On Sunday I joined the second Ribble Valley Rambler walk of the year organised by The Friends of DalesRail (of which I am now a member) : Horton to Settle via Helwith Bridge and Stainforth Force: 7 miles, easy. Book and alight Horton; return from Settle. I worked out that since 21st December I have walked from Ribblehead to Long Preston in 3 sections.
On Saturday morning the sun was shining and the sky was blue so I decided to book my train ticket for Sunday from Shipley to Horton. As I left Bagshaw Museum at about 4pm it began rain and I don’t think it stopped until after midday on Sunday. But as I’d paid for my train ticket I resigned myself to a wet walk and dressed for the occasion.
The Group moves off from Horton Station
The wind blew and the rain fell but 9 of us met on Horton station and headed off towards Settle on a tarmac track. In fact much of the walk had to be diverted away from the Ribble Way and onto nearby lanes since the paths became extremely muddy and in some cases totally waterlogged and flooded. The river was running full to overflowing and many fields were under water.
Typical Waterlogged Field
Liable to Flooding
The Fast Flowing Ribble
Muddy Field Tracks
Path Closed Due to Flooding
Ribble Way has Disappeared Under Water
Fast Flowing River Ribble at Stainforth Pack Horse Bridge
The Full Force of Stainforth Force
Nearly at Settle
The sun did eventually peep through and on arrival in Settle there were glimpses of blue sky. It was good to get out though despite the wet weather.
miladysboudoir 
Such an adventurer! Most people would relax by the fire with a glass of wine in that weather 😉
Yes, but those two things are all the more appreciated after a day out rambling in the Dales in the wind and rain 🙂
I never mind being out on a rainy blustery day because it feels so good to get home again. I loved the Pack Horse Bridge. So interesting looking. Enjoyed your walk.
Thank you, TP. Yes, at least I was dressed for the weather – it didn’t take me by surprise. You appreciate the comforts of home better after a day like that.
I have lovely memories of doing a similar walk as it began to snow. It’s good to get out but sunshine is nice too 🙂
Sunshine is definitely nice – when it happens 😉 , Valerie.
It will come again – not soon enough for some 🙂
Brave soul going out in those horrible conditions. Hope you didn’t get too drenched.
Well, I’d bought my train ticket the day before which to my mind ‘obliged’ me to go. I was dressed for the weather, which helped. Nice to relax by the fire at home at the end of the day.
Some people say there’s no such thing as bad weather – only the wrong clothing. Not sure I agree with that, though!
Not when you can hardly see where you are going or any of the surroundings.
Ooohhh, water, water everywhere….
Looks bad enough here but much worse in other parts of the country!
[…] recorded two walks from or to Horton-in-Ribblesdale station on the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle line here and here. And now I’m adding a third. Being ‘easy’ we kept pretty low level but […]