and by the trees. Shaun pointed however. "there's a sign saying private for that route."
"Ah, so just the normal route right", replied Dad.
Sheep were grazing here, Allen calling out, "oh no....", as he saw Dad get the camera out. "I mind you I would have been surprised to avoid sheep pictures today."
The path now made a steepish descent to Clapdale Drive...
...that we walked along left to pass the entrance to Ingleborough Cave and over the bridge to a gate where we met a lady coming the other way with her dogs. So, his third good deed, he opened the gate for her.
Stopping to chat, she said, "I was on the summit early when it was very quiet. Excellent views all round."
"Good, I'll enjoy them."
After the next gate the track climbed more steeply towards Trow Gill.
Here the tall limestone cliffs close in on either side allowing just a steep narrow scramble to the path beyond.
The two ladies making the ascent before us stopped to rest at the top, so unsurprisingly Dad stopped to chat. We were spotted so Dad told them about our adventures over the years.
"What a lovely idea", replied one lady. Then she said, "we climbed Wansfell yesterday. Quite steep but we got there. We have never climbed Ingleborough this way before."
The other lady it seemed to us, looked as though she would struggle more, and as we walked on Southey said, "I think it was wise not to tell them how steep Little Ingleborough is!"
Onwards the path is narrow and more rocky beside a wall eventually reaching the double stile.
Sticking to the side of the road we drive on in the UK, Dad climbed the left stile.
"Look", pointed Tetley. "Our objective and the full extent of the route is revealed in all it's glory."
"Little Ingleborough ahead with Ingleborough to the right", stated Southey.
So, we followed the path that after a while started to ascend. Large sections have been repaired and paved and formed into steps. The climb got ever steeper, but Dad plodded ever onwards making a few stops to catch his breath, and let the much younger other walkers march on past.
At one point we came to two ladies with this lovely dog. "Can I take a picture please?", asked Dad.
"Yes" she replied. "But he does not pose for me, so good luck."
Seeing the result, Allen said, "that's a super shot."
In a few minutes now the last of the steep ascent was accomplished, and the cairn at Little Ingleborough was just to our left, where a group were standing. One lady had balloons on her rucksack from which it was obvious she was celebrating her 30th birthday. Dad called out, "Happy Birthday."
"A long long time since your 30th Dad", commented Grizzly.
"Aye lad, but with how the world is today I am happier being 70."
Turning right the less steep final ascent path stretched before us.
Striding on just 20 minutes later we reached the summit plateau, and were at the trig point.
"Hooray" cheered Little Eric. "Well done Dad."
We scrambled out and as it was so calm here today, settled on top to have our picture taken. A lady said, "I love the idea of them coming on the walks. My favourite with the one with the green hat (Little Eric). Would you like me to take your picture with them."
"Yes please, that will be very kind."
"Can I take their picture", she asked.
"Of course", replied Dad.
We are never shy, in that regard.
With us settled in the rucksack, Dad then took a picture for two lads on their phone, before walking to the cross shelter to have a snack.
"I'm ready for a sandwich or two", said Allen, rubbing his tummy.
"Why am I not surprised", laughed Tetley.
The day had got more cloudy and we liked this Dad took of the cloud formations. We think the one left looks like a dog with its tail up.
Will you take our picture here too, please?", asked Grizzly.
This prompted a conversation with as they said, "three lovely ladies from Burnley."
They asked our names, so Dad told them and explained about some of our achievements and about our website. The ladies took our picture. If they read this story, they will see that, as promised, they have been included.
Dad asked, "where have you walked from?"
One replied, "we started a Ribblehead and climbed Whernside, then on to here."
Dad said, "you will be returning over Simon Fell and Park Fell."
"Yes, that's right."
Dad said, "you have my admiration, as I could not do both in one day."
Dad's age had come out, and one said, "you've done very well."
So getting settled we said our goodbyes, Dad then saying, "I'm going to take a few pictures before we head down.
That's Whernside", pointed Tetley.
"And Ribblehead Viaduct", called out Grizzly.
Then walking to the western rim, Allen said, "that might make a good shot down to Ingleton and out to the coast and Morecambe Bay."
The day had become more cloudy and we could see distantly around hail storms had formed. "That will make a dramatic shot", pointed Shaun.
Now we headed to the path leading back to Little Ingleborough, where we met the two ladies we had seen at Trow Gill.
One said to Dad, "you made it, well done."
The other commented, "the climb to Little Ingleborough was very steep."
Approaching Little Ingleborough, Grizzly said, "I know it is not considered a summit, but will you take our picture at the cairn?"
"Of course", replied Dad.
Two couples were there and one lady suddenly said to Dad, "are you STAG?"
"Yes. Well they are", pointed Dad.
"I have read some of your stories, and through you discovered Elaine's at Feizor."
When the other lady asked about it, she said, "they have conversations about where to walk and then tell the story."
It was wonderful to be recognised and to acknowledge Dad's efforts in typing our stories. The lady leads walks and we got the impression that she had got ideas from our site.
Just yards after setting off, Tetley called out, "you've left your stick behind!"
"Oh so I have", replied Dad, as he rushed back to retrieve it.
"What are you like", said Grizzly. "I can imagine Uncle Brian looking down and shaking his head."
Making the descent, Southey pointed, "there's Pen-y-ghent, the other of Yorkshire's Three Peaks."
Finally off the hill, we then deviated to look at the entrance to Gaping Gill, where on bank holidays people can be lowered down into the huge cathedral like cavern.
Here we encountered again the birthday group, one lady saying, "I like the teddies."
So once again Dad briefly explained.
Soon then at the stiles, we headed along the rough path by the wall...
...to descend carefully Trow Gill where Dad said, "I'm glad I have my stick here."
"Good job Tetley noticed that you had left it at Little Ingleborough", reminded Allen. "Again, what are you like!!"
Soon we came once again to Clapdale Drive.
"I'm going to walk through the Ingleborough Hall estate", said Dad. "It will save me the steep climb via Clapdale Farm."
This is a delightful path through the woods to Clapham. "What is that building", pointed Southey.
"The Grotto", replied Grizzly, seeing the information board. Then reading he told us. "It is an example of a folly. In the late 18th century it became fashionable for landowners to construct ornamental buildings of this kind in gardens or park area. This is constructed of larger pieces of limestone set back against the steep hillside, and was commissioned by the Farrar family in the late 19th century. Within the family the folly was nicknamed 'Aunt Bessie's Grotto', as it was popular with Reginald's mother Bessie who enjoyed it as a place to sit and enjoy the view to Thwaite Scars, while her footman kept her comfortable with cups of tea. Today it is a useful place for visitors to shelter when caught out by the weather. Sadly, there is usually no footman to provide tea!"
Below the path runs Clapham Beck that becomes a lake...
...and then into a beck again at the outfall under the bridge and this waterfall as it enters the village.
The path through the estate is subject to a toll, payable at a machine at the Clapham end. There is no one currently to check up on this due to Covid, so we wonder in reality how many people actually pay the fee. Dad being the honest person he is did, and here is a copy of the ticket.
"A super walk, Dad", said Southey.
"You did really well Dad", added Little Eric.
"Yes lad. It has boosted my confidence, so we will give the Lakeland Fells a try next time all being well."
So then to Elaine's where Dad had mince and onion pie with chips and vegetables, and two cups of tea, and taking two scones home.
Super day!!!
