Roseberry Topping - back again

South over Cleveland Escarpment towards Captain Cooks Monument from Great Ayton Moor

We haven't had a wander up Roseberry Topping since we moved up to Scotland - it used to be a regular leg stretcher when we lived down in these parts.

Rafe was due an afternoon walk, and Roseberry Topping stands out on the northern edge of the North York Moors, just asking to be climbed.

We parked up at the Forestry Commission car park on Dikes Lane above Great Ayton and ate our picnic, watching the chaffinches scratting for a few crumbs - we didn't mess about though, Rafie was giving us the stare!

There were quite a few people about, making the most of Sunday afternoon and the late summer brightness. We set off (north) along the Cleveland Way, between groups of dog walkers, families and (very obviously) more serious walkers - with lots of "Afternoon"s and "Now then"s.

Roseberry Topping from the Cleveland Way on Great Ayton Moor

Once up the initial pull up from the valley was behind us, the walk was a gentle stroll along the excellent Cleveland Way path- with hazy views across the moors and down towards the conurbation of Middlesborough

Roseberry Topping from the Cleveland Way

It was warm enough to be out and about without a coat and it was lovely to be back in this well known area - good memories.

Rafe and Jim - descending from Newton Moor towards Roseberry Common and Roseberry Topping

The path was obvious, take a left at the path junction at Newton Moor (with Roseberry Topping straight in front), a gentle descent into Roseberry Common and then a short, sharp pull up the Topping.

Roseberry Topping from Roseberry Common

The views from this pointy little hill are always surprising. Its amazing how far you can see, even on a hazy day.

West towards Middlesborough from Roseberry Topping

East from Roseberry Topping

Roseberry Topping summit trig point (320m)

Rafe and Jim - descent from Roseberry Topping

We didn't linger long on the summit - it was very busy - all those dog walkers and families seemed to have chosen the summit for a picnic. I did my very best to make it look like we had the hill to ourselves in the photos (and it seems I was fairly successful!), before we took ourselves off to saunter back the way we had come.

West from Roseberry Common

South towards Captain Cooks Monument from Newton Moor

I've missed Roseberry Topping...

Returning along the Cleveland Way (Great Ayton Moor)

Route:  Forestry Commission car park on Dikes Lane, near Great Ayton (NZ591109), N along route of the Cleveland Way to track junction (NZ587127), descend W over Roseberry Common and ascend to Roseberry Topping summit (320m), all on good footpaths. Return to start by reversing route.

Statistics:  Distance: 6.5km  Ascent: 340m  Time: 2 hours

Map:  OS Explorer OL26 North York Moors Western Area

Forge Valley.

Foot bridge in Forge Valley at SE985870

A short morning walk with Rafe along the lovely River Derwent in Forge Valley, near East and West Ayton. It was very cold, with a thin layer of snow underfoot which had fallen in the night. We crossed over the footbridge and onto the all access duckboards beside the river. 

Rafe contemplates a paddle in the River Derwent

I had the usual tussle to keep Rafe out of the water, which today, I lost. He wasn't in there long though, it must have been freezing ! 

The River Derwent in Forge Valley, looking south

The walking was easy, the duckboards wide and flat, for just over a kilometre, then we were on the slightly muddy riverbank, passing the weir and then along a field boundary. 

Weir on the River Derwent near Ayton Castle

The path leaves the river, a slight incline and a gate, and Ayton Castle comes into view. 

Ayton Castle appears

Ayton Castle

I lived for some years in East Ayton as a child and the castle was a regular walking destination. At the time it was accessible and we spent many happy hours playing in the ruins. 

Ayton Castle

It is fenced off at the moment and there is some stabalisation work going on by the look of it....

Ayton Castle

Hopefully, the children (and everybody else !) will be able to explore this little corner of history again soon.

Ayton Castle

After a bit of an explore around the medieval pile we returned to our original path and headed back up Forge Valley, this time sticking to the edge of the woods rather than the riverbank, back to the duckboards. 

East Ayton over the River Derwent from Ayton Castle

The River Derwent in Forge Valley, looking north

At the footbridge I chose to walk a short while further to the northern limit of Forge Valley, where it opens up into the wide expanse of Hackness Dale. 

After taking in the views I headed back to the footbridge and the start point. Fresh air (very fresh !) and a bit of a leg stretch in these lovely surroundings - wonderful.... 

Marigolds in the River Derwent, despite the snow

Route:  Car park in Forge Valley (SE985870), cross over the footbridge and follow the Rover Derwent downstream (south), continue on the footpath until Ayton Castle, return along footpath to footbridge, but continue north until the end of the woods. Return to start.

Statistics:  Distance: 5.8km  Ascent: 180m  Time: 1.15hrs

The River Derwent in Forge Valley, looking north

A Few Days in North Yorkshire.

A few days planned in North Yorkshire. 

Despite the weather forecast, we set off from a sunny Hopeman on a Friday afternoon - south....

Three hours later we were back home - lesson learned - the weather forecasters know their stuff. The snow gates were closed on the A9 at Drumochter Pass and at Blair Athol.

Snow at Drumochter Pass

Saturday morning, the Pass was open, off we set again. The roads were still a touch snowy over the high passes.

Drumochter Summit - not much of a view today

We had a few days in Scarborough...

Rough seas in Scarborough's North Bay

Jackson's Bay, north of Scarborough

Rafe, in very strong winds, at Scalby Mills. Views to Scarborough Castle

Lesser black backed gull and puffin

Yummy!

Scarborough's North Bay
The beach was covered by a layer of white froth...

And a few days in Pickering...

Still plenty of snowdrops
views towards Middleton from bridleway SE790853

Rafe enjoys a walk along a Hollow Way
west of Pickering at SE791858

An unexpected view of Flamingoland from SE790861

On the southern edge of the North York Moors.
Looking south from SE790868

Hollow Way west of Pickering (SE790855)

Good night and God bless to my Father in Law....

Sunset over Middleton from SE790863

A Few More Days in Scarborough.

Traveled south for a few days to visit family.

Scarborough Castle from North Bay

The weather was a bit grey - this was about the only time the sun came out....

Rafe at Scalby Mills, with views south to Scarborough Castle.

Rafe at Scalby Mills, with views north to Jackson's Bay

Rafe enjoys the wide open spaces on Scarborough's North Bay

Bluebells in Bluebell Wood - Wykeham Forest


It's been a bit of a Wykeham Forest Fest on Big Gorse Bush lately - mainly due to our impending move - but I thought that the bluebells, just a few hundred metre's from our home would be worth a quick look.....

Bluebells in Bluebell Wood, Wykeham Forest (SE951864)

The bluebells aren't as good this year - could it have something to do with the weather ??

But it still always feels like summer just might be around the corner........

Rafe and Hal in Bluebell Wood, Wykeham Forest (SE951863)

Spring at Last - Wykeham Forest

Halleykeld bridleway, Wykeham Forest (SE938870)

On Halleykeld bridleway, Wykeham Forest (SE938870)

Well, the house is on the market.....

The Camel Tree, Wykeham Forest (SE934870)

By Park Farm Road, Wykeham Forest (SE938876)

But last weekend was so beautiful, it makes me wonder what we might just be losing.

Rafe and Hal, The Charcoal Burners Track, Wykeham Forest (SE939877)

I'm really going to miss every last tree.... I know - I'm a bit of (a lot of) a tree hugger.

Still a bit muddy on Charcoal Burners Track
Wykeham Forest (SE939876)

Cow Slips.
They used to be a rarity in Wykeham Forest
- not any more

By Halleykeld Bridleway, Wykeham Forest (SE836870)

Middle Track, Wykeham Forest (SE944866)

The Sweat Box, Wykeham Forest
Where, in days gone by, men and horses brought in the wood harvest
- not mega machines (SE947866)

Blue skies at last over Wykeham Forest
(SE951863)

Hal by the old tree house at North Moor, Wykeham Forest (SE950863)

"I never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do. They go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day, and through space heaven knows how fast and far!" John Muir

Oak and tumulus, Cairn Track, Wykeham Forest (SE949865)