Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: river wharfe

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Langstrothdale

The uppermost course of the River Wharfe runs through Langstrothdale, but Wharfedale does not begin until the Wharfe meets Cray Gill, downstream of Hubberholme. The name Langstrothdale derives from Old English and translates as 'long marsh' or 'marshy ground'.

The dale was first colonised by Anglians in the seventh century, with Norse invaders arriving later. In Norman times, many of the isolated settlements were allowed to remain, but were prevented from expanding by an arcane ruling known as the 'Forest Law'. At that time, Langstrothdale was well forested, and the upper northern part of the dale (which is now moorland) was a royal hunting forest known as Langstrothdale Chase or as the 'Forest of Langstroth'.

The dale became part of the lands owned by the Clifford family and in 1604, due to the then Earl of Cumberland's 'extravagances', the lands were sold to pay off his debts. This allowed many Dales folk to purchase their own farmsteads.

Also, in the age before mass transportation, the road through the dale was part of a packhorse route from Lancaster to Newcastle upon Tyne.

My visit started off in quite nice weather but, as can be seen from the photos, it quickly deteriorated and the rain moved in, but not before I managed to walk part of the valley and take some photos. I love all the old beech trees which are scatter along the river bank as they do lend themselves to good photography compositions but I'm afraid disease is spreading amongst them which is resulting in a lot dying.

It's nice to be out and about in this area in any sort of weather though and a bit of rain never hurt anyone.

Yockenthwaite

Hillside Tree

River Wharfe

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.

Barden Bridge

Riverside Tree

River Wharfe

Barden Aquaduct

The Strid

River Wharfe

River Wharfe through Strid Wood

Strid Wood

River Wharfe

Strid Wood

Flooded Fields near Barden Bridge

River Wharfe at Barden Bridge

Autumn time, Middleton Woods

I usually miss the autumn colours in Middleton Woods but this year I appear to have been a bit luckier. Maybe they would have been better a couple of weeks ago, its hard to tell. Its difficult getting any really good photos in these woods because they are so congested, I don't think there has ever been any wood management so the place gets too overgrown. Plus, muddy ground underfoot and inadequate footwear also limited me to where I could go so I just stuck to the main paths.

I more or less had the woods to myself though, maybe the people of Ilkley were still in shock after England's World Cup Final defeat because as I drove back in to Ilkley, I saw lots of sad faces coming out of the local Rugby Club and the town's pubs.

My next visit to the woods will be in bluebell time next spring when, once again, I will bore the pants of of everyone with bluebell photos! See you then Middleton Woods.

Autumn Colours, Midddleton Woods

River Wharfe at Threshfield

This spring has been very dry and the water level in the River Wharfe has suffered because of this. True to form though, on the day I chose to visit, I got drenched twice and finished off the walk in a hail storm! One good thing about the low water level was that it had revealed the eroded limestone bed of the river which made for a very interesting series of photos.

The stretch I visited was from Linton Falls up to Grass Wood and then back which is only a couple of miles each way and not too far at all but it does feel far enough when the rain is pelting down and you are only wearing an everyday type of jacket with a hood which is about as effective as a chocolate fireguard!

If I'm being honest, I do quite enjoy walking in the rain. I like the sound the raindrops make as they hit the leaves on the trees or as they drop in to the river and then afterwards everything smells so clean and fresh. Plus it tends to keep the crowds away.

I did get about ten minutes of brightness when the sun made an attempt to break through and I was fortunate enough to be in the Ghaistrill's Strid area where the limestone bed is at its most eroded. As the final ten photos show, the place looks more like an alien landscape than a river bed and I should imagine it is a dangerous place to be when the water is high and flowing fast.

Another visit is definitely planned for when there is a bit more water about, maybe autumn when the leaves are turnng.