Our last walk in the Yorkshire Dales was a short early evening stroll to a small waterfall called Janet’s Foss, just outside Malham. The name for the waterfall apparently comes from an old folktale that a fairy queen, Janet (sometimes Jennet), lives in a cave at the rear of the fall. There are numerous stories about this: usually wraiths are not thought to be ghosts or demons, but rather a strange entity somewhere in between the two, similar to poltergeists but much more powerful when appearing as a full-bodied apparition. With Janet, there are claims that she would have practised black magic in life and this eternal damnation is her punishment. So, from the numerous conflicting tales we were told when we asked, she was either a magical fairy, or a vengeful creature.
The waterfall carries Gordale Beck over a limestone outcrop into a deep pool below. The pool was traditionally used for sheep dipping, which drew in local villagers as a social occasion. We were told that there have also been a few wedding ceremonies there. Our resident font of all knowledge in the local pub told us that the pool is occasionally used by all-weather wild swimmers. When I mentioned this to the photographer he announced he hadn’t brought his swimming trunks. Not sure he had the right idea about ‘wild swimming’.
Image courtesy of Annabelle Bradley
The footpath from Malham starts from Malham Smithy, where the female blacksmith, Annabelle Bradley, runs blacksmith experience days, and also designs and hand forges sculptural and functional wrought ironwork. We’d stopped to watch her work from outside the door, earlier in the week. It was fascinating. Just leaving the link here, just in case you’re interested: https://www.malhamsmithyonline.co.uk/
Walking over a short bridge and alongside a small beck we went through fields and kissing gates. (No stiles!!)
On the footpath to Janet’s Foss a couple of old tree stumps have become home to hundreds of pennies where people have left them and made a wish to Janet.
We could smell the garlic even before we entered the wood.
Here I go again … can anyone else see the profile of a face in these rocks?
We stayed listening to the rhythmic flow of the water, and waiting for the mysterious green mist that was supposed to sometimes rise from the water- until the chattering and clattering of boots announced the arrival of walkers, and brought us back to reality.
Time to make our way back to the cottage we were staying in. Time to pack for our return home the following morning. Time for just one more glass of wine.
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Judith Barrow 
Damnation doesn’t look too bad in Jennet’s case.
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Agreed. Cheers, Thorne.😊
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😀
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Looks like you had a lovely break.
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We did, Rosie, thank you. And back there in September. Though I’ll not be attempting any of the three peaks again. 😊
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I started a comment here which disappeared – sorry if this leads to a duplicate. This is probably my favourite of your walks. The scenery is unusual, I enjoyed Janet’s tale and the visit to the female blacksmith, and I see the face in the rocks! Hope you and David availed yourselves fully of the kissing gate! xx
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I’ve so enjoyed these photos, Judith, and I’m glad you had such a wonderful time exploring this area. Stunning pictures and interesting (fun!) commentary, too! Thanks for sharing with us. 🤗❤️🤗
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Thank you, for reading and commenting on them all, Marcia. I’m chuffed you enjoyed reading about our walks as much as I enjoyed remembering and writing about them. We’re off to the Yorkshire Dales again in September, so, hopefully there will be more posts. Look after yourself. 😘
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Can’t wait to read more, Judith. Have a great rest of the summer, in the meantime. 🤗❤️🤗
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Looks like a fab time – including the wine part, Judith. Lol. And yes I did see a face in each of the rocks. One looked like Frankenstein, the other looked like a girl’s profile wearing a hairband. 🙂 Lol, am I crazy? 🙂 ❤ xx
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It was a brilliant holiday, Debbie, and we’ll be back there later in the year – so more walks (and wine😉😊). So glad you saw faces in the rocks, I was seriously considering asking for a second opinion at the optician’s with my reading glasses! If you’re crazy I’m in your club. LOL. 🥰🥰🥰
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Lol, of course we’re in the crazy club. ❤ xx
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And happy to be there! xx
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Yes indeedy! 🙂 ❤
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We’re all a little crazy sometimes. Yes, I saw a face there. Not Jennet’s obviously unless she was malformed. Wonderful pictures Judith, Huge Hugs
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Thank you, David. So glad you saw a face as well!! Thought I might have been a little dehydrated after a week of marching around the Yoorkshire Dales. LOL. 😊🥰
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Dehydrated with all that wine, never. Hugs
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Hahahaha – 🤩
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I love the waterfall and the stories associated with it. Stories always make a walk more interesting.
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Thanks, Liz, I agree. We always try to find out the history or anything interesting about our walks, as well as the wonderful scenery. |We do live in a lovely world – we really need to treasure it – and our time on it. x
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You’re welcome, Judith. I agree wholeheartedly!
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Love that old tree – it is a work of Mother Nature’s art!
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Isn’t it, Noelle – just wonderful. Thank you for reading and commenting. x
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