Jo’s Monday walk : Osmotherley and beyond

Shall we share some fresh moorland air today?  Many of you in the UK will be having one last summer jaunt over the Bank Holiday weekend.  I hope the weather holds fair.  It’s a week or two since I was up on the York Moors but the colours were those wonderful shades of rose and lilac that I love.  The village of Osmotherley is just a 40 minute drive from me, less with a tail wind.  You need only turn right at the crossroads and, a little way beyond the village, you can find some delightful walking.  Come to think of it, the same applies if you turn left, but then I cannot guarantee heather.

Follow the footpath sign opposite the cottage, where refreshments used to be provided in the summer.  Maybe business wasn’t so good, or maybe year on year of baking lost its charm.  It’s a shame because I know you would have appreciated a warm scone.  I hope you’ve got water and a little something in your backpack.  And don’t forget to close the gate!

In seconds you’re surrounded.  Leggy Rosebay Willowherb wafts on the breeze, while sturdy heather hugs the contours of these wild spaces.  Clouds sweep across, plunging the landscape into shadow.  Sunlight blazes ahead over the fields.

The path drops down towards woodland and I step aside to let a tractor trundle past.  The driver nods cheerfully.  My husband remarks that he was carrying a gun.  “Was he?” I ask.  “We’d best behave!”  Not that we wouldn’t.

We follow the path into the woods, through dappled shade.  As we start to climb back out again we encounter a group of lady dog walkers, perched on a bit of wall for a picnic.  We exchange the look that says ‘we forgot again!’ and carry on.  They had the perfect spot, overlooking the reservoir.

Over the bridge we go and up the other side, not too sure if this is the right direction.  ‘Of course it is- it’s upwards!’  We clamber up, glad of the stone slabs, and pausing often to admire far reaching views.  At our feet, tiny flowers nestle in crevices, ferns patterning the time-whorled stones.

A little puffing and panting later, and we’ve reached the top.  It strikes me that I would rather have come gently up than descend this footpath.  And then we’re back amongst the heather.  A curious sheep looks on as we rejoin the road and head back towards the cottage.

I’m starting to feel nostalgic for the beauty of the English countryside, and I haven’t even left it yet!  Thank you for joining me.  Link up any time here on Jo’s Monday walk.  I’m always glad of company.  Kettle on now, because it’s sharing time again.

I can always rely on Debs to lift my spirits, as well as my eye level :

Views over Nimes

Lady Lee shares another beautiful weekend away :

Our weekend in Das Kranzbach

Let’s finish off that lovely walk with Janet :

Monday walk…around the lake 2

What does Jackie do every morning?

Rise and Shine

Eunice likes to get out and about too- mostly in lovely countryside like this :

Firwood Fold’s hidden lake

Call me soft, if you like, but this one scares me!  No thanks, Alice!  🙂

Okefenokee Swamp, natures treasure chest

Much happier in Rupali’s tranquil garden :

A short visit to botanical garden

No better place to linger than a sunset with Irene :

A Walk at Sunset

But if you want a climb with stunning views, this is the one!

Hiking: Harry’s Ridge

Lisa shares 2000 years of history with us on a walk through the fascinating city of Acre :

The Port City of Acre 

Cathy has been keeping me company with some awesome walks this past few weeks.  This one is no exception.  Simply phenomenal!

The Grand View Overlook Trail in Canyonlands

Looking back to see what I’d posted about Osmotherley and surrounds, I came upon this walk, from the other side of the village.  Off to Guisborough with the group today.  Sunny, too!  Have a great week!

125 comments

  1. I adore the heather, but I think I’m more in love with the slow sheep sign. Mine would need a pic of a coyote instead or perhaps an alligator, but the idea cracks me up regardless. What a lovely day you had! So glad you shared it. ❤️

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      1. Gower sheep like to sit on the edge of the road and its the lambs who aren’t too sensible. The cows and horses just launch themselves across the roads. I guess a lot of the accidents happen at night.

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    1. It’s great, isn’t it? We saw several of them on that stretch of road. A bit of a hint! 🙂 🙂 Thanks, and you’re very welcome, Eunice. Have a nice day! You’ll be off out with the dogs…

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  16. Coming from a different direction, Osmotherley’s 40 minutes from me too. One day, maybe we can do this walk together ….. it looks a cracker. My the way, my go-to moorland snack is Soreen malt loaf, though figs and almonds work well too.

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    1. This was very much a spur of the moment thing, Margaret, and we didn’t have backpacks. It was only about an hour’s walk and we paused at the end to remark on the cottage. It still had signs up from it’s hospitable days. 🙂 🙂 We more often walk the other way, from Cod Beck reservoir, but it’s a very accessible nice part of the world. I’m not so fussy on malt loaf, but my husband loves it. And yes, we could. I’m supposed to be at Pinchinthorpe near Guisborough this morning, but our son’s arrival and Mick’s gout is making it look unlikely. 😦

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  17. Jo, how I understand your feelings for these moors. I deeply love the moors and walked
    there weekly the years I lived in West Yorkshire. Mainly Ilkley moors, Otley moors and those
    surrounding. Have albums of glowing photos.
    Once you fall in love with them they always live in your heart.

    Thanks for beautiful post

    Miriam

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    1. That’s the area I know least well, Miriam. Often when we’re heading to Leeds Bradford airport I pass the Otley sign and I always wish I was going up there. 🙂 🙂 We really are lucky with this beautiful world. Thanks a lot!

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  18. I just love walking with you Jo, it makes me nostalgic for the beautiful English countryside. I never really explored it before I left in January 1961 so thank you for showing me all these gems. I do remember the stunning swathes of heather on the moors though.

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    1. When you’re younger you kind of take it all for granted, Pauline. It’s only as you get a bit older you realise the jewels you’ve been gifted. 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin! Have a happy week!

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      1. Kendal Mint Cake is the answer in UK, and almonds and dried figs in the Algarve. 🌰⚜️ I always have these hidden at bottom of rucksack!

        Off to the cinema with a friend later, how about you?

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      2. Prefer the almonds/figs option 🙂 The ceilidh last night was great, but Mick had to sit it out. Supposed to be walking this morning but James and Lauren turned up unexpectedly last night and now I’m not sure…. ??? 🙂 Which film?

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  20. Oh, a fantastic walk, Jo! And in perfect weather. This is just the sort of English countryside walking I get all nostalgic for. Sadly, the Thames Path walk I squeezed in on my recent visit was conducted mostly in rain and I wore the shower-resistant jacket I was forced to buy. 😦

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      1. Luckily, we were in the pub for the spell of monsoon-type downpour — rain was bouncing off the pavements and running down the street! My jacket wouldn’t have coped with that. :0

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