A pootle in the Dales.

Assured by the Meteorological Office that we were to enjoy the last gloriously sunny day, before a change in the weather would herald the approach of Autumn, we decided to venture into the Yorkshire Dales.

Following our usual route via Hornby in the Lune Valley, Thornton-in-Lonsdale and Ingleton we travelled to Hawes, passed the Ribblesdale Viaduct that carries the Settle/Carlisle railway line and savouring the fabulous moorland scenery with the flat-topped Ingleborough mountain always present.

Above Hawes at the start of the 'Buttertubs Pass'

From Hawes we drove over the Buttertubs Pass and into Swaledale, where we intended to have a look at the little village of Muker. Little did we know that our visit just happened to coincide with the Muker Agricultural Show, always held on the first Wednesday in September.

Apparently it is a delightful, friendly, traditional Show and certainly very popular, as the place was absolutely heaving with humanity. The beauty of the village was somewhat blighted by this onslaught and so, being slightly averse to large crowds and vast numbers of cars, we beat a hasty retreat. Miserable 'b....rs' I hear you say!

Wain Wath Force

We had a picnic to enjoy, not the usual one that borders on a gastronomic extravaganza, but a single delicious, mouth-watering pork pie, purchased from one of our friendly local suppliers.

The spot we chose to consume this succulent item was Wain Wath Force, a beautiful waterfall just upstream of Keld, where the River Swale is in its infancy.

On then, travelling north along Birkdale, to Nateby and Kirby Stephen, on the upper reaches of the River Eden before turning west to Sedbergh, Kirby Lonsdale and home, stopping for that welcome pint enroute at the 'Fat Lamb' public house at Ravenstonedale "www.http://fatlamb.co.uk".

Outside the 'Fat Lamb'

Interestingly the 'Black Sheep Ale' which I was drinking with some relief and pleasure was brewed by Paul Theakston, who named the ale after leaving the family brewing firm of 'Theakstons' to set up his own operation in Masham, hence the name 'Black Sheep'!

Apparently, the landlord at the 'Fat Lamb' has a keen interest in classic cars but sadly he wasn't there, so the inevitable discussion between the two of us was missed. There's always next time!