The road to Sleightholme which I continued along for
about one mile.
Big skies over the moor.
Just before the cattle grid we turned onto this
bridleway through the heather.
Dropping down into the valley to get a close look at the waterfalls of
Trough Heads Gorge.
Limestone slabs of the gorge. In normal conditions the
slabs are covered with water.
Limestone erosion. Just under the water are these "pits"
being formed by small harder pebbles tiumbling in the current.
Some of the water channels are perfectly straight,
following cracks in the rock.
Today the water levels were low, compared to the photo below of the same
scene in July 2008.
Trough Head Gorge July 2008.
Heading downstream the gorge is soon far below.
The river is enclosed by sheer cliffs.
The remote dwelling of Trough Heads.
Crossing Sleightholme beck near East Mellwaters.
Further along our way was somewhat "blocked by a large
herd of inquisitive cows and a warning sign. Thinking better of it I took
a diversionary route which kept a solid drystone wall between us and them.
Lime kiln near God's Bridge.
God's Bridge. Formed by erosion under the rocks, this
natural span is on the Pennine way.
Upstream the beck is a dry bed with the water flowing
underground.
Gods bridge from the other side looking slightly
different from my visit in January.
God's Bridge, January 2010.
Further down the river has disappeared completely
leaving the flat limestone bedrock exposed for about one mile.
Suddenly the water re-appears, free flowing from under
the river bank, a very weird sight.
Now the Greta is in full flow complete with rising
Trout.
We now again pass by the neat and tidy farmstead of
East Mellwaters. This working farm offers a range of holiday cottages
for both disabled and able bodied guests. Many of the paths in the area
have been laid for ease of access.
We now walk alongside the pleasant Sleightholme Beck
once again.
Slightly downstream is this high riverbank. It doesn't
look so spectacular now as it does in some winters, see the photo below.
This is how the scene was in the winter. You may have
noticed that the large overhang above my head has recently collapsed into
the river. I wonder if the icicles will look so good in the future.
The overhang now lies in the water.
Downstream the footbridge crosses the beck.
In winter it was difficult to make out the river itself.
We are now heading along the Bowes Loop sectuion of the Pennine way with
the castle ahead.
Pastoral scene at Holme Farm.
From here it was a short walk back to the house. We are very lucky to live
in such an interesting area with plenty to see, right on our doorstep.
