WHARFEDALE BACK IN THE LAKES
On Tuesday 28th August the Wharfedalers headed to the Lake District stopping in our favourite Crooklands Hotel. We met as usual around lunch time on the Tuesday at Keelham Farm Shop just outside Skipton.
We then convoyed over the Dales to Crooklands, roads we have been on before, but they are just as good as ever and the views simply stunning. The weather was just brilliant. We arrived at the hotel late afternoon, some had gone directly to the hotel and were already sat outside in the sunshine, drinks in hand.
Heading over the Dales from Skipton to Crooklands. Picture below is Dent Viaduct
We were slightly down on numbers from last year, due to holidays and a family wedding. Nevertheless, we were joined by our friends from Leicester Group, Wyedean and Red Rose. Plus our old, but new Wharfedale members Joe & Kate Wilkinson, we hope to see more of them. We went 2 down at the last minute as John & Jean Hussey had to pull out due to a last minute small medical matter. But pleased to say all is good now.
Tuesday evening saw us the restaurant for the evening meal, with a few drinks of course.
Wednesday morning after breakfast we gathered in the carpark preparing for the days run. The end point was the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. We made our usual route away from the hotel, heading up towards Crosthwaite before turning back down towards the bottom of Windermere, stopping on the way for the viewpoint overlooking Windermere.
Great views over Windermere
We followed the main road past Newby Bridge and the Lakeland Motor Museum, and onto Greenodd, turning right to head up the West side of Coniston Water to Torver, turning left to drop down to Broughton On Furness, then turning right towards Duddon Bridge, again turning right just over the bridge to head over Corney Fell, and eventually the railway. What a great run it was, with fabulous view over Corney Fell.
Heading around Coniston Water
Stupendous views over Corney Fell
Never having been to Ravenglass before I was quite taken with the place, the railway is great, and the Estuary views were stunning.
Ravenglass
The group split up for the run back to Crooklands, some taking the more direct route, others following the route back over Birker Fell, and again absolutely stunning views. The weather playing its part brilliantly.
Birker Fell
We all arrived back at the hotel around 5 ish, time for a well-earned drink before freshening up for the evening meal. As usual we were in the function room for the second night. A great meal, including a great fun quiz put together by Ken & Keith. Followed by the obligatory raffle. Great end to a great day.
Thursday morning saw us gather in the car park after breakfast ready for the off. We had a route back planned by John Hussey, over the Trough of Bowland, but it did fall apart slightly. Some, due to other commitments had elected to head straight home, in the end 6 cars started, but only 3 finished, a mid-morning stop at RSPB Leighton Moss separated us, and that was it.
But never mind, it had been a great couple of days, and we look forward to next year.
Thanks to Kate W, Mike S & me for the pics.
Ian Meeson