Dales Walk Day 4 Ribblehead to Dent

We didn't leave until about 9.45 am today as breakfast was slow arriving but we only have a 10 mile journey plus the 1.5 miles to get us back onto the Dales Way today so we weren't that bothered. As you can see from the photo the temperature had dropped and we were all layered up ready for the howling cold wind but at least it wasn't raining.

We had another fine view of the viaduct this morning. There are another 22 viaducts on this line but this one at Ribblehead is the longest.

The road took us back to the path and from there it was a slow uphill slog through very boggy vegetation.

We looked out over a bleak landscape beneath grey, rain filled clouds.

The land was saturated. A good day for wearing gaiters but none of us had brought them, a sure sign we would need them!

Eventually the path came out on a road.  In fact this is the longest stretch of road walking we have to do on this walk but it wasn't long before  the Dent Head viaduct came into view.

The road took us beneath the Dent Head Viaduct. It had now started raining and I decided to wait until I was beneath the viaduct and then I would put on my waterproof trousers.

The heavens must have heard me as once we reached the viaduct the rain stopped.

Mileage check. Every so often we would stop and try and guess how far we had walked. Tim's gadget seemed as accurate as any. I think all of us usually underestimated the mileage, as it made us feel much better hearing the actual distance we had walked.

We were now leaving the county of Yorkshire and entering into Cumbria. I wonder how much further we have to walk before we can see the mountains of the Lake District.

Don't recall seeing a wellington boot stand before. Clever idea.

Saw a few signs for red squirrels but never actually saw a squirrel

Favourite photo looking back at the Dent Viaduct.

Soon we are back following a river but this time it is the River Dee.

Not quite as many stiles today.

Don't think I would like to ford the river here in my car. Looks much too deep.

The village of Dent comes into view.

A very unusual bench placed here in memory of someone who loved this part of the riverbank.

Dent was part of Yorkshire until 1974 when it became part of Cumbria. We are still in the Yorkshire Dales National Park though. Evidence of its history as a Yorkshire village can still be seen with a WR (West Riding) sign as you enter the village.The ancient county of Yorkshire had three ridings, North, West and East, The word riding is derived from an old Viking word meaning third. In 1974 the ridings were abolished and boundaries changed.

We arrived in the village and walked along its narrow, cobbled main street with its white washed cottages. A beautiful Dales village with the cherry blossom in full bloom outside the 12th C church.

The old Bank signage has been kept on this house.

We arrived mid afternoon so had time to meander through the village in the hope of finding a cafe for a welcome cup of tea and toasted tea cake. I am delighted to say that was no problem in this village.

Outside the George and Dragon pub where we were staying was a memorial fountain to Adam Sedgwick (1785-1874). He was a professor at Cambridge University and was a pioneer of modern geology. Born in Dent he was a friend of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and an opponent of Charles Darwin.

As was usual we all gathered for a drink before our evening meal. Tonight we amused ourselves with a quiz. Each of us had to come up with 3 questions based on what we had seen so far. By the end of the question and answer session I think we amazed ourselves about the amount of detail we had remembered from the walk. Must admit taking so many photos had helped.