The Walking Group

Every month five of us take a day walk in the local area; we are fortunate in that we have the North Yorkshire Moors Park on our doorstep. There are a huge number of possible walks, which can take us through forests, over exposed moors, visiting remote villages, and walking around a beautiful coastline. Almost as critical there are many local pubs that serve great lunches with a good pint of real ale.

Ian Showing the Way

Our leader is Ian who arranges each of walk and is brilliantly prepared with map, walk description, and compass. He has always researched the pubs, and indeed has often reconnoitred the walk with his wife Sylvia.

Today’s walk started in the village of Goathland, better known as Aidensfield in the long running television series Heartbeat. At first we followed the track of a historic railways, one of the first to be built in Britain and first operated by horses. This was the inclined plane where carriages were attached to a rope and hauled up and down by a stationary engine.

We climbed up to the heather covered moorland where Ben had a great time disturbing the nesting grouse. He also had a fantastic time rolling in all the standing water and mud. Ben as you may realise is a springer spaniel. I ask why he always shakes himself over me.

Ben with Author (on the right)

The moors were very wet after the downpours that we have had recently, so it was good to descend into the valley of the river Esk and an adventure – we had to cross two streams by stepping-stones. Fortunately they were not too slippy. Interestingly we observed two dead salmon in the river. They were substantial fish. Ian thought that it was male fish that after fertilising the female’s eggs in the river just give up.

Brian usually drives on these trips, as he has to accommodate the wet and dirty Ben on the return. His innovation today was to include a box to place our kit in as previously Ben has slobbered all over our belongings.

Lunch beckoned as we walked into the village of Grosmont and the Station Inn. As it was warm enough to sit outside we could observe the movements of the steam trains on the nearby preserved railway. It was also a chance for the others to rib me about my nerdish knowledge in this subject!!! After we had finished our substantial stotties (a large flat bottomed bread roll), we climbed up the hill out of Grosmont, through some attractive woodland back onto the high moors.

The final part of the walk took us across a footbridge over the river; in turn a larger bridge carrying the railway between Grosmont and Goathland covered us. You can see the fifth member of our band Simon pointing out this feature. Simon is our newest member having only recently enjoyed the fruits of retirement. He is the voice of arbitration when Ian is unsure of the way.

Simon pointing with Brian in the background

So a great day's walking, the weather kept fine, we had a lovely lunch and much stimulating conversation, what more could you want?