Michelle

The start of the walk was moved because of heavy rain, from Malham to the Strid at Bolton Abbey. Our route went downstream by the side of the river Wharfe to the Pavilion, crossed the river and went further downstream to Bolton Abbey before returning up the valley to the Strid.

Very heavy localised rain at Malham drove us eastwards to the Strid at Bolton Abbey, where, after about an hour, the sun came out for the afternoon, though it was not very warm.

Michelle, Michael, George, Evelyn, Sandy, Ron.

Ashley - Sore knee, too far, too expensive.

Bernie - busy.

Carol - Recovering from too much burning the candle at both ends.

Comments

The original walk was cancelled due to continuous heavy rain. Ron and Sandy were late, having obeyed their Satnav and come over the hills. We drove eastwards to Bolton Abbey and ending up parking the cars at the Strid. While we were in the “Dusty Bluebells Tearoom” enjoying tea, coffee, carrot and corriander soup, cakes, apple pie, the sun came out.

We took the path down to the river and walked downstream in pleasant sunshine, passed the wood carver’s workshop and proceeded on to the ruins of Bolton Abbey. We crossed the river by the bridge rather than use the partially submerged and unstable stepping stones. A wedding dress photo shoot was taking place in the Abbey.

We saw several coin trees.The monument to Cavendish (1836-1892) was impressive. We all had afternoon tea outside the Pavilion, where Michael taught a duck to beg and jump for bread. We returned to the cars along a higher path, which afforded impressive views of the river, which had been painted by Turner. There was a strong smell of sulphur in one place. We passed a Montessori School and debated the whereabouts of the Mason-Dixon Line (the demarcation line established in 1767 between Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia – not the dividing line between the north and the south in the civil war).

Wildlife/Flora/Animals:

Birds: teal, goosander, mallards, baby ducklings, jackdaws, pied wagtail, grey wagtail, blackcap, dipper, robin, thrush, blackbird, swifts, swallows, house martins, sandpipers (two), white pidgeons, curlews (heard).

Flora: wood anemones, bluebells, wild primrose, cowslips.

Rose and Crown, Romaldkirk – joined by Carol. Excellent cuisine, well presented and excellent service.

Rain halts the walk

May walkers

Goosander

Tree walk

On the rocks

Money tree

Bridge by the Pavilion

Bolton Abbey

River at Bolton Abbey

Towering ruins

Monument

Duck training

Bluebell wood

Turner's view