Just before I made off for the Algarve I had time to squeeze in one last walk. I’ve been to the North Yorkshire village of Great Ayton many times, and had not really expected to share with you another walk there. 150 photos proved me wrong, and I think you might like to share one or two of them. Who can resist wobbly, white lambs?
I almost didn’t get there because our walk leader’s car was sick, but I bestowed the walk leader badge on my other half, and off we went.
It was a bit fresh, and misty, but with the bunting flapping wildly, we crossed over the narrow bridge and headed up the side street out of the village. More about the bunting later. There’s a sign pointing out a public footpath, which leads between houses and a big hawthorn fence, round past the cricket pitch, over a field and down to a stream. Are you still with me so far? It’s tricky!
This is where you should end up. Cross over the little bridge and you come out into a country lane. More bunting and a bridge with a scruffy sign, pointing to Easby and Kildale. You don’t want either of those options today, so proceed gently uphill past Brookside Farm.
The goose, though handsome, is the honkiest, noisiest creature. The cow, much more placid. At about this point we were joined by a young ex-army man, out looking for fresh air and exercise. Hadn’t he come to just the right place! We chatted pleasantly along the lane. The conversation was of Pisa and travels abroad, and I totally missed the fact that the farm cafe was open. Not like me, at all! The husband was more alert but didn’t point it out till after we’d parted company with our walker friend. We directed him uphill towards Captain Cook’s Monument. A much sterner test for the legs, and one that we declined that day.
The daffs were everywhere, and a sprinkling of primroses too. As we hailed the morning rider, White Cottage came into view, with a stunning fanfare of rhododendron. The crossroads here lead down to Little Ayton, and continue on into Great Ayton itself. Probably the recommended route for strollers but, if you choose to puff and pant uphill, you will find a footpath off to your left. This takes you across a field. If you’ve timed it right, you could be in for a real treat.
I don’t think I ever saw such bright, white, new ones! One of the little fellas had managed to find his way out of the field, and away from the safety of his mother’s side. He was scrambling frantically to find a way back in, while Ma looked on in exasperation. I stood politely and quietly by, holding the gate just a little ajar for him. I didn’t want any adventurous brothers or sisters skipping out to join him. But I need not have worried. With a twitch of his stubby tail, he was under the gate and gone, with barely a backwards glance.
For us, the trail led on, very muddily, over the railway tracks and back down into the village. Where finally all of that bunting was explained.
The Tour de Yorkshire is coming to the village on May 1st, and the villagers were out in force, bedecking and festooning with bunting and bikes.
And I’m not done yet! Past the cascades and along by the river, romantically trailing willows, still there’s more bunting and bikes to see. I think they’re going to have a high old time on 1st May, don’t you? I almost wish I could be there.
As we returned to our car, parked by the riverside, my husband spied a rather lovely magnolia. I couldn’t quite get close enough for a decent shot, but I found a reward of a different kind. A tiny raised gate led into the churchyard beyond. I had stumbled upon James Cook’s childhood church, All Saints, dating from the 12th century. In this lovely spot, his mother and siblings are buried.
If you happen to be in the area on May 1st, Stage 3 of ‘Tour de Yorkshire’ starts in Middlesbrough and races down over our beautiful Moors, ending at Scarborough on the north east coast. Myself, I will be in Poland, but I might just catch a glimpse on the sports news. A map and full details of the route are contained in the links.
I’m glad I managed to fit in this post, not least because it gives me the opportunity to showcase some amazing walks. Where else will you find Korcula, the Shropshire Hills and Katmandu, all on the same page? Please don’t miss any of them. Huge thanks to all my contributors, and to all of you for your patience in my absence.
I’m going to have to take liberties again, because very early on Thursday I’m off to Poland with Dad. I don’t return until 12th May and will have only limited internet access whilst there. If you would like to share a walk in the meantime, you’re very welcome to do so. Details are, as always, on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.
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If I had to shortlist places to see before I finally vanish, Hawaii might well be on it. You will enjoy this!
And just to totally convince you, Carol’s taking us to a waterfall :
Geoff took me to familiar and much loved haunts with this walk :
G is for the Greenwich#atozchallenge
Becky gave me the gentlest of nudges before I set off for the Algarve. Isn’t this walking bliss?
Anabel finds the loveliest chateau, and a little bit of mud!
Shakespearean sonnets make for an interesting garden stroll with Trav Trails :
And Jackie is out looking for signs of Spring in Toronto :
Another walk I’d really love to take for myself one day. Say hello to the folks on this lovely island :
Top Views of Korcula- Walking Route
I love a walk that’s a bit different, and Karen provides exactly that!
While Gilly takes us for a lunch time romp among the bluebells :
Seriously good ‘value for money’ from Denzil, with a city walk and boat trip too :
A lovely welcome home arrived from Susan. So like one of my own Tavira beach walks :
And what can you say about Tish? An astoundingly beautiful return visit for me, which I thoroughly enjoyed :
Happy Earth Day from the Shropshire Hills, some of the world’s Oldest Rock Formations :
I would not have believed it possible to have so much delight on a homecoming. My cup runneth over, Badfish!
So there we have it, for a couple of weeks. I have some lovely Algarve walks to share with you, but they’ll have to wait for a little while. I might try to schedule a post for May 9th, the Monday before I come home, but it would probably be more sensible to wait until 16th. In the meantime, I will visit and share as much as I can. Do look after yourselves, won’t you? And very happy walking!
restlessjo 
Jo I know you are away right now. I hope you won’t mind me popping in with a walk to share . We have new neighbours and they are Canadian beavers. We discovered them on a walk near our home in inner city Calgary! http://wp.me/p7gsPW-2e7
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I have been following the blogs a little while away Sue and I’m really glad you can join me. I have a walk scheduled for Monday but don’t have a way to add links to it so I can’t share this till the following week.
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Oh goodness that is just fine Jo. With me being such an infrequent participant I will be grateful for you taking the link at all. Enjoy your time!
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A wonderful walk. Great seeing the lambs. Thanks for taking us there.
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I haven’t seen any in Poland but we have ducklings at the house where I’m staying this week.
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I love seeing lambs in the fields and you got great photos of them. Nice seeing all the bike stuff too!
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Ah yes- you’d like the bikes Colin. I’d forgotten all about it here in Poland but the race is today.
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I love a gal who takes charge and delegates! Your other half did a great job, leading the way and his reward is this series of lovely photographs…and you!
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Oops I put a comma in the wrong place, but I think you will still be able to translate. 😉
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We’d never get anywhere if I didn’t delegate now and then and thanks for the compliment xx
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I’m so pleased you managed to squeeze this last walk in before you take off again Jo it is pure delight. The little lambs and anxious mums, the daffodils and rhododendrons and all the bikes. It would be lovely to be there on May 1st and, I think, rather crowded. Have a happy time with your family, take care.
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I’m glad I saw it first Pauline before the crowds but it’ll be quite a sight xx
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Yes I agree, that would be the better time to visit.
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Aww, those lambkins!! They even posed for you 🙂
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I bribed them with freedom xx
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Oooh, I love little lambs. 🙂 Thank you for another hugely enjoyable walk. It’s amazing how much decoration is done in aid of the bike race – I remember we were visiting friends in Yorkshire just after the Tour de France had started there a couple of years ago – the imagination of the decorations was great!
My most recent walk was looking for bluebells – they were out in full force this time! http://wp.me/pRM20-2IH
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I managed a quick bluebell walk last Saturday morning, just hours after I got home! They were just coming out. In Poland now so might struggle to share this. I’ve scheduled next walk for May 9th but I’m not home till 12th xx
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You are away for a lovely long trip. Are there bluebells in Poland?
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Good question Elaine. I’ll look tomorrow because I’m out in the country now. Jude seemed to think they were very English x
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It’s like a three-fold post.
Bikes everywhere, I love it! Maybe I should start painting everybody’s bike for no reason. 🙃 Just to make my surrounding colorful. Ahihihi
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Purple and white, red and navy, orange and lime… you could go wild! 🙂 🙂
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What a fun walk, Jo! I love all the sheep and little lambs, the green fields, the flowers, the leaning tombstones, and the bikes! I would love a walk like this! Have a great time in Poland! 🙂
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Thanks, Cathy! 🙂 I’m exhausted! Just had our evening meal and I haven’t even started to pack yet. Been cooking and shopping for Mick all day (after t’ai chi 🙂 ) Just having half hour’s sit before I go and throw some stuff together! It’s just family so it won’t be dressy up stuff and I’m going to travel as light as I can. Leaving home at 3.30 in the morning for an early flight. I hope to have some internet while I’m away so I’ll do a bit of catch up wherever I can. Take good care of yourself. Anything new regarding Adam, and how’s the house stuff going?
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What a pleasant walk! I wish I’d been with you. I was there in spirit, however, enjoying the lovely flowers, streams, and bridges. Lambs are such a pleasure to watch. Did they bounce around for you in that way that looks like it belongs in a cartoon?
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They did skitter about a bit, Nicki. 🙂 Adorable!
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thank you for another lovely walk Jo! the little lambs are adorable and the bikes so charming! enjoyable narrative and beautiful pictures as always! 🙂 have a wonderful time with your Dad! 🙂
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It’s been a hectic couple of days, LolaWi, and I’m almost ready for Poland. 🙂 Thank you very much.
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It’s great when a village dresses up like that. Could the yellow and blue have something to do with the European flag colours? Otherwise who knows. I wondered if you’d like another of my a to z rambles https://geofflepard.com/2016/04/13/k-is-for-kensington-and-khelsea-atozchallenge/
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Yes, I guess so, Geoff (on both counts- European flag and another ramble 🙂 ). I hadn’t got much beyond thinking about the white rose of Yorkshire 🙂 Irrelevant, probably. I saw on north east news last night that Thirsk has gone wild with yarn bombing as well as bikes, so I’ll have to amble in that direction when I’m home from Poland.
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Love the idea of yarn bombing
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You construct a great walk narrative, suspending info about the flags while you ogle lambs – and well worth ogling they are too. The bikes are a splash of colour (the colours) and very inventive and fresh. And then you get a church and gravestones and daffodils. A command performance for you – and us, by proxy!
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Sometimes it all comes together rather nicely, Meg. 🙂 I do value your appreciation. (and your kindness 🙂 I saw your email earlier but have spent the day cooking for Mick for while I’m away and cleaning at Dad’s, so this is my first sit down. I got as far as a bus timetable and an email to Jadzia last night) Hugs, darlin’ 🙂
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ogni immagine un piccolo incanto, una raccolta limpida dei tuoi pensieri, incantevole quella delle vecchie tombe dove, inevitabilmente un giorno tutti andremo a finire, ma non bisogna avere tristezza per questo…il grande filosofo greco Platone diceva che nessuno puo dire che la morte non sia il bene più grande…anche se è meglio che aspetti ancora del tempo prima di arrivare, ha ha ( da noi si dice ” facciamo le corna)
benritrovata, un grosso bacio
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Penso che sarà indossato fuori a lungo prima di raggiungere quella fase , Annalisa . Le gambe non sono agile come quegli agnelli più. 🙂
Hugs, darlin!
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certamente…ha ha
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Cool pictures! I’d like to know why the bikes are all yellow and blue? I’m a cycling fan and my last ramble was actually on the bike. https://coellefornia.me/2016/04/25/my-weekly-ramble-5/ Thank you for including my post about the Kalalau trail on your blog! It’s great to be part of your Monday walks and it motivates me to share my outings more often. Have a great time in Poland!! Kathrin
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Hi Kathrin 🙂 I’m really glad you could join us. I have looked at the ‘blue and yellow’ issue but there doesn’t seem to be an explanation other than these being the colours asssociated with the race. The white rose of York has traditionally represented Yorkshire so I don’t know if it’s a ‘spin off’ (ha! ha!) from this.
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