~Swaledale Revisited~
6th June 2014
The Meadows
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Molly in the Mazda
A Friday afternoon trip to Muker, briefly stopping at Giggleswick to watch a rare locomotive hauling a rake of carriages. Molly is safely harnessed into the passenger seat and she enjoys her first trip in the MX-5.
Class 40 No.345 at Giggleswick
The organisers of the following day's charter train to Oxford from the East Lancs Railway, offered "cheap" tickets for the empty coaching stock positioning trip. Apparently more folk travelled on this trip than the main event. Class 40's are diesel locomotives that used to haul trains 30-odd years ago. More information at the foot of the page.
Muker Meadows |
Osprey |
The walk started from Muker at 15:20hrs. An "Osprey" aircraft (I think) came over with its unfeasibly large propellers.
Buttercup Enthusiasts
Long lenses and tripods clutter the flagged paths. Man in a white shirt gets in the mix for a closer look.
Swaledale Meadow & Barn
This walk was brought forward from the following day due to a less than satisfactory weather forecast. We cross the bridge and head up the hillside for a walk through Ivelet Wood.
River Swale
Across The Dale |
In Ivelet Wood |
Out of the woods and further up the slope is Adelaide Level, an old mine cut into the hillside behind the beck in Arn Gill.
Mining Spoil
Adelaide Level
Arn Gill
Upper Swaledale |
Swinner Gill |
~~~
Mine Buildings
East Grain Gill |
Swinner Gill |
I first visited here as a 10 year old on a trip with a few other children on a school trip. Happy memories and now frequent revisits to one of the finest areas in the Yorkshire Dales. Molly is now used to taking short swims.
Barn
A sheep poo escapes Molly's attention on our way to Crackpot Hall.
The ruins of Crackpot Hall and then a track back down to the foot of Swinner Gill.
Waterfall
Here at the foot of Swinner Gill are waterfalls and old mine buildings - with a sheep defending her territory ...
Keep Out!
Swaledale
Now the well-established track back to Muker.
"Am I Allowed?" |
"Gently!" |
A young lamb showed interest in us, not the other way round. So, I let Molly have a look and it was the lamb that came to us for a nose-to-nose. That done, the wooly one turned around and walked away.
Oyster Catcher
Common Sandpiper
Plenty of birds about on this stretch of the river.
Tall Buttercups
Farmers Arms, Muker
Dog friendly and good pub food.
Walkers: Molly n' Me
Time taken: 3hrs over a distance of about 6 miles.
Weather and Conditions: Warm and sunny.
Route: Muker, Ramps Holme Bridge, Ivelet Wood, Swinner Gill mining area, Crackpot Hall, foot of Swinner Gill, Swaledale back to Muker.
Greetings Count: A very quiet walk up through the wood and to Swinner Gill - nobody about. A few folk, plus the photographers in the dale.
7th Year for me; 12 years old: 50505 miles (to date)
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2014 ©
Take me back to the start ....