Day 9 A day off in Skipton (Rest Day)

Day 9 A day off to visit Skipton and explore Kirkby Stephen.

We cannot remember the blog we read months ago that suggested a stopover in Kirby Stephen to catch the train to Skipton, but whoever it was, thank you for the tip.

Kirkby Stephen Station is about a 35 minute uphill walk from town and as it was a clear morning we could see over to Nine Standards Rigg, the climb we could look forward to tomorrow.  Kirkby Stephen  Station is a lovely restored Victorian Station on the historic Settle to Carlisle Line.  The train line was almost disbanded in the 1980s but was saved by community pressure.

Crows nesting in the treetops near the station.

Our first glimpse of Nine Standards Rigg (Nine Standards seen as dots on the distant hill)

A slightly clearer view of the nine Standards from the station.

Kirkby Stephen Station

View of our route for tomorrow to Nine Standards Rigg.

Kirkby Stephen Railway Station, a restored Victorian building.

The bridge and our approaching train.  They run steam trains on weekends.

The train ride is picturesque through lovely green farmland.  Along the way we heard the story of a border collie named Ruswarp.  He went missing with his owner while walking in the hills in January 1990.  When the owners body was found in April, Ruswarp was there and had stayed by his masters side for 11 weeks through winter.  Sadly, Ruswarp (14) died shortly after his masters funeral and there is a statue of him at Garsdale station.

Garsdale Station, the statue of Ruswarp

The train journey crosses lovely green fields.

At Skipton we had time to visit the Holy Trinity Church where we enjoyed a morning tea.  We then walked through Skipton Castle Woods and back around to Skipton Castle.  After touring the castle we had lunch in town before catching the train back to Kirkby Stephen.

Holy Trinity Church, Skipton

Skipton Woods Waterfall.

View of Skipton Castle from River Ersk

Skipton Castle Woods

A tree defies gravity.

Gary at Skipton Castle

Gatehouse at Skipton Castle.

Canal at Skipton.

Canal boats decorated ready for the first stage of the Tour de France in Yorkshire.

Back at Kirkby Stephen we walked into town, had a look at the parish Church and scoped the route out of town across Frank's Bridge ready for tomorrow.

Violets in a garden in Kirkby Stephen

The Mango Tree, Indian Restaurant in Kirkby Stephen. We had a good meal here last night and bid farewell to John, Carol, Jane, Chris and David who were continuing on the route today.

The Kirkby Stephen Parish Church is shared between Anglican and Roman Catholic Congregations.

Parish Church, Kirkby Stephen- "Cathedral of the Dales"

Interesting Baptismal Font in the Parish Church.

Tomb of Sir Richard of Musgrave (1499).

A sign lets us know we are nearly half way across England.

Ducklings below Frank's Bridge.