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~A Tour of Hawes~

21st June 2014

Stags Fell

Stags Fell

Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....

Garsdale Railway Station

Garsdale Railway Station

Today's trip to Hawes was designed to give me a fell for the circumstances surrounding the visit of "le Grand Depart" on 5th July. The Tour de France pelaton will ride through Hawes and I have it mind to visit on the day (weather permitting) and how might me and dog escape the confines of road closures and rigorous marshalling? The 09:39 service from Hellifield was quite busy and a return costs £10.80.

Little White Bus

The Little White Bus

Three things are certain about the Little White Bus, but you can work those facts out for yourself. It's a six mile walk from Garsdale Station to Hawes. The bus meets certain trains at the station and for £3.50, you can travel to Hawes in comfort. I was the only passenger and as we arrived at Hardraw, me 'n Molly got off and set off to walk across the fields to Hawes.

Hardraw Bridge Molly the Collie
Hardraw Bridge
Molly

All roads around Hawes will be closed from 06:00hrs on the day of the "tour". The LWB will not run.

Flags to Hawes

River Ure

River Ure

The footpath touches the river meander, you can see walkers near the small beach. Great swimming opportunity for the dog.

Ure at Hawes

Into Hawes

Small children and less-mature adults will enjoy walking along the wall, yes it's good fun!

Hawes Railway Station Hawes

The train now standing at Platform 1 is a static exhibit. Part of the Wensleydale Railway, closed at the moment, but who knows what the future will bring? Hawes itself has a one-way system, a pity that street furniture rather spoils the view.

Hawes Shops

Cocket Bakery Yellow Bicycle
Cocket's Bakery
Bicycle Mania

Bunting and bikes dominate the local scenery.

Gayle Mill

Gayle Mill

We took a walk up towards Gayle and then around the perimeter of Hawes on the south side.

Yorburgh Hawes Church
Yorburgh
St.Margaret's Church

The view to the south-east boasts the hill known as Yorburgh. St.Margaret's Church and the overgrown graveyard are closer to the town.

Bikes in Hawes

The Bay Tree Cafe

Cart House Cafe Hardraw
Cart House Cafe, Hardraw
Haymaking

Jo and the dogs were in the area after a look at the meadows at Muker and we had a sandwich at the cafe in Hardraw, before taking a route up to Sedbusk.

Sedbusk fields

Miles with Stiles

Not an ideal walk for dogs, with a succession of awkward stiles. Molly gains her nose stripe again ...

Molly the Collie

Tight Fit

Stags Fell

Stags Fell

Access to Stags Fell could be limited on 5th July, but there would be good views from up there, with Buttertubs Pass to the left (west).

Amber and Molly

Amber and Molly

Hawes Simonstone Wensleydale

One of those short, straight walls. Perhaps just shelter for the sheep? On the right, Simonstone lies ahead, but we take a path to the left to head back down the hill to Hardraw.

Grass Cutting

Meadowdressing

Simonstone Hall looks grand in the afternoon sunshine. Tractor teamwork sees the blue division arrange the cut grass into lines and the reds collect the grass and bale it up. Many years ago, squadrons of helpers would be in the fields. Now it's easier and the missing workforce are recruitment advisors or maybe even bankers ... sedentary lifestyles in cooped up offices. Ah, progress .....

Green Dragon Hardraw

The Green Dragon, Hardraw

This pub owns a waterfall, not a very common circumstance. We caught the Little White Bus back up to the railway station.

Garsdale Station

Garsdale Railway Station

The 17:27 service is bang on time and we both had a nap on the way back to Hellifield.

Walkers: Me and Molly the Dog, with Jo and her dogs for company on the Hardraw Circuit

Weather: Sunny intervals and warm.

le Grand Depart : One website and another plan carefully and enjoy your day if you choose to watch the cyclists.

Coldwell Sunset

Coldwell Sunset on 21st June 2014

All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2014 ©

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