Beautiful Dales And Red Squirrel Encounter......1st - 3rd February 2014.

Sheep at Hardraw.

Hardraw Force.

Dales scenery near to Hardraw.

Lovely countryside near to Hawes.

Dales scenery near Hawes.

Red Squirrel,Snaizeholme.

Red Squirrel,Snaizeholme.

The Upper Falls,Aysgarth.

The Upper Falls,Aysgarth.

After learning about an accessible site relatively close to home for Red Squirrels,Trace and myself booked ourselves into a lovely Dales B&B at Bainbridge in the heart of Wensleydale in the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park.After a couple of hours kip from finishing my week of nights,we made the journey up the A1 and then cut across into the Dales.The A1 journey was brightened up by 2 cracking roadside Red Kites near to the Wetherby services.A stop for food at the lovely market town of Leyburn en-route,then saw us making the remainder of the journey to Bainbridge.After arriving at our B&B,ran by the lovely Roxana,we unloaded the gear and then decided to travel the short distance over to Aysgarth to view the stunning Water falls.It sadly was raining on and off as we arrived,but there was some compensation as the falls were in full flow with all the rain,the Upper Falls being particularly impressive and we took plenty of photos.After a great meal out and sleep,next morning saw us heading towards Hawes and after a well timed phone call we visited Mrs Kemp and her Red Squirrels.After a slightly hairy journey along the approach track to the farm,Mrs Kemp met us to say she had just put some food out for the little red coated locals.The next two hours were spent with at least 20 Red Squirrels,with up to 6 on view at the same time and has to be one of the best wildlife experiences i have had with some of the individuals being incredibly bold,walking around our feet.I managed some decent images despite the dull,overcast weather and showers,but i couldn't have cared less after this brilliant experience.After our great few hours with the little red beauties,we spent the remainder of the day exploring Wensleydale and we visited the impressive Hardraw Force and the obligatory visit for a cuppa at the Wensleydale Creamery.But even at this time of year and in rainy and overcast conditions for most of our stay,it was and still is a beautiful area to visit and it was sad for us both to be travelling back home on Monday morning.The journey home was again broken up by another Red Kite near Wetherby services and a couple of Common Buzzard.A brilliant weekend away in a stunning part of the world....who needs foreign holidays,not me.