The day after the big day, and the sun was shining in Settle. The town's famous flags were out for the festival the coming week. A couple of years before, when much fitter, I did a 23-mile walk in the Chilterns that contained a Snowdon's worth of climb in it. The day after I felt fine, except when I had to move from my chair! Here, however, I felt far better than I had any right to, considering the previous day's exertions - a little sore in places, but in the post-match euphoria I felt fantastic. Was it really only 18 hours since I stood at the foot of Ingleborough desperately trying to boost my blood sugar levels and hoping, among my few options, that a guest appearance on the BBC's Helicopter Heroes being rescued by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance would not be one of them?
I sat on the kerb outside Cave and Crag, Settle's renowned outdoor shop, and soaked up the sunshine whilst Danny browsed inside. The town square was already beginning to bustle with visitors, the numerous bikers lounging next to their machines. This had been a highly successful trip, and not just with the weather. I reflected on the previous few days.
One cause for reflection was the sad news about a famous Clapham institution - see below.
Settle - the video:
Cafe Anne - Sad News
On visits to Clapham, especially after the long walk up to Ingleborough, a favourite stop always used to be Cafe Anne and its inimitable eponymous proprietor. After the Gaping Gill trip in May I was surprised to see that it was closed, particularly as it was Bank Holiday Monday. The Wednesday prior to doing the Three Peaks we attempted to stop by once more, and saw the cafe was closed again. This time a couple of notes posted inside the door told the sad reason: (Click to enlarge)
One piece of good news: whilst in the New Inn the following day (Thursday 18th September 2008) the news came through that Annie had indeed become a Granny.
It was good to visit the New Inn, which now appears to have become part of Steve Taylor's growing Skipton-based Copper Dragon empire. As well as being a pub it is also a de facto museum of Yorkshire Caving. Chief amongst the exhibits are some of the customers, which include potholing legends like Jim Eyre!
The New Inn, Clapham
Less welcome was seeing the fate of the Flying Horseshoe Hotel at Clapham Station, still undergoing renovation to turn it into flats some five years after its 2003 closure. No work appeared to be going on on the day we walked by, Wednesday 17th September 2008 - possibly the economic downturn has had an impact on the project's viability.
The Flying Horseshoe Hotel, Clapham Station - alas no more
Oxenhope, Tuesday 23rd September 2008
The night before heading back down to Hampshire, Neil and I met up with Jo at the Waggon & Horses Inn on Cock Hill Moor, just outside Oxenhope. Under new management, it has been superbly and sympathtically redecorated and has a new decked seating area out front so you can enjoy the views. The ales are still varied and interesting, and the food is fantastic. All in all a good place for starting and finishing a walk over the moors. Go and give it a visit, you won't be disappointed.
Remember - use it, or lose it!
