Jervaulx Abbey - Yorkshire September 11th to 19th

We have been promising dad a return visit to Jervaulx abbey but as he was ill last year we had to postpone it. We are staying in the caravan at Jervaulx and dad is staying up the road at the Coverbridge Inn.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
We left the caravan at about 10.30 and met dad outside the Coverbridge. We parked the car and set off along the River Cover. It was warm and sunny but threatened heavy showers. We had forgotten to pack raincoats so were hoping the rain held off.
It was nice walking along the river, there were lots of fallen trees so we had to keep climbing over them. We passed some stepping stones but did not cross the river at this point, but we did walk on to Hullo bridge. We went a little wrong here but soon corrected our mistake and headed up to the road to Middleham. We walked along the footpath beside the road passing Low Middleham Moor where race horses are trained. Apparently there are 850 inhabitants in Middleham and 500 racehorses.
We down beside Middleham castle, childhood home to Richard 111, and stopped in the town square for a drink and a bag of crisps and decided that we did not want to exhaust our selves on the first day so instead of doing the second half of the planned figure of 8 walk we would only do one bit. After a wander around the town, checking out the pubs and restaurants we walked back up beside the castle and headed over William's Hill, a mote and bailey, across the fields and back to the stepping stones.


We crossed them this time and walked along the other side of the river bank and back to the Cover Bridge Inn, where it would have been rude not to stop for a pint of Old Peculiar. We had walked 8.79km.
Monday,September 13, 2010
The weather was a bit grotty today so we decided on a trip to Ripon. We had a wander around the town and a look around the cathedral which had a very impressive choir stall and organ, including some carved miserichords in the choir stalls which were said to have inspired Lewis Carrol's Alice in Wonderland.
After lunch in the cafe at Masham we decided the weather was not as bad as expected so we drove to the Druid's temple. John and I had visited this place two years ago when we first started geocaching and we wanted to show dad. It was still a bit drizzly but we had a short walk around the forest and found a new cache that had been placed. Dad was quite amazed at the temple which although looking as though it had been there for thousands of years was actually built by the Victorians.


We headed back to the car and I navigated us on a scenic route back to Jervaulx. As we drove down a steep hill we spotted a heron standing by the side of the road. He took off and flew down the road in front of us. We realised there was a cache to find and parked near a duck pond where we were mobbed by a few ducks as we got out of the car. The cache was found after a short hunt.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
We started off at the Coverbridge picking up dad.
As we drove through Middleham we followed a pack of race horses through the town and back to their stables. We drove to West Witton,parked and then followed the path across fields to an avenue of sycamore trees. We walked down the lane with wonderful views towards Bolton Hall. We crossed the road and walked past the gate house and down to Lord's Bridge where we turned left along a footpath and crossed fields until we came to a small beck where the path led down to the river Ure. After the rain that we had had last night the river was flowing very fast, and it was a very pleasant walk, although a little windy.

We continued beside the river for about a mile and a half and then after passing Batt Island we crossed a ladder stile and walked across a very lumpy area of field which was probably the spoil from the Keld head lead mines. We crossed another stile and followed down through some woods to reach Redmire Force. The falls were flowing very fast today and it was pleasant sitting beside the falls eating our lunch.
After a break we retraced our steps through the woods and then walked along a cart track, to the footpath. The field had a large new sign on it stating “Beware of the Bull”. I nervously looked in but there was no sign of any cattle so we walked beside New Wood to the gate in the corner and then followed a dry stone wall and lane back towards West Witton. It had been a very nice walk and although we had worn wet weather gear it had actually been dry and sunny, although very windy in places. We decided to reward ourselves so drove back to High Jervaulx where we stopped for an icecream. John and dad had ginger and I had praline pecan delight. We went back to the caravan for a cup of tea and then dad decided to walk back along the river to the Coverbridge while we got tea ready. He hadn't been gone long when it started to rain – and he hadn't got his wet gear on! Oh dear.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
It was very windy and rainy again. We were treated to a wonderful display of swallows swooping over the caravan and landing on the skylight this morning. Dad arrived at 10.30 and we decided to go towards Fountains Abbey. We parked in the NT car park and then walked to the road and down towards the Monk's wall. We followed the footpath, stopping to find a cache hidden in the wall, then headed towards Hill house farm. Last time we had walked here we had not been able to get through the farm because the cows were blocking the way, but today they were in the fields and although it was very mucky we were able to follow the path. We stopped at a ruined gatehouse where we could see several stags in the deer park. We then carried on through the woods startling pheasants as we went – they seemed to be everywhere today. As we emerged from the woods we followed a steep and muddy lane down to a ford across the river, although there was no water in the river at all. We entered Studley Royal park and followed the Seven bridges way. We kept crossing fords or bridges but the water seemed to have been diverted as there was no water in the river. We sat on a tree stump for a while to eat our lunch and then went on a hunt for a geocache. It involved climbing a steep bank up to the look out tower. Getting up was OK but down was a bit more tricky, but we made it safely. We had left dad at the bottom watching the deer while we went up the top. We finally got to the lakes at Studley Royal and then walked up to the church for a look round.

The church was Victorian gothic and very impressive to look around. The guide pointed out the parrots, birds, butterflies, mouse and snails that had been incorporated into the decoration. We returned to the car and back to the caravan before going out to dinner at the Coverbridge Inn.
Thursday 16 September 2010
We drove to Aysgarth and had a nice walk down to look at the middle and lower falls. Dad took lots of photos and then we walked through Freeholders woods towards Carperby.

The woods were dotted with lots of small nest boxes which had been placed there for the dormice that had been re-introduced. We crossed the meadows, enjoying the views of the hills and then entered Carperby. We hunted around for some clues for a geocache which had been placed by the National Park Authority. There was plenty of history in the village including the start of the Wensleyan church and the Quaker church. Having found the clues we headed up a track to a viewpoint where the cache was hidden. We retraced our steps through the meadows and the woods and then to the Upper Falls. Dad took lots more photos and then we went tot the Mill Race for a cup of tea.
Friday 17 September 2010
We drove to Leyburn, only to find it was market day so we couldn't park. We managed to find a spot on a side street and then set off through the back streets to the path leading to the Shawl. We walked up onto the top and walked along the ridge for a while. The views across Wenslydale were wonderful. We found a cache – John scrambled down to get it, and then walked a bit further before coming down off the Shawl and walking through Gilmoor wood. We found a nice clearing to sit and eat our lunch. The area is actually quite industrial and housed the engine house, chimney and smelt flues (where we were sitting) for the Keld Head smelt mine. They had mined for lead and silver in the past. We walked down the track and realised we had gone wrong. A farmer stopped and pointed us back to the correct path which led across freshly manured meadows (pooh) and then started to climb back up to the Shawl again. We followed the path back to Leyburn where we stopped for a pot of tea in the Post House tea rooms.
After returning to the car we went and filled up with diesel and then drove to Harmby. We parked by the road and followed the path to a waterfall which was much higher than the falls we had seen before but less powerful. This was another spot we would not have found if it had not been for geocaching.
Saturday 18 September 2010
We met everyone at the Coverbridge Inn today. Emily and Mike ahd come over to visit us so we set off along the banks of the river Cover following the same route that we walked on Sunday. We stopped for pictures at the stepping stones and then walked to the Hullo bridge.

We crossed the bridge and walked on the other side of the river for a short distance before heading up into the fields towards East Witton lodge. It was lovely just walking and chatting with Emily and Mike and dad. We finally arrived in East Witton where we sat for a while to eat a bun (Emily, Mike and dad had had enormous breakfasts at the Coverbridge) and then we walked beside the church into a field with two horses. They ignored us but a short distance further on we could see a farmer trying to round up his sheep. We realised the footpath went through the field he was working in so we stopped and waited for a while. He told us we could go through and pointed us to the stile. He said trying to round up lambs with no yows (ewes) was murder as they just went round in circles. We crossed a few more fields with sheep in and then found ourselves back at the pub. (7.66km) We all went in for a pint and then decided to head up to High Jervaulx for an icecream.

Flamborough Head, 23rd June to 30th June 2009

After a hectic few weeks we decided a break was called for. We hitched up the caravan and left home at about 11 and had a steady journey to Flamborough. Just before we arrived a stone was thrown at the car window which caused a big chip - a good start to the holiday. We finally arrived at about 2.30. The temporary holiday site is a nice flat field beside a farm and is run by South Lincs da (£7 per night). It was lovely and sunny and we sat out and read before having an early tea. After washing up we went for a walk and headed towards the cliffs. There was a footpath beside the farm and we walked beside fields of broad beans to the cliffs and turned left towards South landing. We walked along the top and then down the steep steps towards the beach and then followed the path inland finding the clues for a multi-cache. We found the cache spot but could not find the cache after an extensive search, it had been a nice walk though. We walked back along the cliff top and got back at about 9.
The weather was mixed over the next few days so we relaxed and did a few small walks exploring the local area.
Thursday 25th June
We drove to Bempton, only a few miles away and parked near the church. We walked to the duck pond where there were lots of ducks- one mallard had 16 ducklings. We found Bempton ducks cache and then walked across a field to Bempton sheep cache. It was a bit thistley and John had shorts and sandals on so after finding the cache we walked back round the road. We then drove to Bempton cliffs RSPB nature reserve and parked. We had a very nice organic roll for lunch and then walked along the cliffs towards the gannet colony where it was fascinating to see the birds, with thier chicks clinging to the cliffs. We also saw a few puffins here, which I had always wanted to see. We walked back and along the cliffs in the other direction where we saw lots more puffins, kittiwakes with young, razorbills and guillimots. It was a lovely day. We then found the clues for Bempton seabird colony cache and found the cache just before we left for home.
Sunday 28th June
After our chores we set off for a walk. It was warm and not too cloudy but we carried fleeces and waterproofs, just in case. We walked towards Flamborough, passing through the churchyard, where we had to wait for members of the congregation to clear the path. The vicar waved at us in a friendly way as we went past. We followed the road all the way to North landing, enjoying all the pretty gardens. At North landing we had good views of the caves which had been used by smugglers to store their contraband. We collected a clue for a cache we were going to do later and then started to walk round the cliffs. We stopped several times to watch the birds on the cliffs. We saw more puffins and guillimots, and further round kittiwakes with their fluffy chicks. We continued heading toward the Head and passed a heathland area with lots of pyramidal orchids in flower. When we got to Flamborough Head we stopped to look for a cache but the area was very overgrown so we did not find it, but we continued to find the clues for another cache. I did spot a frog though. We had lunch at the uninspiring pub near the lighthouse, a sausage baguette and very greasy chips and then went to find the cache that we had collected the clues for. There were some people sitting on the bench that we needed to search so we admired the view for a while. We saw a kestrel dive and catch a small mammal, and then chased by a kittiwake which caused the kestrel to drop his lunch. After the men moved from the bench we went and searched for the cache but were unsuccessful, again. We continued our walk round the head, passing the lighthouse and the radio transmitter station. The tramsmitter station sounds a fog horn every 90 seconds, which we can hear from our caravan site, but which is quite deafening when standing under it. The South side of the head was not as interesting as the north. The cliffs were not so visible so we could not see the birds, but there were lots of butterflies along the route. There were also several inlets which meant descending steep flights of steps only to climb back up again on the other side. We got back to the caravan at about 5.30, having walked 12km
Monday 29th June
We got up early and as it was our last day we didn't want to have a long walk so decided on a a geocachey day.
We drove along Woldgate parked along the road, and walked along the bridleway to Carnaby temple which was a folly built in the 18th century. We hunted for a cache for a while but were unsuccessful as everywhere was so overgrown. We then drove on to see Rodston monolith. This was an impressive stone in the churchyard, at 8 metres tall it is the tallest standing stone in the country. We followed the clues and had a walk around the area finding 2 caches and then after lunch in the pub we drove onto Burton Agnes. This cache had us fighting our way across a field of oil-seed rape. The flowers had gone but the seed pods were developing and the plants had collapsed across the footpath so it was quite a struggle, we searched for a while and eventually found the cache. We realized that this was part of a series of caches so we took the co-ordinates and went back to the car. When we got there a 1954 Ferguson tractor was parked in front. It had been beautifully renovated and the owner chatted to us for a while. Our next nearest cache was at Harpham about 2 km away so we drove and parked in the village and after finding the footpath walked across the field and quickly found the cache. It was another part of the series so after taking the co-ordinates we decided we had to do the next two. We drove a short distance to Bracey bridge, a picnic area off the main road and set off to find the next cache, this took quite a while as the satellite reception was very poor in the woods but we eventually found the cache and the last set of clues, which led us to the village of Kilham. We parked near the school and set off across another footpath over a field of oil seed rape. It was really hard work across this field and as we approached the cache area we noticed men on a crane working in sight of the cache. Luckily we were on the other side of the hedge and after quite a hunt in all the nettles and thistles, and scrambling under the hedge, I found the cache. We found a much nicer path back to the car, which went past the village pond, complete with ducks. We drove through to Bridlington after this and had a nice walk along the prom and had fish and chips sitting watching the waves. Considering most of our day had been spent in the car, we were surprised to find that we had walked over 12 km.

Yorkshire 9th -15th July 2008

All treatments are finished and so we decided on a well earned break with a week in Yorkshire accompanied by dad! A few walks were planned for this trip but it was also supposed to be a rest and a chance to collect our new walking boots from Altberg in Richmond. We were staying at the Jervaulx Abbey caravan site and dad stayed at the Cover Bridge Inn just a couple of miles up the road.

Thursday 10th July 2008.
We picked up dad from the Cover Bridge Inn at 9:30 am and drove to Richmond to pick up our boots. Dad enjoyed reminiscing about boot making and even the owner of Altberg came out to chat to him. After a few slight alterations to the boots we were on our way.

After a wander around Richmond we drove to Aysgarth to see the falls, they were very impressive after all the rain we have had.

We walked up to the church and saw the rood screen that had been moved there from Jervaulx abbey during the reformation. We then went for a walk on the opposite bank to the one all the tourists use and had nice views of the falls and rapids as we headed along the river to West Burton. As we crossed some fields towards Burton we noticed two follies, one shaped like a cone and the other like a diabolo. They had been built in the 1800's and served no purpose apart from some slight shelter.

We then followed field paths back to Aysgarth. The guidebook said it was a 4 miles walk but we all thought it was more like 6 (actually 5.5).



Saturday 12th July 2008
Dad arrived at about 9.45 and we set off to Studley to see Fountains abbey. We decided on a walk first as it was a bit cloudy and waited for a brief shower of rain to pass and then set off. We walked to the lower car-park and then onto a bridleway beside the old abbey walls. It was very muddy but quite nice with slight views of the abbey. The first problem came around the farm where the footpath went through the yard which was full of cows. They would not move and we couldn't open the gate without letting them out or without getting showered with poo or wee! We eventually found a way round the back of the barn which led into the correct field but which meant wading across a boggy field to get back to the footpath. We then headed through woodland past a ruined arch and onto the Ripon Rowell way. We then followed the path through fields of oilseed rape and wheat and round Markenthwaite Hall. Here we had to cross a field with cows, young calves and a huge bull. He was quite content to ignore us and we quickly moved to the next field where we disturbed several curlews and lapwings. We emerged onto Straint lane, a green lane not wide enough for wheeled traffic and followed the path past barley fields, through to Whitcliffe lane. Here we found we had gone off the path and emerged further up the lane than we should but this cut the road walking down a bit. Next through a field of peas to reach the next stile which led to a water meadow. Unfortunately after yesterday's rain we could not find a way through. Dad got very wet feet trying! We went back over the stile and followed the field edge until we found a low fence that took us into a drier area of the field and back to the path which took us between buildings and back onto Fountains road. We entered the abbey from the bottom entrance and looked at a landscape photographic exhibition. We chatted to the photographer about how he takes his pictures and then walked through the park to the abbey and onto the teashop. After a spot of refreshment we walked back through the gardens with dad taking photos. The walk 11 miles -so much for a restful day!
We left the carpark at 5.15 and pulled into a farm advertising local produce as we wanted some veg. The shop was open but no-one was about. We then noticed the sign saying "self-service". There was an egg box with money and a book to record purchases. What trust. We bought veg and some yorkshire honey.



Sunday 13th July 2008
We decided on a quiet day today and so walked along the river Ure to Coverbridge. The river banks were lovely, full of giant bellflower, meadowsweet, meadow cranesbill and vetches.

There were lots of different types of damselfly too. At the Coverbridge we decided to walk onto the Blue Lion at East Witton where we had a drink and a bag of crisps and then returned along the river to the caravan tohave a cup of tea and slice of cake. We then thought we would walk to the ice-cream parlour. We walked across Jervaulx park but missed the footpath so came out at the wrong place. We eventually found the road and walked up to Brymores. It was packed as mini cooper, motorbike and TVR rallies had all descended on the carpark. We then walked back across Jervaulx park.