2 fine Counties and Storm Arwen

After an emergency dentist visit for Mrs H on Monday we headed into Yorkshire to stay at the CAMC site at Knaresborough, our first time here and very nice too. Time was ticking, and in the fading light we took a circular walk from the site and got back in dark. A short early doors walk then to the very nice local at Scotton; the Guy Fawkes Inn, named after same who lived in the village as a teenager I understand.

Tuesday we were greeted by blue sky and sunshine and we walked into Knaresborough along the pretty Nidd Gorge and back toward Bilton. As the local was closed we thought we’d try the bar on site, a first for us as not usually keen. It was pleasant, if not a little cool but I enjoyed a few pints of Black Sheep; and Mrs H was happy with her lager so all good. We did have to blatantly break CAMC rules though; no dogs in the bar; but no dogs allowed to be left in the van alone. I await to be admonished, but others said they were in the same position. Odd decision by the club.

Wednesday we decided to walk the opposite direction along the Nidd Valley to complete the 2 castles walk, which runs from Knaresborough to Ripley Castles. This was a linear walk, the destination medieval

village of Ripley being very picturesque, but cold! The route along the river Nidd is excellent and lined with very slippery boardwalk type paths to avoid the muddy banks and clearly flood prone area. On the way back we got talking to an elderly lady who lived just off the track, who had also got a Working Cocker Spaniel. She was a delight to talk to, very knowledgeable on wildlife in the area. Got a shock when 2 cyclists hurtled by us though, as this was apparently commonplace and she was rightly pissed off with them not acknowledging us moving to one side; she called after them loudly pronouncing them as being “Wankers” after firstly apologising to us for the expletive coming.

Progressing our walk Tracey noticed a Pooh bag attached to the rucksack complete with a hardened lump of Daisy’s finest. We remembered this from several weeks ago meaning to dump it when we got back (as opposed to hanging it in a tree like a Xmas bauble), it had traveled with us in various pub

stops, cafes, shops and been hung in our hallway at home.

That evening we went back to the “Guy Fawkes”, as there was a beer I’d not yet sampled and got talking to 2 site wardens out for a beer themselves. Subsequently, the visit took longer than anticipated, was very enjoyable and we ended up with our pre prepared curry at 10:00. Was lovely to talk to them, lots in common and we may well go visit them sometime. They also know my least favourite warden as it turns out, and agreed with me that she’s a bit of a twat sometimes…they guessed who it was when I relayed a story of appalling customer service I can’t let go of whilst on another site.

Thursday we should have been heading to Bridlington to visit Janice and Tony in their new home, something we’d both looked forward to. Storm Arwen had other ideas though, and it just looked a bit too breezy on the forecast to be pleasant, safe and comfortable. Change of plan, Brid to get rearranged, we got a cancellation at Chatsworth. Straightforward journey, arrived in time to enjoy a sunset walk through the estate in the fast fading light. That is after we’d sat waiting for a weaselly looking chap in a van in front of us entering the site, who decided to ignore the instructions from the warden not 2 minutes earlier, and cause a tailback paying before pitching up. It’s not difficult, and this particular chap has earned a little line in my book.

We enjoyed our few days in this great location, including an early doors visit to the Devonshire for a few pints of their special brew Fallow Pale by Eyam Brewery, went down very well. Following days the weather turned wintery and although it didn’t stop us walking, we didn’t bother turning out to the pub again. We broke out the van rum supply instead. No visit is complete without doing the circular via Rowsley, to Bakewell then along Handley Lane with its awesome dark peak views before dropping down to Edensor; a village moved in its entirety by a past Duke of Devonshire as it spoiled his view from Chatsworth. I like his style. Earlier in the walk we cut through a shoot taking place in Manners Wood, just before Bakewell. It was a highlight for me as I enjoyed watching the gun dogs at work. I kept Daisy on lead; she would have caused mayhem. Pheasant and Grouse tumbled out of the sky, and we had close calls as they dropped very close to us. The following day saw snowfall, although very “sleety” it made a lovely sight on the surrounding hills and our walk along Gorsebank Lane to Curbar was a memorable one; pooch had a whale

of a time. We did wimp out of walking along Froggat Edge, as the wind was strong, icy and felt cutting and into minus figures.

This trip is to be the last in our Coachbuilt van, as we’re swapping to a smaller Panel Van Conversion to be a little more agile and hopefully get ourselves into more places, particularly on our European adventures planned. We look forward to to sunnier days with our whoosh bang door open; for now we’re staring at a huge pile of “stuff” from the old van, thinking how the duck we’re going to fit it all in. More of that in the next instalment, with a first new era trip out to the Cotswolds planned.