Druid's Altar

This morning the day had started so well and my daughter rang asking if I knew of any walks they could do this afternoon.  After racking my brains I came up with the Druids Altar and Marley Loop.

By the time they arrived the low clouds had arrived and the mist was descending.  We set off anyway and when we got to Bingley the weather was a lot better. Parked up – got geared up and set off.   Walked over to Ireland Bridge and headed up the steps to pop out on Altar lane.

  George was enthusiastic – not – he thought this part was boring.  It’s also a pretty steep uphill slog to the top and with children, one of them only 4 years old it took quite a while to get to the top.

We eventually turned off the road and headed on the pathway to the gritstone outcrops known as Druids Altar – George was not quite so bored now. 

  We continued along the top through the heather and bilberry bushes following the muddy track.  Good thing I’d warned it could be muddy and wellies were footwear of the day.

I have to admit this walk was turning out a lot muddier than I thought it would be.  After some serious walking we eventually came to the downward path.  I have to admit walking along the top seemed to be a lot further than I remembered. We were now on our way back down the steep tracks to Marley Hamlet. 

At the bottom we took the small stile into the fields where in the past I have seen deer.  No chance today with all the family although we did see several deerprints in the mud.  Eventually we passed through the Ravenroyd farmyard with the small stream running through it and walked along the access road alongside the river. 

You could tell there had been a  lot of rain as it was full and fast flowing. 

  It took us another half an hour to get back to the car.  A pretty good 4.5 mile walk – and Mabel did really well to walk the whole way with no complaints.  It had tested Aggie’s wellies and they were ready for the bin as the walk had been too challenging for them – they leaked.  Even George had enjoyed all the muddy bits.  It was time for home and a fish and chip tea. 

Albert was ready for his tea after helping Mum keep warm all the way round, and Jo and Bernard needed to refuel ready for their evening run.

Shipley Glen

Well the weather today wasn’t quite so nice as yesterday, but we all got geared up for a walk at Shipley Glen.  For book week the children were encouraged to have their photos taken doing some extreme reading so that was today’s plan.

As it wasn’t overly warm parking in Saltaire wasn’t a problem and we headed off down into Roberts Park.  Lots of families out there with children and dog walkers. 

 The children didn’t know where they were going so we got the usual grumbles of ‘do we have to’ and ‘there’s nothing here’.  As we cut across the park, crossed the road and headed up the path to the tram they finally perked up.

When they saw the tram they were suitably impressed and were actually interested in how it worked. 

 

We all climbed aboard leaving my daughter to walk up the path alongside with Bernard.  We weren’t sure if he would have been welcome on the tram.

Preparing to do Extreme Reading on a Tram!!

  At the top the children immediately wanted to get back on and ride down again.  The Old Glen looked appealing and we made a mental note to come back in the summer for afternoon tea.  We walked on as far as Baildon Moor and the Bracken Hall centre, which was interesting.  Lots of information about the tram and the history of the area.  The children loved all the rocks on the top and if it hadn’t been quite a cold wind we could have stayed longer.

We headed back to the tram – the ride back down was good as we had the tram to ourselves and sat at the front.  The children loved it.  My daughter go the ride back and my son-in-law walked Bernard back down.

All in all a pleasant Sunday afternoon and a child friendly 2 mile walk.  Sometimes we forget what lovely places are local to us. 

Gargrave and the Pennine Way

It was a lovely clear day, about 4/5 degrees, blue sky and no wind.  So today I decided to go to Gargrave, walk along the canal and then back through the fields.  Some of this walk is part of the Pennine Way. 

I parked in the car park opposite the Village Hall and turned up the road to join the canal tow path.  The path was pretty muddy and slippery and this set the tone for the walk.  Mud as the predominant part of the walk.

Along one part of the banking there were clusters of King Cups and Snowdrops, is Spring on the way.

Newton Bank Locks looked pretty – as usual.

The sun was really bright and reflected on the canal water – there were quite a few walkers but not as many as I thought there would be considering how nice the day was.

I had to refer to my little walking book and double check where to turn off the canal path and head off along the track past Newton Grange and out along the track towards East Marton. 

Eventually climbing the stile into the fields to head back towards Gargrave.  The fields were saturated and several had huge lakes of standing water going nowhere.  The ground was just so squelchy and boggy it was hard work walking and staying upright in parts. 

As I went along I met a couple coming in the opposite direction, they had got lost, and on showing me the map they had they should have turned down at the footpath cross roads at the top of the hill.  I gave them directions to carry on forward if they wanted to – and do the reverse route of what I’d just done or turn around and go back up the hill to take the path back to Bank Newton.  They chose to walk on. It was good views at the top of the hill, I could see Flasby Fell at the back and nearer was Sharp Haw and Haw Crag.  Straight in front I could see Gargrave church and so I headed off back down the hill.

Crossing over the railway line which heads up the valley – 10 minutes later I was back in the centre of Gargrave.  A lovely 4.75 mile walk with lots of sun and good views.