Up into the Dales before the rain comes 04.05.2023

First port of call the lovely and quaint small town of Pateley Bridge, a market town around 30 minutes from Harrogate, Pateley Bridge is situated against a steep hillside with the River Nidd flowing through the town.

From an industrial past – the Scotgate Ash Quarry that overlooks the town supplied the stone used in the steps for the National Gallery in London – Pateley Bridge is now a popular visitor destination with speciality shops and tearooms, and a number of pubs where walkers and hikers and of course motorcyclists can slake their thirst.

It was a bit chilly but as modelled here by Steve, we were well wrapped up !

As soon as we turned into the town we smelled that wonderful fish and chip shop aroma...........It had to be done, and excellent they were.

Steve and his new friend .

Oh yes !

A little mishap but only a scratch, a good day to have the panniers on.

Next up to Aysgarth falls and some brilliant views, for some lol

While at Aysgarth, this fine example turned up with a lovely couple who were staying overnight at Grassington, popped up for some sightseeing.

Time to move on, we made our way so far before we hit another "Roadworks" sign, this one was a total road block for about 20 minutes as a lorry was loading rubble.

At last we arrived, and a very impressive Bolton castle ruin.

Bolton Castle in North Yorkshire, is located in Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales. The nearby village Castle Bolton takes its name from the castle. The castle is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The castle was damaged in the English Civil War, but much of it remains. It has never been sold and is still in the ownership of the descendants of the Scrope family, and is now a tourist attraction.

It was built between 1378 and 1399 by Richard le Scrope, 1st Baron Scrope of Bolton and Chancellor of England, and is an example of a quadrangular castle. Construction was reputed to cost 18,000 Marks. The licence to build it was granted in July 1379 and a contract with the mason Johan Lewyn was made in September 1378. Leland described 'An Astronomical Clock' in the courtyard and how smoke was conveyed from the hearth in the hall through tunnels. Bolton Castle was described by Sir Francis Knollys as having 'The highest walls of any house he had seen'.

St Oswald's Church, Castle Bolton is a Grade II* listed parish church in the Church of England[3]: 106  located in Castle Bolton, North Yorkshire.

The church dates from the 14th century. The south aisle was rebuilt around 1770 and the church restored in 1853.

It is the burial place of the Metcalfe family.

On to the home stretch and a coffe stop at this lovely place, a cuppa, bit of cake toilet and onwards.

Mmmmm, the cake was absolutely gorgeous, even if out of shape a little after being in the topbox .

And we arrived home half an hour before the heavens opened and it poured down, a perfect day.