Beauty can be recognised a mile away. Even though it takes on many different forms. A sunrise. Birdsong. Crashing waves. A loving deed. A sympathetic smile. Holding hands. In fact, it’s constantly all around us and easy to spot.
Forty minutes from site and we’ve paid our £8 each and entered through the turnstile that marks the beginning of the privately owned Ingleton Waterfalls Trail. Its 8km have been providing scenes of beauty since it opened on Good Friday, 11 April 1885.
Scott and Ram are on a break from a Channel 4 shoot for Omaze. We swap photo duties. Ram (in blue) has a towel wrapped around his waist. Intent on taking a dip.
The trail leaves the River Twiss and leads us east across country in search of our route down from our not too giddy climb of 554 feet. It’s after 4pm. This ice-cream man is just about to leave. His captive customer queue dwindled. Until us. Perfect timing.
The uphill climb takes more effort. The downhill puts more strain. Old thighs and knees take it in turns to moan, groan and creak. The downhill views take it in turn to rub balm into muscles and joints. The eyes and mind have more beautiful scenes to consider.
Scott and Ram catch up. Neither dipped. Far too cold. Their numb feet and ankles lasted a couple of minutes. “It was very refreshing though” they lie!
6.50pm and we’re back at camp with more of today’s beauty shining through on Beastie’s door-step.
