The forecast was for possibility-of-rain, but in the end we only noticed about 3 drops.

We drove to Hawes and stopped for some essentials (blister plasters, sandwiches for lunch, sunhat for Mary), then headed over the fields towards Hardraw Force. This is the highest single-drop above-ground waterfall in England, in immaculately kept gardens behind a pub.

We left the flipflop brigade and headed north along the penine way, and found a sheltered spot for our picnic. It looked like the skies were about to open, but when we took our sunglasses off, everything looked much brighter!

After lunch we dropped down into the valley and back up the other side, past Appersett.

Then across the fields to Gayle

When we got back to Hawes, we stopped at the Creamery for cheese & ice cream, then went into the village for a pint as well. There was a troop of Morris dancers touring the Dales (well, this Dale), so we stopped and watched a bit – then got cajoled into actually dancing! (no pics sorry, we were busy…)

Then home to the hotel for a shower and cup of tea, before heading out to the King’s Arms for supper – chicken pie for Mary, steak pie for Brian.