A Cheat's Way up Whernside & St George's Day

Saturday 22nd April

Deepdale and Dentdale

Tom had football training in the morning, he did really well again, we think that maybe, just maybe we've turned a corner and he now realises what needs to happen to be a good footballer. There's definitely more commitment, tacking these days. Finally!

Tom at Yorkshire's highest point

As it was a lovely sunny day we decided to head back to Kingsdale for the afternoon.  We had heard of a walk up Whernside which was short but very steep and went to investigate.  The walk was quite unremarkable, up through some fields, up and over some ridges and then suddenly we were there.  It was one of those walks when suddenly you finish when you aren't expecting it.  The whole walk took about an hour and that included rest stops for Tom.  We enjoyed the view at the top and felt slightly peevish looking at the walkers coming up the traditional way - which is much much longer.  It almost felt like we had cheated.  After enjoying the view for a half hour, we headed back down and were home within the hour - it would have been much much longer had we gone the traditional way.  A good walk to remember when we want to be challenged but don't have much time.


Sunday 23rd April

Cubs Parade

Today was St George's Day and therefore Cubs Parade.  Cubs are asked to attend two parades a year: Remembrance Day and St George's Day, and we make the effort, but are one of the few families to do so, which is a shame.  It's not exciting, but its important to the leaders, and as they are all volunteers, I think it is the least we can do to support them.  Grandpa even came down to see it all.  There was a Cubs band and they paraded around Settle Primary School - not sure why the school and not the church but I'm sure there are reasons.  The Explorer Scouts did a play about St George, there were hymns and a religious bit.  It went on far too long - these things always do, but it was OK and Tom had his picture in the paper this week as a result.


We dropped in to see Grannie after the parade, she wasn't feeling well and wasn't up for leaving the house, so Bob went to get her a sandwich and then we went to a cafe in a nursery near(ish) Settle for lunch - very pleasant it was too.

Hull Pot and Pen-y-Ghent

The afternoon saw us getting some new walking boots for Tom - he's now a size 3!!!!!!! and then testing them out with a walk to Hull Pot which is near Pen-y-Ghent.  It's basically a massive hole in a field, no fencing around it, one minute you are walking on the grass and then suddenly there is a massive drop.  Not a great place to go walking in the dark or after a beer or two.  An interesting place though and we were brave by sitting with our legs dangling into space.  A very pleasant walk and the boots worked fine.