Buckden to Outershaw--7.5 Miles
Our room at Buck Inn was pleasant but very small. We could hardly get around the bed, and there was practically no room for our suitcases and backpacks. The bathroom, however, was newly remodeled and had a lovely sparkling bathtub. I soaked in it for a long time last night and woke up feeling much better today and ready to walk.
After breakfast we went back down the road, crossed the bridge, and rejoined Dales Way. At Huberholm, we came upon this very old church with its Norman tower. St Michael's & All Angels Church dates to the twelfth century. The roof, finished in 1558, is still intact. The church had a starring roll in the BBC television series--All Creatures Great and Small.
The churchyard was newly mowed, neat as a pin, and the inside was just beautiful.
We came across this old barn with holes to aid ventilation and through-stones that provided extra strength.
We followed the Wharfe for about three or four miles as it kept getting smaller and smaller. Finally, in some places it was not much more than a stream.
I love this huge tree which overshadowed the crumbling stone barn beside it.
Russ standing in a Stone Circle between Yockenthwaite and Deepdale
Yockenthwaite Stone Circle
Although many historians call it a stone circle, it is actually a Bronze-Age ring cairn with a circle of small stones (kerbstones) that are still quite clearly defined. The stone circle consists of 20 small stones set almost edge to edge that are roughly 3 feet high, covering a diameter of 25 feet. These stones are, in fact, the kerbstones of what remains of a burial cairn or ring cairn where a prominent tribal chieftain was buried. Just outside the circle at the north west side are a few other stones that make up an outer, concentric ring and a few portal stones that formed the entrance. In the middle of the circle a small mound can just be made out, which would have been the site of a burial. Originally, there would have been a mound of earth covering the stones but this has long since gone. Just to the north of the circle are what could be the remains of another burial cairn.
Footbridge over Greenfield Beck near Beckermonds
This Lydia Wilson-Wood Memorial Chapel beside the road was built in 1856 and designed by John Ruskin
This stone Celtic cross was erected to commemorate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee in 1887.
Here, we were watching the fellow above herd sheep with his two dogs. He was riding a four-wheeler, and the hillside was very steep.
This is where our friends, Ann and Andy had reservations for the night, but they had not arrived yet. Russ and I stopped and knocked on the door to see if we could buy something to drink. The owners were very friendly. Mrs. Wood also made us some hearty cheese sandwiches for our lunch. The weather was quite cool and still looked like it could start raining any moment, but we sat outside at a little table in front of the house and enjoyed our meal.
The little stone building beside the house was a very picturesque restroom!
Footbridge over Greenfield Beck near Beckermonds
Our B&B was another mile further down the trail, but it was still quite early, so we were in no hurry to leave. The path soon joined up with a steep country road. There was hardly any traffic though.
You can see how much we climbed here.
And the higher we climbed, the more overcast it became.
Here we are getting close to Oughtershaw
Oughtershaw bridge and Memorial Chapel
This stone Celtic cross was erected to commemorate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee in 1887.
Russ taking a little rest and reading our guidebook. The countryside is not green like it's been so far. And not very pretty.
After a short day of walking and still no rain, we have arrived at Nethergill Farm our B&B for tonight. It is a large stone house on a busy, 388-acre working farm.
It was still quite chilly outdoors and our hostess built us a lovely fire to sit by, and made a pot of coffee to warm us up. I brought my computer downstairs and will catch up our email.
Dinner and breakfast here....
With a view of the farmyard out the dining room window. The food was very good.
Our room was very nice too.
Nethergill is an almost self-sufficient farm that follows a modern "green" technology and philosophy. They have an Art Field Center and teach classes and seminars on things like wild flower identification, peat restoration management, riparian activities, and photography. They also grow a rare variety of cattle--Whitebred Shorthorn. This big fellow was standing in a small fenced area next to the house. He was huge.
Fiona Clark, the owner, told us about the many trees we would see on our way out tomorrow. They have planted thousands of young trees in the past few years to re-establish a wooded environment. It was an amazing undertaking.
Large woodland planting scheme--planted in Feb 2008--18,500 trees. Planted in conjunction with the National Parks and Forestry Commission, the woodland has been planted solely for biodiversity and green benefits. An additional 12,000 trees are being planted Autumn 2014, and 3,000 trees have been planted up the gill sides. Small areas of wildlife hedging has also been planted. The additional 12,000 trees are being planted up towards the Greenfield Forest. Planting a mixed type of woodland is intended to encourage more red squirrels to come down to Nethergill.
This was a very interesting place to spend some time, as well as a lovely overnight stop.
Next entry: Sept. 18 Day 5
