Leyburn Walk - 25 April 2017

Harmby Waterfall

This was a nice, easy, level circuit around Leyburn starting & finishing at Tennants car park and in marked contrast to last week's walk did not involve any Mission Impossible stiles - thankfully.  A great walk of about 5 miles covering a surprising variety of terrain and that lovely "hidden" waterfall at Harmby that's only a few yards beyond the main road wall!  Another great turnout of 24 walkers.

In contrast to recent warm, sunny weather it was a fine day but very cold - woolly hats, gloves and scarves were all necessary and we were lucky with the rain, as it kept away until we had finished our lunch in the splendid Tennants dining room.  So splendid a lunch that Charles suggested that perhaps we should change our activities to those of a Reeth Luncheon Club with Tennants as the regular weekly venue? 

Thanks for the walk Margaret and thanks also to Leah for the photos - we all enjoyed meeting you Leah and hopefully you will be able to join one of our walks again before too long. 

East Cowton Walk - 18 April 2017

East Cowton is one of those out of the way villages that one drives past when going from Richmond to Middlesborough on the Scorton road.  In fact it's a delightful, quiet little village with an excellent pub called "The Bees Wing" - evidently after a long dead famous racehorse.

St Mary's South Cowton

Anyway, this was a great walk led by Nicky that was an easy level walk with surprisingly good views that wove its way on a complex 6.3 mile circuit taking in a the neighbouring village of North Cowton and the lovely, now redundant church of St Mary's at the now at the site of the medieval village of South Cowton, where we stopped for our coffee break.  The church and the castle across the meadows was built by Sir Richard Conyers during 1450 - 1470, but sadly the village declined and depopulated after the Wars of the Roses and was abandoned and cleared for pastures. 

Flock of friendly Llamas

Nicky did warn us about the difficult stiles which did delay us somewhat - however, we all managed them and top marks to Dorothy who allowed us to help/lift her over the more challenging obstacles.  Hence our well earned soup and sandwich lunch at pub was very welcome.  

Many thanks Nicky - maybe the Army at Catterick could use this route as a commando/obstacle course since even they may find the stiles (obstacles) a little challenging?  But you did warn us.

Kettlewell Walk - 11 April 2017

   Heading down to Kettlewell

Starting from the garage car park in Kettlewell the route crosses the bridge and heads up the fellside on a gradually rising track towards Knipe Scar, where we stopped for a coffee break on the North side of a boundary wall before following this wall North West up the ridge to Hawkswick Moor and Old Cote Middle Moor until we came to the well-marked track that crosses from Kettlewell over to Arncliffe.  The route then turns right and follows this track down towards Kettlewell after turning sharp right to pass the abandoned farmstead at Moor End.  From Moor End Farm the rough track descends steadily back down to Kettlewell.

Traffic Jam in Kettlewell

The walk was about 6.4 miles and involved about 980ft of climb which was easy and gradual, the tracks were dry and good going underfoot and the stiles were all easy.  Views up and down Wharfedale and to the South down into Littondale were excellent with patches of sunlight frequently breaking through the high cloud cover.  Weather was a bit on the cool side (7 C) and with something of a breeze up on the tops - but it was a great day's walking in almost perfect conditions followed by an excellent lunch at the Blue Bell Inn in Kettlewell.

Thanks again to Derek and Pete for a great outing with a turn-out of about 26.