Pennine Way 2024 - Day 8: Horton in Ribblesdale - Hawes

Pennine Way 2024 - Day 8: Horton in Ribblesdale - Hawes

Distance:  18.1 miles    Total:    123.22     (Tracklog: 14.78)    Steps: 36,601

Things seen: A dead sheep, rather sad. Lots more curlews and lapwings. A fine pint of Staropramen on arrival in Hawes 

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The campsite in Horton was basic but quite adequate, a nice spot and a bargain at £7. It rained all night, but it stopped about 5am and the tent dried out nicely in the morning sun (sun!). I was able to set off quite early, shortly before 8am. There is a stiff climb up and along to Cam End, and then a long and very scenic walk along the ancient Cam High Road and West Cam Road before descending to Gayle, and Hawes. It is one of my favourite parts of the PW .. last time along it, I saw two beautiful red squirrels sitting on the track, a mile from the nearest tree. 

No such luck this time, and I had a mishap. I stopped for a minute or two by an ancient farmhouse called Old Ing, surely one of the most inaccessible dwellings in Yorksire. Just as I was getting ready to go, a little car came bouncing down the track. Being a gentleman, I opened the gate to let it through, closed it again, and set off down the track after it. I had walked almost two miles before it dawned on me that I no longer had my phone! Eek! So I set off back again at top speed. Of course it was still there, sitting on the wall where I had left it. I did see two other walkers who said yes they had seen it, but left it where it was, not knowing which way the owner might have gone. So all well again, except I have added almost 4 miles (on the stepcounter but not the tracklog!) to what should have been an easier day.. 

I was fed up for a while - when you are walking, small things do seem to affect you more, your emotions go further down than they should, and further up too ... but when I got to Hawes it was still only 4.30pm, and I felt better sitting outside the pub chatting to other walkers and drinking the abovementioned pint of Star pilsner.

Then to check into the Hawes YHA, now an independent hostel and a very fine one, best so far. They had a school party of youngsters, very very noisy but lovely.. their teacher was one of the old school, very pleasant but if she told them to be quiet they instantly obeyed. Very impressed by her casual air of complete authority. 

This was my first day with no rain whatsoever, (after 5am at least). Hope for more of them!

Lots of fine views along the Cam High Road..

you can see why I was surprised to see a car out here!

Not THE sycamore, but a fine tree nonetheless. 

this lovely pony stood on the path into Hawes and did not move a muscle as I stroked it, rubbed its muzzle and sidled past it. look at those gorgeous feet!