... explored the limestone country between Dovedale and the Manifold, passing through Ilam, Stanshope, Alstonfield and Milldale.
We started in the main Dovedale car park ...
... but had to avoid the boggy ground below Bunster Hill ...
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| Ilam Cross - based on the 700 year old Eleanor Crosses but this memorial cross is only 170 years old |
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| Ilam School |
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| Ilam Church |
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| Ilam Hall and Youth Hostel |
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| Examining the water emerging from below Ilam Hall - the source of the Manifold in Summer |
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| Castern Hall above Ilam |
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| Descent from Stanshope to Dale Bottom in Milldale |
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| Snowdrops in Milldale |
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| Alstonefield Church |
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| Lunch outside The George, Alstonfield |
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| Viators Bridge, Milldale |
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| Ram pump house remains |
The ram pump is a simple device for using a low head/high flow stream such as the Dove to pump water up to higher ground. We last came across a working one between Clapham and the Ingleborough Caves. Surprisingly (to me) they are still in production (see below).
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| The famous stepping stones - flooded today |
John and Eileen then left us and were last seen descending from the slopes of Thorpe Cloud - watch this space to see if they made it to the summit.
