04.08.13
We’re Yorkshire bound this weekend. No big hills but a nice walk all the same was
planned. Gordale Scar and Malham Cove would be our destination and as true with
all our weekend walks we were up and out fairly early and set off towards
Malham.
The weather was fine when we left but sadly as soon as we
parked the car the first signs of drizzle appeared. Sadly this light drizzle didn’t put off the
hoards of day trippers that were descending on the place but as a fairly well
known tourist attraction we were somewhat prepared for this. Our walks usually take us into places where
only a handful of people are met during the course of the day and here today
there were coachloads turning up.
Gordale Scar was our first destination and it was a lovely
walk in with Chris regaling tales of childhood where he came with his Mum, Dad
and Sister. How lovely to have this
practically on your doorstep and as a kid it must have been a fascinating and
exciting place to come.
At the Scar we swithered for a moment or 2 deciding whether
to climb up it or not and as it seemed dry enough we made our way through the
rocks up and over the falling water till we reached the middle plateau which
gave us a lovely view of the waterfall behind.
Pictures taken and a quick bite of something sugary and we
were onwards and upwards again. Up and
out of the Scar we walked along a fairly flattish meadow with some indications
of limestone pavement in the direction of the lake. We didn’t venture right down to the lake but
veered left before then towards Malham Cove and the vast area of limestone
pavements.
The path soon became flooded with people from all directions
and we found ourselves in a snake like procession through the narrow path with
loads of other walkers. The path soon
opened out to the top of the cove and it really is quite remarkable, a
beautiful result of natures touch on the earth however by this time the coach
parties had all descended and it was like Grand Central Station. People everywhere, families, groups, young,
old all out for their Sunday day out in the countryside. I’m not knocking it, its great to see people out;
I just prefer the solitude of our walks and the passing by of the odd 1 or 2.
The walk back to the car was uneventful and on a predictable
path. Luckily there was an ice cream
shop open and we had a cone as we wandered back to the car. It was a good walk and the scenery was
absolutely lovely with the limestone pavements and the Scar being the highlight
of the day.
Gordale Scar was our first destination and it was a lovely
walk in with Chris regaling tales of childhood where he came with his Mum, Dad
and Sister. How lovely to have this
practically on your doorstep and as a kid it must have been a fascinating and
exciting place to come.
