Walk: 12:10pm to 3:20pm 6.4 miles - 520ft of ascent
The last full day of our week in Settle had arrived (why do holidays go so quickly?), and we chose to continue our week of relaxing walks. On previous visits we'd often felt a need to go up one of the 3-peaks, and even this time we had been planning to go up Pen-Y-Ghent but decided that we'd have another steady walk not too far from Settle. In our eyes walking is about doing what you want, when you want, and how you want - it's not all about going high and hiking for hours, but that's what's great about hiking, there's so much choice and so many ways to enjoy it.
So, our usual relaxing morning - me popping down to the local newsagents for the Daily Mail, and then perusing the news whilst Donna enjoys her Kindle - I must say that the Kindle is possibly the best gift that I've ever bought for her. And of course Jeremy Kyle on TV in the background - well we are from Rotherham you know, so it stops us getting homesick...lol
We left the cottage late morning for the short drive to Austwick, and by just after 12 we were togged up and ready to hit the trail. Our route out of the village took us north-east towards Town Head, following the 'main' road past some lovely dwellings. Whilst not a large village it was certainly a little bigger than we expected, we had assumed it was a hamlet with only the odd building - just shows what we know!
After leaving the village we took the bridleway east in the direction of Feizor, the path taking us below Oxenber Wood. It was along this stretch that we saw a Clapper Bridge crossing the stream. I'd read earlier in the day that Austwick had 3 of these bridges, but had never heard of them before so it was a great surprise to come across one.
We continued on the path now taking us below Feizor Wood until we came to Feizor itself, where we took a seat at Elaine's Tea-rooms. Now I must admit, on our one and only other visit to Elaine's we were less than impressed, and found the place to smell a little like a 'greasy spoon' - however this time were were much more impressed. We sat outside for about 30 minutes, enjoying the fresh air and of course the cakes. A slice of chocolate cake for Donna with her cup of tea, and date and walnut cake for me with my cafetiere of coffee.
The next leg of our walk took us up the hill behind Feizor in a northerly direction, passing close to Feizor Wood and Wharfe Wood. This did make me chuckle a little thinking of Star Trek - ok the spellings are a little different, but I'm sure that the Trekkies will know what I mean. We headed down towards Bark Houses, and on this stretch unfortunately my new camera's battery died again. I'm not sure if there's a fault with it as I'd only taken about 50 photos - and now that's twice this week that the same thing has happened to a fully charged camera. I'll probably purchase a spare battery and if that lasts longer, get the original one replaced.
At this point we could have cut across the field in the direction of Wharfe but instead chose to head east to meet the road just south of Dry Rigg Quarry. The rest of the journey back to Austwick was easy walking along a country lane - only stopping once for a 'rest' stop' in an abandoned building next to the road, the only distraction along this section of the walk was the odd car or van passing along the road. It was only when we got back to the car that we realised that we'd not touched our packed lunch, so after removing our walking gear to sat on a bench next to the river and enjoyed a few sandwiches before setting off back to the cottage.
It's been another really enjoyable week in Settle, some lovely walks and visits to places we'd not been to before, and apart from the 30 minute or so downpour when walking a couple of days ago we've had dry walks. I'm just wondering now how long it will be before we're back again....aren't we both off in September, now that's not too long a wait...
More photos can be found here.
The last full day of our week in Settle had arrived (why do holidays go so quickly?), and we chose to continue our week of relaxing walks. On previous visits we'd often felt a need to go up one of the 3-peaks, and even this time we had been planning to go up Pen-Y-Ghent but decided that we'd have another steady walk not too far from Settle. In our eyes walking is about doing what you want, when you want, and how you want - it's not all about going high and hiking for hours, but that's what's great about hiking, there's so much choice and so many ways to enjoy it.
 |
| Donna on the Clapper bridge between Austwick and Feizor |
So, our usual relaxing morning - me popping down to the local newsagents for the Daily Mail, and then perusing the news whilst Donna enjoys her Kindle - I must say that the Kindle is possibly the best gift that I've ever bought for her. And of course Jeremy Kyle on TV in the background - well we are from Rotherham you know, so it stops us getting homesick...lol
We left the cottage late morning for the short drive to Austwick, and by just after 12 we were togged up and ready to hit the trail. Our route out of the village took us north-east towards Town Head, following the 'main' road past some lovely dwellings. Whilst not a large village it was certainly a little bigger than we expected, we had assumed it was a hamlet with only the odd building - just shows what we know!
After leaving the village we took the bridleway east in the direction of Feizor, the path taking us below Oxenber Wood. It was along this stretch that we saw a Clapper Bridge crossing the stream. I'd read earlier in the day that Austwick had 3 of these bridges, but had never heard of them before so it was a great surprise to come across one.
 |
| The farmer just about to run his sheep through Feizor |
The next leg of our walk took us up the hill behind Feizor in a northerly direction, passing close to Feizor Wood and Wharfe Wood. This did make me chuckle a little thinking of Star Trek - ok the spellings are a little different, but I'm sure that the Trekkies will know what I mean. We headed down towards Bark Houses, and on this stretch unfortunately my new camera's battery died again. I'm not sure if there's a fault with it as I'd only taken about 50 photos - and now that's twice this week that the same thing has happened to a fully charged camera. I'll probably purchase a spare battery and if that lasts longer, get the original one replaced.
At this point we could have cut across the field in the direction of Wharfe but instead chose to head east to meet the road just south of Dry Rigg Quarry. The rest of the journey back to Austwick was easy walking along a country lane - only stopping once for a 'rest' stop' in an abandoned building next to the road, the only distraction along this section of the walk was the odd car or van passing along the road. It was only when we got back to the car that we realised that we'd not touched our packed lunch, so after removing our walking gear to sat on a bench next to the river and enjoyed a few sandwiches before setting off back to the cottage.
 |
| Looking across to Pen-Y-Ghent in the distance |
It's been another really enjoyable week in Settle, some lovely walks and visits to places we'd not been to before, and apart from the 30 minute or so downpour when walking a couple of days ago we've had dry walks. I'm just wondering now how long it will be before we're back again....aren't we both off in September, now that's not too long a wait...
More photos can be found here.
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