2009


27th September — Follow the Nidderdale Way

We certainly did follow quite a lot of the Nidderdale Way. We set out from Pateley Bridge, along Gowthwaite Reservoir and up to Lofthouse, fought our way through the bracken to the moor tops above Middlesmoor, returned along How Stean Gorge to Ramsgill and re-traced our steps along the reservoir to return to the start. Thank you to Teresa and Anne.


13th September — Views of Wensleydale

Ann Grainger led a group of 9 from Leyburn via Pen Hill, Carlton, West Burton and Middleham on a perfect autumn day.


22nd August — A Walk on the Green Side 

Dave Green led a record-breaking 33 strong group on a gentle route from Kirkbymoorside via Welburn Hall, Nawton, Kirkdale, Sleightholmedale and across the moors to Gillamoor. The heather was in full bloom on the moorland section and it was a perfect August day, views and company much enjoyed by everyone.


2nd August — In Search of a Captain a Lord and a Prophet

In perfect walking weather Caroline Roy led a 21-mile walk up over and along the fringes of the Cleveland Hills the route affording views of Captain Cooks Monument, dropping down into Bilsdale, calling in at Lord Stones Cafe and finally passing Solomon's Porch farmhouse on the return over farmland to Ingleby Greenhow.


5th July — Wolds Wonder

Howard Crossley led a party of 14 from Bishop Wilton, Givendale, Millington, Huggate, (lunch stop at the Wolds Inn), Fridaythorpe (interesting 12th century church) and Kirkby Underdale (another interesting church, possibly 11th century). We had half a dozen drops of rain all day, the morning very hot, the afternoon providing some relief when the sun occasionally went behind a cloud. According to a SATNAV we did 22 miles and 3376 feet of ascent - the Wolds can be quite a test!


30th May — Newtondale Trail

Christine Spencer led 14 of us from Pickering on a sizzling hot day. We stopped for a break at quaint Levisham Station before climbing onto the moors, enjoying the views and the breeze. Goathland was full of Heartbeat Memorabilia and we speeded up at the end of the walk to catch the 1530 train from Grosmont which gently chugged back into Pickering. All the walkers caught the train back.


2nd May — Once Again for John

Dave Green again! Dave led 9 stalwarts including 3 lady visitors from Newcastle (Dave was in his element) from Irton on another fine spring day - we must be due a wet one soon.... Dave was pleased to report a fine bridge has now been constructed so saving wet feet en route. The distance was just under 21 miles according to the various members equipped with GPS's. And John came too, well he had to really.


18th April — Up and Down some Dales with Dave Green

There were 9 chirpy souls who set off on a chilly morning from Fimber in the Wodls for a 17.4 mile walk led by Dave Green, which did include some of the Wolds Way. We followed many paths through fields set in chalky soil with no a speck of mud in sight. Lunch was at Huggate and the journey back involved the only climb up Holm Dale. When we got back we all noticed how clean our boots were!


5th April — Howard's Langdale Stroll

Howard had family commitments but Martin Blundell stepped in to take the reins and 11 of us enjoyed a marvellous route of woods, ridges and streams on the edge of the North York Moors. Howard was soundly cursed in his absence on two long uphill stretches but all was forgiven as we enjoyed the panoramic views afforded by the route, well worth all the uphill effort. Spring must have arrived as witnessed by several sets of dizzyingly white legs in shorts!


21st March — Phil and Heather's Limestone Wonderland

On Saturday in hazy sunshine nine intrepid walkers set off from Grassington, led by Phil and Heather. The climb to Malham was steady amid stunning limestone country. Lunch was taken at Janet's Foss before scrambling up Goredale Scar and following Mastiles Lane to Coniston. Then it was the final leg back to Grassington. The other seven participants in this adventure were: Vicky, Claire, Jane, Rosalind, Keith, Ken and Teresa.


7th March — Christine Spencer's Rosedale Romp

Well it certainly was a romp, but it wasn't roses all the way - those steep stiff climbs out of Glaisdale and Fryup Dale did for that! - but Christine took 22 walkers on a great outing from Rosedale, on many paths which were certainly unknown to me. Malcolm found an interesting gatepost inscription (he's educating us all on inscribed stones to be found on the moors - hard work that, educating us). Good easy finish along the old railway. All round great day out.


21st February — Alan Cutt’s East of Yeadon

Our very own James Dean did a canny job around the byways of Leeds country way, up cobbled backalleys and horsey lanes where you had to concentrate very hard on where you put your feet (unless you wanted to take some back for the roses).A very chilly lunch stop at Yeadon reservoir where NOBODY had an ice-cream at the ice cream van (which proved rather more useful as a windbreak).I’m thinking of taking up the Trade Descriptions Act as at times on the walk it was rumoured we were South and even West of Yeadon!(15 attended)


7th February — Martin Blundell’s Mystery Bus Pass Outing from Helmsley

I didn’t attend this one (firstly as I don’t have a bus pass, and secondly as I was a-slipping and a-sliding along the Rombalds Stride) but I gather that there were 12 or so in attendance and it was a thoroughly successful day.The mystery destination turned out to be Sinnington from where Martin led the group back through Ryedale townships such as Kirkbymoorside, Beadlam and Pockley. Martin’s now gone to Australia, probably to keep a low profile from Stagecoach buses and their complaints about chewing gum and graffiti!


25th January — Liz Duncan’s Winter Wolds Walk

The heavens opened on my drive over to the start at Fridaythorpe and I thought this finally would be the day I got to test my new waterproof jacket (Christmas present)!But amazingly after putting on my waterproofs in a convenient bus shelter – I have many reasons to be grateful for bus shelters as a walker, scarcely any of them involving actually catching a bus - the sun came out and we remained completely dry all day.We did have plenty of mud though.And fields.And dry valleys.And sore feet by the end, but that was probably just me.


11th January — AGM and short walk from Hopgrove Inn, York

Ably led by John O’Neill.Attended by 10 hardy souls who braved the sub-zero temperatures on a short walk through the byways and highways of York, including a whistle-stop tour of the city walls which provided a great opportunity to peer into some very lovely gardens.All that cold air gave us a mighty appetite for a marvellous carvery lunch before the business of the day, the AGM.