Social Distancing in The Dales

I think I went on this walk to The Strid from Barden Bridge the day that the lockdown was announced. I set off early deliberately to avoid any crowds as this area can be pretty busy and parking is usually at a premium but I hardle saw a soul. A few more cars had arrived by the time I got back and there were a few more people but there was no problem avoiding them.

Its a simple walk which just follows the banks of the River Wharfe to The Strid near Bolton Abbey and forms part of The Dales Way walk from Ilkley to Bowness on Windermere. The Strid was an eerie place, I don't think that I have ever been the only person there before.

The reason the Strid is so narrow is because the waters simply change orientation. Instead of flowing in a wide horizontal course, the waters begin to flow vertically in the tight gorge created by the natural rock. This change in orientation has created a deceptively deep channel (30ft) and powerful current, even carving out some area beneath the shore rocks to create a void where debris (and people) in the water can be trapped. Many people have lost their lives trying to jump across its narrowest point.

I returned the same way until I reached the aquaduct over the Wharfe which brings water from the reservoirs at the head of Nidderdale down to Bradford. Once crossed, the path just followed the river back to Barden Bridge.

That was to be the last time that I'd be in The Dales for a fair few months. It is now May and the lockdown and social distancing are still in place. I do sometimes worry how long it will be before we have the confidence to return to these places we love and, when we do, will social distancing be ingrained in to our being. If it has it will be a very sad indeed.