Bolton Abbey to Barden Bridge walk alongside the River Wharfe

Parked up at the Bolton Abbey Riverside Car Park. You can park nearer the Abbey itself - but we decided to concentrate the day on the river walk and visit the Abbey and its attractions afterwards.

But before we start it's coffee time in the pavilion.

Plus a bit of fooling around before we get going !!

Oh dear - a Bee sting. After pulling out the remnants of the sting I did offer to suck the poison out. However, this kind offer wasn't as well received as I had hoped for.

After quite a while - we finally get going and head off into Strid Wood.

Putting a brave face on and never mentioning the pain, we head off - I am known to tell the odd fib you know !

Back to the river and the gentle path alongside the slow moving Wharfe

Such idyllic beauty as we go in and out of the Autumn sunshine.

The hardest part of writing this blog was choosing which photo's to include - I had so many of this stunning section of the river.

And then a not so stunning one !

Arriving at the Strid, we are reminded of the real dangers that are present.

Talking about falling in and the underground caverns and strong currents etc. Led me to feel relieved that I have a significant insurance policy in place on my wife Chris.

You can quite imagine how the majority of the 'river' disappears underground at the Strid - with only a fraction on show above ground. The moss can be very slippery, so you must always keep well away from the edge. Time for a photo opportunity - where are you Chris ?

Just a bit nearer the edge Chris - further still - keep going .....

Well signposted - Not hat you can really get lost around here.

The first crossing over the Wharfe at Barden is the aqueduct, the second one is the bridge half a mile further on.

Barden Aqueduct

Barden Bridge - The half way point of today's walk. There's usually an ice cream van parked up if a break is needed

Looking South from Barden Bridge

Back into the woodland and a brief rest with final views northwards towards the Barden Aqueduct.

Slightly higher terrain on the East side of the Wharfe although the going is still pretty easy on a good path.

I think the painkillers are beginning to kick in - She suddenly seems a lot happier as we near the Cavendish Pavilion and the end of todays walk.

Impressive views throughout, especially from the higher eastern side.

The wooden bridge which takes you back over the Wharfe to the Pavilion and the car park.