Settle, Feizor, Austwick and Wharfe Wood circular walk

Having been told that the railway station car park is " for rail users only" in a grumpy Yorkshire accent from the ticket office jobsworth (I obviously wasn't aware of this), I made my way to the nearby council car park which was just round the corner - loads of spaces available so no real issues there.

I grabbed a hot sausage bun and a cup of coffee from Booths and sat by the riverside and enjoyed breakfast in the sun.

The weather was looking excellent for todays walk and it was already very warm.

Heading up the fellside, it was time to apply another layer of sun cream whist enjoying the views.

It wasn't long before I arrived at the southern end of Giggleswick Scar.

The now disused Giggleswick Quarry, where once limestone was extracted at the same time as leaving a permanent 'blot on the scar'.

A lovely undulating walk alongside the Giggleswick Scar.

Looking back along my route from the limestone table, as I start to veer north towards the 'Pennine Journey' path

Pen-y-ghent can be seen way off in the distance.

The lovely lush grass made for very gentle walking - this really was a lovely route.

Others out enjoying the sunshine too.

Pretty soon I was descending down into the small hamlet of Feizor.

Walkers round here were extremely friendly, I'd enjoyed a few chats along the way already. One couple that I overtook were concerned that I may pinch the last table at the cafe in Feizor - So I agreed to save it for them, not realising that I may actually have to!

The cafe was indeed popular, but just as I arrived so did an extremely large group of ramblers.

So I quickly grabbed a table and held on for the arrival of my new found friends before setting off again.

This was a very well signposted route, the paths were easy to follow and were quite popular with walkers.

Austwick next stop.

First sign of bluebells - these were the first of many.

The path to Austwick was good and very flat - the sort that encourages walkers of all capabilities to venture out into the countryside.

Crossing Austwick Beck by the stone slab bridge (Flascoe Bridge).

Arriving at the small village of Austwick

I did rather fancy a pint - but I was own and it's never as enjoyable when you don't have someone to chat with - so I decided to find a seat and have something non-alcoholic.

That will do - Austwick's market in front of the church.

Leaving Austwick I crossed over Clapper Bridge and followed the lovely stone walled paths in the direction of Oxenber and Wharfe woods, these can be seen straight ahead.

Sort of straight on this time, at the same junction where I had been not too long ago.

Looking back towards Austwick as I head upwards towards the woodland.

Wood anemones, (as I have been reliably informed).

The bluebells were everywhere - a beautiful carpet of colour in all directions. This was a really wonderful walk.

The region presents numerous points of interest for geologists, with a variety of limestone features scattered throughout.

As I wandered through the woods enjoying it's natural beauty, I stopped for a few minutes to try and video call my wife Christine to show her the surroundings. Whilst concentrating on my phone and standing still - a large deer jumped out right in front of me and froze on the path. We stared at each other for a very short while, before I tried to move my phone to take a photo, that movement caused the deer to bolt back into the woods and I just wasn't quick enough to get a decent snap.

A lovely moment all the same.

leaving the very impressive Wharfe Woods, and back out into the warm sunshine.

It wasn't long before I reached Feizor again, and complete the second loop I've done today.

I quickly walked through Feizor, turned left, and then started the climb via The Dales Highway past Pot Scar here on my left.

Arriving at Stainforth Bridge

Last time we were here, we watched the salmon leaping up the falls (just out of shot at Stainforth Force to my right)

The next section of todays excellent walk was alongside the pretty River Ribble - as always I was searching for Kingfishers as I strolled along the riverbank, but as usual I didn't spot any (Do they actually exist - or are they actually mythical?).

The last stretch of path by the river before heading slightly away from the river at Langcliffe Weir.

Langcliffe Weir.

Myself and a fellow walker watched from the bridge as a mother mallard violently protected her three young ducklings from a large Crow/Rook. It was an out and out fight with the duck grabbing the birds wing at one point. Water splashing and ducklings chirping for a good few minutes.

The mallard eventually won and the rook flew off without a meal for now. But during the turmoil, one of the ducklings had got separated from the mother and was now on the lower level of the river shouting desperately for mum.

The mothers desperate call to the duckling to re-join the rest of her family was heard, but the small duckling was unable to scale the concrete slope and get back up to mum - It was sad to see, nature I suppose - if the bird were to return now there would be only one end result.

We watched for 5-10minutes, but had to press on in the end. So we will never know the outcome.

Arriving back at Settle - tired, but happy, having had a great day out in Ribblesdale.