Jo’s Monday walk : Through the Valley

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Handsome chap, isn’t he?  You’ll meet him later.  I often accompany my husband if he’s out on a job and it’s a nice day.  He goes to work and I go off to play. Almost fair, isn’t it?  This week he was back in Saltburn and after two dreary, wet days I was determined to find myself a walk. The day was still a little overcast but I had high hopes.

My walk started on Marske Mill Road, on the outskirts of Saltburn, where I had spotted a public footpath sign.  The path tumbled quite rapidly downhill and soon I was at a junction.  The branch to my left was clearly signed ‘Valley Gardens’, but the more tantalising option had no marked destination.  It’s obvious which I chose, isn’t it?  This was my reward.

Viaducts are always an arresting sight, especially when they appear unexpectedly.  The ground was quite moist, and I could hear the chuckling sound of water.  Intrigued and captivated, I followed a concrete path which led me beneath the viaduct.

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Ahead, a metal bridge crosses the churning stream.  Aged sleepers form steps and the path leads up, beside the viaduct.  A hint of blue had appeared in the sky and soon the bare woodlands are transformed.  I exchange greetings with a couple of dog walkers and stop to admire the tree patterns cast by the sun.  This little chap, sitting on the path, was most suspicious of my activities.

I fell into step with his owner and we began to chat.  I had assumed that the path would lead me back into Saltburn at some point. Completely wrong!  We were headed inland, in the direction of Skelton village, where she lived.  The notorious sense of direction working well again.  I enjoyed her company a little further, but then decided to retrace my steps the short distance back to the viaduct. By now the pale sunlight had begun to sneak into crevasses, and glint on the frothing water.

Back across the bridge I went, and up to the junction where the sign so clearly announced ‘Valley Gardens’.  I may have taken the wrong turn, but I was quite delighted by my little escapade.  The woodland gardens were now washed in gentle sunshine- that welcoming bench, not too far ahead.

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Joyful Spring burgeonings were everywhere as I followed the path through the woods.  Just above the formal Italian gardens, a quirky little corner is being developed by the Friends of the Valley- a Bumblebee Bistro.  It’s good to see the nurturing process continue in these Valley Gardens, which date right back to 1860.  The mischief in me wants to link this post to Jude and her Wildlife Garden, but I know I’ll get no thanks!

You might remember these beguiling mosaics from my last visit to Saltburn.  At the Woodlands Centre, created to encourage children to interact with nature, I managed to find some more.  Appealing to adults, too, I think.  Cute badger and bunnies!

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The Valley Gardens Tearooms is a nice little spot to sit beneath the trees, but I needed to press on through the valley.  I wasn’t too sure how much time I had, but you’ll be pleased to know that I did make a stop at Camfields.  It’s a favourite of mine for its friendly service, not to mention cakes.

A quick text message established that I had half an hour left to play.  Just time for one last treat.  I’m heading for the cliff top.  Can you keep up?

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The path leads up to the cliffs from just behind ‘The Ship Inn’.  There you can join the Cleveland Way, a superb 110 mile coastal walk. Just three and a half miles away, the first stop is Skinningrove.  But I think that’s enough for one day.  Don’t you?

I may have rambled a little today but this map from National Trails will give you an excellent overview of my walk.  I hope you enjoyed it?  Definitely time to put the kettle on, and settle in for a good read.

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Many thanks to all my lovely contributors.  My Monday walks wouldn’t be the same without you.  If you’re new here you can find details of how to join in on my Jo’s Monday walk page.  Just click on the logo above.  You’ll be made very welcome.

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Last week, Paula gave me a beautiful start to the walks :

Live musically

LOTS of warnings accompany this one from Ellen.  For the brave (or a trifle  foolhardy)!

Going for a Walk : Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Or why do my legs hurt?)

If I said to you STILL in Mexico you’d know I meant Jackie :

Monday Walk- Puerto Vallarta

Make time for pelicans with Amy!  Well worth a wait :

Monday Walk : Making time for the Sunset

Not sure that I fancy ‘mouse water’ but I trust Anabel’s judgement :

Lanark and the Mouse Water

Morro Beach looks blissful!  Come and have a morning stroll with Susan :

California Coastal Walk

Always a smile with Drake!  How can you resist the man?

Let’s call it Sandy 

Some sterling Scottish vistas from Smidge (no, I didn’t say ‘Stirling’) :

Dawdling at Dawyck Botanic Gardens

And a wonderful panorama from Rosemay in Perth (no, not that one either!)

Checking Out Elizabeth Quay

So much colder in Canada!  Get your top coat out for this one :

Kananaskis, Alberta

But Gilly has found glorious Springtime for us :

The Day We’ve All Been Waiting For

Another week of fabulous contributions.  Thank you everybody and I hope you have a great week.

Note to Jude- there’s a dog, and he’s wild!  Well, quite cross, anyway.

163 comments

  2. Jo it sounds as though you and I have a similar world in that our husbands are off to work and we are often out with the camera. Well I’m still working but just part time.
    At any rate let’s see what I loved about this walk. Trying to keep up with you to the top of the cliff which of course we had to go see! The viaducts and especially the angle looking up, the shadows on the path and the bright green miss. Yes I liked it very much, especially the yummy food. Hope you have been well. We are just home from Fiji and I’m not certain what the date or time is. 🙂

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    1. Back in Canada so soon, Sue? 😦 The bits I saw looked fabulous but I’m sure there’s much more to come. Take it easy for a day or two. I’ll do the cliffs- it’s no trouble 🙂

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  3. I might stay at the bottom of the cliff and give you a wave, unless you can guarantee that I’m resuscitated by a seriously gorgeous paramedic 😉
    Love the mosaics, the beach, the viaduct, all of it in fact. Did you play the Goddess and sit with the Green Man?

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  4. Haha… you had to do it didn’t you? But I will forgive you since you included a lovely bench AND took me to the coast. I do expect at least one proper wildlife photo now though 🙂 Must say it looked a little dreary at the beginning of your walk, so glad the sun eventually broke through.

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      4. Nothing to do with me, but you know what landlords are like 😦 Plaster falling off screws in the plaster board on the top floor mainly, and about 4 picture hooks removed. We didn’t hang our paintings up here as we thought we’d only be in the house for a year. Almost five years later…

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      6. Oh yes, I have loved getting to know Ludlow and surrounding area, always liked South Shropshire even when I lived in Shrewsbury. I shall miss walking to the market and the castle :-/

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  6. Such gorgeous views from the clifftop! You must be as fit as a fiddle with all the clambering about that you do. The cake looks delicious and no doubt you could eat it all without gaining an ounce. I’m sure the animal mosaics should count for Jude’s wildlife challenge, if she doesn’t look too closely. 🙂

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  8. Astonishing scenes, Jo! Find this , one of the best walks this year…….
    Lots of surprises and details , besides those magnificent viaducts and the amazing bench…..
    I enjoyed a lot this post!

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  13. Phew, Jo! I just made it all the way with you to the cliff top. Jolly good the kind lady showed you the right way. I love viaducts, their construction and beauty. However I have a friend who is terrified of them and will close her eyes every time she drives near them or under them – then I’m rather petrified! Fun journeys!😀 Lovely post and photos that are a joy to peruse.

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    1. Strange the things people have phobias about, isn’t it, Annika? But then they wouildn’t be phobias if they weren’t strange! So glad you could keep up. I knew a couple of us would make it, and it’s so worthwhile. 🙂 Have a happy week and thanks for your company.

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  16. It is lovely to see all the pre-spring colours of nature and that bright light (that has a way of showing just how long since you cleaned your windows). I would have lived to walk beside you, chatting and taking pictures. A really great day it looks like.

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    1. Oh, don’t mention the windows! The husband said he was going to clean them this weekend, but got sidetracked with other jobs. Maybe I’ll do it… tomorrow 🙂 Thanks, Lena! I really did have a great day.

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  17. I can see why you started off with “Leaf Guy” because that is one very awesome bench. It must be quite interesting to be able to walk in such an old garden that has been kept up and added to with new things like mosaics. This was a wonderful walk Jo, thank you.

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