July 1st 2014: Yorkshire: Hardraw

Monty the Motorhome thinks his new name is ‘Happy of Hawes’. The sun has been shining and he is surrounded by the beautiful Wensleydale scenery.

Tuesday is market day in Hawes, but there were not many stalls. We ended up having a quick browse, then going to the Wensleydale Creamery which has a shop and cafe. Obviously the shop sells cheese and there were samples to be had of a wide range of Wensleydale type creations. We especially liked the Coverdale and Bishopdale so bought some small pieces - in comparison to some of the other cheeses they were not too expensive.

We had a scone each from the cafe and perhaps we should have shared, as they were huge. I had cheese (packed with something like Red Leicester) while Ruth went for the fruit with jam and cream. Second breakfast!

Bales of hay done up as Wensleydale truckles. Note the cycle on the hillside in the background - done in white plastic sheeting we think

Back to the market for some field mushrooms, then to the butcher for local sausages. Together with some Yorkshire strawberries we had tonight’s meal well fettled (if unsure of the last word look it up in your English/Yorkshire translation book).

Once provisions had been deposited back in the van we set off on a short circular walk. Firstly over the River Ure, then up to the village of Sedbusk. This overlooks Hawes and views extends down Wensleydale. The sun was out and we were walking through grass meadows that had been recently mown, so that sweet smell of grass turning into hay was present in the air. 

Looking back to Hawes from our route

The route continued through the hamlet of Simonstone and then down the bank into Hardraw. This place is noted for the highest single drop waterfall in England (100') and in the past was much admired by Wordsworth as well as being painted by Turner. It is now a tourist attraction and being privately owned there is a fee to walk up the short gorge from Hardraw village to see the actual falls. The fee is payable at The Green Dragon pub and entrance is through the same establishment. So after a bit of grumbling about the fee (£2.50 each) I consoled myself with the thought that the entrance was also the exit and I had sighted a couple of hand pumps behind the bar.

The actual falls are worth seeing, but probably only once at that price.

Back at The Green Dragon I sampled some Golden Fleece from the Dent Brewery. It certainly had a wow factor that Ruth also agreed with.

A quick look in the Hardraw local church - wonderful floral arrangement, lovely wooden roof, peaceful ambience - three comments that appeared time and time again in the visitors book.

This cycle done out in crochet stands at the entrance to Hardraw church - a special effort for the Tour

The walk back to the site followed the Pennine Way and took about 30 minutes. Then a sit down with tea and the Sunday paper (it is Tuesday, but still catching up). The sausages were cooked outside on the little gas stove, together with the mushrooms. A can of sweet corn finished off the main meal. Finally the strawberries were complemented by a large glass of merlot.