After yesterdays’ trip up Whernside Lolly requests a walk that does not involve climbing a peak. I suggest the walk from Horton to Hull Pot. Lolly has not been there previously so off we go.
We are repeating the walk we did last week (see “Boggy Walking” blog). This time around the weather is overcast and as we climb Whitber Hill the drizzle starts and we have a wet couple of miles before it stops.
At Sell Gill we stop to have a look at the pothole. Whilst I have no interest in entering a pothole I do have a fascination with what is beneath our feet.
There are two entrances to Sell Gill pothole and these are either side of the Pennine Way path from Horton in Ribblesdale heading towards Hawes. Apparently the normal entrance is on our right side as we walk towards Horton-in-Ribblesdale. I take a look at the entrance to the “wet” route that has water flowing into it, I later read that this entrance should only be used in dry weather conditions. The reports I have read from those who have explored this pothole tell of descending into a large and impressive chamber.
Maurice has invited us to dinner and we are treated to some of his “exotic” cooking. After which Maurice asks Lolly if she likes karaoke. He has the set up and soon the discs are being viewed for the extensive range of songs that are available.
Maurice kicks us off with a couple of songs. He missed his vocation; he should have been a crooner. Then gradually we all get involved. I love karaoke, years ago when on holiday in Lanzarote I embarrassed Lyn and Lolly by singing in a bar. They told me I was not very good. Tonight after I complete my first number Jane thanks me for being a less tuneful singer than her. Until then she had thought she had the poorest singing voice in the world, but apparently she cannot compete with me for this accolade.
We sing and laugh for hours. Maurice keeps our voices well lubricated with his famous mix of Gin and Tonic. There are solos, duets and even the odd number when we all join in. Finally as we approach 2.00 am Maurice gives us a few last songs including Dean Martin’s classic ‘Memories are made of this’. They certainly are!
15th October 2014
[To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map OL2 – Yorkshire Dales – Western Area]
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2014)