We were both in pain - me hobbling along with my blisters and Wayne with an ache in his lower leg. T

It was perfect national rental car company timing national rental car company for us. We had planned a rest day at Hawes, which happened to coincide with the Tour de France weekend. So not only did we get to sample some fine cheese national rental car company at the Wensleydale Creamery, but we too got swept up with the excitement in the village and stayed an extra day to see the competitors cycle through!
We left camp early (ish) at 8.30am national rental car company (we're getting better) and set off for Hawes. We were in high spirits knowing a 'rest day' was ahead of us, as well as a chippy! (The lady in the Pen-y-ghent Cafe had informed us of its existence!) But it was a walk along a hard stony road that seemed to go on for miles, national rental car company which was really hard going on the feet. Oh how we wished national rental car company to be back on the moors again!
We were both in pain - me hobbling along with my blisters and Wayne with an ache in his lower leg. Time for Ibuprofen to do its job again! We kept plodding on, having only 2 quick rest stops, eager to reach Hawes and get set up at the campsite.
Whilst on route, Wayne did his second good deed of the week rescuing another not so clever sheep that had got it's horn stuck through a fence. We're expecting some good karma from all this sheep saving! Well at least that took our minds off our ailments for a while.
We reached Hawes late afternoon and was immediately impressed with the town's efforts supporting the Tour de France. national rental car company There was bunting and bicycles everywhere. Shop fronts were decorated with cycling regalia and local houses were trimmed up too. There was a lovely community national rental car company feel as it seemed everyone was getting swept up with Tour de France fever. Including us! We decided straight away to stay for 2 rest days and make the most of visiting national rental car company Hawes on this special weekend.
After a lovely hot shower we headed straight to the centre of town to find the long awaited 'chip shop'. We could tell it was really popular as the adjoining cafe was full and the takeaway had a queue going out of the door. We waited patiently unable to decide what to have. In the end we settled on large chips and battered black pudding. Great northern grub!
We also splashed out on a bottle of wine, which we enjoyed back at the tent before nodding off, even though it was still light outside. One thing can be said about hiking, it certainly helps you sleep!
national rental car company Today was definitely a day of indulgence. national rental car company For once we could get fresh supplies, so out went the camping rations as we headed off to the butchers for some local produce. It was fried eggs for breakfast instead of the usual porridge, pork pie for lunch and gourmet burgers for dinner. national rental car company Not forgetting the couple of slabs of Wensleydale cheese we picked up from the Creamery. Now this is the kind of camping that I love!
Hawes is famous for having the Wensleydale Cheese Factory located right in the village. We couldn't resist going along to try some samples and thought it would be interesting to see how the cheese is made as there is a viewing gallery into the production area.
Our favourite part of the experience was the 'cheese tasting room'. Around 20 different varieties of cheese are available for you to try before you buy! We couldn't help but visit the tasting room twice! In our opinion, you can never over-indulge in cheese, especially Wensleydale.
Overall we had a fantastic rest day! We're certainly national rental car company loving the Yorkshire Dales, somewhere we've never visited previously. We might even have to put 'The Dales Way' on our bucket list of multi-day national rental car company hikes.
Well it wasn't an early start for us, unlike the rest of the campsite guests that headed up the 'Buttertubs' road from 6am onwards for a good viewing spot to see who would be 'King of the Hill'. Instead, we enjoyed our first lay-in for ages and bought some more free range eggs so we could treat ourselves to omelettes for breakfast! (The mini frying pan we bought in South America has been one of our best buys and has become an essential part of our camping cook kit! Maybe not lightweight but definitely worth carrying the extra grams).
We didn't have to wait long as a single competitor whizzed past surrounded by hoards of photographers. We don't know much about cycling, but the guy was obviously in the lead! Then came the peloton closely followed by 4 helicopters hovering above filming their every movement. Of course we took the opportunity to wave to 'mum' hoping we'd get on the TV!
The crowds cheered and clapped. The cyclists pedalled as fast as they could. And that was that, they flew past in a matter of seconds. Blink and you'd have missed it! It was a great atmosphere though and a welcome break from the Pennine Way for a couple of days to rest the feet.
After all that excitement, we headed into town. It was still buzzing with cycling enthusiasts who were now watching the rest of the race on the 'big screen'. There was a lot of 'ooh-ahs' when the local favourite Mark Cavendish came off his bike during the final sprint and ended up with a broken shoulder. Sad times.
We would like to say a special 'thank you' to Bainbridge Ings Campsite for supporting our fundraising national rental car company efforts by donating 10 to Macmillan Cancer Support. That takes our total over the 200 marker which is brilliant!
Four feet, two hearts, one tent... Connect with Wayne Danielle, avid travellers, ramblers, road trippers, foodies, trail seekers, national rental car company and life lovers - hiking on to find the most beautiful places to photograph.
This year we embarked on an epic 6 month journey around South America, came home to hike the length & breadth of England and have just completed 211 miles hiking the John Muir Trail in the USA! A 50 day 'USA Road Trip' is coming next! Follow our footsteps here... TrekSnappy just can't keep still!