Twenty-seven people and one dog turned up at the Fountains Abbey visitor centre.
We started out from the car park an headed down towards the lower entrance before skirting around the perimeter wall of the Abbey grounds. We then moved out across farm land, and sunk into the cold, wet mud of winter. We then walked through a valley, beside a stream and across lovely stone bridges. We finally made it down to the Studley Royal entrance, where we had lunch overlooking the lakes in the sun. Heart shaped biscuits were offered around to bring a hint of Valentine's into the occasion.
After lunch, we walked up a steap hill, across fields and finally into woodland, where the mud was thick and slippery. However, we only had one casualty who lost his shoe.
We finally, made our way out of the woods and mud and arrived back into the Fountain's Abbey car park. Once boots were changed, a welcome cup of coffee was had in the cafe.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Festive walk: Leavening - 27th December 2009
A short walk near Leavening helped to relieve a few of those festive pounds, and was enjoyed by ten brave enough to face the snow and cold.
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Black Hambleton - Sunday 13th December
Eighteen souls plus one dog met in the tiny village of Nether Silton for an eight mile circular walk. Having seen sun, rain and a rainbow enroute to the village, none of us was quite sure what to expect.
This walk was in the Hambleton Hills on the far western edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The main feature of the walk was the heather moorland typical of the park as Black Hambleton is a blanket of heather.
There were brief but lovely views from the summit of Black Hambleton which were otherwise cloaked in low cloud, and we followed the Cleveland way for a while before descending back down in to the valley and back to Nether Silton.
Definitely one to revisit in better weather to enjoy the expansive heather and views.
This walk was in the Hambleton Hills on the far western edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The main feature of the walk was the heather moorland typical of the park as Black Hambleton is a blanket of heather.
There were brief but lovely views from the summit of Black Hambleton which were otherwise cloaked in low cloud, and we followed the Cleveland way for a while before descending back down in to the valley and back to Nether Silton.
Definitely one to revisit in better weather to enjoy the expansive heather and views.
Monday, 9 November 2009
Hole of Horcum - Sunday 8th November
A record twenty-four people plus one dog arrived in Levisham for our walk to, through and around the Hole of Horcum.
The walk started via a muddy, sloping path to the south of the village, which wound its way towards the Hole of Horcum, an ancient hollow in the ground caused by the actions of a giant/large sheet of ice during the last ice age.
As we arrived at the abandoned farmers cottage the rain started. Lunch was had in the shelter of the cottage.
As we headed up and out of the Hole of Horcum, the rain stopped and blue skies came into view. Upon reaching the top of the slope, we turned left and along the edge of the Hole, back towards Levisham, arriving in good time for beer and chips from the Horseshoe pub.
Once again, a wonderful walk with great company.
The walk started via a muddy, sloping path to the south of the village, which wound its way towards the Hole of Horcum, an ancient hollow in the ground caused by the actions of a giant/large sheet of ice during the last ice age.
As we arrived at the abandoned farmers cottage the rain started. Lunch was had in the shelter of the cottage.
As we headed up and out of the Hole of Horcum, the rain stopped and blue skies came into view. Upon reaching the top of the slope, we turned left and along the edge of the Hole, back towards Levisham, arriving in good time for beer and chips from the Horseshoe pub.
Once again, a wonderful walk with great company.
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Thixendale - Sunday 11th October, 2009
Fourteen souls plus Lady the Westie arrived in Thixendale on Sunday morning, ready for a walk through lovely rolling dales and vales.
We headed out of Thixendale towards Thixen Dale, past geese and sheep for a slow climb up the hill to the old Roman road. The Roman road afforded us excellent views across the Vale of York, where unlike our position, it seemed a lovely and sunny day. The path then headed downhill to Kirby Underdale, a tiny village with a lovely old Norman church, including an ancient stone showing an image of Mercury. Perhaps the grounds of the church previously housed a place of worship to a very different God.
After lunch in the church grounds and an appearannce by the sun we headed out of the village and back into the rolling countryside. Heading back towards Thixendale, we headed across pasture, a group of peacoccks and into Worm Dale, where we had tea in the sun as we watched the sheep (or was it the other way round?)
Finally, we made our way back into Thixendale for a welcome cup of tea and scone in the village hall. All in all, a lovely walk in the autumn sunshine.
We headed out of Thixendale towards Thixen Dale, past geese and sheep for a slow climb up the hill to the old Roman road. The Roman road afforded us excellent views across the Vale of York, where unlike our position, it seemed a lovely and sunny day. The path then headed downhill to Kirby Underdale, a tiny village with a lovely old Norman church, including an ancient stone showing an image of Mercury. Perhaps the grounds of the church previously housed a place of worship to a very different God.
After lunch in the church grounds and an appearannce by the sun we headed out of the village and back into the rolling countryside. Heading back towards Thixendale, we headed across pasture, a group of peacoccks and into Worm Dale, where we had tea in the sun as we watched the sheep (or was it the other way round?)
Finally, we made our way back into Thixendale for a welcome cup of tea and scone in the village hall. All in all, a lovely walk in the autumn sunshine.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Weekend walk in Lake District - 25-27 September 2009
When you visit the Lake District you can but hope for dry let alone good weather. Our group of eight intrepid explorers were not to be disappointed.
We arrived on the Friday evening in Rosthwaite, each with tales of 'homely' B&B's in which we were staying. Modern conveniences were not to hand, but as the weekend progressed, we all came to appreciate the good food and hospitality on offer. The evening was spent in the Riverside Bar, where ample food and beer were comsumed.
Saturday morning was dry with high cloud. We started the walk from Honister Pass car park and headed up into the hills towards Haystacks. The walk was quite easy with wonderful views down towards Buttermere, Crummock Water and Ennerdale Water. Lunch was taken at the peak, along with dozens of others doing a similar route. With the sun coming out, a decision was taken to include two more peaks in our route - Brandreth and Grey Knotts - we even provided temporary respite for two lost Lancashire souls until we reunited them with their group. Being consumed in conversation does not always go hand in hand with keeping on your route, as we also found out later in the day. Modern GPS technology was to come to our rescue.
After returning to the car park, we headed back to our B&B's for a well deserved bath, followed by a trip into Keswick for an even more deserved curry - a great way to end a wonderful day.
On Sunday we decided to take more gentle route via Castle Crags (a scramble up slate slag, which offered breathtaking views of Derwent Water and Keswick in the distance) into Grange for lunch, in a wonderfully located cafe on the bedrock of the River Derwent. After lunch, we returned along the banks of the river into Rosthwaite. Again the weather was kind and we all returned home with only seeing a slight dampness on Sunday morning.
All in all, a wonderful weekend. Come one Oddsocks, lets be having you at next year's weekend walks!
We arrived on the Friday evening in Rosthwaite, each with tales of 'homely' B&B's in which we were staying. Modern conveniences were not to hand, but as the weekend progressed, we all came to appreciate the good food and hospitality on offer. The evening was spent in the Riverside Bar, where ample food and beer were comsumed.
Saturday morning was dry with high cloud. We started the walk from Honister Pass car park and headed up into the hills towards Haystacks. The walk was quite easy with wonderful views down towards Buttermere, Crummock Water and Ennerdale Water. Lunch was taken at the peak, along with dozens of others doing a similar route. With the sun coming out, a decision was taken to include two more peaks in our route - Brandreth and Grey Knotts - we even provided temporary respite for two lost Lancashire souls until we reunited them with their group. Being consumed in conversation does not always go hand in hand with keeping on your route, as we also found out later in the day. Modern GPS technology was to come to our rescue.
After returning to the car park, we headed back to our B&B's for a well deserved bath, followed by a trip into Keswick for an even more deserved curry - a great way to end a wonderful day.
On Sunday we decided to take more gentle route via Castle Crags (a scramble up slate slag, which offered breathtaking views of Derwent Water and Keswick in the distance) into Grange for lunch, in a wonderfully located cafe on the bedrock of the River Derwent. After lunch, we returned along the banks of the river into Rosthwaite. Again the weather was kind and we all returned home with only seeing a slight dampness on Sunday morning.
All in all, a wonderful weekend. Come one Oddsocks, lets be having you at next year's weekend walks!
More pics to follow upon receipt from the official photographer...
Monday, 14 September 2009
Market Weighton - Sunday 13th September 2009
8 walkers & 1 dog were on the walk. Of those, 3 walkers (Rachael, Jane & Shelley) & the dog (lady) were welcome new recuits.
The walk started on the flat as we made our way along along the disused railway east out of Market Weighton before we started a steady but gentle climb following part of the Wolds Way through Goodmanham and on to Londesborough. After a walk around this lovely village we returned to Market Weighton following another branch of the Wolds Way.
The weather was dry (apart from a few spots at lunch) but people's reaction to the temperature was varied with some choosing hats & fleeses while others chose shorts & short sleeved blouses! (See picture)
The walk started on the flat as we made our way along along the disused railway east out of Market Weighton before we started a steady but gentle climb following part of the Wolds Way through Goodmanham and on to Londesborough. After a walk around this lovely village we returned to Market Weighton following another branch of the Wolds Way.
The weather was dry (apart from a few spots at lunch) but people's reaction to the temperature was varied with some choosing hats & fleeses while others chose shorts & short sleeved blouses! (See picture)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
