It took 3 hours to get here but it will be worth it. We were soon set up at the end of the pitch. After lunch there was a kids activity afternoon on the pitch so we watched that while we had a coffee.
We went for a walk into Ilkley and found ourselves at the Lister Inn which just happened to be a Wetherspoons. After a drink we walked back to the rugby club via the park.
Tea tonight was chicken Kievs with dauphinois potatoes and greens.
Day 2
We are off to the moors today. Some steep climbing to do. We headed for the paddling pool at the base of the moor but even getting here is a steep climb.
We followed the path to the Ilkley Tarn, or in English a Victoria Lake, and then on along the valley slowly climbing up to the Cow and Calf rocks. It has been made easier this year because the path has been upgraded with a gravel topping.
At the Cow & Calf Rocks the cafe was open so we had an amazing ice cream before setting off up the very steep climb to the top of the moor.
We reached the high point with the rock pile that has shrunk since last year. We took some pictures before heading along the ridge looking for a path down.
I found a path which headed across the moor which then turned into a stream bed. We proceeded a little way to check it out and it became apparent that it was used by people on mountain bikes. We carried on and made our way down towards White Wells Car Park. The route would have been good as a Red Bull challenge in places where there were drops and jumps through boulder strewn gulleys.
We made it to the main path to White Wells and headed down to Ilkley past Darwin Gardens. We were disappointed that the parks had not been maintained as well as last year.
Through the town to the park by the river where we sat on the bank and ate lunch and people watched until heading across the bridge and back to the campsite.
We spent most of the rest of the afternoon outside reading until someone started a bonfire next to the rugby club and the smoke drove us into the van. By the time we started to cook tea the bonfire was out and I cooked kebab skewers on the bbq.
Day 3
We headed for the moors again but this time we went westward and followed a lane upto where it stopped and went into a farm track. A little further on we found a bench to rest because the climb was very steep.
We had a chat to a man who had just ridden up the hill although he did have an electric bike to help him.
We carried on up until we came to a path that headed back towards the Cow & Calf rocks across the top of the moor. On the moor away from well used paths we found a seat next to the Badger Rock in the middle of nowhere, so we took advantage, took a rest and had a coffee.
We continued along the sheep trail and eventually joined a footpath that took us down to the White Wells bath house. We ate our lunch overlooking Ilkley before continuing down the hills into the town.
We made a small detour to a pub for a drink before crossing the river and back to the campsite.Nearly 8 miles today.
Day 4
The weather is not as good today so we took our time getting up before walking into town. The town was really busy with several coaches parked near the rugby club.
Lots of people were carrying white roses and it was not long before I stopped a lady and asked why.
Well apparently August 1st is Yorkshire Day and then I twigged that the rose is the Yorkshire emblem. There was a parade this morning which we missed along with the BBC filming etc. That now explains why the Mayor arrived at the rugby club in his limo this morning.
After a disappointing walk around the shops we headed home but decided to have a short walk along the river. Then the rain came down in buckets and I had no coat but we made it across the river over the suspension footbridge to take cover under some trees until the rain stopped.
Once back at the van Sue made some sandwiches for lunch. As we were eating the car park started to fill up, and people in all their refinery began to go into the Rugby Club so we assumed that there is a reception for the Mayor and councillors. We were not invited.
We later found out that it was a 70th birthday party. It must have been a good party because there were a lot of cars still in the car park on the following morning.
So our third trip to Ilkley is over but there is always next year for another thigh burning hike up the moors.
Iona’s Travels 