Another window of calm, dry weather for a smashing mid week circular walk that took us from Littondale to Langstrothdale over Horse Head Moor. Starting at Halton Gill, we followed the snowy track in warm sunshine ☀(shedding layers on route) up to Horse Head trig point (631m), and a fabulous Dales panorama. We continued down to Yokenthwaite and along the Dales Way for a peaceful lunch spot by the Wharfe. At Beckermonds, a vague, and boggy in parts track, followed a few cairns back over the fell into Littondale and back to Halton Gill. Our only dilemma then ?… where to stop for tea and cake !!Thanks to Simon for coordinating this lovely outing…. and we didn’t pass any other walkers all day !!

Shirley

After the recent storms it was a bit touch and go whether this walk would go ahead but 5 brave souls (Fiona, Kim, Shirley, myself and Freddie the dog….who to be fair didn’t have a say as to whether he was going or not) met in Rylstone and made the short drive through the watercourse more commonly know as the B6265. After arriving in Buckden with the car wheel arches thoroughly washed we set off and with no rain in sight decided against the donning of waterproof trousers, this decision would as they say “come back to bite us on the bum”.

Having decided the route up Buckden Beck was going to be challenging should a crossing of the beck be required at any stage we headed up the main track.

Good progress was made until the last uphill section where walking and staying upright became a challenge, however in true Craven style it would take more than a Wharfedale Hoolie to stop us. After a very brief visit to the trig point we headed over the wall and headed down the sheltered (only relative to the other side of the wall) ridge to the war memorial and shortly after turned head on into the afore mentioned Wharfedale Hoolie. The wind eased slightly as we descended but we were happy enough as still no sign of rain. Shortly after a lunch stop we encountered the first inclement weather with a very lively hailstorm giving us some idea of how a building been pebbledashed feels. Thankfully it relented and we continued down.

Having seen the state of the fields around Starbotton we had already concluded that as none of us were in possession of a pair of waders access to the Dalesway path was not about to happen anytime soon so we stayed high for the time being and followed a path back above the valley and shortly afterwards things went downhill….the route went downhill and alas so did the weather.

Nearly back and we could now see a bit of rain approaching so we took shelter behind a wall while it passed……It didn’t!!!. Now like everyone else (I assume) i’ve never walked through a carwash while its operational but I can’t think we’d have got any wetter doing that than we were about to get in the following 25 minutes or so. Our overtrousers however were lovely and dry in our rucksacks. Just then the small matter of crossing Buckden Beck and were were back.

Once back we were in no state to enter any sort of establishment for a hot drink as we were so we changed into the only dry clothing for our legs we had…..Yes you’ve guessed it the overtrousers came out. The Buck Inn provided teas and coffees and despite the wet end to the walk a good day was had by all…..I think.