Blogtober 2023 :: Day 15

Blogtober Day 15 :: Sunday

Sunday walking - it's a thing for many families I expect. It's a good day of the week to get out and about, to round out the weekend with some gentle exercise, fresh air and beautiful scenery before we get back to the business of work and school. We decided yesterday that we would like to drive out and walk in the Yorkshire Dales today, specifically based around one of the National Park car parks because we now have our shiny new car parking pass. So we settled on Malham as it's not that far from the Attic, about 11 miles or so, and there is a very lovely five mile circular walk that we like to do there.

As you can see from the above photo, it was blinkin' freeeezing this morning, literally zero degrees kind of freezing with a hard frost. But it was such a deliciously clear and sunny day that the icy frostiness wasn't a bother at all. 

I'm going to take you walking with me now....I'll try and let the photos tell the story and not ramble too much at you.

The car is parked in the village car park (using our parking pass, hooray), and we set out walking across fields, following the flow of the little stream. Into the woods we go, a narrow path that follows the contours of the huge rocks....

....isn't it pretty?

It was very mossy, and I do so love a lush mossy landscape.

Ahh....here we are at the magical Janet's Foss waterfall. It is said that this place is enchanted, and yes, there is a certain fairy tale feel in the air here.

Back out into the open now, and the landscape is really beautiful. Lots of dry stone walls and the most stunning Limestone scenery.

We need to start climbing now, the footpath heads sharply up the grassy hill as we pass through old gates, climb over stiles and amble along stony little tracks.

I spotted this one lonesome Harebell flower blowing gently in the wind, that delicate shade of blue really is lovely.

We've been climbing a while, and now we can see the famous limestone pavement which forms the top of Malham Cove.

It's strange when you first step onto the pavement because it's not at all easy to walk on. It's made up of huge blocks (they are officially called "clints") which are separated by very deep gaps called "grykes", so you have to sort of step and jump your way across.

I like to make my way to the edge (not too close because J absolutely freaks out if I do) - the views out across the Malhamdale valley are stunning.

The pavement is pretty wide and you're only seeing a small part of it here. I composed my photo carefully because actually it was extremely busy on the cove today. It's around 11.30am, and honestly it's noisy with loud people shouting to each other with loud voices. I felt a little sad that it wasn't the peaceful experience that I had hoped for.

But never mind, I can shut out the noisy chatter and appreciate the marvellous and crazy landscape I'm walking on...

...I mean, it's wonderful this ancient limestone, isn't it? Formed by ice and water over many thousands of years.

We did stop a while on the cove to eat an early picnic lunch with a view, oh it was so nice. Ham and cheese rolls, a satsuma and a little bit of chocolate, and a travel mug with hot milky coffee. Mmmmm.

Time for us to start the descent now - and this is a stepping affair. Lots and lots and lots of steps - four hundred and twenty to be precise. You know I love steps actually, so it was fun to be trip-trapping down them for such a long way.

It didn't take us long to reach the bottom, and now we can go and see the cove in all it's magnificent humungous glory.....

....WOW....I just can't think of any better word to describe it here. It really is wow.

80 metres of rock face, formed by a waterfall carrying meltwater from glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age more than 12,000 years ago (thank you Wikipedia). 

Gosh, you can see how many people are on their way to the cove at the time we were leaving, it was honestly so busy. But I guess justifiably so, it really is a spectacular place to visit, especially when the weather is this good.

We ended our walk with a stop at this lovely old pub in the village for a refreshing drink sitting outside in the sun. 

It was a lovely outing, just the three of us today as our two eldest offspring are both away. The Big boy-child is in Tunisia on a sunny holiday with six of his friends, and Little Lady is up in Glasgow visiting a friend who's just started at University there. Little B is teetering on the edge of full blown Teenage-dom (he will be 14 in January) and tends to be unpredictable with his moods. Sometimes he's absurdly chatty, other times (like today) he is introverted and quiet. He's good company though, and a great walker, strong and energetic. I do like that he comes with us still, and wonder how long it'll be before he says nah...no thanks..not today....when we make plans to go walking? I'm making the most of his company while I still have it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

Comments

[Kathy from Tennessee]

I just realized I've been reading your blog off and on since you were expecting your youngest... and now he's 14. WoW!!!

[Liz kebbell]

Hi Lucy, I’m loving reading your October daily updates. I wondered if you could help identify the maker of some earrings DD bought in the very first yarndale. They are ceramic ovals with sweet little sheep painted on.

[VickiB]

What a beautiful day for a lovely walk. Thanks for sharing!

[Susan]

Yes…they leave us so quickly, make the most of every second.x

[CJ]

Gorgeous scenery, I love the streamside path, so pretty. And hurray for a village pub at the end, always a welcome sight. A frost here as well the other night, I was very surprised. CJ xx

[Beverley]

Thank you for sharing the walk, Lucy. The limestone pavement is amazing and the views all around you are stunning.

[Conni]

What a beautiful place! The earth’s natural wonders are amazing. It reminds me of the Grand Canyon, just awe at the ancientness of it all.

[ChrisG]

What a fabulous treat to be taken back to Malham! I visited in the early 70’s on a geography field trip and seeing the limestone pavement in the sunshine with you has been magic - Thankyou 😊 happy times I must go back again me feels. Lovely to have your boy with you and he will have forever memories of the beautiful experiences of the area you live in and your appreciation of the outdoors and that’s a precious gift to give! Loving your daily meanderings and photos this month 🙏🏼

[Susie]

Incredibly picturesque. I would love to visit there one day - the thought of traipsing over England and Ireland delights me. I'm contemplating a solo trip there for my 50th next year (long way from Melbourne Australia though). So I love seeing these places and will pop them on my list.
I too have an almost 14 year that sounds exactly the same as yours. lol. My 15 yr old not interested in coming out with us but the 19 yr will occasionally do so when her social/work/and Uni life allow. We do need to make the most of these times.
My eldest if off traveling to Vietnam and Thailand alone (no tour) early next year and I'm terrified so making the most of our time together.

[Elizabeth Caro]

Thank you :)

[Val]

🌿🍃🩵🧡🌸🌼💜😘 from Australia xx

[Charlotte]

That is a gorgeous walk, on a magnificent day. You did a fantastic job taking photos for us, Lucy; making it look deserted, thank you. I walked with my sister-in-law today, our walk was deserted save for madly foraging magic mushroom hunters!(Not us!!)Don't think they noticed the magnificent views...

[Lauren]

Thank you so much Lucy! We had Malham on our to see list when we stayed in the Yorkshire Dales this year. Unfortunately we didn’t get there as there were never enough hours in the days to see everything. It’s a long way from home for me and I don’t think I will travel back your way again. Instead, you’ve taken me on a virtual walking tour which was magical. 😍

[Bonita Brocklehurst]

Love everything about your walk today, love everything about where you live it is beautiful here in Newfoundland today, after a week of foggy, rainy weather, one of the last beautiful Autumn days to treasure.

[Tineke]

Mother Earth is stunning, eh? I love to go to places like that. I remember being on holiday there with my youngest, 17, on the brink of going to the university the next month September. Knowing it would be the last time I would be on holiday with child. It is good that all are out and about on their own now. I miss traveling with them, their massive energy, the fun, and knowing each other well. It's just me and my thoughts now perhaps next time to go there for a walk again? ;>D

[Linda Graveling]

Although we live way down south my brother in law lives in Baildon Last time we visited them we went to Malham Tarn. Your photos took me back there to enjoy it all over again. I enjoyed that little wander with you x