R*n 644: Dacre Bank

A freezing cold north wind greeted us as we emerged from our bunks at the West End Outdoor Centre, though it was bright and clear so no worries about getting wet today.  Breakfasted, packed and cleaned up, we did the 15 minute drive to Dacre Banks, quickly filling up the public car park opposite the Royal Oak so some of us had to park on the main road through the village.  We had lost White Noise and Off His Trolley by this time as they had to get home to pack for their trip to India tomorrow.

Nidderdale was in its Autumn glory as we set off down the village and onto the footpath by the river Nidd upstream, then across a bendy footbridge and half way back along the other river bank before branching off uphill.  We passed some lovely (expensive!) old properties with garden ponds and sculptures climbing the side valley and more than one old mill site with the races still in evidence.  Most of the climb was heavily wooded so sheltered from the cold wind.  We emerged eventually after many checks to open fields, then through boulder-strewn sparse woodland before achieving Brimham Rocks from the backside (so to speak) where we passed a couple of lads doing a spot of bouldering and on up to the tourist-strewn summit to our minimalist but stunningly scenic beer stop.  Well done Lurch and Morticia for that.  Little Oscar (not listed as a runner as yet though may have been added by the time you read this) had cadged a lift in the beer hare's car up there, but didn't escape the return trail (albeit in a front pack on Wednesday's chest).

The 3-mile in-trail was gloriously sunny with panoramic views and not a little shiggy and the pack arrived a little later than planned at the on inn, to be met by Full Member and Naania who called in for the circle on their way home from Manchester.  The down-downs from Speedbump were hasty as we were chilly and hungry and the Royal Oak presented us with superb food and a waitress who was greatly amused by the hash handles on the food orders list.  Shame we lost Dingbat before the pub as he had a long drive back to Scarborough so wanted to get away.

Many thanks to Morticia and Lurch for a very enjoyable (if a little long) trail and choice of a great on inn.  A wonderful round-up to a memorable weekend away.