The Dales Way

Ailie picked me up at 7 and we met Margaret at Lincoln’s Inn Bridge where she left her car. We drove via Sedburgh to Dent where Ailie left her car. We set off walking at 10 for the 9 miles back, following instructions from an out-of-date book and with a map of course.

It was so hot and sunny but the walk was delightful, by 3 rivers and passing old farms, a cotton mill and pretty villages but mostly on tracks away from roads through flower-filled meadows and up old green lanes. Margaret is a fast walker but didn’t race ahead so Ailie and I didn’t feel the pressure to step up the pace. The scenery was lovely and we saw few people. The route was generally well waymarked but near the end we missed a post which was obscured by a hedge and ended up at a different bridge. Having the OS map meant we could work out where we were and there was no alternative but to retrace our steps. This all added an extra mile and of course time. Ailie had run out of water but I had enough to share. (And I had a flask of cool water waiting in the car). We all thought our temperature control didn’t work as efficiently as when we were younger but we got back to Margaret’s car by the pretty bridge happily enough. We knew we’d had a walk, but luckily my back stood up well. We enjoyed a chatty day. Ailie and Margaret are going to Canada and Alaska next July which sounds great. (The cruise of a giant ship not so great).

Margaret drove us back the twisty road to Dent to pick up Ailie’s car. Margaret headed home to Consett. Ailie and I left Dent at 5pm and were home by 7.20. Ailie is a fast driver!

I’ve drunk loads of water and Mr C is heating up the remains of the dinner I made last night.

We covered 10 miles and 25,000 steps. A grand day. Now we have only 24 miles left of the 84 mile walk.