And now, as they say, for something completely different. In more senses than one because some of you will know that this isn’t the walk I originally intended taking you on this week. Fortunately, I have walks to spare! I’ll tell you the story first, before we head to Sheepwash.
Last Monday I was at Carlton-in-Cleveland with my walking friends. The area is pretty steep and, as it half-promised to be a warm day, I decided to take water with me in my newly acquired, hands-free, sling over the shoulder, cool bag. Foolishly I slipped my camera inside, without any cover or protection. When I came to extract it an hour later, it felt a little moist. Keen to get snapping, I gave it a swift rub with a tissue and off I went. The brave and obedient camera performed as usual for the first few shots, then suddenly it ‘locked up’. When I looked at it properly, the screen was all misted. The poor soul had drowned!
In these kind of circumstances (yes, I am pretty careless!) I normally hand the camera to Michael, and with a bit of ‘tutting’ he resuscitates it. Not this time! We took turns at snuggling it in our pockets, hoping to dry it out and breathe new life into it. Quite understandably, the camera refused to respond. I have to say that it ruined my walk, through magnificent countryside, but just maybe I’ve been taught a lesson. With love and affection (and a warm seat on the radiator) the camera finally came back to life the following day. Will I ever learn!
I hope you like my substitute walk, from Sheepwash. I haven’t ever actually seen a sheep being washed in the stream, but that is where the name derives from. Cod Beck is a small tributary of the River Swale and the picturesque area known as Sheepwash is a popular picnic spot.
Sheepwash is situated just outside the pretty North Yorkshire village of Osmotherley. From the village centre, take North End and continue on to Quarry Lane, passing Cod Beck reservoir on the way. There are a couple of parking bays, just beyond Sheepwash.
North Yorkshire is a superb place for walking. The Lyke Wake Walk starts on the moors above Osmotherley and ends down the coast at Ravenscar. Bill Cowley, a local farmer, claimed that you could walk these 40 miles on heather all the way, except for crossing a couple of roads. For me, there is no finer sight than the vast sweep of purple heather in Summer. Osmotherley is also on the 110 mile long Cleveland Way, from Helmsley to Filey, just skirting the Moors.
It’s a bit of a steep haul up the trail but you can always stop to admire the view. A bench awaits for the weary, or you can continue on through the gate, and turn left. It’s downhill from here.
The path drops back down towards Quarry Lane, with views over Cod Beck reservoir, our next destination. Cross straight over the road and take the path down to your right. There’s a caravan park at the bottom which always looks inviting, but we continue over the bridge and then left through the trees, which brings you out at the reservoir. But first, the waterfall!
Walking the length of the reservoir will bring you back to Sheepwash. Maybe you’ll stop for a picnic, or return to Osmotherley for something more substantial at one of the village’s three pubs. It depends a little on the weather. Today was perfect!
I hope you enjoyed walking with me. I like a bit of company so if you have a walk you’d like to share, please do join in. All you need to do is leave a link in the Comments below this post, or if you prefer, link to any of my walks from your own post. Normally I will round all the links up and post them at the bottom of next week’s walk, so everyone gets a chance to see them. Next Monday I’ll be in the Algarve and I won’t have any technical stuff with me (just the camera, if I’m lucky!) so there’ll be no walk posted. Sorry! I’ll try to add your links to this week’s post before I go, but any I miss I’ll add to the following week.
I already have a superb selection of walks from last week, so put the kettle on and let’s go armchair walking! First we have Paula, at lovely Lake Lugano :
http://bopaula.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/a-walk-around-a-lake-for-jo/
Then Sue, slightly crazy in Calgary! :
http://traveltalesoflife.com/2014/05/26/hazards-of-spring-running-beavers-geese-and-killer-bunnies/
And Drake, in the serenity of Samso :
http://ledrakenoir.wordpress.com/2014/05/27/sunshine-walking/
Cardinal is in Jerusalem- a place I’d love to visit! :
http://artishorseshit.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/elephant-0987/
http://cardinalguzman.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/follow-the-arrow/
Beautiful and British, stately homes with Elaine :
http://elainemcnulty.wordpress.com/2014/05/27/woburn-abbey-deer-park-and-gardens/
Pauline takes us ‘down under’ :
http://pommepal.wordpress.com/2014/05/27/mullewa-meander-walking-with-jo/
And Jude, in leafy green Ludlow :
http://smallbluegreenwords.wordpress.com/2014/05/28/priors-halton-loop/
And from this week’s walkers, we have Paula again, feeling energetic in London, this time :
http://bopaula.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/first-impressions-of-london/
And Drake is taking me to the cemetery. But don’t worry, it’s by a lovely route! :
http://ledrakenoir.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/the-shade-of-the-history/
If you’ve ever wanted to see the fabulous Lost gardens of Heligan, Jude has the shots! :
I’m blessed this week. My travelling Australian friend, Christine, has joined in from the Alpujarras in Spain :
http://dadirridreaming.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/walk-around-berchules/
Yvette can tell you all about olive oil! :
http://priorhouse.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/monday-walk-with-jo-olive-oil-and-flower-walk-by/
And wow! I am so honoured. Madhu has been walking in Bologna, in the rain too! :
http://theurgetowander.com/2014/06/02/bologna-a-walk-in-the-rain/
Happy walking folks! Take care till next time.
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