GTSF

 

Beardy

 

Not walking at Malham Tarn

What should have been a walking day was cancelled due to the terrible weather forecast, including lightning. I'd booked the site so decided to head up anyway - you never know, and I had a book to read.

Friday 5th

It is a lovely drive, quite challenging in places, but so pretty. Headed for the Tarn and went for a 4m loop walk around it. The Tarn is a way up beyond Malham and I think could be quite bleak. Luckily for me it was a day of brilliant sun. Lots of  birdsong, flowers (orchids) and not crowded. At the main house on the route there were some nature boards, and a cage with Ladies Slipper Orchids - extremely rare and a bit creepy tbh, they were very big! I also had a great spot of a redstart in a fields close by. 

Picnic lunch in the car park (see picture above - spot the WildAx), then I headed to Airton, to Hurries Farm CL site and was greeted by a rhea! 

Saturday 6th

This should have been the day of the walk and, as forecast, it poured down all morning. I didn't see a storm but wouldn't have been surprised if one had arrived. Eventually it stopped, and I headed down to Malham to see if there was any space in this notorious honeypot. Ha! No chance, absolutely chocka so drove off to nearby Kirby Malham instead. There is a beautiful church here, with some features that survived the Reformation. See the Churchwarden seat below, with its high back to stop draughts and 3 poles for slapping the congregation and their dogs if they misbehave. Should have them in the cinema these days. Also lots of box pews, with the worshippers' names still on them.

Topped off my trip with a visit to the Town End farm shop and spent far too much money, but it was all just too tempting. When I got back to site it was sunny, so I got to site out in the sun and read a book. Bliss.