Ribblehead was the starting point 
of our first long walk for quite a while  
The highest of the Yorkshire three peaks 
the planned route was nine and a half miles

Along with many others it seemed
we had chosen a good weather day
Groups of schoolchildren, friends and couples
we met along the narrow pathway

We climbed up the long limestone stairway
beside the train track and gentle stream
To the left hand side, a small tarn
the vertical backdrop appeared extreme

Rewarded at the top
magnificent views as far as the eye could see 
Our hunger quelled with a bite to eat 
thirst quenched with a hot cup of tea 

The pie crust top of Ingleborough 
looked harsh under a threatening cloud
In the far distance Pen-y-ghent 
the smallest of the three, yet tall and proud

The descent was steep, sharp and rocky
some of the steps difficult to take 
My aging knees took the strain and pain 
and my tired legs began to shake 

At the bottom I let out a sigh 
looked behind at the challenge complete
I felt a sense of achievement 
and grateful for flat ground under my feet 

We traced the foothill of Whernside
passing sheep and cattle along the way 
As we strolled back to the car
we both agreed it had been a lovely day