Day 4. Easingwold to Burneston.

Did I get off my backside and get on with it, or did I throw the towel in and come home? Days 3 and 4 are always hard going, the feet complain bitterly, the shoulders ache, and the leg muscles groan with every step, but never mind, I'm still here. I got the bus back to Easingwold and started walking at 10.20am. I like to get off just after nine usually, so I'll have to walk a bit faster and find a shorter route than planned. 

Last night I realised I was going to have a problem crossing the River Swale, there just wasn't a bridge in the right place, and I can't swim. I opted to cross it at Skipton on Swale, which meant I was going to turn left before I reached Thirsk, so sorry Maz, I didn't get to see you. Mind you I could have done with your phone number later, as I was struggling to find a bed, but I had no way of contacting you. 

Tonight I am in a pub in Burneston. I was so lucky to find this one, there was no sign outside for B & B, but worth an ask I thought. Bingo, they had a room. 

Now let's look at the pictures. I did a mix of roads and paths out of Easingwold, heading for Husthwaite, then turning left for Thormanby. Spotted through the trees, an encampment of tents, lots of them. Might be scouts or something like that, no one around except a company either putting them up of taking them down. I couldn't see that clearly from a distance. 

I was following a stream on my right hand side, but think I missed a sign for a path. It didn't matter though because I could use the pylons to work out which direction I wanted to be going. I found a track through the yellow fields, and when I checked the map it seems the path I missed went through the middle of the crop. Good job I missed it then, wouldn't fancy wading through that lot.

I came to the small village of Sessay. This church is at Little Sessay.

And this is the school next door.

At the back of the old school building they have built this smart and modern new building. All mod cons for the kids here. Bet they love it.

I carried on to Little Hutton and Dalton. When I got to thios pub at Topcliffe I thought, oh look Rooms �45. Trouble was it was only 3pm, too early to stop.

This is the weir at Topcliffe, there is an old mill next to it which has been converted to flats.

I thought this was a bit strange, I found a bird in a cage on the ground with this sign on it. I have no idea what it means. The bird didn't seem to like being in a cage as it was hopping about and trying to fly. Perhaps some of my bird watchers can shed some light on this.

I was following a path across the fields to Catton when I came across hundreds, maybe thousands of free ranging hens. There were several large sheds but all the birds were out, lots of them dust bathing.

When they realised I ws watching them they all came running towards me, what a noise with all the clucking. They looked happy enough.

From Catton I walked along the bank of the river, and underneath this viaduct. The map tells me there used to be a railway line over here a long time ago.

Next came a lot of road walking and I was speeding up because time was getting on and still no sign of a bed. I crossed underneath the A1M, and what used to be the old A1 which is now the A6055 and runs parallel to the new motorway, Some of the villages show a pub on the map, perhaps I may be lucky. Kirklington, pub but no beds, and the barman said he didn't know of anywhere before Bedale, and that was six miles away. I asked him how much a taxi would be to go to Bedale and back the next morning, he said expensive. Oh chuffin heck, nothing for it but to keep walking. Just as I was feeling a bit tired and fed up, I saw two pairs of eyes looking at me through floppy white fringes. This gave me a lift so it was head down and keep walking.

No pub at Carthope, but then I came to Burneston and had such a lovely welcome from the landlord and landlady. They did indeed have a room, and at a reasonable price.

Their little doggy is so cute, the perfect pub mutt.

I was looking forward to getting in my room and chilling out after a bite to eat. It had been a hard days walking, just checked it at 22.26 miles. All of a sudden I felt myself start to faint, everything went fuzzy. Thankfully they realized what was happening and kept talking to me. I didn't actually pass out but I was close to it. Two lovely young First Responders arrived and proceeded to check me over and ask lots of questions. I'm happy to say that I feel perfectly alright now, and they didn't find anything wrong with me. I can only put it down to not eating enough during the day. I had a big breakfast at the hostel this morning, and nibbled on the food I bought yesterday, also sipped the fruit juice, but I didn't come across a shop where I could buy some more. I will pick some food up at Bedale tomorrow. Promise.

So that's it for tonight. Now don't you go worrying about me, I am fine. The blisters are healing, and in the morning I will be ready for another day. I will not do so much tomorrow, make it an easy day.
Toodle pip.

Read More »

Day 3. Stockton on the Forest to Easingwold

Oh my word, what am I doing at York Youth Hostel tonight I'm not supposed to be at York, it wasn't on the agenda. You're gonna laugh at this. I thought I would have an early finish today because my feet were feeling a bit sore, and if I carried on past Easingwold I wouldn't have found a bed. Now wouldn't you think that a popular market town like Easingwold, would have some B & B's, well you would wouldn't you? Wrong! The George was full, I asked several people and all looked blankly at me. Someone suggested The Old Vicarage so I went and asked there, only to find the owners hard at work preparing their house for sale. They have given up taking paying guests and are ready to downsize. Oh dear, now what, I've drawn a blank. 

The kind people tried to help me out by ringing places they thought might be able to accommodate me, still no luck. Then it was decided that I should get a bus somewhere and I might have a better chance. My new friend suggested the Youth Hostel at York and he got them on the phone, yes they did have a bed. The bus left at 6.30pm and I would get there at 7pm. So here I am. My bed for tonight with breakfast cost �27, all I have to do is get back to Easingwold in the morning. 

Right, what sort of a day have I had. As I left the B & B I was handed a pack of sandwiches and biscuits, I hadn't asked for any, so that was a kind thought from the owner. Lovely they were to, cheese and pickle. This is a photo of the church opposite Church View B & B.

And the B & B. Nothing fancy, just clean and friendly hospitality.

It was a shorts and teeshirt day today, the weather was glorious. The route out took me through a massive golf course, I was on the lookout for flying golf balls, ha ha. I skirted round the edge of Strensall, and picked up the path alongside the river for a short distance. It went under this railway bridge.

Then some road walking to Sutton on the Forest. This is a pretty village with lots of flowers and bushes clinging to the fronts of the cottages.

I heard the church bells ringing and saw some people up ahead who were dressed up in their best togs. What a bonus, it was a wedding. And it gets better, look at this magnificent sight, what a bonus to be passing just as the carriage was waiting to collect the bride and groom.

I stopped to chat with the young lady who was steadying the horses while they waited. She was delightful, telling me about her own horses, and how she volunteers for this job, and how she loves her training to become a nurse. I love it when people tell me about their life.

This is Sutton Hall, just across the road from the church, where the wedding reception was being held. The guests had to wait though, as the happy couple went for a ride in the carriage before it started.

After a sit down on the church bench, all the people had gone by then, I took my boots off to give my feet a rest. Then onward to Huby. I came across this unusual stile. It's like a gate. 

You push the two upright posts to the side while you step through. Very clever.

Out of Huby I took a track past a pig farm, there are quite a lot of them in these parts. Look at these little baby porkies, how cute. Mother was guarding them and eyed me with suspicion as I snapped away.

Opposite a caravan and camping site there there was a wood carpeted in millions of bluebells. Spectacular.

I've had a lovely day, not done quite as many miles, only 15.86, but the bonus is another cheap B & B, with the downside that I have to get the bus back to Easingwold in the morning.

I'll just mention something I saw today that shocked me. I know travelling people set up camp anywhere they can and I don't generally take much notice of them, but today I had to walk right by a group in a country lane who were living on a grass verge next to the road. It looked as if they had been there a while because the place was strewn with all kinds of odds and ends. They had built a pen for their chickens, they had ducks and chickens free ranging in the field, and there must have been a dozen dogs tied up of all sizes, and all yapping away. I think this kind of travelling is quite common in the summer months. What shocked me was the state of the people. They sat huddled round in a circle on the bare ground, some of them looked at me as I walked by, and their faces were filthy along with their clothes, and matted hair. Even the women looked terrible. It looked as if they hadn't seen water for months. I am not really sure why people live in this fashion, what do they do for food, how do they feed their animals? This is beyond my comprehension. I really don't understand this at all.

My two room mates have gone out and I am sitting alone on my bed. I'm just off down to reception to ask the girl about bus times in the morning. I did think about getting a bus back to Hull because I was feeling a bit despondent. Sometimes moments of doubt creep in but a copout would be too easy. I'll hobble downstairs and get the bus times, that's if I can get off this bed, ha ha. Toodle pip.

Read More »

Day 2. Towthorpe to Stockton Forest.

Hiya. Bit slow with the signal tonight, thought I might have to abandon the photo upload. I've persevered and managed to get them on one at a time. So where am I tonight? I was hoping to get to Strensall, north west of York, it was 6pm and the sign said 4 miles, and my feet were sore so I took a diversion and walked the one mile to Stockton Forest village, hoping to find a bed. There were two establishments in the main street to choose from. One looked as if it could be a bit pricey so I chose the other. I was probably right as I have an en suite room for �35 at Church View B & B. 

This morning I set off just after 9am after a filling breakfast. I continued north on The Yorkshire Wolds Way, heading towards Londesborough. I didn't linger in the village because I have been there before. This is the scene, lots of yellow fields at the moment.  

It was a sunny morning so I took a chance and put my shorts on. Thought it might be wise to slap some sun lotion on my legs and face, always the optimist. There were plenty of clouds about which wafted over covering the sun, then I was a bit cold, but I stuck it out because I didn't want to keep stopping and changing clothes. Oh, I am a hardy soul, ha ha.

These wonderful trees were at the entrance to a farm entrance, don't they look fabulous, I love the colours.  

It's nice to see that someone is taking care of the footpaths and renewing bridges and gates when they are needed. 

Follow the signs to Nunburnholme, so that's what I did. 

Then on to Millington. There is a tea shop in the village, the Travelers Rest. Lots of cyclists were taking refreshments. I was quite tempted to sit on the bench outside and eat my snack, but I don't think they would have appreciated that, I wasn't a paying customer. 

I carried on for a couple of miles and by now the Yorkshire Wolds Way had turned into The Minster Way. I was just thinking I would love to sit down but hadn't found anywhere, then like an oasis in a desert, I spotted this little church at Great Givendale, tucked away in the corner of a field, and look, it has a bench in the sunshine, perfect for a weary walker.

I tried the door and it was unlocked. 

By this time you might have guessed that I decided not to go to Pocklington after all. It would have meant too much road walking and I am trying to not walk on tarmac too much as I don't want my achilles tendon to flare up again. So a lot of footpaths on farm tracks and around fields today. Doncha just love brown cows.  

Bishop Wilton is a pretty village, with a small stream running down the middle of it. I noticed a village shop, time for a treat, a chocolate and toffee Magnum ice cream. Met some friendly people in the shop and had a nice chat. 

Then on to Youlthorpe and Full Sutton to Stamford Bridge. I didn't linger here very much either as I have been before and time was getting on. I saw on the map that there is a dismantled railway which went in the direction I wanted to walk, so I was hoping it had been turned into a path. Here is the viaduct that goes over the River Derwent. There must be a way to get up there somehow. 

This looks promising, it is going in the right direction. 

Yes, it joined the old railway line which has been tarmacked for pedestrians. But the disappointment when it stopped dead as it got to the main A166 trunk road. Oh bugger, it would be such a good route if they had taken it further. I had to walk along the main road for 20 minutes, then dodge the traffic to cross it and go down a side road. Time was getting on. When I got to the junction at Snowball Plantation I knew I had to go in search of a bed, that's when I turned off to Stockton.

I've been trying to check the mileage for today, but with the slow and intermittent signal the Bikehike site is not playing ball. Looking at the distance compared to yesterday I think it might be the same. I will check it tomorrow for an accurate figure.

What's the blister count for today, then? FOUR, yikes. I've been popping them and covering my feet with Germoline. They should have calmed down for tomorrow. Breakfast is at 8.30am, then I shall be heading towards Strensall and Easingwold and hoping to get to Thirsk. But who knows what will happen, you'll have to wait and see. It's late, must get my beauty sleep. Toodle pip.

PS. Thank you for your comments yesterday, I'll give you the bones, you can put the meat on it, ha ha. Thanks to those who googlied stuff for more info.

Edited again. Mileage checked. 20.80 miles, so I wasn't far out with my guess.

Read More »

Day 1 Humber Bridge to Towthorpe.

Hello, here I am at the start of  long walk number 7. My friend Paul dropped me off on the South bank of the Humber Bridge at 9.15, just as a group of ladies from the Barton Slimming Club were starting their weekly get fit walk across the bridge. What a nice start to my walk, to have the company of a smiley bunch of ladies. None of them wanted to join me for the rest of the day, ha ha, so we parted company after 1.25 miles when they turned round and went back.    

The weather was misty but quite warm so it wasn't long before I took my jacket off and put it in my rucksack. I walked along the river on the north bank following the Trans Pennine Trail. The rescue services were out practicing in their boats.

Goodbye to the Humber Bridge.

When I reached North Ferriby I turned right and walked through the village. Then it was a case of walking on minor roads following the main A63 road, a major trunk road between Leeds and Hull. Through Melton, Welton, Elloughton, Brantingham, and South Cave. I have walked some of these paths before. A quick lunch was taken next to the the duck pond at Welton Church.

I crossed the A63 four times altogether over steel footbridges. This is the war memorial in the centre of Brantingham. Sadly it looked a bit neglected. The area around it was fenced off, the grass was long and unkempt, and the memorial itself looks like it could do with a good clean. Behind it the low wall looked like it was topped with a dirty sewage pipe, not very attractive at all.  Come on villagers, get your scrubbing brushes out.

I have posted this picture before, it's the entrance to the hotel at South Cave.

Love these pink flowers.

Some of you may remember seeing this tree on a previous walking post, it's on the side of a house at North Cave. Worth another posting I thought.

I then walked through the grounds of Hotham Hall and village, no pics because they are elsewhere on the blog. On this first days walk I am passing through places I have already been to. Then across some fields and onto the road for a long straight walk to Market Weighton. On entering the village, or is it a town, I stopped to check my list of B & B's. I could push on to Pocklington but it would be late when I got there, and the B & B I rang yesterday didn't reply to my message. There was another one halfway between Market Weighton and Londesborough, it's on the Yorkshire Wolds Way, so I rang the number. YAY, success, they have a room, and at �30 a very reasonable price. I popped in Tesco and spent �2.10 on two cheese and onion pasties, and a packet of donuts. These will do for my tea, along with the boiled egg and tub of couscous I have brought with me. There is enough for snacking tomorrow as well. A few quick snaps as I passed through. The church. 

And a monument, can't remember who this chappie is.

I picked up the Yorkshire Wolds Way again, beautiful blossoms in the hedgerow.

And here we are, arrived at Towthorpe Grange.

A cheery welcome from the owner.

The room is very comfortable, an easy chair to relax in and watch the tele. Tea and coffee provided, the bathroom is next door. As far as I am aware I am the only guest tonight. Breakfast will be served at 8am.

I've made good progress today, and covered 21.25 miles. I will head for Pocklington in the morning, then Stamford bridge, and on to York, probably bypassing it to find my next bed on the north side as I head towards Thirsk. Thanks for coming with me. Catch you tomorrow.

Read More »