Our Annual Long Walk - 23rd June 2012- The Three Moors Walk


The Three Moors Walk (our annual long walk) - 23rd June 2012

 

Just six brave souls started the walk from Otley at 7.30am on Saturday 23rd June.The weather over the previous few days had been close to setting a new June record for rainfall and the weather forecast on the day was for more of the same! We were concerned that as the River Wharfe was in full spate and in many places had burst its banks we would not be able to access the footbridge to re-cross the river at Addingham. This together with the very wet nature of the moors en-route had us in grave doubt as to whether we could complete the walk!

However our fears proved to be unfounded as the rain held off until we reached the most exposed part of Timble Moor when it returned with a vengance and continued intermittantly until we reached lower ground when the sun appeared. Conditions underfoot were wet but not as bad as we had feared and the River Wharfe stayed just within its banks at Addingham.

Bill Palmer met us as arranged at Addingham and served up very welcome food and drinks to keep up our rather damp spirits for the walk back to Otley (many thanks to Bill and Carol).

The walk along the edge of Ilkley Moor was blessed with pleasant sunshine and this stayed with us until we paused for a cuppa at the White Wells Cafe. The torrential rain returned for our crossing of Rombalds Moor but again as soon as we left the moor out came the sun and this time it stayed with us for the rest of our walk, through Hawksworth Village, Menston and over Otley Chevin back to the start in Otley where we arrived around 7.30pm.

Our day ended with fish and chips and a celebratory drink or two of real & local ale in the wonderful "Old Cock Inn" in Otley.

I think that it's fair to say that a very good, if rather wet day was enjoyed by all!