In both the Cumbric language and modern Welsh ‘pen’ means ‘head’, ‘ghent’ is either ‘edge’ or ‘border’. So … Pen-y-ghent or Penyghent … ‘Hill on the Border’
We arrived in Horton-In-Ribblesdale quite early in the day and parked in the village car park. Armed with warm clothes, waterproofs, water and snacks.
I was told Pen-y-ghent is the smallest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dales, England. Although I’d read that it was an eleven kilometre circular walk I was told by the photographer that we would only be walking around the base of it. The photographer told fibs. He always tells fibs, to ” get the best photographs”. You’d think I’d know this after all these years.
It’s just possible in this photograph to see the track way in the distance. Unfortunately, keeping my head down to make sure I navigated the rocks and ruts in the track, I didn’t notice at the time.
Before we began the ascent we did a detour for about five hundred metres to Hull Pot, a collapsed cavern. I’d read that after rainfall there is an impressive waterfall there, and even, after prolonged rainfall, it turns into a temporary lake. However we arrived after a time of little rain. Still the rock formation of grit stone and sandstone was fascinating.
Pen-y-ghent stands at six hundred and ninety four metres. The higher we went, the colder and windier it became. And the higher we went the steeper some of the sections became, and the more breathless I was. A good excuse to have to take more photographs.
Approaching the summit are a series of man- made steps leading to the summit – all two hundred and ten of them.
Unfortunately we discovered we’d walked up the alternative route, which meant that the scramble up to the top from the other side looked like a sheer drop downwards to me. We decided to retrace our steps. We returned to Horton via an enclosed walled lane called Horton Scar, with aching legs and feet. (The photographer wants me to stress that I’m speaking for myself here).
‘That is the longest, highest walk we’ll be doing this week, isn’t it?’ I asked
He didn’t answer.
Lovely walk! Glad you had more to come, Judith. Sca Fell’s not far away! 😃
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Sca Fell… gulp!! 😊 Thanks, Stephen. I do have to say, I did enjoy (most) of the climb. And glorious views!!
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Bums and thighs! It was worth it for the photos.
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Funnily enough, that was my mantra at the same time as I was counting those steps – and stomping up the steeper bits. 😊
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🤣 Those views are wonderful – and the humour lightens the load! If I’d seen that faint track disappearing into the distance I might have given up. Did you actually count those steps? I have to admit that I’m quite envious – to have the freedom to walk in that vast expanse of countryside is a privilege. xx
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I actually counted the steps going – and coming down, Trish. It really was a wonderful day, even though I was quite bowlegged at the end. x
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🤣 xx
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Beautiful, Judith! Thanks for sharing
Many Blessings
Lisa
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Lisa, how wonderful to see you here. I treasure your newsletters and videos – they bring understanding and, often peace. Thank you for reading my post and commenting. 💕
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You are welcome! 🙂
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Good on you – I doubt I would have made it. And the photos are so beautiful! We loved our time in the Dales – we stayed at a sheep farm!
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Sheer will power, I’m afraid, Noelle; I don’t like being beaten. LOL. David always captures the mood of our walks so well. We’ve stayed twice on sheep farms in Mid Wales; once during lambing. And once the farmer and his wife went of to the Eisteddfod and left us in charge for a day with three farm dogs, a field full of sheep, and two horses in foal. Totally nerve-racking! They gave us an extra day’s holiday at the end of the week, so worth the hours of panic, I guess.😊
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How nice. We got to observe the farmer tying to teach a young dog to herd He wasn’t sure it would work out – said the dog was an eejit.
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Hahaha – ah, poor little dog. Friend of mine adopted a young sheepdog from a farmer – it was afraid of the sheep.😊
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Hi Judith, what a lovely walk I am quite envious. It is cold and brown here right now.
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It was such a wonderful day, Robbie, the vast expanse across the fells was so good for the soul. Cold and brown? What a strange world we live in; we are well into the third week of glorious sunshine here. It feels such a long time since we had this kind of weather for so long. But making the most of it and writing in the summer house. Hope all is well with you, I’ve lost touch a little with everyone lately on social media. x
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Breathtaking photos, yet again, Judith! Thanks so much for sharing! 😀 ❤
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Thank you so much, Marcia. David husband does take wonderful photos – keeping memories alive in the cold, dark days of winter. Hope all is well with you. xx
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Hanging in there, Judith. Still on “house arrest” via my cardio guy, but that’s okay. I needed some down time, anyway. And it’s hard for me to imagine the “cold, dark days of winter” when it’s 92 degrees here today, and expected to go a bit higher each day this week. Summer is truly upon us here in Florida.
Thanks again for sharing your hubby’s beautiful work! 😊❤️
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Ah, ” house arrest”, having to rest is always hard when you’re naturally busy – but all for the best, Marcia. I’m not sure I could cope with that heat, either. Look after yourself.🥰
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Looks like a walk I could handle – except for maybe the steps!
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The mantra,” bums and thighs”, always comes in useful on steps, Jan.😊. Thanks for dropping by to comment.
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You’re made of much sterner stuff than I am, Judith! I never would have made it to the top.
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The photographer carried the food in his rucksack, Liz. I wasn’t being left behind!😂🥰
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Ha ha, so that’s the trick to it! 😀
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Every time, Liz, every time!😊
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😀
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Wow, you go girl. What a work out. And fab pictures from your lovely photographer 🙂 . Time for a drink and a good rest, lol.
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I was staggering a little on the last homeward stretch, Debby.🤣. And a glass of red!🍷. x
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No doubts Judith! And yes, wine is always the answer. Lol 🙂 xx
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😊🥰
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love the photos!
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Fab photos. I have n=my site restored as of today. xx
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Thanks, Jane. Glad all is restored for you. x
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You have no idea. Talk about stress.
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Must have been dreadful!! Glad it’s sorted.
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Yes, it has aged me and I am now bald. Going to begin with Amazon now. The fun never stops.
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😊💕
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