10 years of blogging - back to where it started

I love it when the clocks go back. Most people probably dream of their extra hour in bed, curled up and warm as toast, thinking of dark nights ahead. For me, and I expect for millions of dog owners around the world, it's a time when it becomes most obvious that our world, revolving around GMT and BST, is somewhat artificial.  The dog never realises the clocks have gone back, so we tend to get woken at the usual time, it's just that the usual time tends to be about 5am GMT.

That extra hour is precious, a chance to get up and out early, for another Autumn walk together.  And so it was, 10 years after our first visit to Malham together, that we headed off to retrace our steps on the first walk that I ever blogged.

10 years ago I remember it was still dark when we reached the National Park Visitor Cemtre. We were a little later this time, but it was still quiet.  We had the walk to Malham Cove pretty much to ourselves before heading up the steep path to the Limestone Pavement.  This was probably the toughest climb since our dog's cruciate operation earlier in the year, but he coped fine, dragging me onwards and upwards, with a few enforced rest stops whilst I enjoyed the magnificent views.

Soon we were trecking on good paths towards Malham Tarn.  Our route avoided the busy track, heading straight up from the top of Malham Cove.  This bought us some solitude, but also several high stiles, involving lifting the dog some 5 feet in the air, squeezing past whilst both perched on the small wooden platform, and a further lift down to solid ground.  As expected, I was covered in mid by the time we reached Malham Tarn and a stop for something to eat.

As with our last visit we avoided the descent down Gordale Scar by talking the road for a mile or so back towards Malham.  This time though we found a path leading to the foot of the scar, before passing the picturesque Janet's Foss.

A gentle stroll led us back to the car park in Malham, happy that we had managed to celebrate our 10th anniversary walk in style.