Saturday 23 July 2011

Family Camping Weekend

22-24 July Family Camping Weekend



Five families arrived in Dent on a sunny Friday and set up camp in High Laning campsite. The campsite had a daunting set of rules including 'No ball games' - gulp. How do you entertain ten children aged from 5 to 11 without throwing or kicking a ball around? Fortunately there was a wooded picnic area in the neighbouring field, ideal for football, den building and all sorts of imaginative fun. The kids were close enough to be checked up on but out of sight, allowing the adults to relax and enjoy a guilty beer in peace. Peace, that is, until the midges came out.
 
Extra excitement was provided when an unfortunate combination of car, keys and children resulted in Helen and Pat being locked out of their car with the camping equipment inside it. A call to breakdown services sorted the problem. The rescuer had a fascinated audience for his breaking-in technique, showing the educational value of outdoor weekends.

Saturday was another fine day. Dave headed off to Morecombe Bay to run a half marathon. The rest of us set off walking up Whernside from the Dent to Ingleton road and had lunch on the summit. There were clear views in all directions.
 
It was a busy day on the Yorkshire Three Peaks route and we were glad to leave the main path to head back towards Dentdale.
 
After an unsuccessful attempt to follow Hacker Gill we regained the main path and walked down to the valley to where the drivers had moved the cars. Then back to the campsite for a barbeque and to see Molly, Jackie and Clint who had arrived in their camper van.

Sunday brought more sunshine. After packing up, four of the families headed up Flintergill from Dent village, stopping to admire the 'wishing tree' and other points of interest.
 
On reaching the upper path our progress was halted by the discovery of bilberries, and the formation of the Black Tongue Gang.

Eventually we headed down for an ice cream and the drive home.
 
Click here for photos of the weekend.