Soggy family stroll

We set off on a nice family walk – myself, two sons and my wife. As we drove towards the Yorkshire Dales the sky darkened steadily, and when we parked under Ribblehead Viaduct a steady downpour was falling. “No such thing as bad weather, only the wrong coats,” I cheerily said. We set off up into the clouds, following the main path up Whernside. As we walked I warned the children that any complaining would jeopardise their chances of a treat when we got down. We climbed onto the ridge and were hit by a westerly wind of some ferocity, and each of the adults grabbed a kid’s hand to stop them blowing away. Rain turned to sleet, blowing horizontally onto the side of our faces. My son, aged six, piped up from next to me: “Dad, I’m not complaining but I can’t feel one side of my head!” Only one response was suitable: “Don’t worry son, I can’t feel mine either!” We all survived, dropped down and called into the excellent Pen-y-Ghent café to warm up. Pint mugs of tea for my wife and I, while my sons decided to opt for.... ice cream! There’s definitely no such thing as weather too bad for ice cream when you’re a kid.