Skipton, England, United Kingdom
7.30am we were dressed ready to go to the gallops - wrapped up warm, it was blowing fiercely. It’s an amazing feeling, walking a country road, lined with stone walls, horses sharing the road with you, and trucks and cars respectfully creeping along with all users.
This is a very interesting article I found in the Yorkshire Post, written 10yrs ago, but explains very clearly what the low moors are all about and the trainers and locals rights. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/analysis/final-furlong-as-middleham-faces-its-hardest-hurdle-1-2491119
Middleham has 4 exit roads, todays was one we hadn’t used before, it was tourism at its best. Buses would never travers this one, wouldn’t fit between the stone farm buildings. It was 10 - 35MPH all the way, mostly 10mph, for 24km. Took us almost an hour, the scenery was breathtaking, we simply love creeping along looking, I’m sure locals get fed up with us as we do them, sometimes they’ll whizz past and Kevin will latch on behind, as they know the road - "and will get hit before us".
Kettlewell, half way to Skipton, This attractive grey stone village is in a steep, narrow part of the dale, where the old coach road over Park Rash Pass from Middleham and Coverdale joins the main road up Wharfedale.
Skipton, I had on the itinerary to see the canals. The gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, Skipton is a beautiful market town with an award-winning high street and market, as well as a 12th century castle. At over 800 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best-preserved medieval castles in England - we totally ran out of time to see the castle, but as we said, we've seen enough castles this time round.
We walked the cobbled by ways and enjoyed the good weather, bought some treasures for our treasures at home.
Took a half hour Canal cruise, then decided to find a pub for a drink - but not in Skipton, we wanted a village pub.
The village of another of those little towns where you cautiously edge around a corner and wow. Cobbled streets, specialty shops, arts, PUBS of course, stone and iron, ancient wood interiors, fabulous.
We sat outside with our drink, along with a few others, enjoying the sun, then a huge tractor towing a honey cart rumbled thru - speedily too.
Home rather late, 6.30pm.
Saw the postie van again today, she must come everyday.
2025-05-22