England

Joy is… a beach and a blue sky!

Joy is… the wide blue horizon

An empty beach

The retreating tide

The roll of the waves

Reflections in the sand

A fisherman or two

A few puffs of cloud

Patterns in the wet sand

Buried treasure?

Even the gathering clouds can’t dim my joy

For many weeks I’ve been meaning to join Kan on her lovely series Joy is… This week she charmed me with her preparations for Diwali. I knew it was time to share with her what joy is for me. I know that she likes the simple things in life, and I hope that she loves beaches. This is my local one- the simple life for me.

Please do visit her at Kan Walk Will Travel. It’s a beautiful and joyous place. And looking back at this post, I think it might well qualify for Paula’s Thursday’s Special, in which she visits Lake Czorsztyn in Poland. I’ve been there so I know that it’s pretty special.

Jo’s Monday walk : The Drummer Boy

Easby Abbey, ghostly in the mist

Easby Abbey seemed to me to be quite at home shrouded in mist. I’d chosen the riverside walk from Richmond, in Yorkshire, for its Autumn colour and had almost forgotten the sad story of the Drummer Boy. Legend has it that, towards the end of the 18th century, a tunnel was discovered beneath the keep of Richmond Castle. The entrance to the tunnel was very narrow, so a small regimental drummer boy was chosen, to squeeze through and investigate.

He was lowered into the tunnel and instructed to beat his drum loudly as he walked. The soldiers above could follow his progress from the drumbeat. He led them away from the castle and down to the River Swale, in the direction of Easby Abbey. Half a mile from the Abbey, the drumbeat ceased. The little drummer was never seen or heard from again!

The Drummer Boy stone

I think I can probably guarantee to guide us on this walk without disappearing. Are you game?

From Richmond Market Place, turn north on Frenchgate, and then right, along Station Rd. Just as you reach the bridge, with The Station on the far shore, you will find a turn off, pointing to Easby Abbey. The path climbs up from the riverside and will lead you to a junction, where the Drummer Boy stone is placed.

A popular landmark on Frenchgate

An Autumnal dew bathes the roses

Looking back towards the castle and St. Mary’s Church

Leaves strew the footpath

The river chortles along below, tantalising with glimpses through the trees. Soon you come to a field and across this you have St. Agatha’s House (a private residence) on your left and to your right, Easby Abbey. The Abbey of St. Agatha, as it is more correctly known, dates from 1152 but has stood abandoned since the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the late 1530s. The former inhabitants were canons rather than monks, members of the Premonstratensian (or Norbertine) order. The White Canons, known for the colour of their habit, were Roman Catholics.

It's a lonely spot but St. Agatha's Church is gentle company

It’s a lonely spot, but St. Agatha’s Church is good company

The Abbey from the church grounds

The site is maintained by English Heritage and is free of charge. I was a little surprised to find the church open and even more surprised at what I found inside.

Beneath the beamed ceiling, light flooded the walls

With traditional stained glass windows

But the painted arches were unexpected

And the coloured frescoes took me completely by surprise

Lit by the windows

With beautiful alcoves

And intimate detail

The church is known to pre-date the Abbey and the Medieval wall paintings date from 1250. It felt well-loved. In the grounds a small army of men were beavering away, removing overgrown trees. Retracing my steps through the church gate, I turned my attention to the Abbey.

The gatehouse, just across the lane from the church

The sturdy lines of the Abbey

Cloister detail

The window of the Refectory

Time to resume our walk. Turn right at the Abbey gate and follow the lane down. A gravel path beside the River Swale heads east and after about 300 yards comes to an old iron bridge. Cross over and take the former railway track, signed ‘Richmond, half a mile’.

Hips or haws?

The River Swale chatters along below

Once back at The Station, you can easily retrace your steps, but it seems a shame to me to leave the river when it’s about to reveal its might. How about we pop into The Station for a snack and a look at some art work before we continue?

The ham hock soup was delicious

And I always like a browse at the art

There’s always something that appeals

I’ve written about The Station before. In fact, I was there on my birthday, 2 years ago. Seems I have a weakness for this part of the world in the Autumn. Since I was last there a bakery has opened and the accompanying smells were delicious! Come on- just ten minutes more. I promise you, it’s worthwhile.

Cross over the bridge and turn left through a gate. The path follows the river quite closely or you can get nearer by walking on the grass. The tree roots are exposed in places so watch your step if you leave the path.

Here’s the bridge

See what I mean about the roots?

Don’t get too close to the river!

Autumn’s carpet is beautiful, isn’t it?

Just about ready to fall

Can you hear a rumbling sound? You might have caught sight of them through the trees. The river is very low this year after a dry Summer.

My first sighting always makes me smile!

Just a little closer

The power of the water is awesome

As always, I find myself entranced

I hope you will agree it was worth another 10 minutes walking? The hard part lies ahead because the road winds quite steeply back up to the Market Place, passing by the Castle. The circular walk from the Market Place to Easby Abbey and back is just 3 miles. Free parking is available at The Station, if you get there early enough. (and it saves you a climb)

Legend also links the Drummer Boy to Lewis Carroll, who grew up in Richmond. Allegedly ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ began life as ‘Alice’s Adventures Underground’. I rather like the idea that he took inspiration from this story.

And now it’s time to put the kettle on and join my fellow walkers this week. Click on the logo if you’d like to join in. You’d be more than welcome and there are always beautiful walks to share. Many thanks to everybody for their kind contributions. Here we go!

Drake always has the power to fire my imagination :

Emptiness with content

Of all the world’s beautiful cathedrals, I didn’t know this one, so thank you, Cardinal :

Berlin Cathedral

And for probably the best deer shot you’ve seen this year! Amy- you’re a treasure! :

O.P. Schnabel Park

We’re honoured this week to share a post from Lucy, in a very special place on the Northumbrian coast :

Marooned on Lindisfarne Island

If it’s scenery you’re after, it’s hard to beat County Tipperary. Many thanks to Joan for sharing :

Up in the hills

For the longest time I’ve been following Bespoke Traveller. Read this post and you’ll see why :

The long way down in Grand Canyon

If waterfalls and sky walks are your thing, follow Pauline to New South Wales :

A journey into the dawn of time

If you prefer shopping, Meg has her shopping baskets at the ready :

A Williamsburg walk

That’s it for another week. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Happy walking!

1 Day 1 World Project : 11.00- 12.00

Crimdon beach

Thursday is usually my Nordic walking day. Sometimes there are just a few of us, like the happy band above. The others missed a treat last week because, for a short while, the sun beamed and winked in the puddles left by the retreating tide.

Don’t you love the ruggedness of this landscape?

And the murky reflections that it creates

The strange shapes of the cliffs

The rocks below

In their seaweed frocks

With slightly crooked seams!

I thought I had a good subject here for Lisa’s 1 Day 1 World Project. We start walking around 10.30am, and I intended to use the photos in last week’s 10.00- 11.00 time slot. When I uploaded them, I realised I hadn’t started taking the shots till after 11.00! Too busy Nordic walking, and talking. (naturally!) Well, I guess that’s what we’re there for.

It’s sad to see this project come to an end. Even though I haven’t managed to take part each week, I’ve followed it’s progress. Lisa promises one last round up next week, and as a grand finale I really have to have one more play with Lunapic. Don’t I?

And because Thursday’s Special, and Paula’s home, I’m linking up there too. She has the most delicious night time shot and if you have some spare time you can even enrol in her Portuguese classes too- for free!

Jo’s Monday walk : Leeds Waterfront

The Trans Pennine Trail at Leeds

When National Express changed my itinerary, giving me a 3 hour stopover in Leeds on my way home from Nottingham, they did me a big favour. They gave me just enough time to explore Leeds Waterfront. I’d done a tiny bit of research so I knew there was plenty to see. I hope you like looking at canal boats and reflections? There are rather a lot of them here.

I grabbed a sandwich as I whistled through the bus station, turned right at the doors, crossed over the road, and there I was, practically on the canal bank. The weather forecast had predicted rain and the coach had passed through some heavy showers, but my luck was in. Starved, because I hadn’t eaten breakfast, I found myself a seat by Clarence Dock and plonked myself down for 10 minutes, to munch and look at these beauties.

I’m never alone with a canal boat or two

My picnic view

Looking across to the Royal Armouries

I always like a ‘pop’ of colour

A sign or two

And a few reflections

I don’t know whether you’re familiar with the Royal Armouries museum? It’s the kind of place where you can lose a day quite easily. Have a browse at the website. You might want to make time to come back. No spare time for me that day. I had much exploring to do.

A raft of offices, restaurants and apartments surround the dock. I had tried to memorise a route along the towpath but I did what I always do, which is to follow my nose. This usually results in a few false starts and some day I will have to invest in technology so I can summon up the genie in the iPhone. If you look at the Leeds Waterfront map it shows you quite clearly which paths are ‘navigable’. Meantime I blunder on!

Time to leave Clarence Dock

And another ‘pop’ of colour

And head past the lock to Knight’s Way Bridge

Isn’t that a lovely name for a bridge?

Pausing to watch the dredger negotiate the lock

And looking upstream to Crown Point Bridge

Looking back at the Royal Armouries museum

Looking back towards Royal Armouries and the lock

I stayed on the left bank of the River Aire, stopping for a look at Crown Point Bridge. Opened in 1842, this was a toll bridge until 1868. The towpath takes you past Brewery Wharf to Centenary Bridge, built in 1992 to celebrate 100 years of Leeds acquiring city status. The views across to The Calls make this one of the most attractive stretches of the waterfront.

Bridge detail

Crown Point Bridge x 2

Approaching Centenary Bridge

Sculpture detail in Brewery Wharf

The Calls with St. Peter’s Church in the background

Centenary Bridge

At this point the towpath ceases for a short distance and you have to thread your way through Bridge End Apartments, where I found a delightful surprise. The wooden bridge was under repair but, lying in the water beneath, bright jewels clustered on the lily pads.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

More by luck than skill, I found myself at Leeds Bridge. Dating back to the 14th century, this bridge, originally made from stone, was for 500 years the main crossing point on the river. The medieval bridge was demolished in 1871, when it could no longer cope with the volume of traffic, and the existing cast iron bridge was constructed by 1873. A distinctive looking bridge, it was the setting for the world’s first moving pictures. In 1888, Louis Le Prince filmed horse-drawn traffic on the bridge, showing it in his nearby workplace, which became the world’s first cinema.

Intricate ironwork

Leeds Bridge

The crest. Did somebody mention owls?

Crossing over Leeds Bridge, the path then hugs the backs of stylish hotels around to Victoria Bridge. The site of a ferry crossing and then a wooden footbridge washed away by floods, the Victoria Bridge was carved from local stone and completed in 1839, soon after the coronation of Queen Victoria. Just beyond this point the River Aire meets the Leeds and Liverpool canal at Granary Wharf, loftily overlooked by the railway.

Victoria Bridge

New footbridge into Granary Wharf

Sam’s boat!

Dazzling reflections on life

The boat cafe

The canal continues out of the city and into the countryside, but I had run out of time to follow it any further. There are 127 miles of the Leeds and Liverpool canal- enough walking even for me! I would have liked to explore Holbeck Urban Village with its iconic Italianate towers, but it was time to turn back. I looped round into Water Lane and headed back up Neville Street, curious to see the light installation under the railway bridge.

Passing south of Trinity Church and the impressive looking shopping plaza, I chanced upon the Corn Exchange. Anyone remember Donovan? Apparently he strummed along here before he was famous. A striking mural caught my eye, then I was back at Kirkgate and the Leeds City Market. It’s a regular stop off for me if I’m passing through the city. Both the food stalls and the architecture are unbeatable. A friendly local informed me that I should come along on Halloween, when they open the top gallery for a ‘Spooky walk’. Sounds like fun?

The canal path, leading out of town

The canal network, West Leeds

Sound and Light in Neville Street

The main entrance to the markets

Did you ever see a better mural?

I hope I haven’t worn you out too much this week, but it’s been interesting, hasn’t it? To join in my Monday walks click on the logo below and it will give you the details. I’ve got the kettle on for what comes next- a visit to some wonderful friends. Please do join me.

Cardinal has a very individual style. Let’s accompany him to Jerusalem :

Jerusalem 9930

Violet Sky joins us again this week for a walk in the park :

A walk in the park

Amy’s photography is an absolute joy :

Where have all the flowers gone?

I really must visit Liverpool soon. Drake’s colours sing! :

Seeking out the colours

Meet Shan and her lovely family and go apple picking :

Coffee and Conversation

And a huge welcome to Tish Farrell! Her evocative writing style and photos makes me want to head for Wales right now :

Now that Summer’s done, we take the Dol Idris path

Come and get a bit damp on the prom with me and Jude! :

Reculver Towers and Roman Fort

And speaking of proms, how does New Zealand grab you? Jill is very persuasive :

Wellington on a good day

And just ‘up the road’, Rosemay takes us for a jaunt on the Perth coast :

A walk with Winston

Staying ‘down under’, Pauline invites us for a beach walk. It reminds me of Christine. Where does the time go?

Beach walk

And lastly. our lovely Yvette is taking us to a ‘beautiful river’ :

Beautiful waterfront- Buffalo NY

Many thanks to you all for your company and warm support. Happy walking!

Jo’s Monday walk : Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

The lovely ruins of Fountains Abbey

Classic English beauty combines with a watery world for this week’s walk at Studley Royal, in Yorkshire. I’ve been there several times and always been cursed with dismal weather. The balmy Autumn that we’ve been experiencing was just perfect for this visit. A Cistercian Abbey, water gardens and a deer park- irresistible? I think so! But don’t forget to take your purse. Being a National Trust property, it doesn’t come cheap. (currently £10.50- no concessions, unless you are a National Trust member)

Some things don’t change. The monks who came here in 1132 were pretty good at amassing money too. Thirteen Benedictine monks left St. Mary’s Abbey in York to found a Cistercian Abbey in this valley. It became one of the richest in Europe. Something that has changed, since my last visit, is the approach to the park. You used to be able to drive into the estate through the deer park, but traffic now is all routed via the Visitor Centre. Pick up a map at reception, and let’s go.

It’s not long before you catch your first sight of the Abbey

The ruins are extensive and Fountains Abbey Mill is the only 12th century Cistercian cornmill left in the UK. It was in continuous use until 1927, and today houses an interactive exhibition and the water wheel, which can still grind corn.

Wooded cliffs line the valley

Numerous pheasants scuttle around the grounds

And you follow the stream, looking back at the Abbey from time to time

As it recedes into the distance

If you’ve never been here before, you will almost certainly be impressed with what comes next. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539, the Abbey buildings and over 500 acres of land were sold by the Crown. The property was passed down through several generations until it was inherited by John Aislabie, in 1693. He was a socially and politically ambitious man and became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1718, but his involvement in the South Sea Bubble financial scandal had him expelled from Parliament. On his return to Yorkshire, he turned the wooded valley of the River Skell into one of England’s most spectacular Georgian water gardens.

A basin of water opens up before you

Beyond the trees, a further body of water

Dramatic sculptures line the canal

Which stretches off into the distance

And the sphinx looks idly on

The reflections in the lily pond are lovely

Reflections sparkle in the lily pond

Yet more sculptures rough and tumble

A group of volunteer gardeners are raking pond weed from the canals- a pleasant enough occupation on such a sunny afternoon. The curve of the Moon Pond stretches ahead, the pillars of the Temple of Piety a focal point on the far side. Originally the Temple of Hercules, it is believed to have been renamed when John Aislabie’s son, William, commissioned a bas relief wall sculpture inside the temple, after his father’s death.

The Temple of Piety, beyond the Moon Pond

Looking out from between the pillars

The bas relief wall sculpture

Corner detail

And looking up, inside the portico

You need to walk along the canal and cross over a narrow bridge to reach the Temple of Piety. From the bridge there’s a good view across the lake to the deer park. I didn’t spot any deer at that distance, but was diverted by one of the park’s follies, the Octagon Tower. A neo-Gothic castle, it looked to me very inviting, but sadly I couldn’t climb it. Beneath it lies a Serpentine Tunnel, originally designed to give people a bit of a fright at garden parties.

The lake, with the deer park in the distance

The Octagon Tower, nestling in the trees

I’m not sure what she was holding?

In her beautiful watery world

I couldn’t climb the tower, but I did find somewhere to look down onto the park. A sign directing me to Anne Boleyn’s Seat and Surprise View could not be ignored. I’ll spare you the climb because it was pretty steep, but I think you’d like the view. You will have an advantage over Anne Boleyn, who never actually saw it. That’s not because she didn’t have a head, but the name does come from a headless statue.

The Surprise View

Anne Boleyn’s Seat and the headless statue

Back on the path, you can return along the opposite side of the canal, steadily approaching the Abbey. There you will have a number of diversions. You can visit the Mill or the tea rooms, and Fountains Hall is a stately exhibition space. (with holiday flats to let!) Any children with you will love the interpretation centre at the Porter’s Lodge. (I did too!) And if you have time and energy to spare, there’s the Gothic extravagance of St. Mary’s Church and a stroll round the deer park.

Fountains Hall

Fun in the Porter’s Lodge

Don’t take my word for all this. The National Trust website will tell you the whole story and provide instructions on how to get there. I think that you would enjoy this World Heritage Site. I know I did. And now it really must be time to put the kettle on, don’t you think?

Click on the logo to visit my Jo’s Monday walk page for details on how to join in. As always we have a wonderful variety of walks to share.

How about a sample of Finnish nature with Vasilis? I hope you’ve met before? And the lingonberry tart looks so good! :

Finnish nature

Yvette’s taking street portraits and searching for a missing lady. Please share this one :

Street photos from Charlottesville, VA

Join Drake, very thoughtfully making war on waste :

Escape from the Cityscape

Making people happy in Jerusalem- that’s Cardinal this week :

Street Portrait : The Photographer

Amy has been having some more fun with her bird friends :

Yoga on Water

And Jude has the most delicious selection of Michaelmas Daisies you ever saw! :

Celebrating Saint Michael

Welcome a Blogspotter please! Violet Sky has a very fun post to add to the collection. Do go and say ‘hello’. :

Lost and found

Pauline is in transit again, but has been kind enough to share a trip ‘over the border’ to New South Wales. Safe travels, Pauline and Jack! :

Lingering look at Heritage windows

That’s it for this week. It just remains to wish you all ‘happy walking!’

A festival of damp leaves

My Virginia Creeper- clinging on!

I’m being a little bit naughty this morning, but hey, it’s Sunday! I’m allowed? I just have time to squeeze in two challenges before I go walking again tomorrow. The forecast is wet so I’ll have to take the sunshine with me.

An abandoned leaf- but it’s still green!

This one’s properly ‘washed out’

And this one- a brittle brown

But I do find colour hard to resist

Do you have a favourite? Or some leaves to share?

I’m contributing to Festival of leaves- week 3 and also squeezing in a last minute entry to 1 Day 1 World Project 9:00 to 10:00. I should just get away with the latter because Lisa is all the way over in Seattle so way behind the UK in hours. I’ve been meaning to rejoin her challenge for weeks and time is just slipping away. I took these yesterday morning, on my way to zumba, in the rain.

If you can squeeze some time, please join in with either or both of these challenges. They’re so worthwhile. Happy weekend!

Six word Saturday

Didn’t we have a lovely time…

At the White Rabbit Teahouse

It was ‘oh so naughty’ but very nice

Did you notice the Geisha nails?

And the elegant tea spoon too!

There were lots of teapots

And the prettiest wallpaper

And a rabbit- clinging on for dear life!

The White Rabbit Teahouse, in Nottingham, was just one of the many places I visited with my daughter last weekend. We did, indeed, have a lovely time… Click on the gallery to see it in detail.

Hope you have a nice weekend planned. Don’t forget to share it on Six word Saturday. Cate at Show My Face will show you how it’s done.

Jo’s Monday walk : gliding high!

Hello-o-o, up there!

You’re probably thinking that lack of sunshine has gone to my head! No, I’m not planning a sky walk this week. What I would like to do is to take you up Sutton Bank, on the Yorkshire Moors, to the glider school. I actually took this walk a couple of weeks ago when I was out searching for purple heather on the moors. A road diversion had us approaching from the wrong direction, and by a very roundabout route, so that I was in despair of finding any blooming heather. What I did find, though, was gliders! I guess it’s an ok substitute.

The heather has already bloomed and waned, but the gliders still fly high. You won’t need to do any climbing to see them. I hope you’re game to come with me?

Oh, really?

We parked at the Visitor Centre on Sutton Bank, properly known as Roulston Scar. When I spotted a sign- ‘The finest view in England’- my expectations were pretty high. At the viewing platform binoculars were clasped in several hands, but the day was heavily overcast. I admit, I was a little disappointed. Still, you couldn’t fault the other half’s enterprise in bringing me here. Perhaps the clouds would lift?

Promising, but not spectacular?

Not destined to be my favourite view

But there was a choice on the signposts

And so, the White Horse it was to be. Sound more promising to you? The trouble is, The White Horse is better seen from afar. Never mind. I’ll do my best! In the meantime, I was approaching the glider station. Surely there wouldn’t be much to see from up there on a day like today?

The sign looks full of promise

And there was a glider at the ready

Control tower also ready?

The sky was even beginning to clear a little

Revealing the beauty of the countryside

The path is level and it’s just as well because you’re constantly stopping and gazing skyward. There’s a low drone as the plane tows the glider past you and in seconds they’re airborne. Soaring out over the cliffs, it’s a heart stopping moment as the plane leads the glider ever higher and then releases into a thermal or rising air current.

The plane whizzes past, towing the glider

Clinging on, in search of a thermal

Then freedom! And a patch of blue sky!

Back at ground level, the path continues on. The White Horse of Kilburn is not far away. I’m not sure what kind of view of it I will have, as it lies on the cliff face below me.

The sign shows an aerial view

As half expected, it’s easier to get a wild flower shot

Steps lead down the cliff to a car park far below. I look back at my husband, who shrugs and turns to walk away. I start down the steps in search of a better view.

This is the best I can do!

Or this bench, thanks to Fred Banks

And a lovely patch of heather

Unless you want a long descent down the steps, and then an aching clamber back up, this will have to do for now. You could, of course, be enterprising and drive to the car park below. I’m sorry to tell you that we didn’t. The clouds closed in again- that’s the nature of the moors- and it was time for a hasty retreat from a squall of rain.

But at least I’d had a glimpse of ‘England’s finest view’

And a little moorland heather

I hope you enjoyed our walk? This link to Wikipedia will give you a few more details of the whereabouts and geology of the horse, and the village of Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe, where I remember a rather nice pub.

I won’t be home till teatime today, but I’m hoping you will still have received this walk, which I scheduled. Early or late, I’ll definitely be there. Once again, I have some wonderful shares for you. Many thanks to all of you who take part.

My first walk this week is very fittingly titled but, more importantly, it’s full of wonderful photos. Thank you so much, Meg. This is beautiful!

Skyspace

The Cardinal took us to Petra in Jordan, for the sunniest of smiles :

Street Portrait

Paula knows us Scorpios don’t mind water, or even occasionally…

Getting Wet

If you haven’t seen any of Amy’s photography lately, you’re missing a treat. Goodbye Summer! :

It’s last Beauty

Drake was back on Samsoe this week, with some Norwegian love :

Vikings, potatoes and Norwegian love

Hands up those of you who’ve been to Odessa? No- I thought not! Jouena has a lovely share :

Mosaic in Odessa

You can share a walk with me any day of the week. The details are all in my logo. Have a great week and happy walking!

Six word Saturday

Remember the lady with orange hair?

And her husband

Yes, that IS an octopus fascinator and she calls him Ishmael. I will be in Loughborough at a coffee morning for the Macmillan Nurses when you’re reading this. Leo’s Dad died of cancer last year and his Mum is bravely hosting at her home. I foresee a little fun in my weekend, though I won’t be wearing an octopus any time soon.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to respond to any comments today but I hope you’ll all still be playing Six word Saturday. Cate at Show My Face hopes so too. I’m scheduling this post because I’m away all weekend. Catch up with you next week! Take care!

Jo’s Monday walk : Captain Cook’s Monument

Captain James Cook on the village green at Great Ayton

I still have Paris stories to tell and photos to share, but life moves on, doesn’t it? Late Summer is the most beautiful time of year on the North York Moors and I’ve been there several times in the past few weeks. I wish I’d had blue skies like the one above for this week’s walk, but we’ll have to settle for ‘head in the clouds’.

‘Where do you want to go?’ asked the long suffering other half, last Monday. ‘Somewhere with heather. Lots of heather!’ I replied. And where do you find the most heather? On the very tops of the Moors, of course. So, strong legs needed this week, but I’m in the Algarve next week so you can all have a lovely rest. Are you ready? Come on, then!

This is our start point

I’m starting out from the free car park at Gribdale Gate, just beyond the village of Little Ayton. You have several choices from this point but they’re all in an upwards direction.

This is ours!

That’s the target- the little spike above the tree line!

Always on the Moors you are aware of nature

While beneath our feet the bracken fades

You’re following a woodland trail and steadily you will gain height

There are occasional diversions on the edges of the path

With occasional diversions on the edges of the path

Your first reward- Roseberry Topping on the horizon

Roseberry Topping is an iconic landmark in these parts. The combination of geological fault and a mining collapse in 1912 created its distinctive shape. The link will take you to the National Trust website with lots of spectacular views. Joe Cornish is one of my favourite photographers.

Looking back you can see the moorland trail you have followed

A memorial beside the path

Ahead, the Monument

Captain Cook’s Monument is a 16 metre high obelisk, located on Easby Moor and visible for miles around. It was constructed of local sandstone and has stood on this spot since 1827. It bears an inscription celebrating Captain James Cook, who was born locally at Marton- “a man of nautical knowledge inferior to none”.

The heather stretches for miles

And miles!

It is the most glorious sight at this time of year, and well worth the climb, which can be taken slowly, with frequent pauses to look back. Many families with quite young children were making the pilgrimage, so how hard can it be? I wasn’t so sure about this next activity though.

Getting the heart rate going is one thing, but…..

He made it- thank goodness!

The Monument and Roseberry Topping in the same frame

You can continue on across the Moors and down into Kildale in the next valley. The total distance is only 2 and a half miles, but you would then have to make the return journey. I was content to simply descend the hill, much more rapidly than my ascent!

Just a little more heather!

And a last look at the Monument

Did I mention the heather?

There is a railway station at Little Ayton, on the Esk Valley Line, but I’m assuming you arrived by car. It’s all downhill back to the main village of Great Ayton, where James Cook spent many of his boyhood years. It’s a very attractive village, with the river running through it, and a good pub, the ‘Royal Oak’, on the village green.

You could visit Captain Cook’s Schoolroom Museum if you have the time. I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t managed it yet. I’d better make that a project for the winter. I apologise for the sullen skies but the heather is only at it’s purple best for a few weeks. As we drove home the sky began to clear, of course, and I leapt nimbly out of the car to frolic with the sheep.

He’s giving me a very suspicious look!

As I mentioned at the start of this walk, I’m going to the Algarve today and won’t be around to post a walk next Monday. I’ll be back the following one, 15th September, so if you have any walks you’d like to share, feel free to leave them in the Comments as usual. I’ll feature them the following week. Any doubts, click on my logo above. It explains how I run Jo’s Monday walks. Till then, happy walking! I’m off to put the kettle on and visit all these lovely people.

My first walk this week is from a lady you might not know? Say ‘hello’ to Jill, at Jill’s Scene :

Breckenridge, Minnesota

Drake takes us to lovely Ribe in Denmark, and climbs a tower, too! Energetic, like me :

Step back time

Amy has the BEST photo of a cross mother swan in this post :

Zilker Park, Austin

I’ve always enjoyed ’tilting at windmills’. Jude has the most beautiful one I’ve seen in a while :

Tilting at Windmills

Some fabulous footage of the Azores from Cardinal Guzman, also joining us for the first time :

Horta- Azorean Islands

Take care and ‘bye for now!

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

England

Joy is… a beach and a blue sky!

Jo’s Monday walk : The Drummer Boy

1 Day 1 World Project : 11.00- 12.00

Jo’s Monday walk : Leeds Waterfront

Jo’s Monday walk : Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

A festival of damp leaves

Six word Saturday

Didn’t we have a lovely time…

Jo’s Monday walk : gliding high!

Six word Saturday

Remember the lady with orange hair?

Jo’s Monday walk : Captain Cook’s Monument

Share this:javascript:void(0);return false;

Share this:javascript:void(0);return false;

Share this:javascript:void(0);return false;

Share this:javascript:void(0);return false;

Share this:javascript:void(0);return false;

Share this:javascript:void(0);return false;

Didn’t we have a lovely time…

Share this:javascript:void(0);return false;

Share this:javascript:void(0);return false;

Remember the lady with orange hair?

Share this:javascript:void(0);return false;

Share this:javascript:void(0);return false;