Event
Report
2017 Run To Pendragon Castle - 21st June 2017
Report by Jim Hadfield
At 10.00am 25 members met at Bedale Golf Club for the June run organised
by Jim Hadfield.
After coffee and biscuits, the cars were flagged off at 10.30 for a 46
mile run through Wensleydale, Swaledale, Garsdale and eventually over
the Cumbrian border to Ravenstonedale. Indifferent weather didn’t stop
Ian and Julie from persisting with the hood down on the MG, but others
were not so brave.
The route went to Leyburn, then by a minor road over to Grinton, where a
badly placed signpost misled one or two people to continue to Reeth
before realising where the turn should have been made. From Harkerside
to Askrigg, past Hardraw Force and the Green Dragon Inn led to the
Garsdale road beyond Appersett and the climb over the Pennines. At the
Moorcock Inn it rained as the support team took photographs as the right
hand turn slowed the cars down. This little-known road threads its way
up the valley towards Kirkby Stephen, alternating with the Settle and
Carlisle railway. Before then came Pendragon Castle, a site associated
with King Arthur’s father Uther Pendragon.
Unfortunately in the rain and overcast sky, the castle looked much like
the grey limestone crags around, and it was easy to miss. From here a
delightful little moorland road climbed over to the road between Kirkby
Stephen and Sedbergh, at the back of the Howgill Fells. On joining this
road, a mile and a half on saw us arriving at our destination and lunch
stop, the Fat Lamb Inn.
A good varied menu was provided which everybody seemed to enjoy, along
with some good draught beers and cider. The proprietor of the Fat lamb
is a classic car enthusiast and he has an Austin Healey and a Mark 2
Jaguar, which unfortunately were not on display. A room at the back of
the inn contained a collection of classic car memorabilia, and an
impressive display of banners of clubs which have made the pilgrimage
there, or passed through on rallies.
Members then made their own ways home, though some roads were impeded by
travellers dispersing from their annual Appleby Fair.
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