WHARFEDALE HEAD BACK TO CROOKLANDS AUGUST 2024
Better late than never with this Social Scene Report. Wharfedale's annual pilgrimage to Crooklands in the Lake District.
Tuesday 27th to Thursday 29th August. This year we had 13 cars + 1 Cumbria Group car.
We had set off as usual on the Tuesday, unfortunately our normal meeting up place, the Farm Shop just outside Skipton had closed at the end of last year. However, Mike Sloan came up with a great alternative, the café at Bolton Abbey Railway Station, at one end of the Embsay to Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. From here we were also able to pick up our usual route over the Dales to Crooklands. Arriving late afternoon.
In previous years we have been blessed with some great weather, not this year. The main stop on the Wednesday run was The Slate Mine at Honister, For the run we were joined by Hugh in his TR5, accompanied by Graham from the Cumbria Group
We took a route up past Kendal, then headed over the Kirkstone Pass, around Ullswater and up to turn left onto the A66. Heading West to bypass Keswick, then drop down past Buttermere and onto the Mine. Cloud level was very low, and the rain persistent, especially up the Kirkstone Pass, the Kirkstone Pass Inn looming out of the cloud as we passed, not very pleasant. We did get an occasional break in the cloud, which enabled us to see the stunning scenery.
John and Janet Roberts found us a great coffee stop just after we had joined the A66, Basecamp Farm Shop & Café, a great find.
Kirkstone Pass
In spite of the weather, or maybe because of it the Mine was quite busy, the road up to it full of pot holes, and the car park, well, even more pot holes, including a great fissure knee deep, which Phil Read managed to get his 3 into, fortunately, but goodness knows how, there was no damage evident when a few of the guys had managed to heave the car out.
Honister Pass
Graham from Cumbria group stood in the fissure that Phil & Janes TR had just been in, ooeer.
From the Mine we headed up past Derwent Water to Keswick, through Keswick then down past Thirlmere to Grasmere then onto Ambleside and back down to Crooklands. In spite of the weather, we all commented on the number of walkers we had seen, either on the road side, or up on the fells, some with families in tow others with dogs, and others with both. All dripping wet. Well it was tipping it down.
Typically, as we arrived back at Crooklands the sun was trying to come out, such that we were able to grab a few drinks on the terrace, before a change of clothing for the evening meal.
Time for a drink and a natter on the Terrace.
We had the function room booked, the food and service were very good, we had the usual Ken Bailey quiz, delivered by Linda. Unfortunately, Ken & Jan couldn’t join us but were there in spirit.
As usual it was a very convivial evening, and as in previous years we were joined by Ian & Mary Landen for East Riding Group, Phil & Rachael Gunn from Leicester Group and Andrew & Sarah Breakwell from Wales.
Its quiz time.
Thursday morning departure day, some of the group headed directly home, whilst the others drove down to the front at Arnside, we had a leisurely walk on the front looking across the estuary towards Meathop and Ulpha.
View across the estuary from Arnside.
Ian Meeson