The Dales Way (by Bus Pass)
Jake’s Tale
Jan, Marilyn, Robert, Jake and myself did the walk and used my camper van as our mobile base. Our cunning plan was to make use of our concessionary bus passes to return to the van most days. After the success of our Ridgeway and Coast to Coast walks, I was confident that we would make it and that Jake would keep us entertained. Robert, our master chef, did most of the cooking. His speciality is curries and Jake’s speciality is hoovering up any leftovers.
Jake’s main interest is chasing sticks and balls. Being patted, stroked or having his tummy rubbed does little for him. He runs away from cows, horses and pigs and, rather than him worrying sheep, it’s sheep that worry him. He hates other dogs, growls when he meets one, and usually has to be put on his lead when another of his species approaches. If he was human he’d be sectioned; though I can’t really blame him for not wanting to indulge in mutual bottom sniffing. He can’t climb stiles, loathes getting in a car (cowers under a seat) and has no idea about traffic (in the last resort he flattens himself on the ground). Apart from that, he’s a perfect companion.
Day 1
We parked the van in Ilkley and made good progress until we took the wrong path a mile from Bolton Priory, just before Bolton Bridge We hacked our way through nettles by a disused railway line when we should have been on a good path on the other side of the main road. At Bolton Priory I went ahead of the others to Appletreewick where we planned to camp. Using my concessionary pass, that had just arrived a couple of days before, I caught a bus back to Ilkley to collect the van. The bus was nearly full when I got on and I noticed that the passengers were mainly ramblers of reasonably advanced years. At one stop a young woman got on and looked for somewhere to sit. There was a call of “there’d better be a seat for you: you’re the only one who’s paid!” Another chap commented “but if it wasn’t for us lot there won’t be a service.” I retrieved the van and drove to the campsite, getting there before the others arrived. There is always a noticeable drop in pace when I leave the rest; this is mainly due to stops for a certain member of the party to “roll-up”.
Anything counts as a stick to Jake
The River Wharfe
Bolton Prioy
The River Wharfe