Malham Navigator

Today Matt was back at work so it was a me and Tom day.  As it wasn't raining I thought it would be good to get out in the hills.  I got out Tom's Dales Walks Pack he got from Auntie Jude and asked him which he would like to do.  He chose Malham - which we have done before, but it is a good walk and we haven't done it for a while.

Today he was completely in charge, I didn't give him any clues and he did a good job.  He was in a good mood and a chatty mood, don't think he stopped talking the whole way round.  We headed to Janet's Foss first, this had actually run dry about 2 weeks ago, would have been interesting to see, however, it was full today but then it has rained quite a bit over the last couple of days.

On the way to the waterfall we came across a wooden pole across the river.  Tom was interested in playing on it and after some gentle cajoling he actually made it across.  I didn't think for a moment he would actually do it - he is so naturally risk adverse, so I was very proud of him.  I do like to be proved wrong when it comes to things like that.

Getting his balance

Almost there

Celebratory Dab

It's FREEZING!

Hanging on a gate

We got to the waterfall and Tom was straight in paddling - think he got the bug from the Peak District as he was in every stream he got the chance today.  We started the climb up from Janet's Foss into the hills and stopped for our Co-op picnic (we didn't have any picnic items in at home) overlooking the now green fields and dry stone walls.   Tom then marched me all the way to Malham Cove "TURN RIGHT...TURN LEFT....SINGLE FILE....SPLIT IN TWO....ATTENTION...QUICK MARCH" etc etc.  He kept this up a long time.

We had a second picnic whilst overlooking the cove (Tom did chose a big picnic!) and then went for a clamber on the clints and grykes.  Then down the 300 steps, a paddle in the stream and back to Malham village where we found an ice-cream van for Tom and a nice cold pop for me.  Tom then had a last paddle (and face wash) in a stream before we headed home. 

In the limestone pavement

Ice Cream reward

It was a lovely day, he was on really good form.  I love days like today.