Kelly's Capers: Kildwick

Monday 28th August 2017
We decided to wait before leaving our mooring at Stocksbridge with the intention of allowing enough time for the bank holiday visiting boats to depart before we arrived at Kildwick.
After a nice steady cruise up and 8 swing bridges we arrived at our destination to find our plan had worked out perfectly with plenty of space available for us to moor up.
We went for a walk down the towpath and along the banks of the river Aire, now a mere brook compared to the great river we had cruised along back in July. Walking back to the boat we met Jude, who lives on her boat with her partner Charlie and their two dogs Keith and Coco. We stopped for a drink and we were then joined by Charlie, its always great to catch up with friends along the way and we were pleased to have met them again.
During our discussions we mentioned that we had met a couple who had a composting toilet on their boat and found it easy to use and that it lasts much longer than a cassette, before having to be emptied.
Jude told us about a couple who were manufacturing these in Skipton and offered to drive us over to see them the following morning. We gratefully accepted her kind offer so arranged to meet up the following day.
Tuesday 29th August 2017
A bit cooler this morning but still dry and bright, we met Jude as planned and went to visit Kildwick Low Impact Toilets. It was really interesting to see their products (the toilets that is) and discuss how they work, it is mainly separating solids and liquids then either bagging up or composting the solids, the liquids can be disposed of in a field or bushes away from the canal.
We like the idea of not being a slave to having to empty the cassette every two or three days but we need to think whether this alternative is for us.
On our return to the boat we decided to go for a walk into Cross Hills, this turned into a walk up to Lund's Tower, this is one of the two pinnacles that dominate the south west side of the valley here, I downloaded a walk from Cross Hills up to the tower and we were under way.
The climb took us through the hamlet of Bent, were were treated to the delightful sight of a 3 hour old calf trying to stand whist being securely guarded by its mother.

The climb took us by one or two farms before reaching the road just below the summit, a short but steep final ascent brought to the foot of the brooding tower.

Lucia peering from the top

Lund's Tower was commissioned by James Lund, of the wealthy textile family, it was built in 1887 and it is undecided whether it was to celebrate his daughter Ethel's 21st birthday or the 1887 jubilee of Queen Victoria. Its nearby partner, Wainman's Tower is about 1/2 a mile along the crag, the two are know locally as Salt and Pepper.

Looking across to KIldwick

The view from the top is stunning with Ingleborough, Penyghent and Pendle Hills clearly visible in the distance with Beamsley Beacon and Simons Seat a little closer. This is a must do climb if you are ever in this area.
We followed a different path down and made our way back to the White Lion in Kildwick for a couple of pints of Goose eye. Tuesday is Pie Night here so I tried the Chicken and Mushroom whilst Lucia had the Fish pie, both homemade and thoroughly delicious!