By jove I think I've got it! I am as sure as I can be that the gypsies didn't go via Aysgarth. Re-visiting the lyrics I noticed

Have you seen the Gypsies I asked the farmer
They were camped up at Langstrothdale came his reply

To head into Langsthrothdale you would go west from Buckden, not on the Easterly road which would take you towards Leyburn and Aysgarth. Going through Hubberholme into Langsthrothdale and Deepdale you pass a stone circle at Yokenthwaite and then, to quote Wainwright, "A bridge over the youthfull Wharfe running in a limestone bed."

The lyric is

Early next morning I started for Wensleydale
Moorland before me stretched out like a dream
Up by the boulders and over the bridge
Where the white lady walks into the stream

Now here lies an interesting point. According to Mike Hardings walking the dales book, the Wharfe and the Dee (as in Deepdale) are named after the Celtic Goddesses, Verbena and Deva. Verbena being the Goddess of spring, the Celtic version of the Saxon Eostre. What are the chances that Mr Pegg is using the imagery of the White Lady (Verbena) walking into the stream and becoming the Wharfe? Clever eh? Or too clever by half...:-(

What did clinch it for me though was Wainwright again. He mentions that Gayle, just south of Hawes, is actualy the centre of Wensleydale cheese making. Taking the route I have described you would come through Gayle on the way to the Buttertubs pass. Bob Peggs lyrics again -

I met an old man I'd met once before
Kit Calvert the maker of Wensleydale cheese

Hehe! Success I think! First nice day and the Honda and me are taking a little tour to check it out:-) I will clock the mileage and see if I can divide it up into 2 walking days but I suspect it will be more like 3 at my pace...

I will keep you posted.

Cheers

DtG