Distance - 13 Miles
Geocaches - 1
Pubs - 5
“Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde"
Overnight In Cray
I left you yesterday with the two intrepid explorers slumped into a Chesterfield in the White Lion at Cray. Feel I have to say a few words about the place.
It was shut down and has only just re-opened. On booking, I was a little concerned by reports of people who had made arrangements only to find out on arrival the place had gone. I double checked during my phone call and was assured that everything was fine now, and the place had undergone a full refit.
Our stay was simply wonderful. From the comfort of our plush leather sofa we were treated to waitress service of Black Sheep. The game pie is currently the winner of pie of the week - although to be fair, it is early days and we have vowed to ourselves that no matter what, we are not having daily pie.
The icing on the cake was on retiring to the room - and dealing with facebook jibes on our sleeping status - we found a fully loaded jar of complimentary maltesers. It's little touches like this that stand out.
Hats off to the White Lion in Cray.
How our friends and families are imagining our sleeping arrangements on the Inn Way |
The guidebook suggests that old Roman road from Cray over Stake Moss and into Bainbridge is one of the most spectacular in all of England.
We have two choices - take his word for it or come back and have another look.
The Most Spectacular Path in all of England |
With no views to speak of, we pass the time by working out how or if someone would have ever made an escape.
The good news is that the fog lifts as we reach Stalling Busk, to be replaced by heavy rain. We avoid the temptation of a guided tour of the Raydale Preserve Visitors Centre and head for a mooch around the ruined church.
The church was built in 1603 and the last burial in 1982. But it looks like they may have night crawlers.
The Undead of Stalling Busk Church |
Semer Water - Rain replaces Fog |
Dropping into Bainbridge |
Pies Galore |
Our Favourite Fire Place |
We're in no hurry to head out into the elements again - so its a couple of black sheep and a sandwich. We look at the map and talk with the landlord about where our journey will take us.
The direct route would have us in Askrigg in a couple of miles but the directions want to take us on a detour to Worton to check out the Victoria Arms.
The landlord gives us two pieces of advice - "Don't touch the Lager" and "Wipe your feet on the way out".
We redress, check out the Roman Fort of Virosidvm (think grassy knoll) and trudge along Brough Scar in the rain to reach our destination.
On top of Brough Scar |
Neil heads in first and finds our host hoovering with the Henry. He asks if they are open and is met with "We can be!"
And so we go in, sit in their front room and play a game of I Spy, with the object being the most unusual item hanging on the wall.
Handy Directions - left over from the Tour de Yorkshire |
The Back Room - Stag and Nudie Pics |
The Front Room |
The Fireplace and Bar |
I think I am going to win with the 8lb Otter's Head (middle animal above the fire place) but Neil pips me to the post with a fox's arse (above right hand side of bar).
The landlord engages us in conversation on various things including food, keeping busy and machines to tell the weather.
This pub is a real highlight and a conversation starter with many people we meet on the rest of the trail. We felt honoured to have been there and cannot help but think that places like this will not be with us for much longer.
Off we must go again and we are told of the short cut to Askrigg, but of course, we want to do things properly - so we follow the guide around Nappa Hall. This is a 1450 fortified farm house that once hosted James I and Mary Queen of Scots. There is little to look at but we are being watched by the rather intrusive CCTV camera bolted on the side.
Nappa Hall |
We check in and I ask if they have the football on. I get into a long conversation with the receptionist who claims to know nothing about football but it comes up positive. This gives us some entertainment, should we run out of conversation during the evening.
Our Home for the Night. BT Sports on Request. |
We have Askrigg to explore.
First thing to note is the there is a mico brewery in town. The Yorkshire Dales Brewing Company.
Quite rightly, the town is very proud of it and all three hostelries have two different ales on. You would think that this means the brewery has 6 different ales in total but later on, in another confusing conversation with Yorkshire folk, we are corrected that they have 10.
Advice is given by a local in the Kings Head, where a Geoffrey Boycott soundalike puts Neil's reluctance to try the darker Drovers Ale right by suggesting that "you don't drink with your eyes, lad".
All brews were superb and its with some regret that we don't bring some bottles back with us.
This one was called Butter Tubs |
Top of Town - The Crown Inn |
The Kings Head |
Evening meal was taken in the Kings Head - where, you've guessed it, it was Pie Night. The Steak and Ale moved into pole position in the pie charts. Superb.
After food, we head back to our hotel just as the game is ending.
The receptionist tells us off. She had put on the football especially for us.
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