Dent Head Viaduct

The plan was that the car shufflers would set off early before breakfast, which wasn’t served till 8.30, and be back by then so that we could get away straight away to avoid the heat of the day.

The plan stayed the same, despite Chris not getting organised till 8.45. Jenny and I were not drivers so did not comment. We had breakfast and when the others were still not back by 10 am, the landlord very kindly kept some breakfast for them despite him needing to get cracking with his other chores. The upshot was we weren’t underway till 10.50, the same time as yesterday. And it meant walking in the 30 degree heat of the day.

Despite all, it was an interesting day though I found the heat too much. It was humid without a breathe of breeze. The first hour was uphill and across moorland. Then we hit a few miles of tarred road downhill. We passed under this viaduct, part of the Carlisle- Settle Railway. There was an old pack horse bridge under the viaduct so we stopped for a photo opportunity. Continuing on we stopped at a pub by Cow Dub where the cows used to enter the beck to drink. The road was very narrow and certainly our camper van wouldn’t have made it over the very tight bridge. We had a drink there and carried on to reach the Dee, which was dry in places.

Then the track led us uphill through pastures and small plantations full of willow herb. After a shady lunch stop about 2 we continued. The route was well-signed and I had a map and book of instructions in my rucksack. Margaret set off quickly as she wanted to get to the tearoom for cake before it closed. I followed more slowly behind, as the hard surface earlier had made my arthritic foot throb, and I knew the others would soon catch up. After hitting the tar road again I was surprised not to see a sign heading me to the river. After a while I took off the rucksack to consult the instructions and was very cross with myself to find I should have just crossed the road into a field. As I was hobbling back I saw the hats of the others heading along by the river. The sign had been obscured by the hedge but eagle-eyed Chris saw it, unlike me. (There’s still no news of a date for my cataract op).. I managed to catch up as Chris needed to stop whenever there was any water left in the river to let the dog cool off.

The riverside path was very narrow and overgrown and we were all getting tired. At last we reached Dent, 11 miles from the start, and what a delightful small village it was. Cobbled streets out of a Hovis advert, with old stone houses and the tea shop where Margaret had already scoffed what she said was delicious home-made cake. I had 2 cups of tea. (No cake, as I’d had fish and chips the night before).

Chris drove off to head south to see her daughter, and Margaret drove the rest of us back to where we’d left Ailie’s car at the start of the walk.

Ailie drove Jenny and me back. We discussed dates for the next part - we have only 32 miles left. We hope to do it this year. Margaret suggested we get a B and B in Dent the night before so that we could make an early start. We thought it would be a good idea to do 2 days in October then come back for a shorter last day, as we’d finish in the Lake District and we could stay the night after it to celebrate. Who knows what Chris will make of this plan as she isn’t too keen on things that are not her idea!