Thursday 4 December 2014

East Witton to Jervaulx Abbey

So, after four weeks cruising followed by a couple of weeks eating any amount of greasy pies n pizza's I'm really beginning to feel slobby and unfit. I need to get back into walking but as usual I don't want to drive far, and anyway, the days are getting really short so curtails things a little anyway.

So I decided on a local walk and to investigate areas I've not ventured into before - Jervaulx Abbey sort of piqued my interest. The site promises tea rooms, which seemed like a perfect rest stop. So I worked out a circular route from East Witton
An overcast day in November isn't usually the best time of year to enjoy the countryside, but the walks had its points of interest nonetheless. Here are the pictures.
This little Methodist Chapel in East Witton is at the start of the walk.  The footpath is just to left.
From East Witton I headed North towards the River Cover, a relatively uneventful part of the walk, unless you count the gates and stiles........  And I did.  There were eight of them by the time I got to Cover Bridge.
Crossing the road, I followed the River Cover until it met up with the River Ure.
Arty shot of the Hawthorne Berries.  I tried, but I couldn't make them look as good on camera as they were in the flesh. 
The point where the River Cover and the River Ure meet.  This fotie doesn't show it very well, but there is a "wedding of the waters".  The water in the River Ure (furthest), is a lighter muddier brown than the River Cover, which is a dark peaty almost black colour. You can just about see the line where the two meet. Much clearer when you are actually there.
The sun came out, and the path looked better.  No doubt it looks fantastic in the Spring and Summer, full of flowers.
I tried so hard to get a picture of this little pond without the sun glare.  I failed obviously.  The pond itself was a stunning sight.  Described as a "Fish Pond Plantation" on the OS Map.  (Whatever that means).
I continue alongside the River Ure, the path widens and the trees open out.  Glorious in the sunshine. 

The right of way comes to a fence and you turn right towards the A6108  and this sign.   Looks good dunnit?

I walked along the road for 1/4 mile and found the tea rooms.

Sadly, they were closed.  Out of season I think.



But I crossed the road to take a look at Jervaulx Abbey, duly dropping my pennies in the honesty box (They ask for £3 per adult).
Jervaulx Abbey 
I found a Wamping Willow in the grounds
I ate lunch on a bench next to the Willow, (keeping an eye on it like), before taking a walk around.  It's a nice little place.  Very pleasant, and from the literature, full of flowers and plants in the summer.
Looking across to the Abbey from Jervaulx Park
I left the Abbey to walk across Jervaulx Park, some of the trees lining the track were glorious.
I am often amazed by how wonderful, large, old and gnarled trees can be.  This one is also a brilliant colour. 
After Jervaulx Park I walked up Masham Bank on the A6108.  Not recommended!  There is no path or bit of bank to walk on, and oncoming traffic won't necessarily see you due to hills n bends n stuff.  If I was to do the walk again, I'd find another route.  

From Masham bank I made may way across to Quarry Hill and then Ellingstring.  I was aiming for Hammersdale Farm, but I missed.  Mebbe I should have got Gizmo out!  No matter, I ended up walking through the village, which is very friendly, people chatting and asking how far etc. etc.

From Ellingstring I headed for the Millstone Band and Great Yaud plantations, passing Moor Cote Farm.  I say passing, because the ROW has been diverted around the farm as they convert it into holiday cottages.  And as I was taking in the detail of the farm, the ram in the field was taking in the detail of me....  with an odd look in his eye!

First thing I know is that he's right behind me making weird huffy noises.  Now I know there has never been a story of someone getting killed by a four legged ball of wool, but I really didn't need to be head butted out of a field by a territorial sheep, it would be VERY undignified.  So I'm shouting at the little beastie to clear off.  He ignored that of course, and kept following me as I backed away. I took off me rucksack and waved it at him, which seemed to confuse but not deter him.  The gate into the next field was wide open and as I got through it  to push it shut, a very attractive little ewe, (well, he would have thought so anyway), trotted over to catch his eye.  He immediately forgot I existed and wandered off and head butted her a few times instead......  Phew!  

So after that little adventure, I continued on alongside and through the woodland.  At one point I saw this:
Not quite an inversion, but the vale ahead is filled with cloud.  Cool. 
Now what I should have explained at the start of this post is that I started a lot later than planned..... like about 11.30ish.  That in itself isn't too bad, except I dawdled and pottered and took loads of foties, (like the arty shot earlier). 
So I was still walking when it got dark.......
Leyburn lights from Hammer Farm
Not that I was too worried, I knew that the rest of the route was the track that you can see in the fotie above which led onto a road back to East Witton.  And like a good little girl guide I also had a torch, and a head torch, and I'd tested them. 

I got back to East Witton about 4.45pm, very satisfied with the day. Gizmo sez I walked 9 miles instead of the 7 1/2 planned.  (I'm not quite sure how I did that?) 

A good walk, and it turns out I am going to do much of it again soon.  Class.  



2 comments:

  1. Excellent Photographs! (...and I love the lens flare...)

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    1. Thank you but I'm still not sure about the sun on that fotie. :-)

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