Trip 7:
Ilkley RFC, Ilkley West Yorkshire.
It took us 2.5 hours to get here but most of the journey was on the A1. After we had seen the stewards we filled up with water and then circled the main rugby pitch in search of a free pitch.
We went for one that faced North-ish so we could have sun in the afternoon, then once set up we had lunch and sat in the sun reading.
We went for a walk into the park that follows the river , we found an ice cream van for Sue and we passed a pub which we will call back to at some time. The parks are really well laid out with a large childrens’ play park and ample benches.
We then followed the river before heading up into the town centre. We ambled about and found the railway station that has been converted to cafes with an M+S food hall and a bar as well as a working station.
Opposite the station are some very ornate original buildings as well as a hotel, The Midland with the Station Pub next door.
We crossed over the railway and headed back to the river, which we followed until we found the cemetery. The amount of huge granite monuments, memorials to soldiers, a pilot and family graves that went back 100s of years. It reminded me of Highgate Cemetery in London that just showed the wealthy influence that this town once had.
We left the cemetery and followed the river to The Iron Bridge where we crossed and made our way back home. We spent the last hours of sunshine reading before our tea. Tonight it was a Chicken Tikka Masala curry with onion Bhajis and Samosas.
Day 2:
Once the standard jobs had been done we headed for the moor. It seemed an easy option going through the town but the further we walked the steeper it got. Eventually we reach the first footpath.
We found a paddling pool that was constructed for the townsfolk in Ilkley. From here we headed up and up to the first stop which was the White Wells, this was originally a spa for the town.
From here we continued up to a point that looked like a triangulation station but turned our to be a Cairn of rocks. We rested here and added to the stones before moving off again towards the famous Cow and Calf rocks.
There is a cafe and carpark below the Cow and Calf so there was a bigger number of people about. There was also a group of students rock climbing. We left them to it and followed a different path back towards our start point.
The highlight for me was when we came across a red grouse, the first one we have ever seen on a walk, brilliant.
On the way back we found a great bowl in the rock formation which had an island in the middle. We climbed up to the top and this is where we ate our lunch.
After our lunch break we continued back to our start point which took us past The Tarn , a lake made for the Victorians to promenade around, then we continued on to the paddling pool. Now it was all downhill into town. We stopped at a bakery for some Danish pastries and headed for the riverside park.
It was a lot busier today but then the sun is out. We headed for the riverside inn for a drink. We sat on the wall over looking the river and watched people walk by.
We left the pub and walked back to the motorhome for a well earned cuppa. We had only walked 7 miles but we had reached 388m above the town.
Our first outside cooked meal tonight was steamed sea bream followed by Thai Chilli prawns with salad and garlic bread.
Day 3:
Today we walked upto the Moor , but this time we headed west. I didn’t feel we were high enough so we turned onto a path that headed uphill. Unfortunately after about 100yds we came to a ewe sheep and her lamb on the path. The ewe was being very protective and she would not move from the path and as we got closer she even stamped at us. We turned around and left them alone to continue grazing the path.
After being beaten by a sheep we followed a long steep climb to the top of this part of the moor. There was not much to see so we headed east towards the Cow & Calf rocks. Once again we arrived at the cairn and the headed down to a Spinney of pine trees where we sat and ate lunch.
The path lead downhill but it was more of a cycle track, it was steep and slippery but we eventually made it to White Wells.
The rest of the way was quite easy and then we were back on the road down into Ilkley. We found the Darwin Gardens Millennium Maze next to one of the car parks. Each of the numbered stones named one of the sponsors from the town.
On the way down into town we came across a large house with a blue plaque. Charles Darwin stayed in the house at some stage.
We wandered along the part of the high street that we had not seen, then to the memorial garden and finally back towards home. The sky had clouded over by the time we got home but we stayed outside until it was time to get the bbq going for tea.
It turned out warmer than expected so we had the bbq and ate outside before going inside. Tonight it was burgers and sausages with a salad.
Day 4:
We walked into town so that Sue could check out the charity shops. My foot was hurting from yesterday’s trek so we decided to have a easy last day.
While Sue was shopping I found a seat in the shade with free BT wifi. I managed a couple of surveys before Sue came back with some T shirts and an ice cream.
Once the ice creams were finished we wandered about the back streets of hidden jewels in the form of a variety of independent shops. We ended up near the river and headed back to the motorhome where we spent the rest of the day reading and chatting to other campers.
Tea tonight was Moussaka, salad and pitta breads. The evening is warm with no wind so we ate outside. Tomorrow we head home.
Iona’s Travels 