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Muker Walk, 4th September 2014, Report. Bob Howe
A misty morning greeted 7 men & a dog at Muker on a day which threatened
to be lovely. The early conversation quietened a little as we climbed the steep farm road up onto Kisdon side. Opportunities to shed layers and for Stand & Stare moments were a blessing on the stiff ascent to join the Pennine Way at Kisdon Farm. The clearing misty opened up the spectacular scenery and tested our heads for heights as we followed the Pennine Way almost all the way to the tiny village of Keld. Some of us took the chance of scrambling down the slippery path to view Kisdon Lower force falls at this point. Barney also got his first swim of the day here - the first of many! Rejoining the track we crossed the Swale at the point where the Pennine way & Coast to coast cross over each other. We celebrated this with our first refreshment stop of the day. We then wandered on to the ruins of Crackpot Hall and the nearby lead mining buildings which we thoroughly investigated "Time Team style" (or should that be Last of the Summer Wine style) in what was now spectacularly good weather. Our stroll then continued to through the old lead mining area to Swinner Gill Kirk where we tested our knowledge of physics by dropping stones down the air shaft to measure the depth.
Undeterred, after some discussion, we decided to drop down the Swinner Gill back to the Swale at this point via an exposed sheep track. I think Barney carried the motion with the casting vote on this one.
The path soon opened out into a lovely grassy area where we decided to have lunch. Dave instantly plunged his feet in the stream and we all followed his example. More of Dave's water-born activities later!
Encouraged by Barney, who'd spent most of the walk from Swinnergill in the river, Dave stripped off and bravely skinny dipped in the Swale. I'm not sure of the validity of his theory that because he takes his specs off and can't see anyone, they can't see him, but that didn't stop him despite a number of innocent bystanders. I think the sheep appeared the most alarmed, but it's possible Dave’s reputation had preceded him on this point. All that was left now was to stroll across the meadows to Muker heading the the general direction of the "Farmers Arms" to slake our well earned thirsts. A couple of vintage tractors (allegedly older than any of our party) delayed us for a while as we tried to work out what was what on an old paraffin fuelled Fordson. Everyone agreed that Dave was the most appropriate person for an action shot with this relic of a forgotten era (the tractor that is) and there'll be a photo somewhere. A few more minutes found us sat out side the pub with fist full’s of "Askrig Brewery Ale" in a brilliant sunshine. A good pint after a truly Grand Day Out. On our way back to the car park we were accosted by Mick who was allegedly working supervising a group of DoE trekkers. It was a bit difficult to work out who was working and who was just out for a Thursday walk, but to be honest no one really cared after such a brilliant day of 9ish miles and a bit of up & down over one of Yorkshires most scenic dales. |
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The
assembled company of England’s Best failed completely to work out the
relationship between time taken and depth. By my estimate this works out
as more the 50 years of wasted secondary school education!
After
a leisurely lunch we set off again following the Swale downstream and
eventually arrived at Ramps Holme Bridge where we decided to have
another stop and finish our provisions.