Christmas Walk: 17-12-2019

A special treat for the workers!

Yes indeed! This week the workers turned into walkers, rambling up to Prosperous Mine from Pateley Bridge. Consumption of packed lunches in muddy conditions was swapped for fine dining in the wonderfully cosy and welcoming Bridge Inn, Pateley Bridge, funded by the AONB office. Thanks for that folks - much appreciated!

And here is a record of the day.....

No need for tools to be collected - 

just some hi vis tabards and a couple of first aid kits.

These were collected from the barn which is 

now completely compost heap free.

Hurray!

On meeting at the car park it was clear that this was a group of two halves. 
Those who were Christmas hatted....

...and those who were not.

Christmas? Bah. Humbug.

Then it was off on our way - the group taking a while to pass, there being 23 of us.

(Actually 22. One - who shall remain nameless - was missing. 
He had forgotten to get out of bed and joined us at the end of the walk. 
Note - please ask Santa for an alarm clock.)

Water was streaming off the hillside making the 

first section of the path muddy in places. 
Still - at least it wasn't raining.

Everyone slowed down a bit on the misty, uphill stretch.

Once at the top of the rise we could stop and 

admire the view that was now visible through the mist.

At one point we passed a long stretch of well built dry stone wall that had been 
re-built by four of the group, who are the Nidderdale dry stone walling volunteers.
Well done chaps!

 Then it was off to Dub bridge for a coffee and Christmas biscuits break.

 

Towards Prosperous mine there were the remains 
of the old mine shafts and spoil heaps to be seen.

Oooo. What are you lot looking at?

That's a very deep hole. Luckily, having just eaten Christmas biscuits,

 none of the NCVs were thin enough to slip through.

Another little stopping place...

...by another little bridge.

Then it was down through Heathfield caravan park to the Bridge Inn for lunch - 
the high point of the day.

 Everyone clearly enjoyed their soup on this table.

 Well done for wearing a Christmas jumper as well as the hat, Andy!

 Hurry up and take the photo - we want to get started on the sandwiches.

Thumbs up from this table too.

This cosy twosome were spoilt for choice.

Now - which sandwich do you want Ruth? Graham?

High points over it was back to the car to find, in the editor's case, 
that a disgruntled robin was sitting on the steering wheel inside -  
having left copious quantities of poo on the dashboard.

Lots of hot water and disinfectant were needed back at home! 😕

So - as you can see - the NCVs really enjoyed their day. It has got them off to a good start with the Christmas festivities and will give them something to remember on their first work day in January 2020.

They would all like to wish their readers :

A Very Merry Christmas 

and a Happy New Year!