Sunday July 22nd: The Yorkshire Dales and Ribble Valley

This is above the small village of Malham, it's in the midground of the photo, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, a stunningly beautifull area of green meadows, high moors and fells, streams, sheep, limestone cliffs and caves, and quaint villages and farms. It is also well known for one of its residents, James Herriot, the vet, who wrote books about his life as a vet amongst the Dales.

Click on photos to make them larger.



Xavier was happy because there are more sheep than humans in this part of country. Xav likes sheep, but has yet to catch one.



One of the most impressive features of the Yorkshire Dales is its cliffs, in particular Kilnsey Crag, Goredale Scar and this 300ft cliff, Malham Cove.



Right below the Cove. Just to the left of Xav's head is a climber on a route that Dada was the first person to climb in 1986.



We walked up to the top of the Cove then over to Gordale Scar....but on the way Xavier went Sheep hunting.



And he also liked the worn feel of the wood of the stiles over the drystone walls, rubbed smooth by thousands of hands and the weather.



The path to Gordale Scar....



Then, turn the corner and you are there. We have to climb up that waterfall too.



Gripping stuff and a little wet.



And there's another one to come and yes we are going up there "behind' the waterfall.




Very atmospheric, wet and noisy up here.



Dada used to live in the Yorkshire Dales but spent most of his childhood and youth nearby in the Ribble Valley. We went to a place were he used to play, and where J.R. Tolkien wrote the Hobbit and was very much inspired by the area and its buildings and feel.

This is an old bridge called Cromwell's Bridge on the way to Hust Green and the Shire of the Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit. It was raining by now.



This is the Shireburn Arms, Tolkien used to take a pint here.



This is Stonyhurst College, a private school run by Jesuit priests, J.R. Tolkien's son went to school here, as did David Bowie's son.




I think it may be Bilbo Baggins, Hobbit of Hobbiton.



Which led to the River Ribble, 5 miles from where Dada used to live, with the river in full spate. I bet the salmon are running.



We did Ben Nevis. Next up is Scafell Pike the highest mountain in England, and Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. Here's Xavier and Jess starting up Scafell in the Lake District.



More later.