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April

 

Route

Stone map

Walk Leader

Michelle, but George deputised in her absence.

Route

Leyburn – Wensley - Bolton Hall – West Wood – Redmire – Preston-under Scar – Leyburn Shawl - Leyburn.

Weather

Windy, but sunny throughout. Not very warm.

Walkers

George, Bernie, Ashley, Ron, Sandy.

Excuses

Michael and Michelle - painting kitchen walls and ceiling prior to installation of new kitchen.

Diane and Richard - on holiday.

Comments

The navigation was easy, though Ashley’s and Ron’s electronics were useful at the few points where the route ahead wasn't clear. There were lots of very narrow stiles, many of which were hidden.

We passed some Wensleydale Wanderers completing a long distance run. We walked across the fields to the attractive village of Wensley, whose Church of the Holy Trinity has a 14th century mural of a monk. The village also has several fine looking houses. We then crossed the river and walked upstream along the south bank of the River Ure, where we met lots of people walking dogs. We crossed back over the river towards Bolton Hall, where we saw a rowing boat in the middle of a field.

We found a reasonably sheltered spot in the woods for lunch, during which we received a timely message from Michelle. There were good views of Bolton Abbey and Redmire after we restarted. From Redmire we climbed up to Preston-under-Scar with its tiny stone church and then climbed further to Leyburn Shawl, allegedly so-called after Mary, Queen of Scots dropped a shawl there while trying to escape from Bolton Castle. Our second stop was on the ridge looking across to Penhill and the Coverdale Fells. We could also see Middleham Castle where Richard III grew up. The valley below looked very green in the sunshine. We could also look down on the Wensleydale Railway with its somewhat poorly maintained track, and its 3 car Diesel multiple unit. We passed a lead mine on the ridge.

We had afternoon tea at the Post House Café in Leyburn.


Wildlife: Lots and lots of lambs, one of whom nuzzled up to Ashley. Several horses, one of which got an apple from Sandy. Small Shetland pony.
Toad, diseased rabbit and several dead ones as well. Two buzzards, pheasants, a hen and tiny ducklings on the river.

Lots of daffodils and primroses, wild garlic.


Meal

Bowes Incline – gigantic portions – as usual good tasty food. Joined by Beth and Nick.

 

Photo Gallery

sheep

Sheep and lamb

 

sandy

Sandy on the phone

ashley

Ashley

church

Holy Trinity Church

 

Wensley

Wensley Village

 

church

Church

hall

Bolton Hall

horses

Horses

 

railway

Wensleydale Railway

 

hills

Hills

 

 

 

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George