GRIMWITH RESERVOIR WALK - Saturday 21st January
Distance 15 miles
Just five walkers arrived at the deserted the car park by Grimwith Reservoir on a damp and very windy day. Ron's bacon and sausage butties were devoured with great gusto before they set off to circumvent the reservoir. They watched the giant 'rollers' breaking against the shore, before heading off cross-country in the direction of Burnsall.
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The walkers gathered on a bridge for a group photo, in the cold and windy conditions |
| The walkers were relieved to see Burnsall in the distance, before heading towards the suspension bridge to enable the crossing of the fast flowing dangerous river. |
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The walkers were seen in high spirits, as they successfully crossed the fast flowing river. On reaching the far side Neil permitted a celebratory Pork Pie stop and the walkers (except Ron) can be seen holding their pies aloft in triumph. |
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The walkers quickly realised that their incredible speed would mean arrival at the Craven Arms in Appletreewick at 11-45am. The walkers were not put off by this fact and quickly settled down in the warm surroundings to consume quantities of Thwaites Original (Except Colin & Ron).
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As it was Colin's birthday the week before, the walkers ordered chips, but were gravely disappointed by the portion size for the £11 purchase. A score of just one star was awarded. |
Aware that only two years earlier the walkers had left the pub too late to arrive back at their cars before nightfall, they decided to leave in plenty of time.
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Only too quickly the walkers found themselves heading towards "Trollers Gill", however, they were confident of their superior skills. The leader ordered the walkers to take on extra sustenance and they stopped to consume their sandwiches and the remainder of Alan's Mars Bar Crispies. |
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The walkers soon found themselves in treacherous conditions where using their extreme skills they avoided certain death in the fast running cold waters, by jumping from slippery rock to rock. |
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The walkers emerged triumphantly from Trollers Gill and headed upwards toward the main road, where the knew that only a short distance lay between them and their cars. |
Navigation across the final section of the moor proved more successful than two years earlier, although the weather took a turn for the worse. They were relieved to reach the cars back at Grimwith Reservoir after yet another difficult, but enjoyable walk.
Chip Score:
(Poor value
for money)
Weather: Cold, damp, muddy and very very windy.
Walkers: Neil, Sean, Alan, Colin and Ron, with Ella the Dog
Thornton Steward / Coverbridge Walk - Saturday 25th February
Distance 14 miles
Seven eager walkers arrived at the car park adjacent to the Thornton Steward Reservoir, keen to taste Cliff's bacon & sausage butties, before setting off into the sleepy village of Thornton Steward.
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They quickly travelled down to Kilgram Grange, where crossing the River Ure they can be seen in high spirits. |
Continuing onward they headed uphill, soon to pass through the village of Ellingstring
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Eager to test their jumping skills, the walkers can be seen racing through the fields at incredible speeds |
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Before the walkers tackled the dangerously exposed and windy upper reaches of Witton Moor, the walkers wisely consumed extra supplies of Pork Pie and Mars Bar Crispies. |
Extreme cold winds were endured by the walkers as they headed onward, accurately locating the turn towards Witton Fell and finding some welcome shelter passing the forest sections.
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The walkers could not hide their extreme joy at seeing the Coverbridge Inn in the distance, as they gazed across the lower regions of Wensleydale. |
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The walkers hurried down the road, soon to reach East Witton and locate the footpath by the church that was to take them the final stage down to cross the River Cover and arrive at their planned lunchtime stop at the Coverbridge Inn.
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Plentiful supplies of wholesome ale, together with generous portions of chips were enjoyed at The Coverbridge Inn, but the walkers were only too conscious that a considerable distance lay between them and their destination. |
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On leaving the Coverbridge Inn the walkers cunningly took a route past Danby Hall before attempting to locate the hidden footpath to Danby Grange |
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All the walkers, except Ella the dog, successfully crossed the swollen stream on a rickety bridge, and no disaster occurred. |
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The walkers were pleased to have so quickly located the footpath back to Thornton Steward and stopped to consume further supplies of Pork Pie and Mars Bar Crispies outside the church, on a seat not designed for 4 persons. |
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The walkers were relieved to arrive back at their cars after another successful walk |
Chip Score:
Weather: Dry with a little sun at times, but a cold biting wind.
Walkers: Cliff (Leader), Neil, Paul, Andy, Alan, Colin and Ron, with Ella the Dog
FINGHALL/REDMIRE WALK - Saturday 31st March
Distance 13 miles
The five walkers arrived at the grass verge close to the level crossing at Finghall where they they quickly consumed Ron's excellent Sausage butties. Alan led the walkers through Finghall and along the track towards Thornton Steward reservoir, before reaching the picturesque village of Thornton Steward.
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The walkers were careful not to disturb the young foals and their mares as they passed on their way to Danby Grange. |
The walkers looked longingly at 'The Coverbridge Inn' as they passed at an early hour. Rumours that it was open for breakfasts and coffees were dismissed.
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The walkers were anxious to learn more of the history of the Middleham Castle before heading up to the "Gallops", where they witnessed many race horses being exercised. |
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All the new born lambs sat patiently desperately waiting to see the walkers hurry past on their mission to reach Wensley for lunch |
Whilst crossing the River Ure, on entering Wensley, they were delighted to see several Swallows that had been sent very early in the year especially to welcome the walkers to the Dales. The walkers were humbled by the sight.
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The walkers arrived at The Three Horseshoes Inn in record time, but were acutely aware that an early departure would be necessary in order to catch the last train from Redmire at 4:15pm |
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Much merrymaking was witnessed in the pub as the walkers celebrated the successful completion of the first section of the walk, with excellent chips. |
The Walkers left the Three Horseshoes at 2:15 and hurried along the private roadway towards Bolton Hall
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The walkers stood in amazement when they almost witnessed the birth of twin lambs. |
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Characteristically the walkers located a bridge and proudly posed for a group photograph. Afterwards they hurried onward towards Redmire Station, fearful of missing the last train. |
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The walkers were proud of their negotiating skills in managing to obtain a special group travel permit at just £2-50 per person. The rail authorities were of course aware that carrying such important passengers would draw in crowds of well wishers!! |
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With great relief "The Wensleydale Express" arrived on time and swiftly transported the walkers back to Finghall in great comfort |
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The level crossing man at Finghall was able to control the crowds of well wishers, as the walkers made their way the short distance back to their cars. The walkers all agreed that this was an excellent and well led walk and vowed to meet again towards the end of April for another ground breaking walk.
Chip Score:
Weather: A little cold and damp in the morning, but turning into a fine afternoon.
Walkers: Alan (Leader), Cliff, Neil, Andy & Ron
DOWNHOLME WALK - Saturday 28th April
Distance: Approx 14 Miles
The walkers gathered adjacent to the Cattle Grid on the outskirts of Downholme at the allotted time, where they were delighted by Cliff's bacon and sausage butties with added fried egg. Despite the heavy rain on the journey to the start, they were pleased to note that the rain had stopped and they bravely set off without the benefit of full weatherproof clothing.
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Although the rain had stopped, the walk started wet underfoot and cold, but the walkers were ready for any conditions that they might encounter. |
Setting off through the village they located the footpath taking them down to the road, where they were quick to recognise the familiar junction heading towards Reeth. The route took the walkers through Maske and upwards passing Applegarth heading onwards towards Richmond.
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Ella, looked on with admiration, as the walkers proudly displayed their 'Pooh Sticks' before testing their competitive 'Poohing' skills. |
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As the weather conditions improved, the walkers took the opportunity to take a short Pork Pie stop, before continuing towards Richmond. |
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Having visited Middleham castle on their last walk, the walkers were keen to learn further fascinating facts about Richmond Castle. |
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Crossing the river the walkers took the river path towards the infamous Hudswell Woods, where they searched for the start of the hidden climb of 311 steps up Hudswell Bank towards the village of Hudswell, where their lunchtime stop was planned.
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The walkers quickly and accurately located the George and Dragon, where much ale was consumed. The chip negotiation resulted in 3 large bowls of chunky chips, served with ketchup and mayonnaise, which greatly met with the walkers approval, who awarded them the prestigious "5 Chip" score. |
The walkers very sensibly elected to take the road route back to the finish although they knew this would take them through Army practice land where they might encounter giant tanks and live artillery. However, the walkers dismissed the danger and continued onward.
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The walkers were seen in high spirits after completion of another daring walk planned by Cliff. They agree to meet again during May to further test their walking and navigational skills through the Yorkshire Dales. |
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Chip Score:
Weather: Cold and damp in the morning, but no rain. Turned into a warmer and pleasant afternoon.
Walkers: Cliff (Leader), Neil, Andy, Alan, Colin & Ron with Ella the dog.
NEXT WALK - Saturday TBA - May
TBA
