COVERDALE PICNIC RUN
PETER AND JAYNE YEARSLEY
SUNDAY JUNE 4TH
As there were no volunteers to do a write up for this run, I have compiled this from Peter’s tulip map and plotaroute.
Fourteen cars assembled at Wetherby Moto services for the run on a nice day. They left through Kirk Deighton towards Knaresborough. Once through Knaresborough the route took them over through Summerbridge and Pateley Bridge to the first comfort break at Stump Cross Caverns. After the break they set off again towards Grassington and took Grass Wood Lane through Conistone to Kettlewell. Then came the climb up Cam Gill Road towards Coverham and Middleham. Up on the high point they pulled over and had a picnic with wonderful 360-degree views.
Fully replenished it was back on the road down through Coverdale and West Witton and on to Masham. No prizes for guessing the attraction in Masham, yes, Brymor Ice Cream parlour. Off again through Kirkby Malzeard towards Ripon and Knaresborough and eventually the finish at the layby on the A59 just before the A1, which gave plenty of options for the route home.
Congratulations to Peter and Jayne for a very successful first run.
===============================================
A GRAND DAY OUT IN THE DALES RUN
DARRELL AND ALISON STOREY
SUNDAY JUNE 11TH
Twelve cars met up at Abbey Tea Rooms in Bolton Abbey for the start of the run in sweltering heat so early on. The weather looked like being glorious for our day out. We set off through Bolton Abbey towards Grassington and turned off in Threshfield for Kettlewell. In Buckden we turned off for Hubberholme through Yockenthwaite to Hawes where we turned off through Appersett over to Garsdale and into Dent. Drama here as Carol Carter lost her tulip map and Ken had to do a quick stop and reverse to find it. The joys of open topped motoring. Safely back on route but with a very air-conditioned tulip as many cars had driven over it. Coffee and cake in Dent and then on towards Sedbergh and Hawes and into the Creamery where there were refreshments and a welcome break from some very demanding roads.
The next stage really tested cars and drivers as we took the B6255 from Hawes over Blea Moor down towards Ribblehead viaduct and down through Stainforth into Settle. We branched off the main road in Settle and up past Scaleber Force waterfall for Airton. The route then took us to Bell Busk where we joined the A65 for a short hop to Gargrave and final stop at the Premier In car park to say our goodbyes. Some went in to eat but the skies were darkening with thunder in the distance so we headed home and got the car away before the rain came, although we hardly had any in Keighley. Nice to see some new members, Geoff Poad and Phil Deacon and especially younger ones like Ginny and Jasper.
Thanks to Darrell and Alison for a very enjoyable run and for organising amazing weather.
SOCIAL
SHIRLEY AND TIM PICKETT
FRIDAY JUNE 16TH
Seventeen members attended the social at the Crooked Billet, near Saxton, organised by Shirley and Tim. It was a lovely evening and we drove over via Otley and Tadcaster with the roof down. It was nice to see Keith Coutts there as he tends to go to bed early but he enjoyed the evening. It was nice to see Wendy and Andy Henwood again too. The main event was a special deal of fish and chips with either mushy or garden peas for two for twenty pounds. The portions were generous and served piping hot. Shirley lent Tim to Keith for the evening so they could have the fish and chip offer and Shirley had a hot beef sandwich which came with chips, a jug of gravy and looked amazing. The venue was very busy as usual with quite a wait at the bar but well worth it.
Conversation was loud and varied with an eerie hush after the food arrived.
Shirley and Maureen arranged the raffle, this time without mishap, and every one left with a prize.
Finally, it was time to go and the weather was still warm and pleasant so back home with the roof down and to bed about 11.
=============================================
RUN OF THE YEAR 2022 RERUN
STEVEN CLAY AND RUTH BELL
SUNDAY JULY 2ND
Quite an impressive turnout for the rerun of the run of the year from Christmas 2022. Twenty six cars descended on the Fodder farm shop and café in Harrogate on a fairly dry morning. Nice to welcome some new members, John Street, Paul Cowham, David Elliot and Nadine, Brian Manders, Chris Birkenshaw and Andrew Mosley. Some had breakfast or drinks while quite a few had sandwiches to fuel up before the run. I had the ultimate breakfast sandwich which contained bacon, sausage and egg and was fantastic and good value.
After the briefing we set off on a course out of Harrogate and managed not to get lost until the fifth tulip instruction. We weren’t the only ones and were soon back on track. We headed out towards Knaresborough and along the High Street towards Ripley. The route then took us round Fountains Abbey and towards Pateley Bridge. This took us along Wath Lane with drainage channels so deep I reduced the weight of our car by scraping some of it off! Here we met our first obstacle, a tractor run for the air ambulance, a bit of a nuisance but all in a good cause. The final part of this leg took us up to Scar House Reservoir for a picnic. A bit showery and very windy, I have some ballast but even I struggled to stay upright as I walked up to the dam with Vasilis and his brother. After lunch we packed away for the next leg and out came the sun again.
We carried on over towards Masham via Pott Bank and then round the market place and back out towards Grewelthorpe. We then ended up in Ripon and the road past the market place. Out of Ripon on the A61 and off towards Knaresborough via Bishop Monkton and Burton Leonard. We finally finished in Ripley where the free car park now charges for more than 15 minutes. Some used the toilets and left while we had a cuppa.
An excellent run and it was easy to see how it was voted run of the year. Big thanks to Steven and Ruth.
Please spare a thought for Norman and Helen Burn. Norman decided to go on the run so needed to tax his 5. Whilst doing this he noticed it had no MOT either so it was quite an expensive day out for them. Still, I think they enjoyed it.
==============================================
A BRIDGE NOT TOO FAR RUN
PETER & MAUREEN WEST
SUNDAY 23RD JULY
After a very sunny recce on the preceding Friday the morning of the run turned out to be miserable. Eight cars turned up for the start at the Dalesway Brewers Fayre in Bingley with a few having breakfast or drinks. We headed out towards East Morton and then over the top road to Silsden. Turning off before the town we took the narrow road over Addingham Moor down towards Addingham and Ilkley. Left on the A65 and right for Bolton Abbey and a long stretch to Grassington where we turned for Pateley Bridge. One advantage of the poor weather was that cyclists were practically non-existent. A good fast stretch followed from Grassington, past Stump Cross Caverns and down to our comfort stop at Toft Gate Barn just before Pateley Bridge. The staff panicked slightly as we all trooped in because they were expecting a party, not realising it was us. By now the weather was terrible with water running down the steps to the café and the famous Yorkshire countryside shrouded in mist. The service and food were top notch and once replete we set off on leg two. This was mainly a quick blast along the B6265 and B6165 through Pateley Bridge and Summerbridge to Ripley. Down towards Harrogate and over the A59 for Otley. We finished at Otley Garden Centre (formerly Stephen Smith’s) for refreshments. As this run had ben planned during the fuel price hike it was only about 56 miles but was still good fun and would be even better in the sun.