The Provinces visit the Yorkshire Dales

Venue: Grassington, Rievaulx Abbey and York

Walkers: Capt & Mrs P, Pete and Val (brother/sister in law)

Distance: 5 miles /7 miles / about 2 miles in York

Weather: Lovely / cloudy / cloudy and cold

Find of the walk: A miniature horseshoe on day 2

We spent a few days with Pete and Val in North Yorkshire and managed a walk each day. Day 1 we visited Grassington in the stunningly beautiful Yorkshire Dales (Wharfedale) - as was soon pointed out to us is pronounced 'Grass-ington' as in 'gas', 'oop north', and not Gr-arse-ington as we would 'down sarth'!! It was a Sunday so seemed as if the whole world and his wife were visiting too, but having found a space in the car park we set off on our walk. Pete and Val assured us that most people don't in fact walk very far (just as far as the shops and tea rooms and a quick visit to the river Wharfe) - and they were quite right. As we headed out of town and along the river bank the crowds disappeared and we were soon on our own apart from occasional groups of walkers.

It was a sunny day and the river Wharfe looked beautiful - wide in some parts, then a patch of rapids and then calm clear and wide again. We stopped for a drink and butties on a bankside and watched a family with their lovely black lab who was chasing and fetching a tennis ball in the river.

A very varied walk as we then passed through woodland and then back into open fields with their typical dry stone walls and field shelters. Just as when we walk on the North Downs, we soon realised that the area's name gives a clue as to the terrain - most definitely a walk up hill and down dale! A bit puffed but not too bad - Miss Nohills would have been impressed! (or possibly not . . . )

A quick lesson from Pete on recognising the difference between swallows and swifts (loads of them around) and then we headed back to the pretty town. Having bought Sunday papers we then left to drive back to their house in Easingwold (via some more stunning scenery, very All Creatures Great and Small) for a well earned glass - sorry, bottle -of wine and a slob with the papers!

Day 2: We headed back out to Rievaulx Abbey in Ryedale for another circular walk. The abbey is possibly more lovely than Fountains and certainly better preserved. Once again it stands in a glorious setting nestling in a wooded valley with a few farmhouses surrounding it - as most places in the Dales, it is completely unspoilt. Once again we set off alongside the river Rye and once again came across very few other walkers. However, we did come across the inevitable postman! Great excitement on Mrs P's part which took some explaining to the others! By this time Val was getting into the swing of Raras walking as she then came across the find of the walk - a miniature horseshoe found in a field. Much speculation as to what it was intended for - a pig perhaps?! The photo on the left was taken while we tried to balance the horseshoe on the village sign - it wouldn't - so Val gamely crouched behind the stone and held the shoe up - you can just see her fingers!! How sad we all are. We then passed through a farmyard where a local ee-bah-gum farmhand warned us to stand to one side as the cows were on the way - just as well Chris wasn't there as they soon came charging down the lane complete with calves and a large bull bringing up the rear!

Once again there were rather a lot of long hills to haul ourselves up but the views were quite wonderful when we reached the top. We ended up by the river once again and headed back towards the abbey - time for a quick look and then once again set off home for more well earned alcoholic refreshments - lovely!

Day 3: We decided to do some city walking so went into York armed with one of Pete and Val's books - the Snickleways of old York. It's like speaking a different language up there sometimes! Snickleways and ginnels apparently are their version of what we know down here as twittens - old narrow passageways between buildings, and being York there are hundreds of them. We only had time for a handful which took us about 2 hours, but it was great to see other parts of York that most tourists never get to see. After this relaxing day - yes, you guessed right, we headed once more back to their pad for more drinkies. How civilised!

So, Capt P, yours truly and what's left of our 2 livers are now back home and Mrs P hopes to see you all on Tuesday!

TTFN