Menoooooooohhhhhh, Look At That!

Picking up from leaving Whalley, the next imperative was to locate a charger that was a) accessible, b) not over-priced, c) within the 75 miles left in the battery and d) within cooee of an overnight park up. Leaving the Derbyshire scenery, there was a subtle change as we entered the Yorkshire Dales. 

The original plan was to reach Settle. Not ideal, as it only holds one charger that would be of use and was also the most expensive of the suppliers I have come across (Osprey) - that too, for not very high voltage. I kept searching and decided to give in and download yet another app... this time for the prevalent, though low-powered network, PodPoint. These are often found in supermarket car parks, but many councils use them too. North of Settle is a place called Horton-in-Ribblesdale, and one PP there. Paid my £5.50 for the parking fee, then hooked up with the new app (this one is not available on either of my charge cards) and waited... and waited... for four hours for the 7kWh delivery to get from 43% (52 miles) to 58% (90 miles). At least it was cheap, at about eight quid for the charge. At 2145h, I drove another five miles in the near darkness to reach Ribblehead and roadside parking... with this view...

Yup, took that at 2200h! Woke up at 0515h next morning to this...

...and four hours later, it was this...

Oh yeahhhhhh, this is my kinda parking spot! I had a lazy brekky as I waited for the Bluetti to recharge from the power on board (bringing us down to 80 miles on the register). The tentative plan had been to move on to a town some ten miles on where a fast charger (possibly could be, but maybe not, on my Blue Oval network...) However... this viaduct is so famous to anyone who is into anything to do with rail travel in the UK, and I was sorely tempted to make the walk over to it.

Despite being extremely busy during the day, there was a real sense of peace here, and I knew I wanted to linger. I noted that The Station Inn, just up to the left of that last image, had lots of vans parked there. Checking P4N, I read that they actively encourage vanners to stay, offering a code-locked toilet (heated room and hot water!), toilet dumping facility (for those with chem-pots) and free fresh water supply. Just register at the bar (for their insurance purpose) and have at least a drink or two and maybe some food. The only place I had eaten out so far was in Marlborough, (I don't count Cafe Autisan, as that was more picnic prices!), so I thought it was time I treated myself. I moved up to their car park. The pub was not open until 1100h, so I walked up to the train station (still active), where there is a volunteer-run tea room and local history boards. 

Marigold and Sarah were manning the place that day, and we and another few customers had a good old craic about the benefits of proper walking aids, my Rolls Royce Dietz (RRD) having lit up a few eyes!!! Who'd've thunk it? I promised I would return for a cuppa later in the day again. (£2 for a pot + hot water, enough for four big cups!) I returned to the pub to register The Grey and took a refresher. Oh my gosh - this place is ace!!!

The young men running the place were delightful and welcoming and also keen to advise whether my RRD would take me down to the viaduct safely. Which they felt it would. I left them at 1211h, and embarked on the one-mile round trip... and returned almost exactly at 1300h. Yes, snails would beat me, but the point was I made that lumpy walk safely and without overdue strain to my joints and spine due to having this fandango machine. I also didn't rush, taking time for a selfie (proof!) and also to chat with a couple who were clearly enjoying the place as much as myself.

It was marvellous! I spent a little while in the van with the door open to enjoy the view over the hills (not facing the viaduct as such) and did a couple of posts. Then at mid-arvo, it was back up to the station for the second pot and another natter with Marigold and Sarah, both ladies in their 70s who take two shifts a month together out of a team of about 30 volunteers who keep the place stocked with home baking and broad smiles. Back to the van for a watch of catch-up telly before heading into the inn for my evening meal. (I will just mention that this is the second place on the long trip that I had absolutely no phone signal - and nobody did, regardless of their providers, so another reason for moving to the pub was to gain wifi!) I had the creamy broccoli pasta, and ohmigosh it was tasty. Twice the amount required, of course, so take away tiffin required, but yummeroonies!

As I paid my dues and took my leave that evening, the young manager encouraged me by asking, "Will we see you tomorrow then?" I mean, really, THIS is what hospitality looks like. And I did stay another night! On the second day, I simply opened my door and enjoyed the breeze, and country smells; at lunchtime, I went in to confirm another night stopover and to partake of the carrot and coriander soup with mini-loaf fresh from the oven... 😋 I was joined by Tom and Irene, who had just parked up beside me and were down for the weekend from near Carlisle - their fifth visit here, due to the welcome. That's their motorhome two along from The Grey as viewed from our lunch table. 

...do you think they knew the YAMster and her RRD were on the way??? In the arvo, I worked on this post and the follow-up Me-Now-Views post... and for tea, the remainder of last night's feast. Also, planning for the next stage of travel. Sigh... yes, have to leave this blissful spot...