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Helmsley Weekend '07 Story by Mike Sadula - Pictures by Mike and Elaine Eccles
The start photo 13 of us gathered for the Helmsley walking weekend. 6 ladies and 2 men stayed at the Youth Hostel and others enjoyed B&B nearby. At our Jacob's Join on the first night we had an authentic Indian curry provided by Helen, accompanied by excellent vegetable curries and all the trimmings provided by other members of our group. After dinner we participated in a quiz.
A bit of a scramble
Elevenses After breakfast on Saturday we assembled outside the hostel at 0945 to make our way to Clay Bank about 15 miles away, for our 10-mile walk starting along part of the Cleveland Way. The first part of the walk took us along a well-paved path up to a panoramic view. Due to misty conditions we couldn't see as far as the coast although it is visible of clear days. Roseberry Hill was clearly visible in the foreground. We continued to a rocky outcrop and then turned Westwards across expansive grouse moors where the heather was in full bloom giving both colour and a pleasant honey smell. We had to do a bit yomping at times. We rested at another rocky outcrop before continuing off the Cold Moor.
Lunch has been declared
What's this lot up to We stopped for lunch on the top of a large grouse moors beside the tarn on Bisdale West Moor. We were intrigued to see 5 landrovers driving towards us slowly across the moor. It turned out that the occupants were members of a shooting party led by the land owner, a Mr Kitchener. The "guns" alighted and walked down to "hides" across the moor, we could see the beaters with their white flags at the other side of the moor. As we walked away we could hear the start of the shooting.
That's a squeeze Our walk took us alongside the Yorkshire Gliding Club but there was no activity that day. We were now following a well defined path, again on the Cleveland Way, down to a refreshment stop at the Visitor Centre at Cringle Moor We then arrived at another panoramic spot where there was a viewing point but we could only imagine the views, of a distant Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent to the Northeast and the coastline in the other direction, as the mist had set in and we were now in drizzly weather. We headed back to the starting point down a stony path, and eventually up through woodland to rejoin the first 200 yards of our outgoing path up from the main road where we had parked the cars.
A splendid looking fellow
Very impressive display In the evening we chose meals from the Youth Hostel menu. The meal was greatly enhance by our fancy dress costumes! We were well served by the Emergency Services as we had a Fireman, a Policeman and a Nurse (all female) aswell as Rosemary dressed in national Pakistani costume who looked more like a seductive 1920s flapper, a Yorkshire Miner, a Cowboy, (well "cowgirl"), Postman Pat, a Roman Emperor, 2 Egyptian men in authentic costumes, Elaine and Keith were game dressed as a billiard table and a domino - Keith was the one with the coloured balls and we also had a Pendle Witch. The event caused interest among other Youth Hostellers! After our meal we played silly games, tried "The French Jive" and laughed a lot. After our walking we didn't have a very late night but it was certainly very enjoyable.
Dining party
The fancy dress party
Neil and Christine On Sunday we again assembled at 0945 for our drive to Sutton Bank which according to author James Herriot has “The finest view in England”. You can see for miles across the Vales of York and Mowbray to the Yorkshire Dales. It’s an easily accessible spot and ideal for our walk as it is on the road home on the A170 road from Thirsk to Scarborough. The A170 climbs 160m (500ft) in three quarters of a mile, with gradients of 25%. Caravans are not allowed. We started our 8-mile walk on the Cleveland Way along the top of Roulston Scar, east of Sutton Bank. The high vantage point at the very edge of the Hambleton Hills and the North York Moors has extensive views over the Vale of York and the Vale of Mowbray including a view of Gormire Lake, which is reputed to be bottomless. Despite a predominant mist the views were extensive as we were walking on a high level for most of the day. During the day we walked alongside many wheatfields that still had crops standing but which were now spoiled by the weather with the ears of corn turning black and tinged with disease. Peter affirmed that the crop would still be used for cattle feed.
The start photo on Sunday
Elaine's in front
That's a long roll of hay
Mike and Annie At one point our footpath came out on to the road at where a Park Ranger was doing a market survey which we took part in. We had lunch at the side of the road under the shelter of a tree as the rain had now set in. Despite the damp conditions the day remained bright. At the end of the walk we visited the Sutton Bank National Park Centre where we had parked the cars. The centre offers events and exhibitions throughout the year, aswell as an excellent tea shop.
Keith and Elaine |
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