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North York moors (Lockton/Helmsley/Osmotherley) 5/6/03-9/6/03
Thursday 5th June
Travel day, those arriving were Andy Capp, Paul Keech, John Stopani, Brian Chawk, Steve Bousted,
Graham Busch, Ian Cousins and Pete Thomson. All arrived at Lockton and stayed in the Hostel.
An excellent dinner was had in the local pub, the Fox & Rabbit?
Good steak and mushroom pies.
Friday 6th June
All those who had travelled up on Thursday did a circular 12 mile walk from Lockton.
A pleasant lunch time stop was had in the "Famous" Saltergate Inn, where Andy came out with a deep and
meaningful statement. " Its amazing Technology!- and it all comes out of the ground, before finishing with a tea stop
in the old Lockton Post Office. It was then back in the cars and journeying on to Helmsley.
Roland Carr and Dick Grundy travelled up on Friday, after meeting the others they transferred some cars
to Osmotherley. A very scenic drive across the moors. Upon return it was time for sustenance and
refreshment, this was taken at the Feathers Inn on the recommendation of the Hostel warden, as a Hostel
resident you could get £1 off your meal.
Saturday 7th June
A fine and sunny day showers forecast but did not occur.
2 groups formed group 1 walking all the way to Osmotherley and group 2 a shorter route. Both groups meeting for lunch
at Hawnby. Group 1 Paul, Graham, Ian, Andy and Dick!!. Their route was into Helmsley to pick up the Cleveland Way
until Rievaulx. There Ian, Paul and Graham went up to the Abbey whilst Dick and Andy continued for a little way until
they turned of to through Ashberry Wood walking alongside the river Rye until Barnclose farm. After the farm on through
Hag Wood and East Ley Wood on to Hawnby to the Hawnby Hotel for lunch. Paul, Ian and Graham rejoined this route at
Bow Bridge after their detour to the Abbey.
After a light lunch we continued on along the road past New Hall and Arden Hall ( a very nice place) and on up to
the Cleveland Way. A steady climb for about 3 miles. After joining the Cleveland Way we stayed on it until
Osmotherley, a total distance of about 20 miles.
There was some sort of mountain bike race going on along the Cleveland Way so care had to be taken. The views were
disappointing, as it was quite hazy. At Osmotherley Dick and Andy stopped to replenish lost water at the Golden Lion,
meeting the others at the Hostel.
Group 2 After much chopping and changing a plan was decided upon, they would take 2 cars to Rievaulx then carry on
to Sutton Bank and walk back to Rievaulx via Hawnby, about 12 miles.
At Sutton Bank the Cleveland Way was picked up and stayed on until High Paradise Farm then walking via High buildings,
North Bank wood, Toad Hole and on into Hawnby Hotel for Lunch. Later walking the reverse of Group 1 to Rievaulx,
collecting the cars and then driving to Osmotherley.
There were not many points of note on the walk, several birds were seen (Lapwing, Curlew, Buzzard) among those, a dead
mole and the odd fish noticed in the rivers.
Whilst getting changed, Pete declared he had worn the wrong underpants that day and had severe chaffing of the nether
regions, he sought comfort of powders or cream but where supplied there were no offers to apply them.
Some had an evening meal in the Hostel whilst the others went for fish and chips in the village.
All meeting in the Golden Lion for drinks before retiring for the night.
Sunday 8th June
Group 1 Paul, Ian, Andy and Graham. Set out along the Cleveland Way until a picnic spot and café above Carlton in
Cleveland was reached, then down the road until the Blackwell Ox was reached where lunch was taken.
All the others drove to the picnic site and walked along the Cleveland Way to a viewpoint by Cringle Moor, down Kirby
bank and back to the cars on a lower path. There were two exceptions. John who had lost his walking stick and went
to try and find it, unable to do so, he joined us at the viewpoint. Pete, who had followed us up the hill, but missed
the car park. We could not contact him, as there was no signal on our phones. Walked on his own, meeting up with us
in the pub for lunch.
After lunch Brian, Steve and John left for home. Dick, Pat and Roland went back to Osmotherley and walked up to and
around Cod Beck reservoir before Dick left to go back to Stone just as a thunderstorm started.
Paul, Andy, Ian and Graham walked back to Osmotherley via Faceby and Swainby.
The weather started off cloudy and wet with low cloud as the day went on the sun managed to come out and by lunchtime
it was most pleasant, until the storm later in the day.
That evening, those left dined in the Golden Lion and again enjoyed a very good meal washed down with some equally
good wine.
Monday 9th June
Pete, Andy, Paul, Graham and Ian drove up on to the Cleveland Way to meet the point at which they had joined on
Saturday. They then continued south to Sutton Bank and a walk around the Glider Field, 8-9 miles.
Pat and Roland went to Pickering and had a ride on the North Yorks. Moors Railway.
Pat then returned to join the walkers for lunch in the Hambleton Hotel. After lunch Pat returned the drivers to
their cars for the home journey.
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