Malham

On what seemed like the first nice day for weeks on end, I decided to make the most of it by taking a trip out to Malham. Parking on the road going up to the Tarn, I walked along the well worn path to the Cove which was surprisingly pretty quiet considering the weather. Maybe only half a dozen people were on top that day but there was one young woman more or less sat right on the edge of the Cove. You can just about make her out in one of the photos. The top is a photographers delight with its limestone pavement and glorious view down Malhamdale and I wasted no time in getting my camera out.

I then followed the Pennine Way path which leads away from the Cove and up the dry Watlowes Valley. The valley narrows as you progress and the only way out is up a fairly steep stepped path. The Pennine Way path then continue up to Malham Tarn but I cut off to the right across a sometimes wet and boggy Cote Moor. The moor really is a wild and open place which I wouldn't fancy walking across in low cloud as there are so many tracks created over the years. Knowing roughly which direction the Cove was, I picked out the lowest of the paths and, after a detour to another limestone pavement, I was back in more familiar territory.

My path eventually came down round the back of the Cove and there was just time for a sit down to take in the glorious view before joining the path I'd set off on. A very enjoyable walk was finished off perfectly with a pint at The Lister's Arms where I joined the other walkers and visitor who were sitting out on the green enjoying the late evening sun.