Eriba Man

This is night No.80/2018 living in my caravan. This is my second night at Lower Wensleydale C&MC Site near Leyburn. As forecast, got up to a nice morning at 0600. Took the dogs out of the site, across the Wensleydale Rail Line and followed a short lane down to the Pheasant Inn. After breakfast, I was keen to get a walk where I could let the dogs run free, but not too far away. Leyburn Shawl is a walk on the outskirts of the town and in my guidebook, I could see that this could become a nice long circular walk. I parked next to a church just north of Market Square, left a contribution in the honesty box, then was walking around 0840. I met a local walking his dog and gave me the tips about where to let them off lead. A big part of the walk was off lead! Some great views over the dales as the forest climbed. I kept the dogs on the lead at this point as to the left were sheer cliffs, probably with a vertical drop of 100ft. Better safe than sorry. We emerged from t...

This is night No.79/2018 living in my caravan. Now pitched at Lower Wensleydale C&MC Site near Leyburn in the Yorkshire Dales. I was a 'bargain' price of £25.60 for 2 nights for the van, me, and the mutts (free). Slept well, getting up around 0600. Again, it had been raining all night but had stopped when I awoke. The forecast was for a fine day, so I was hopeful for our morning walk. Took the dogs round the exercise field, then after breakfast, got the kit together and headed the short 5 mile drive to Askrigg. There was a good walk there which would be ideal to do before packing up before 1200. Askrigg is a lovely little village, again, very well preserved. I parked up in a carpark and made a donation in the honesty box. The rather impressive St Oswalds Church. Seems a lot of cars, but I think that the roads are so narrow that it's one of the few places residents can park. Followed the way markers to Mill Gill, and eventually arrived at the 'force...

This is night No 78/2018 living in my caravan. This is my second night at Hawes C&MC Site in the Yorkshire Dales. Got up around 0630 to light rain. It had been raining constant all night, but it was easing as I took the dogs around the dog field for a good run around before breakfast. I was keen to do one of the routes in my guidebook today, 'Bainbridge to Semer Water' which is a cross country way out to a lake, and a return leg by a Roman Road. I was really keen to walk along this Road. I had researched it, and it is a very direct straight route even though it descends along an undulating hillside. After breakfast, we headed about 4 miles east to the village of Bainbridge. A nice little place, very well preserved with a traditional village green. I parked next to the green and left a donation for parking in one of the honesty boxes. It pays for the upkeep of the green which is carried out by volunteers. Crossed the River Bain in the village. A long serie...

This is night No 77/2018 living in my caravan. Now pitched at Hawes C&MC Site near Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales. Paid £34 for me, the van, and the mutts (free) for 2 nights. Got up around 0600, and took the dogs for a run around the meadow on the site. A brilliant dog exercise area. After breakfast, I took the dogs into Deepdale Wood for a good run around before returning the the van to start packing up. These woods are also a huge bonus if you have a dog. Miles of paths to wander on, off lead. Left the site around 1045 for the 1hr drive to Hawes. I headed west onto the A66, then followed B roads down towards Yorkshire. It was a brilliant scenic drive, even though it was a bit drizzly in places. Just how I imagined the Dales would look! Stopped for a picture of the spectacular Pendragon Castle. A mix of single track and single carriageway roads following a railway line for a good bit of the trip. Arrived at the site just after noon. The reception bui...