Pennine Way day 11. Tan Hill - Middleton in Teesdale 19th August 2024

 We drove up to the area on Sunday and had an aftermoon exploring Richmond Castle, before driving to Tan Hill. We decided on the luxury of  a room at Tan Hill rather than the camper van. After a nice breakfast I set off around 9.00 and Anne left to drive home via her sister in Lincolnshire.

Temperature was mild and visibility good, so the trek over Sleightholme Moor was straightforward following the white tipped posts. Also, there had't been  much rain recently so it wasn't too boggy.

Before, I reached the A66 I met up with a fellow Pennine Wayfarer who had camped at Tan Hill the night before. I walked with him for a while up to the shooting cabin which doubled for a shelter.

Sleightholme Moor

Line of Grouse Butts

Sleightholme Beck

God's Bridge

God's Bridge

Subway under the A66

The path across Cotherstone Moor was indistinct and I took the wrong turning at one point which cost me some time. It was great to arrive at the farm at Clove Lodge where there was a superb honesty tuck shop. I met my fellow walker there who had also got lost on the moor. I had the most fantastic cup of tea and Mars bar there.

There was about 6 miles left to Middleton in Teesdale from Cove Lodge. Just after that the PW meets the Bowes loop which is an alternative route from Tan Hill through to the town of Bowes. The route from this point was pretty straightforward.

Grassholme Resevoir

I had decent accomodation in Middleton in Teedale at the Teesdale Hotel. After a pizza  it was an early night ready for tomorrows epic 20 miles.

Here is a link to a few video clips from the day:-

Day 11 Vids

A great start for this 4 day section with two tough days to come. About 16.5 Miles

Yorkshire Dales 26th - 29th July 2024

 This was a repeat of last years stay at Broadrake bunkbarn. Due to illness and othe palns there was only ten of us this year. Anne, Me, Erica , Damien plus kids, Ben and Jake. As a result there was no disputes over bedrooms this year !!

We drove up on Friday and returned on Monday , and so had all day Saturday and Sunday to enjoy this fantastic countryside.

Saturday 27th July Trip to Hawes and walk to Hardraw waterfall.

We drove the 12 / 13 miles to Hawes to visit the Wensleydale cheese factory. The factory wasn't operational on a saturday so we had a cheese making demo which was very enjoyable. we left a couple of hours later (with lots of cheese from the shop) and went for lunch in town. 

With the Pennine Way still fresh in mind I suggested we had a walk to Hardraw to see the falls - about a 3 mile there and back walk following the PW out of Hawes. It is a spectacular waterfall but costs £4 per person to get to it frrom the back of the Green Dragon pub.

Sunday 28th July  Whernside and Winterscale Beck

I had promised Seb that I would take him up a mountain and he was still up to it, so off we set late morning in hot weather. There was Erica, Seb, Anne and myself. By halfway Anne was struggling with the gradient , so made the wise decision to turn back. After a few rest breaks on the way up we finally made it to the shelter and trig point (highest point in Yorkshire). well done Seb and Erica!!

It was about 4 miles there and back.

Sunday afternoon we went for a short walk from the bunkhouse to winterscale beck and back round. The riverbed was complely dry on the section we walked.

A nice stroll - a couple of miles - not too far for the Grandkids.