Pennine Way day 13: Malham - Cowling

Sunday 22 September 2019

Miles:  16.6

Total miles: 213.5

Thunder and lightning, very very frightening...

Well I can't complain. I've had no rain for a solid week, it had to come, and today it did but it could have been worse.  From Malham the PW follows a lazy path alongside the River Aire. Malham is in Airedale, and is where the nice Airedale terriers come from, who knew? When I left the very nice B&B, Miresfield Farm, it was not raining.. but I had not gone 1/2 mile before it started, and it was quite spectacular. Stair rods, accompanied by thunder and lightning. If I were up high it would have been quite alarming but down in the river valley I decided to just keep on going. Fortunately it did not last very long, only 30 mins or so before it eased off and eventually stopped altogether. From then on it rained a bit every now and then but was not a big issue.
It did reduce visibility though, and there were no huge climbs, so the photo gallery might be a bit thin.
I had an early lunch in Gargrave, phoned wife Sue to wish her a happy 46th wedding anniversary,  then plodded on to Thornton-in-Craven, then Lothersdale. In the pub I enquired about accommodation.  They don't do it but someone at the bar (Peter) said there was a campsite up the road at Cowling, and offered to drop me off there as it was near where he lived. He is a steam boiler maker, and I have promised to buy from him next time I need a steam boiler.
At the campsite I met Olwen and Tony, a quite delightful couple who have offered me the use of their summerhouse at no extra charge. It has two camp beds in it, light and electricity, kettle and mini fridge.. luxury, and saves me getting my tent wet as well. So all in all, a good day. Hebden Bridge, tomorrow.

Airedale, looking back towards Malham 

The river Aire..

For a mile or so, the PW follows the towpath of the Leeds - Liverpool canal. 

My summerhouse residence