Day 2. -- Grassington to Buckden, 10 miles

North of Grassington, the footpath ascends onto a high moor well above the River Wharfe. Most of the time the river was lost to view, only occasionally revealing its location by a scarred cliff or a line of trees. The scenery all across the moor was engaging.

 

 

 

Cold winds swept across the moor, accompanied by periodic showers. This being a Saturday, the weather didn’t seem to discourage the walkers. Nearly a dozen groups of teenagers – virtually all girls -- working towards their Duke of Edinburgh awards passed in the other direction. Atop a small promontory I spied two couples doing their best to avoid being blown off by the winds, and decided to join them. We traded pictures of each other, and then set off in different directions.

 

Ian, Jan, Liz and Phil

 

Fighting the wind

 

The path then descended the moor to re-join the River Wharfe at the village of Kettlewell. Some of you will remember my friends Richard and Teresa, from Cirencester. I first met Richard five years ago on the Offa’s Dyke Path in Wales. Two years ago, he intercepted me near the source of the River Thames. The next day he gave me a motor tour of the area, and Teresa prepared a nice lunch for us. Click here to go to Day 11 of My Riparian Summer for that day’s posting.

Yesterday, Richard sent me an e-mail recommending that I not miss the famous 17^th century Blue Bell Inn in Kettlewell, where he and Teresa honeymooned 61 years ago. Apparently they are legends at the Blue Bell. Sixty-one years require more than a toast, so I got together with a bunch of new friends and we partied in Richard's and Teresa's honor. Unfortunately, they weren’t invited.

Blue Bell Inn party in honor of Richard and Teresa
Elaine,Sue,Diane,Jimmy John and Paul with Sir Lost-a-lot
Photo by Howard

But their legend continues.