We have had an amazing 12 days, with weather I could only have dreamt of. The highlights – spending 10 hours a day outdoors (Monday in the office is going to be he’ll) – spotting a Kingfisher – view upon view upon view – getting a better suntan than I do in Spain (rucksack marks excepted) – superb food and hotels – indescribable peace and solitude – and so many more. Here are some favourites:
Favourite walk – Airton to Settle through beautiful Malham Cove.
Favorite view – up over Blea Moor with Whernside to one side, Pen y Ghent to the other and Dentdale laid out before you.
Favourite moment – looking across Ribbleshead and the viaduct from the Station Inn garden.
Favourite meal – Gusto in Settle, for atmosphere as much as food.
Favourite hotel – all so different and hard to compare. Ignoring Leeds and Manchester as they are not officially walk hotels – in third place, King William IV Guest House, for style and the most comfy duvet ever. In second place, The Station Inn, for unpretentious charm, breathtaking isolation, and incomparable location. First place to The Dalesman, Sedbergh, for getting all things right – great room, great food, lovely place.
To anyone who may happen across this blog, and undertakes this trip, if you have just half a good as time as we did, it will be a great holiday. Bye bye the Dales Highway – thanks for the memories, we’ll miss you.