Tripsdale

We have walked through the hidden valley of Tripsdale several times following walks in TSB's books but not yet visited Low Cable Stones, where we had read that relatives of Tom Scott Burns had affixed a bronze memorial plaque to the author and countryman.   Today we decided to do a 6.5 mile walk that would take in the those large, remotely sited stones and see the plaque for ourselves. This meant that for the first time in ages we would not actually be following one of TSB's walks!

 We parked at Chop Gate car park and walked up by William Beck Farm, then steeply up through the bracken to the escarpment where we turned left and followed the ridge until just before a plantation of trees where we turned onto the open moor and headed towards Tripsdale.

 William Beck Farm

 From the escarpment

 Crossing rough moorland towards Tripsdale

Initially we followed a shooters' track but this petered out and we trekked over open moor,  then along an ancient earthworks until the enormous stones came into view.

There are two plaques fixed to the rocks, the first is to Alfred J. Brown, a countryman and favourite author of TSB who placed the plaque with the blessing of  Brown's family.  The second is a small bronze plate inscribed with TSB's date of birth and death, and a quote "There must be Dales in Paradise", part of Brown's epitaph, "There must be Dales in Paradise, which you and I will find".  The stones are not easy to reach and there are no paths nearby, which makes them a more interesting feature, we thought.

 Clive on Low Cable Stones

 AJB's plate had once adorned his home

At some time in the remote past smaller stones have been set in front of the Cable Stones and finding a couple of flat ones we sat and enjoyed our coffee and scones, wondering as to the source of the name 'Low Cable Stones'.  Deciding to make further enquiries later and much refreshed, we set off  NNE across the open moor.  Eventually we reached a footpath which led us back to the escarpment  from where we descended through the pretty village of Seave Green.  We soon arrived at the Buck Inn in Chop Gate, where we enjoyed a pint sitting outside in the warm sunshine. 

 My right hand is next to the TSB's plaque 

Leaving Low Cable Stones along the ancient embankment, the head of Upper Tripsdale to the right

 Walking back towards the escarpment, Chop Gate below

 Starting the descent to Seave Green

 Substantial storehouse or shelter on descent

A reward at the Buck Inn

I was sure the landlord of the Buck Inn had a  German accent but Clive said he was sure he was Australian.  Returning to the bar I asked and he said he was Australian but had been born in Germany, so we were both right.  He and his wife had walked in the area in the 1970's and had loved the hills so they had bought the Buck.