Walking Diary 2024

Six walkers left Redmire for a short 4 miler across the fields and railway line up to Preston-under-Scar, then back above Redmire railway station before descending back into Redmire itself for refreshments.

Sadly no significant bridges were crossed, although, the resourceful explorers did discover a new category of bridge: "The Mini-Bridge".  Colin, the resident CE declared the category valid on three counts; 1, he was the leader; 2, he said so; and 3, he was buying the first round so if anyone dissented they could buy their own beer.  All agreed and a new category was born!

The route, although difficult, proved tolerable for the walkers under Colin's excellent guidance.

Little fear was shown by the walkers as they crossed the high speed railway line.   No accidents occurred.

The walkers were pleased to reach their destination in good spirit and agreed to meet for a further walk on the 8th February

The Dynamic Duo, Little and Large, set off from Aysgarth on the long route to Carperby

Slipping across the National Park car park, Large found another bridge in the woods.

The Duo were determined to keep going despite the increasing amount of snow, knowing that a warm fire would be waiting in The Wheatsheaf.

Where was the next bridge to be found?  An old railway bridge was seen with a lake under it.   Little took the plunge, showing Large the path to take.

Venturing into the unknown, a new path was discovered that would lead directly to Carperby. Following some footsteps in the snow, stile after stile was climbed, eventually leading to a view of The Wheatsheaf.  However, another challenging bridge had to be traversed before arriving.

There the Duo met the Intrepid Wanderer *(also known as Clifford – ed.) who was supping his first pint.  A warm welcome was enhanced with refreshing drinks, tasty food accompanied by the customary bowl of chips. The ritual chip waving took place with usual ceremony.

Talk ranged far and wide before Little and Large re-donned their boots to make their way back across white fields, under another bridge, safely home to Aysgarth.

And then the really heavy snow descended…..

The group assembled at the pre-determined spot in Gilling West, with the Aysgarth contingent having taken a rather scenic route from Richmond to GW. On time, the complete group departed GW for Skeeby and the Traveller’s Rest hostelry.

Dick wasted no time in displaying his teaching background with an impressive  demonstration of multi-tasking:, ie walking across muddy fields whilst navigating using GPS.

At the first opportunity the lads stopped for a bridge photo on the newly (see last walk) categorised “mini-bridge” at Skeeby before sprinting up the hill to the pub. (This was the only bridge encountered on the first leg)

A warm welcome in the Traveller’s Rest was accompanied by pints of delicious and well kept “Ruck & Maul” ale, and top class beef or tuna panini with chips.

After leaving the pub the lads returned to the start on a mainly different route, with the aim of discovering some previously unknown bridges.   Firstly spanning the roaring torrent of Gilling Beck the Twaddlers bravely posed on the unguarded bridge

After the trauma of the unguarded bridge the lads trekked on to the next objective, this time a safer, though smaller bridge over Crayfish Beck.  Here the photographer took the opportunity to practise some photoshopping (in line with recent royal protocols) and just for fun edited out all the walkers.

The final bridge of the day caused much consternation among the group. Is it a bridge; is it a culvert?  Fortunately and before any unseemly behaviour ensued, Colin was able to use his superior know-how on all matters engineering to avert a disturbance and define the structure, whereupon another new category was born: the BRIDVERT.

Before returning home the boys posed for one last selfie.

The five eager walkers arrived outside the Red Lion in Burnsall ready to set off by the river to the giant suspension bridge.   The walkers chose to ignore warnings that the bridge had required major repairs earlier in the week.

The walkers showed no fear as they crossed the suspension bridge, but wisely held on to the cables in case of collapse. 

The last bridge was located with little effort before the walkers arrived at their destination in Burnsall.