France Cycle Tour: Valance to St Ferreol Trente-Pas

The following accounts of my cycle tour were written up each day in my note book, and have been posted in date order upon my return to the UK.

Saillans

I travelled by European Bike Express (a service I heartily recommend) to Valance in the Rhone Valley arriving at 5.30am. The weather dry but with a cool northerly wind blowing, it was of course dark! However by the time I had myself and "Eigenau" sorted out it was 6.30am and light. So checking the compass! I set off and promptly fell off! No major damage to me but the rear mech was bent against the kerb. I must have been rather more tired than I thought, a stupid mistake. The wind was helpful as I headed in a south easterly direction. Stopping in Aouste nr Crest, I got the tools out and managed to sort the rear mech which meant all my gears were once more available. The sun shining and things warming up I cycled beside the Drome river to Saillans. The Col de le Chaudiere was the next target and required a non-stop climb of one and a half hours to reach the top.The huge crag of Le Veyou dominated the climb.

Col de le Chaudiere

The descent to Bourdeaux was great but over to soon, the village of Vesc should have had a campsite, but it was closed, (I hadn't booked any sites)I knew there was a site in St Ferreol Trente-Pas, unfortunately it lay the other side of the Col de Valouse. True enough the site appeared and I duly booked in and got set up, a good price to 6 Euro's. Todays distance 99.53 kilometres. I felt alot better after a hot shower, and was ahead of my planned schedule.

Le Veyou

Trente Pas

Mythos duo at St Ferreol Trente Pas

Intermission

There will now follow a break in transmission as I undertake a solo cycle tour, in the (I hope) sunny South of France! A full report will be posted upon my return, meanwhile you can check out the testcard.

High and Low Force from Holwick

Must surely be in the running for most ornate stile.

Bank Holiday means I head for the Pennines, and today we walked from the hamlet of Holwick, on the south side of Teesdale. The bridleway/estate road made for good progress, however once the bridleway left the hardcore surface things turned rather wet underfoot. We had lunch beside a large stream, and then followed the stream down to the Tees, as it tumbled over many waterfalls.
The path beside the Tees is of course the Pennine Way, and although busy, especially near High Force, the walkers were day walkers like ourselves, no backpackers were seen. Field paths led us back to the car at Holwick. The wild flowers are really starting to make an appearance now, Bluebells and Primroses in particular making a good show.

High Force

The weather was a real mixture today, sunny one minute and cloudy next, but mainly dry except for the light sleet shower! Perhaps winter hasn't finished with us yet.

Uldale Head

Windproofs off!

Its been quite a while since I've been out in the hills with Ian. Today our days off coincided, so a plan was made and the Howgill's were selected for today's walk. It's always difficult to find somewhere neither of us have walked previously. But having met at mine and studied the map over a brew we decided to walk south into the Howgill's from Gaisgill.
A good path took us past Gill Hole and Intake, the view opening up before us as we gained height easily. The path then descended to a sheepfold where we had lunch, carrying on following the beck we reached the ridge at Archer Hill. The OS map shows a pool just below this minor top and true enough there it was, rather larger than the map shows I would say.

Dub below Archer Hill

A good track leads across to Uldale Head, a great viewpoint, a sharp descent follows to Blakethwaite Bottom. Another brew here, in spite of the winds best efforts against our solid fuel stoves!

Dammed wind!

A sharp up followed by a sharp down into Churn Gill, neither of us could ever remember being in this valley which we followed downstream for a mile or so crossing into Langdale. The Langdale beck was crossed, another stiff pull out of Langdale northeastwards on the ever improving track our was route onwards, taking the unusually named Cowbound Lane. Longdale was soon reached, with the sad remains of the old farmhouse gutted by a relatively recent fire. Minor roads made for an easy walk back to the car. A proper spring day, really rather warm!

Walking the sheep trod in Churn Gill

Clapham to Austwick

Just an easy walk taking advantage of the surprising weather improvement which certainly wasn't forecast. Parking in Clapham on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, we walked to Austwick on field paths. Stopping en-route for lunch, although the rain stayed away, the wind meant we sheltered behind a wall. The path crosses an ancient settlement, not that obvious on the ground, but the field system was very clear to see.
A stroll through Austwick, then a short climb up past Austwick Hall and Town Head brought us into Thwaite Lane. This led us back to the car in Clapham, the wind behind us now and the sun shining, it was really rather pleasent.

Robin Proctor's Scar from Thwaite Lane

Langdale Valley Paths

Loft Crag, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark

The significance of the photo is in the old saying:-
"Oak before the Ash, there will be a splash!"
This is good, as the Oak trees were well ahead of the Ash today.

Pike O'Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell

Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Rossett Pike

As rare as Hens Teeth?
What was noticeable was how quiet the Lakes were today,
perhaps the cost of fuel, or maybe the goose that lays the
golden eggs has been winged just a bit?

We managed to defeat the forecast today, we were promised showers possibly heavy. What we got were crystal clear views, warm sun, a light breeze, and no rain until later when in Ambleside.
The walk today was rooted in the valley bottom, starting from and returning to Harry Place Farm. Crossing to pick-up the Cumbria Way on the South side of the valley and walking back from the ODG on the North side. An easy day, the Southern and Central fells looking superb.

Far Easedale & Sour Milk Gill

Helm Crag

Today's walk started not at all promising, the wind and rain as we left the car chilled us to the bone. From Pye Lane in Grasmere we walked along the A591 until we could leave the traffic behind to cross fields and stepping stones to reach the lane which runs under Helm Crag. The rain became heavier, full waterproofs required, turning off to pass the old YHA of Thorney How. The narrow lane brings you onto the trade route up Far Easedale, which we followed, much against the flow of pilgrims on the C-to-C. We had lunch before the bridge, then crossed it and climbed over the shoulder of Tarn Crag to arrive at the top of Sour Milk Gill. The sun was now shining and things were warming up nicely. The path was quiet amazingly, looking down to the foot of the falls a new "posh"bridge has been built. Upon closer inspection it appears that the area has been prepared for some sort of archaeological dig, I would guess that perhaps there has been an iron bloomery here. (Nothing I can find on the internet) I must have walked past here hundreds of times over the last 50 years, and never noticed anything! Our route back took us back to the car via the grounds of Allan Bank and the delights of "Cotswold Rock Bottom", always dangerous.

Sour Milk Gill