Rutland, Derbyshire & Yorkshire Dales.

Over the past week I have enjoyed my 5th Camper Car and Cycle mini holiday. Like the others this went extremely well despite the occasional hiccup. 

I set off on Saturday 8th September and drove in Dobbin to Lyveden in the NE corner of Northamptonshire. Here is a remarkable uncompleted Elizabethan mansion set in half-completed grounds. In 1595 building was started but when the owner died in 1605 building stopped and the skeleton has remained virtually untouched over the last 400+ years. 

I spent a couple of hours there enjoying the tour of the building and grounds. The weather was fine if a little breezy but it was very pleasant just to sit and admire the large orchard with its extensive range of apple and pear varieties. I had a light lunch too before continuing to the nearby campsite of Stamford via Oundle. When I arrived there the warden pointed out that they had no toilet facilities and that I might be better served at a different site. She kindly phoned an affiliated site at Greetham in Rutland and they agreed to take me. It was not far so I was there around 5.30 p.m. Once set up I had an early dinner in the onsite cafe before taking a stroll through the village. I was tempted to pop into one of the local pubs for a refreshing pint. By the time I got back to the site it was getting dark so I went to bed and listened to the radio for a while.

Sunday 9th September. Woke early and after breakfast I was  packed and away well before 9 o'clock

A short journey to Oakham where I filled up with petrol before parking in the village of Hambleton. Unloaded Paris and set off to circumnavigate Rutland Water.

Calke Abbey.

I was soon on my way once more in Dobbin heading for Hartington Hall YHA in Derbyshire. On my way for my tea break I diverted to Calke Abbey another NT property. More lovely walks and gardens to enjoy. Here are some of my pictures. 

It wasn't much further to the YHA hostel in Hartington where I arrived at 5 p.m. I was in the coach house with my own room and shower with a shared toilet nearby. Had almost sole use of the small lounge and kitchen complete with TV. Discovered I could get free WiFi in the main house. (YHA use Sky Cloud in their hostels). I made my own evening meal and enjoyed the TV, (La Vuelta).

Next Morning, Monday 10th September I had a full breakfast in the main dining room before setting off to explore the Dales on Paris. (Wondered if I had made the right choice of bikes! Paris did me proud!)

Paris meets some of the locals.

Migratory birds gathering. 

Dressed Well in Longnor.

Croation Building.

Part of the raised Railway Line path between Buxton and Ashbourne.

Dressed well in Hartington. 

Back at the hostel I had another snack for supper and watched TV, this time shared with others but as it was a Vuelta rest day no conflict of interest!

Tuesday 11th September dawned damp after overnight rain. Poor Paris had got a bit wet. It soon brightened up and we were on our way after a delicious full breakfast. Our first target for today was another NT property, Beningborough Hall, near York. Once again I was not disappointed, there were beautiful gardens and a very pleasant restaurant with outdoor seating where I had lunch. After a good wander around the estate, I went into the house to see a special exhibition about famous women. Included folk like JK Rowling, Iris Murdoch, Aimie Winehouse and Darcey Bussell. Very interesting.  

Aberdeen Angus Herd in the Park. beyond the haha, (Can you spot it?).

Pity I had no kids with me!

More autumn colours.

Beningborough Hall.

Time to move on once more, this time to Malham in West Yorkshire. I chose a rustic route, was rewarded with many great views of the Dales which begin as soon as you pass Ripon. Also benefitted from there being very little traffic. Soon arrived at Malham just as they closed the doors of the information centre! Shame I wanted to get a village guide but managed to get one at the hostel anyway. 

This hostel was smaller than the last one but the staff were just as helpful and friendly. This time I had a full ensuite room and Paris had the luxury of a bike shed. Just as well as he was destined to remain there while I went walking for a change.

The evening meal was excellent and so was breakfast the next morning, in fact, I gave away half of my cooked breakfast. I had asked for a small one but was told there was only one size! I had made friends with two other guys at dinner the previous evening and one took my excess food and had it wrapped up for his lunch!

I declined the offer to have it myself as I had alternatives in my store.

Fairy Dell. Can you spot another walker?

Janet's Foss.
Legend has it Janet lived behind the Foss (Waterfall).

One of the rocky sections of path.

Horned sheep. Local breed in the Pennines? 

Gordale Scar.

The friendly farmer who sold me coffee and cake.

Limestone Pavement above Malham Cove.

Lady walker who passed me climbing up the rocky "staircase".

Malham Tarn.

I was pretty tuckered by the time I got back to the hostel but a shower soon revived me and I enjoyed a late tea/supper of leftovers before retiring to the lounge to watch the Vuelta. Had a pretty good night once the noise of late banging of doors died away and was surprised not to feel too stiff when I woke in the morning.

Thursday 13th September. Time to head for home. I did however have a job to do first. My pal who was walking part of the Pennine Way wanted a lift to Malham Tarn as he had already walked there yesterday. So I took him, had to come back to the hostel to pick up a missing insole before taking him back to the Tarn again. Decided to head South after going over the dales to Settle. A terrifying descent into the valley about a mile long hill with a maximum of 22%  and an average of over 10 %. Halfway down I met two heavily laden tandems being pushed up the hill. I stopped to give them the good news that they still had another half a mile of pushing to do and told them how I admired them. One lady spotted Paris on the back of Dobbin and commented that I was taking the easy option. I agreed.
I only had to go about 40 miles to my cousin's home in Ripponden but it took me two hours, thanks to the many winding and steep lanes and horrendous traffic in Sowerby Bridge caused by the closure of the M62. 
I had time for a good natter and a perfect lunch before heading the remaining 250 miles home where I arrived at 8.30 p.m. thoroughly exhausted. I unpacked, had a snack and fell into bed slept quite well.

To sum up:

I had a most enjoyable break with lots of happy experiences. Most things went according to plan and I was very pleased with the combination of cycling and walking and the use of Caravan Club Sites and Youth Hostels with NT properties to add colour and interest to my meal stops.
Both the Derbyshire and Yorkshire Dales are very beautiful with both rugged and gentler landscapes. A few thousand miles of stone walls typify the area. I was pleased I'd made the effort to do some walking. Maybe I should get another dog?

I hope you enjoy reading this and looking at my photos. Please comment if you would like to.

All the best,

Gridironman.