Blackstone Edge 12/06/2016
Leader: Ian Pickering
Walkers: Sue Williams, Joanne Broadbent, John Hamlin, David Shaw, Robin Myers and Laurie Hutchison.
For this long walk of 13 miles, The Magnificent Seven travelled over the Pennines to the Dark Side, otherwise known as Lancashire. There is great walking to be done in the Red County and none much better than in the Piethorne Valley, where todays walk started from. There were weather warnings of heavy showers, but as we left Ogden Reservoir it was a lovely sunny morning, which made the going tough as we climbed out of the valley onto the Rochdale Way.
The first stile of the day caused much laughter, as it had a weirdly placed metal pole, which had to be negotiated carefully without doing ourselves an injury. After a few short sharp climbs, we crossed the M62 motorway by way of a bridge adorned with advertisements for the Samaritans (we might need them later into walk).
We now started to climb up the steep side of Clegg Moor and past the tiny tarn of Dry Mere, then onto Hoar Edge, where I decided the crew had earned themselves a coffee break (I’m kind, aren’t I?) As we tucked into our food reserves Sue must have tasted pretty good herself, as she was been eaten alive by a plague of midges. Then as the critters turned their attention to me, it was time to go and we followed the old Broad Head Drain to reach an old Roman Road, which took us up to the Aiggin Stone, an historic waymarker.
As we neared the summit of Blackstone Edge, the skies darkened and the rain started to come down, and as forecast it was heavy. The rain could not have come at a worst time, as we had a long stretch on open moorland across White Hill, and we were looking for a lunch spot. The elements were now battering us so I got out my emergency shelter to have lunch under, and here’s where the FUN began. Inside the shelter was Morley Walking Clubs version of Twister with arms and legs placed in various positions for the best comfort (or not!). Newlywed Joanne was thinking about how to explain to her new Hubby what she was doing under a sheet of orange material in the middle of nowhere with five mature men, the advice given was best to leave it a few years before telling him.
Following the funniest lunch stop I have ever had on a walk we made our way back into the Piethorne Valley. Just before reaching Rooden Reservoir, we had to cross a field full of lively horses; everyone assured me they were comfortable crossing the field until three of the horses decided to charge towards us. At this point Joanne turned into an Olympic athlete and sprinted back to the stile and cleared it with one leap, but fortunately the animals were just been friendly. Shortly after this drama we arrived back at the cars, wet and weary but HAPPY
Ian Pickering
Tea Shop Walk – Rodley, Leeds – Sunday 14 August 2016
Leader: Lizzie Lowe
Walkers: Pat Ashby, Jonathan, Carol Oliver, Tom, Bev Seymour, David Lyon, Hazel, Jenny, Sylvia, Beryl, Pam, Lesley, Pauline, Sandra Rider, Shirley
We parked outside the Cafe Fraiche, 33 Rodley Lane and joined the Leeds Liverpool Canal at Rodley Marina. We headed west along the canal bank, and after a couple of hundred yards turned right down a cobbled lane, zig-zagging downwards to meet the River Aire.
Then we headed east along the river bank for a couple of miles, along a path framed by tall flowers and weeds. Eventually the path left the river bank and took us uphill, across fields, to Newlaithes Road, a quiet residential area where we looked nosily into people’s nice gardens till we came to some steps which led us down to Newlay Bridge.
We crossed the bridge, and passed the Abbey Inn, then turned left into a picnic area where we had a short stop.
Then we went up some steps onto the canal bank, and headed west again, until we came back to Rodley Marina. A short walk up a residential street led us to the A657 Rodley Lane. We crossed this rather busy road cautiously to arrive at the Cafe Fraiche. The owner of the cafe and his two young assistants helpfully arranged their outdoor tables so we could sit together and chat, and we all enjoyed hot drinks and sticky cakes whilst putting the world to rights.
This was an easy walk; no stiles and very little possibility of getting lost – ideal for a warm(ish) summer’s day!
Lizzie Lowe
Dacre Banks Sunday 20th November 2016
Leader: Robin Myers
Walkers: Mel Miles, Lizzy, Jill and Andy, Mel, Laurie, John Hamlin, Sue Williams and Joseph Myers (my grandson)
We arrived at the start of the walk just as the weather began to improve especially after the previous day’s continuous down pour. On leaving the car park at the side of the Royal Oak we made our way through the open fields with good views across the valley before walking along the disused railway track and going through woods.
The path then dropped down to the side of the River Nidd on a delightful path where after a short distance we spotted a sign for a cafe. Very tempting as this was, after a short discussion we decided to continue without calling. (Must be a first).
Eventually we reached a bridge where we crossed the river and made our way to an enclave of houses and then through another wood leading to a caravan park where we had lunch.
On resuming we climbed steadily up the side of the valley. (why is there always a hill to climb straight after lunch?).
On reaching a road, we crossed and continued through fields containing many sheep. We reached another road and after a short distance turned onto a delightful drover’s track along the top of the valley ridge with views along Nidderdale.
We eventually made our way to the valley floor and across fields to Dacre Banks where everyone went to the pub (again another first or did they all need a drink after walking with the leader!!!)
I would like to thank everyone who came on this walk as it’s the first time I have led one. I hope everybody enjoyed the day.
CHILDRENS WALK AT TEMPLE NEWSHAM 16.04.2016
Walk Leaders: Denise and Andy
Present: Glynis, Jim and Lyra; Dave, Pat, Lauren, Marcus, Paige and Emily; Roger, Elise and Ethan; Joyce, Terry and Grace; Denise, Andy and Drew.
Everyone gathered at Lawn Pond car park at Temple Newsham, we set of on a lovely morning (Rain/snow had been forecast). All the children were given a sheet of paper with a list of things to find/observe during the walk, nothing serious just a bit of fun.
We went round the back of Temple Newsham House and down the main thoroughfare towards the Menagerie Pond, this was where Glynis, Jim and Lyra said goodbye, promising to meet up with us later in the day.
We continued on a path until we came to a sign saying Shroggs and turned left up some steps and over a bridge, climbing upwards to reach a bench I nicknamed Andy’s bench and we had a coffee stop here, spirits were high and there was a lot of laughter from the young ones.
We carried on towards Bullerthorpe lane opening going through a lovely bluebell woodland and then walked downhill on the Avenue with Temple Newsham house looking majestic in the distance, it conjured up thoughts of bygone days when the Gentry would ride about in carriages or horseback, and ladies in long skirts and parasols.
We carried on downhill and then the sting in the tail (all good walks should have one) was uphill to the “Temple” (unfortunately not looking its best having been vandalised), reading the notice we were told that it would be renovated.
We dropped down towards the main part of the grounds and had lunch near the duck ponds, we were entertained by Paige and Emily doing their version of I’m a little tea pot and then Pat decided to join them which made us all laugh.
After lunch we made our way towards the children’s play area, where we met up with Glynis, Jim and Lyra again, a good time was had by all especially on the zip wire, this was topped off by a visit to the ice cream van.
Slowly, tired children made their way back to the car park and we said our goodbyes.
Denise & Andy
Swinsty – Short Walk 16th October 2016
Leader: Ian
Walkers Robin, Carol Deighton, Melanie Stockdale, Mel Miles (New Walker), Andrew Sanderson, Jonathan, Mary Kennedy, Brenda Fox, Pat Applepie, Jill & Andy, David Lyons, Pat & Graham, Laurie, Terry Doolan, President Pete & Carol, Peter & Margaret.
This was the first time I had done a short walk with the club and it started with everyone putting on waterproof gear, as the rain was coming down steadily. The car park was busy with a large group of annoying yapping little dogs, so we headed off quickly across the dam between Fewston & Swinsty Reservoirs. We entered the reservoir perimeter path down a zig-zag path, but some cheeky members thought it was funny to cut all the corners and make a short walk even shorter, shame on them.
After the stroll around the reservoir, the rain got heavier, so a stand-up coffee break was taken under dripping trees. Following the River Washburn downstream the path became very muddy and certain members took a higher route but didn’t think about how to back to the lower path and struggled to get down, with some comical moments. Soon after we passed through the old Folly Hall, the group went back to childhood days and started scrumping the apples from a nearby apple tree.
I had picked a lovely spot for lunch besides the fantastic old packhorse bridge at Dob Park, but Carol D got a bit worried when she couldn’t see the bridge and thought we had to make a river crossing to the other side. The lovely Mary handed out some Kit- Kat to share, which left Mrs Applepie with a face full of Choccy! A steady walk back up the valley was interrupted by a group of nosey cows getting up close and personal.
As we reached the dam, a short, sharp climb up some steps took us to a wooded pathway that brought us to the grand Swinsty Hall, currently owned by England football manager Gareth Southgate, but up for sale at a cool £3.5 million. Shortly afterwards we were back at the car park enjoying cups of tea & ice-creams.
Veterans’ Walk Meanwood Valley Farm – 21 July 2016
Report written by – Tom Gomersall
Our day out at the Farm
Eight young ladies and two elderly gentlemen assembled under Lizzie’s eagle eye in Morrison’s car park. Super-efficient skills were somewhat sullied though when she produced driver directions to Meanwood Park instead of the Urban Farm.
We were greeted by an ear-splitting roar as we disembarked. It was a donkey, expecting the new arrivals to produce goodies. We let him down; not being aware of the protocol. Noted later, that we should have fed him via a plastic tube, as demonstrated by a small child!
Lizzie gave us the option of pottering round the farm or a 1.5 mile walk outside the grounds. In the absence of any demurral, she made the decision on our behalf – up a hill it was. All coped with this, some lingering at the back, as befits veterans.
We got back safely. Over lunch, Tom sang a song called ‘I’m a little prairie flower’. Not one of the party remembered the song. This only goes to show that Tom really is an old man. Lizzie retaliated by singing a London song, which was found to be equally unknown. Does this make Lizzie an equally old person? Of course not, silly.
A visit to the small animals section was curtailed because dozens of little chickens carried with them an overpowering smell. We inspected two pigs and a number of flowers.
Last time we were here we encountered a layer of snow; today we were in the middle of a heatwave.
Thank you Lizzie – an enjoyable day out with quite a number of new experiences.
Tom Gomersall
Rocking Moor – Long Walk – 14/08/2016
Leader: Ian Pickering
Walkers: Sue Williams, Melanie Stockdale, David Shaw, Bev Gaunt, Angela Phipps, Carol Summers, John Hamlin, Robin Myers, Andrew Sanderson & Peter Howard.
The weather was looking pretty good as we left Blubberhouses and headed up the small lane towards Hall Moor. On arriving at Blubberhouses quarry, I recommended climbing the banking to see the mass of birds that usually frequent the quarry pond, but on this occasion there was nothing but a few ducks. After a short but quiet road section we strode out onto Rocking Moor, which looked great with the heather in bloom and lovely clear views stretching for miles.
I had booked a table at a local shooting shelter for elevenses, which was nice but some of the group complained there was no tablecloth, no pleasing some folk. We arrived at Rocking Hall and spent some time taking pictures and repairing blisters before heading off across the open moor. Rocking Hall is an old shooting lodge built in the 19th century with a large balancing stone next to it, called believe it or not, Rocking Stone.
The trek across the vast open moor was reasonably dry except for the odd patch of bog and we picked up some new members in the form of a group of sheep which led the way for us. Whilst we were tucking into our lunch, a Red Kite was soaring above and to everyone’s surprise Angela managed to get a good photo of it. Not happy with that, Angela then took some lovely photos of a group of Red Admiral butterflies on some thistles.
Our brush with wildlife did not stop there, shortly after negotiating a very neglected stile, we were approached by a large group of noisy & boisterous young bullocks. This caused part of the group to de-tour and climb a fence to escape, but the bullocks were calmed down by Churwell’s very own Cow Whisperer, Susan Williams!! She seemed to be at one with our bovine friends. Cow obstacle averted, it was now Jungle time, as our route took us along a small beck overgrown with Himalayan Balsam & Nettles.
After all the excitement, a nice stroll along Thruscross Reservoir came at the right time. Our last leg of the day was along the River Washburn, where we were accompanied by several canoeists enjoying the fast running water. It was nice to see a decent turn out for a long walk. Thank You
Ian
Morley Walking Club Veterans Walk – 15 September 2016
The Inveterate Veterans by Tom Gomersall
Present on the walk – Kate Scothern, Susan Marr, Lesley, Carol Oliver, Lizzie Lowe, Brian and Becky Clements and Tom Gomersall
Our Inveterate Leader Lizzie was in charge of seven obedient followers. We had a race – Lizzie’s chariot went through Wakefield and Becky’s took the so-called faster route via the M1 – and they both arrived simultaneously at Newmillerdam Country Park.
Brian took the lead for most of the way. We found two new arrivals – little wooden dwarfs about 3 feet (one metre approximately) high. We were not afraid – although the dwarfs may have had their doubts about us. Recent heavy rain had left very visible flow patterns. Rain was forecast later today but did not appear until we were safely indoors later on.
The pace was very modest – as befits elderly members. There are at least three alternatives at Newmillerdam and we chose the most modest (modestest?) – this involves a perilous crossing of the lake on a narrow footway without any handrail. Safely accomplished!
The obligatory tea room was reached betimes. Tom had his eye on a piece of cake liberally spattered with jam and cream. Carol inadvertently ordered this as ‘Lemon Cake’. So Tom was deprived of his cream cake and sulked. Carol sympathised with his dilemma.
Brian was not well by then, and we were concerned for him.
Haworth, Sunday 3 January 2016
Leader – Lizzie Lowe
Walkers – Pat Smith, Pat Appleyard, Jill and Andy, David Lyon, Robin
We parked in Haworth, £4.50 for the privilege. Having made an arrangement with my friend at the Apothecary Tea Room, to take afternoon tea at his place after the walk, we left the town via the cobbled path next to the Parsonage Museum. This path led to a track, and thence to a field, across which we waded on slippery stones.
Then a bit of road walking – turning left and left again, until we hit the path leading down to Bronte Falls. Elevenses by the waterfall, then along the well-made but rather puddle-full track, heading towards Top Withens.
The rain got worse and worse, so in the end we edited out Top Withens, and turned right along a track across the moors, that led us to the village of Stanbury. Once through the village (admirably resisting the temptation of going into the pub), we turned right along a back road leading to Lower Laithe Reservoir.
Here we crossed the dam, turning immediately left on the other side, to ascend a track leading back onto the road to Haworth.
To our horror, the Apothecary Tea Rooms was shut! We could not claim the promised 10% off their usual prices! Some of the party went home immediately, others of us went instead to a different tea room, where the scones and coffee were lovely. Then home, with much relief, to peel off our sodden clothing and get warm again.
Oddly enough, our boots were clean – the tracks had been surprisingly good, considering that it had rained more or less continuously for at least three weeks……
Lizzie Lowe
Hebden Medium walk 06/11/2016
Leader Ian Pickering
Walkers: Val Chadwick, Margaret Bye, Sue Williams, David Lyons, Laurie, Pat Appleyard, Robin Myers, Glynis Holmes, Andy & Jill, Bev Gaunt, Andrew Sanderson, President Pete & Carol and new walkers Guy & Mayra
The day started by been wet & soggy and more or less stayed like that for the rest of the walk. We started by heading down Hebden Beck to a Trout Farm before a sharp climb up to Bank Top. From the road we took the old track known as Backstone Edge Lane, climbing steadily over Hebden Moor.
Typically, the weather got dramatically worse as we reached the open moor and it was also very wet underfoot. Lovely views of Grimwith Reservoir and sailing boats took our minds off the heavy rain for a while, before we picked up the track of the old Lead mines. We walked through the old Lead Mines at Yarnbury and found some shelter in the old buildings in which to have lunch.
The wet conditions had caused moral to be low, so before heading back down the valley, a few members had a comforting group hug! The rest of the walk was now going to be following the beck along Hebden Ghyll, which gave us a bit of shelter and extra warmth. Crossing the beck is always a bit tricky, but i had found some stepping stones to cross safely, unfortunately some members decided to cross at a different point, which resulted in President Pete, doing his impression of Tom Daley and nosediving into the beck.
A steady walk back along this lovely valley was interupted by a large Bull blocking a gateway, but luckily he was more scared of us and just wanted to cross the beck to the other side. We arrived back in Hebden, wet & weary, but most walkers were revived by a cuppa in the Old School House. I hope the weather didn’t spoil the enjoyment.
Thanks Ian
Bardsey and Pompocali, 21 August 2016
Walk leaders: Terry Smith and Tricia Rogerson
walkers: Terry Smith – Tricia Rogerson- Mel Stockdale- Pat Pitts- Jenny Pearson- Maddy Burrows(new)- Marg Rapley Jonathan Myers- Hazel Kimberley- Bill Kimberley- Sonia Hamlin- John Hamlin- Cyn Hirst- Philip Hirst- Beryl Kirk- Laurie- Jane- Peter Thorpe- Pauline
17 members set off from Morley on a bright, slightly blustery morning. Two other members met up with the group at the start of the walk in Bardsey. There was one new member, Maddy Burrows, a local Morley lass. The walk commenced at 09:50 and finished at 13:10 (3hrs 20 mins, including coffee and lunch breaks).
The walk was originally taken from a compendium of local walks between 4 and 8 miles but extended to taken in the remains of a roman road and the site (Pompocali) of ancient quarrying/mining activity that may have been used to construct the road.
The walk was intended to be about 6 miles but one of the intrepid group was using GPS that recoded the distance at a little over 5 miles – however another walker said some GPS records are not always reliable. Nevertheless it was a decent walk, in good weather, with nobody getting lost or injured!
GRASSINGTON FEBRUARY 2016
LEADER: SUE WILLIAMS
WALKERS: ROBIN MYERS, PAT APPLEYARD AND DAVE SPENCER
Only three of us out of the club set off on a lovely Valentine’s Day for Grassington where we were going to meet up with Dave Spencer. We walked through the village which was already busy, as a Farmers Market had opened up for business. We tore ourselves away from the lovely things for sale and headed towards the Dales Way and then took another path which took us up higher onto the moors heading for Bare House. I was really pleased when Pat, Robin and Dave, who all knew Grassington well, had never walked up this way and were very impressed with the 360 degree views of the Dales.
Pat was also pleased that the footpaths were good underfoot as I had been warned in no uncertain terms not to take Pat on any muddy paths as she had got brand new boots on and did not want them to get dirty – phew as so far I had managed it!!
We stopped at Bare House for coffee as there was quite a bit of shelter from a cold wind. This is a derelict farmhouse which now seems to be used by sheep for shelter (don’t blame them as it is quite exposed up there). Pat decided to have a good look around inside, maybe with a view to moving in. Needs a bit of work though, but at least it had a decent roof on it. The views from here were stunning – Great Whernside, Buckden Pike, Old Cote Moor and Simon’s Seat all sparkling in the sunshine with a covering of snow on them.
After coffee we headed towards Bycliffe Road down to meet the Dales Way and then down Conistone Dip and into the village. From there we headed through the village and back onto the tops via a lovely quiet ghyll next to Bastow Woods and back to Grassington. I was very touched when Pat said that this was the best walk she had done and also Dave and Robin had been somewhere they had not been before above Grassington. We had walked 10 miles and were back home by 1630.
Gargrave Medium Walk – 6th March 2016
Leader: Ian Pickering
Walkers (14)- Ian, Lizzie,David Shaw, Andrew Sanderson, Robin, Pat Applepie (haha!), Sonia,Melanie, Jill & Andy, Peter & Carol, Lawrie & Michelle Bray.
This was a Morley Walking Club event but could also have been a Scuba Diving event, it was that wet underfoot. On the drive up, snow was falling & our thoughts were of a wonderful white walk, but it was not to be, as the weather was very kind to us. Shortly after leaving Gargrave along the Pennine Way, we had our first taste of a wet & muddy field, which was the pattern for the day.
After crossing Eshton Moor, we picked up the juvenile River Aire & followed it towards Airton. Alongside the river, we came across a gate entrance that was almost a lake, Ian & Jill managed get through relatively dry, but a lot of wimpy members opted for an alternative route, which ended in a fence & wall climb( should have followed the leader). Whilst we in Airton village, Melanie was telling the group about a lovely tea-shop just down the road but the leader was having none of that.
We took lunch at an old barn on Kirk Syke Lane and it was here that Mrs Applepie decided to feed the livestock in the barn, unfortunately they were invisible, but don’t tell Pat. After another soggy field we arrived in the hamlet of Bell Busk, where we were greeted by two very noisy geese, luckily behind a fence. The rest of the walk was a lot drier underfoot, as it was along some old tracks, before joining the Pennine Way again to finish back in Gargrave.
Everyone was nominating the leader as a trolley award candidate, but after the recent rainfall no one can blame the leader, after all it was a lovely walk.
Thank You Ian
Coxwold Walk 19th June 2016
Leader: Glynis Holmes
Walkers: Lizzie Lowe, Beryl Kirk, Ken Dalton, Pam Alderson, Lesley Constable, Jonathan Myres, Robin (Red Breast, not related to Jonathan) Myres, David Lyon, Pat Pitts, Anne and Chris Gott, David Shaw.
It was a lovely day and we drove over to Coxwold in the North Yorkshire Moors area. It’s a beautiful village with a really unusual church, a cosy pub and t-shop which was under new management on our visit, both of which I have tried and been very pleased with the food and service. Its 17th century Almshouses line one side of the main street and the priory nearing the end of our walk is supposed to contain Oliver Cromwell bones. So there’s lots of history and plenty to see along the way.
We passed a lot of the afore mentioned as we walked through the village as well as Shandy Hall which is worth a visit if you have time, then onwards across the fields to pass the Old Grammar School. We crossed a lane and went in to in a stand of trees where we had our coffee stop as there were a few tree trunks to sit on.
We passed Angram Hall Farm and walked along a back road to Elphin Bridge. Just before the Bridge there was a self service T-room with an Honesty Box in some ones garden which looked great fun but as we had already had ours we didn’t linger. We were heading for Husthwaite Village where we would have our lunch on the village Green. Benches provided, very civilised!
It was a bit of a pull up on to Beacon Banks we helped the short legged amongst us as the steps were for a giant and it was a bit messy with the spring. Then it was an easy decent passing Newburgh Priory where we sat by the lake to watch the swans and signets, coots and moor hens enjoying the water.
It had been a warm day and thirsts were raging so Anne and Chris who had joined us from their home in York headed for the pub and the rest of us went in to the T-shop and sat in the garden with homemade fruit cake and cheese. There were loads of cyclists there as Coxwold church is where the cyclist service is held each year, a tradition started in the war years I believe when a lot of the CTC cyclists took their bikes to war. I glanced up and there was Janice Hutchinson of Peter Bachelor’s Fame a former member from Morley who did the Dales Way with us back in 1997 so a little catch up was in order.
All in all a grand day out says all of us.
Luv Glynis
Boston Spa 2016
Peter and Carol
It was a lovely fine day although some showers were forecast. Twenty two of us turned up to the start of the 8 mile walk which was a miracle as the leader who was having a bad day had given everyone the wrong junction number for Boston Spa. Luckily no one ended up in the middle of nowhere.
It was great to see the junior members along with Dave, Pat and Roger who stayed with us until our lunch stop overlooking the river at Newton Kyme which was about 5 miles. Well done kids.
I felt a bit sorry for the folks who were wearing shorts as the growth of the vegetation since we had walked it out seemed quite painful in parts with an abundance of nettle rash. The only real casualty though was Ian who wandered off for a gents stop near the river bridge on the return leg. He chose to disappear into a bed of weeds rather than the other way into the river but looking at his cuts and bruises I wonder if he picked the best option.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and easy walk in some of the finest countryside in our opinion that Yorkshire has to offer. A drink at the Fox and Hounds was the icing on the cake afterwards.
Thanks to all who came.
Peter and Carol
PLOVER HILL – 8TH MAY 2016
LEADER: SUE WILLIAMS
WALKERS: IAN PICKERING, JOHN HAMLIN, ROBIN MYERS, PAT APPLEYARD and JO
We set off from Morrison’s car park on a beautiful sunny morning with clear blue skies with a very small, but happy gang of walkers for Horton in Ribblesdale. I had Pat and Jo in my car and when Jo, who had only just started with the club, found out that it also entailed climbing Pen-y-Ghent as well, her face dropped as the only other time she had climbed it was when she did the Three Peaks in atrocious weather and had hated every minute of it. I carried on regardless as I knew she would enjoy it in better weather!
We left Horton and climbed Pen-Y-Ghent on the usual route. It was fairly busy with fellow walkers and lots of children, as we made steady progress to the top. On reaching the summit, Jo changed her mind about the Peak and had actually enjoyed the way up as the views were stunning. We had a coffee stop at the top to rest our weary legs and then proceeded along the summit towards Plover Hill. Pat was also enjoying herself as she had never climbed Pen-y-Ghent and Plover Hill before and was amazed by the scenery around.
On reaching the summit of Plover Hill, we had to cross over a stile in the wall. Ian, Pat, Jo and myself continued on our merry way to get to the point where we descended off the top. John and Robin had hung back at the stile and when I next looked round they still hadn’t caught up with us. We waited a little longer and still no sign. I then realized why – a couple of very scantily clad female fell runners were busy chatting to the two of them. John and Robin were in no rush to catch us up!!
Finally, they joined us and we descended from Plover Hill and walked underneath the two summits towards Hull Pot for lunch. Hull Pot is absolutely massive, rather like Gaping Gill, and was the perfect place to sit for lunch in the sunshine. During lunch, Pat was getting uptight about her bush! Part of it was too overgrown, parts of it were bare and other parts kept on getting stuffed with McDonalds wrappers. We were all in stitches by the end of the tale as you can imagine. After lunch, we headed on the new Three Peaks route towards Ribblehead, but only for a short while. Pat’s face was a picture as she thought we were then going to climb Whernside, but we turned off the path after a couple of miles to head back towards Horton and our journey home. Everybody had a thoroughly enjoyable day in the lovely sunshine.
Pateley Bridge 4th September 2016
Leader: Ian Pickering
Walkers: Laurie Hutchison, David Shaw, Pat Applepie, Lizzie Lowe, Sue Williams, Andy & Jill McFarlane, Graham & Pat Smith, Robin Myers, Margaret Bye, Maddie Burrows, Sonia & John Hamlin, Carol & President Pete.
The weather was very kind to us on this steady walk of approx 7.5 miles, which was to include several little treats along the route. We started out by heading downstream along the River Nidd, now part of the Six Dales Trail. We stayed with the delightful riverside path for quite a while, passing the wonderful old mill at Glasshouses. After a coffee break we left the the river and made our way towards Low Laithe to bring back romantic memories of John & Sonia’s engagement party at the local restaurant. We now headed towards Smelthouses, going passed the lovely old building of Knox Hall. The next stretch from Smelthouses followed Fell Beck through a private wood which is one of my favourite woodland walks, although a bit tricky underfoot in parts. After lunch we picked up the Nidderdale Way and the scenery & terrain of the walk now changed. My little treats started to arrive now, the first been a visit through a Llama Trekking Farm, then onto Blazefield and a large tree carved into the shape of a Ram’s head, very artistic!! At Tiplady Farm, we passed an old waterwheel for photo opportunaties, but President Pete thought it was an Hamster Wheel. Heading back to Pateley Bridge,we wandered along the old Panarama Way, visiting Pulpit Rock for stunning views across the Nidd Valley. Just before the finish, a short de-tour was taken to visit the derelict church of St. Mary’s. An extra tea break was taken to enjoy the fabulous old ruins, but unfortunately Margaret took a bad fall on a slippery gravestone, luckily nothing broken, just battered & bruised.
Thanks to everyone for turning out, I hope you all enjoyed it.
Ian
ADVENTURE GROUP VETERANS SECTION 14.1.16
Artic expedition to the depths of darkest Bradford. Mild blizzard encountered on route.
Some thirteen adventurers departed from Morley. Ten arrived at Base camp. The rest disappeared but the party was finally reunited at objective B – the National Film Museum.
Meanwhile, the advance party assembled at objective A – the new Shopping Centre in Bradford. Nobody seemed inclined to make any purchases, but two members obtained information from a travel agent with a view to other expeditions in the future. It was warmer in there.
It was necessary to do a little walk to go from A to B – this justifying our membership of Morley WALKING club. The leader decreed that there should be a coffee stop before indulging in the artistic delights of the museum. Most people seemed to have cake as well as coffee.
We were given a half hour by the leader before being required to re-assemble prior to departures. The party did not grumble. We returned to Morley in good spirits.
Tom Gomersall
Yeadon Tarn and the Airport Circular – Sunday 4 December 2016
Leader – Lizzie Lowe
Walkers – Laurie, Ros, Sonia, Pam, Brian, Rita, Jonathan, Marje, Phil, Cyn, David Shaw, Sue Williams, Mel Miles, Andrew, Margaret Bye, Ann, Jane, David Lyon, Peter, Carol
We parked near Yeadon Tarn and walked clockwise around part of it, admiring the old men sailing toy yachts on the lake (why?). Leaving the lakeside, we cut down Hawthorn Drive to reach a gate onto open land. There was a council worker there, and a sparkling new gate – he told us we were the first people to go through it! What an honour.
Great views as we headed up and down across various fields to reach a walled lane by West Carlton Farm. We crossed a tiny road then carried on along Mall Lane. In pretty woods to our right we noted a wooden table and benches; some of us sat here for elevensies. Others perched on ledges by the lane.
Mall Lane had taken us upwards, but having crossed the road at its end, we started to descend another track – more nice views all around. When we reached Otley Old Road we turned right along it, soon crossing a stile to a path on the right – this took us up hill and down dale to the village of East Carlton.
Half way through East Carlton, we turned right down a track to Carlton Home Farm, and there resorted to yet more field paths and peculiar stiles, pausing for lunch perched on an old stone wall, before emerging onto the A658. Having crossed the perilously busy road, we wandered through more fields and a rather pretty wood, turning right eventually onto Scotland Lane.
After a bit of road walking, we passed an access road to the airport on our right. We then crossed over Scotland Lane to find a stile on our left, and took paths that led us past Oaks Farm and some dangerous looking cows and bullocks, round in a loop to Dean Grange Farm, and up a track back to Scotland Lane.
We crossed the road and took a path opposite which led us over yet more fields to a large stone gateway and a weird stone stile, right up to the perimeter fence of the airport. The path that leads clockwise around the airport is wildly overgrown these days, with bamboo, brambles and other vegetation determined to make walkers’ lives a misery. It’s impossible to avoid the vegetation because there is a 10 foot high fence each side of the path, and the ordeal seems to last forever.
The path zigzags around, with the occasional plane taking off a few feet above the fence. To everyone’s relief, we escaped from the perimeter fence path at Plane Tree Hill, where a small and difficult-to-find stile allowed us access to the top end of a field. Civilisation was visible below, and a well-marked path led down to the Premier Inn by the airport. From there, it was only a short distance back to the cars. Phew!
Particular honours to those who had believed the typo in the Walk Programme – the walk had mistakenly been advertised as 6 miles long but was, like all Medium Walks, over 8 miles long!
Lizzie Lowe
Addingham to Ilkley – Sunday 20 March 2016
Leader – Lizzie Lowe
Walkers: David Lyon, Shirley Jordan, Lesley, Ken, Gill Lucas, Melanie, Phil and Cyn, Robin, Peter Thorpe, Pat Pitts, Carol Deighton, Jonathan, Jenny, Laurie, Denise Robson, Beryl, Sonia, Terry Doolan, Peter and Carol, Hazel and Bill, Sue Duckworth, Gavin, Gill and Andy.
The Walk began in Old Station Way, Addingham. From here, we walked down to Main Street, crossed it, and took a footpath immediately opposite. This led us behind houses and down to Bolton Road. We continued downhill, eventually taking a right onto High Mill Lane. Here we passed through a small settlement, then turned right along the river bank. We crossed the river on a suspension bridge, then carried on straight ahead along a field path, to reach a road. Here we turned right, and walked along the road (which was very busy with endless cyclists) to pass through the village of Nesfield.
Having left Nesfield, we perched on a grassy bank to have elevensies and sing Happy Birthday to Sonia. Then we took to fields and woods, with springtime daffodils and lambs to please our eyes as we climbed over a selection of weird stiles. Hazel fell off one of these stiles backwards, but luckily her fall was broken by her rucksack!
Eventually we emerged from the woods onto a street full of very posh houses. This street led us down to a riverside path, which took us to Ilkley. Some of us bought icecream from a van parked by the old bridge. We crossed the bridge and scattered in various directions (loos, garden centres etc).
Eventually we regrouped. Turning right, we began our return journey, picking up the Dales Way beside the river. The signs in Ilkley told us it would be 4.2 MILES back to Addingham – but they meant to say 4.2 KILOMETRES. This is a silly mistake, which could put many people off the idea of doing what is actually an easy walk. Anyway, we knew the truth, so we weren’t worried. We had a nice lunch stop by the river, and got back to Addingham safely – although by then the sun had gone in and a cold wind had started up.
Our route back into Addingham was varied – it took us through fields; then along the river; then through a small settlement of old mill cottages now converted to attractive middle-class housing; then past the Old and New Rectories (large houses, which show that the maxim of ‘blessed are the poor’ does not necessarily apply to vicars!); then into the Church Meadows, which contained two interesting information boards with comprehensive histories of the area and Anglo-Saxon riddles.
But the fun had nearly ended. Crossing a tiny and ancient stone bridge, we found ourselves in North Street, where we turned right. A brisk walk along North Street and Bark Lane, a left turn, and suddenly we were back onto Bolton Road, where we retraced our steps to the cars. Addingham is a pretty village but it has no tea-room, so we departed in our various directions immediately.
Lizzie Lowe
HORSEHEAD PASS 10.7.16
LEADER: SUE WILLIAMS
WALKERS: IAN PICKERING, LAURIE HUTCHINSON & PAT APPLEYARD
We set off from Morley in the hope that the rain would hold off for most of the walk as the forecast had not been great. As we approached Halton Gill in Littondale, I was starting to get a bit worried as the traffic going up the valley was quite heavy, which is unheard of up that way! We then realised that there was going to be a motorcycle rally as Halton Gill was heaving and I just managed to get the last parking space in the village. There were motorbikes everywhere and I was worried that it might spoil our walk, but we pressed on regardless through a sea of bikers.
I nearly lost Pat in the village as she needed to get a drink of some sort and disappeared in the throng.
Anyway, on leaving the village we headed up hill towards Horse Head Pass whilst watching the dark clouds coming our way. It was a long climb up and as Pat began to struggle, she was starting to hope that a passing biker would come along and give her a lift – no chance as they were going up the fell a bit further to our right! We finally got to the Trig Point, quickly admired the view with the Three Peaks in the distance and then settled down for a long awaited coffee stop. Then came the rain – yuk. On came the wet weather gear, but, fortunately it did not last long.
Unusually, we had to practice our Green Cross Code on top of Horse Head Pass as the motorcyclists route crossed our path so we had to keep an eye open and watch out for flying mud and bikes.
We headed down into Yockenthwaite and followed the Dales Way Path beside the lovely River Wharfe to Beckermonds. We had lunch beside the river which was quite relaxing listening to the water tumbling over the rocks and watching Dippers bobbing about in the water. From Beckermonds, it was another steep climb up Old Cote Moor – Pat by this time was just about on her knees but she made it. After that it was a steady descent down to Halton Gill again and back to the cars.
Whitley Lower and Thornhill Edge – Sunday 14 February 2016
Leader – Lizzie Lowe
Walkers – Alan Redgrove, Carol Deighton, Ann Hooper, Marian, Margaret Bye, Bev, Pat and Graham, Jonathan, Marj Rapley, Beryl, Gavin, Bill and Hazel, Sue Duckworth, Margaret Copley, Carol Jobling, Amy Jobling, Paddy Quigley, and Pauline
We gathered in the car park of Charlotte’s Ice Cream Parlour in Whitley Lower – they had kindly given us permission to park there, provided we scoffed their scones after our walk. We lost one walker before we even set off – Jean Redgrove’s back hurt so much that she decided to remain behind and read the papers instead of walking.
The rest of us set forth downhill along Whitley Road, turning left along Scopsley Lane, to find a long track which had patches of causey-stones and patches of deep squelchy mud. We bog-trotted through the mud to follow this track round the edge of a golf course then down into some woods – beautiful views all around.
Eventually we turned right onto an even muddier path, which led gradually uphill to a tarmacked lane, which rose to the top of Thornhill Edge. Here we stopped for a while, perching on a ledge to admire the views whilst we had a snack. Refreshed, we wandered past drab bungaloids with fabulous views, then through an unremarkable estate, emerging onto a main road, which we crossed, then down some steps to another road, then into a drive which became a panoramic footpath along Thornhill Edge.
The constant rain of the 2015/16 winter had caused some of the footpath to fall away, and we had to negotiate our way round a rather big hole at one point, but we were brave! Soon after the hole, we found a little track downwards through some woods, and down we went to a lane called High Road. We had some sweeties, then turned right along High Road, which became a muddy track behind houses – we were gradually heading back towards Whitley, but on a track some yards below the one on which we had arrived.
In due course we were back at the steps we had descended some time earlier – we ascended – took a different path through the unremarkable estate, then regained the muddy track through the woods and past the golf course. Squelching our way back uphill towards Charlotte’s Ice Cream Parlour, we were assailed by a few snowflakes. Luckily, Charlotte does hot drinks and scones as well as ice-creams. Jean was there waiting patiently for us, and although the cafe was incredibly crowded, the service was fast. We were all scoffing merrily in no time!
Lizzie Lowe
Stanbury / Pennine Way Sunday 7 August 2016
Leaders Peter and Carol
Walkers 12 – Lizzie, Ros, Ian, David Shaw, Bob, Beryl, Lorrie, my son Peter, his wife Kim and my Grandson Mathew.
It was quite a blustery cool morning as we started out from Penistone Hill car park down to Stanbury. All went fine until we reached the edge of Oakworth Moors and the leader in his wisdom tried to flatten a nail that was sticking out from the stile with a stone. The noise must have upset a wasp’s nest just behind where Ros was standing and she was the first one to get stung followed by Carol and then myself on the butt. I noticed that no one offered to suck the poison out! Ros suggested that we have a new award to run alongside the trolley award for disturbing wasps’ nests but I don’t think it will get off the ground somehow.
After all the excitement and the wasps had settled down we managed to escape and the rest of the walk went without hitches. A lovely lunch stop was found when we got to the Pennine Way in the shelter of the boundary walls. It was good to escape the wind which had been hard going across the Millennium Way.
There were some fine views to be had over to Ponden Reservoir and the cameras seemed to be kept busy.
The walk took about 41/2 hours overall with stops and I for one thoroughly enjoyed it and the company
Peter