Today was chosen as the Big Walk day becasue of the weather. Incredibly, its a bank holiday weekend with glorious weather. But today is the most overcast and coolest, so its the best day for a walk.
After not quite getting the parking location organised before we set off, we found it after a bit of faffing around. That faffing served us well because as Mike and I turned up in his van, Aimi and Angus flagged us down to park right next to them and the icecream truck.
The viaduct was immediately obvious. This valley is pretty bleak and featureless, meaning its like a big curving brick scar across the rolling green moor. The path up to Wernside starts by leading right up to its base and then following a stream up a shallow valley. We are all pretty fit and determined people so we ploughed up it only stopping briefly for water breaks.
Daito came with us and as we climbed the temperature rose when the sun came out. In the shade of the cloud it wasn’t so bad but full sun on a black dog was a lot. I kept him close and starting off he was excited and keen to go go go but after a while he realised this wasn’t your average tour around the block and settled down to the plod.
Apart from a lady who offered to take our picture and somehow misunderstood the dogs name as Angus. Calling “Angus, Angus, look here…” at the dog and Angus looking on quizzically. We all had a good giggle and made great time to the top. The final stretch runs along the ridge and gives some really great views out over the moor down to the viaduct. This is the tallest of the Yorkshire 3 peaks and you can tell, overlooking everything around it. With the sun out and blue sky its was a glorious picnic spot for lunch before we started the descent.
Aimi took him for a while but hes so strong and wants to be with me so it got a bit much after a while. Luckily by this time we had done most of the descent and made it to flatter ground. We had basically run out of water now, saving it for the humans and hoping to come across a stream. But on the flat walk back across the fields Daito told us he needed a break. We didnt know which road to take and in the brief pause to check the map he went and sat under a tree in the shade panting. It was time for a break.
Angus and Aimi went in the two directions ahead and luckily there was a big stream that we could get down to. Picking our wat down to it, Daito was straight in and lapping it all up. He doesn’t swim but he got his belly wet from the cool water. I even took my shoes off and walked in with him, getting sprayed with water as thanks when he shook off.
The dog that came out the stream was totally different, perky and energetic again telling me this walk was a bit hot for him really. As soon as we got back to the vans, we all got ice-cream. Including Daito, who had definitely earnt it.
On the way home we nearly witnessed a horrendous motorbike crash. Driving in Angus and Mike’s vans in convoy, 2 bikes decided to overtake in the worst position possible. Heading up a hill to a blind crest a woman on a under powered bike barely made it back to our side of the road before a car came the other way. I was honestly shouting at her. And then get dozy partner did the same on the next hill. Nutters.
Knackered and sweaty, we arrived at the campsite and made a straight line for the pub. Yup, this campsite has a bar! Cold beer always tastes better after you’ve worked for it and so Angus, Mike and I sank 3 in short order leaving me feeling rather tipsy. Kai joined us for the chinwag but stuck to coke. He and Laura had been on a shorter walk with Nala and Kayto, the older pups.
Another evening spent by the fire whittled away chatting bollocks. It was lovely. Kayto enjoyed being tucked up on Laura’s lap too.
