The weather this month remained unsettled with rain and showers, but a little warmer. However by good planning and good luck most walks missed the worst of the weather. With Evening walks and a weekend in Teesdale this month I completed about 115 miles, my highest monthly total for a few years!

Thursday 2nd May
As today coincided with Stage 1 of the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race, our weekday walk was contrived to finish at the top of Baggaby Hill near Warter. This was the first classified climb of the race, up the 'Cote de Baggaby from Warter and the cyclists were scheduled to pass through at around 4.20pm. Parking just up the Huggate road at about 11.30am, long before most spectators would be arriving, me and Suzie set off up the road to join the Yorkshire Wolds Way at Warren Farm, overlooking Millington. The weather forecast was for heavy showers and there were a few ominous dark clouds around as we headed south on the Wolds Way. After a short lunch stop near Warrendale, a dark cloud overhead prompted us to put on our waterproofs, but nothing much came of it so by the time we reached Bratt Wood it was time to take them off again! We looped through the woods with their carpets of bluebells and wild garlic then proceeded downhill for a loop round Nunburnholme. Then it was back up past Bratt Wood then right to enter the belt of beech trees known as The Belt, above Warter. Here were more bluebells, garlic and primroses by this pleasant path through the trees. This path brought us to the road at the top of Baggaby Hill where an enthusiastic crowd had now gathered awaiting the TDY, still more than hour away. We found a spot down the hill on the roadside bank under the trees - which was fortunate because it started to rain! Steady persistent rain, from which the trees couldn't shelter us completely. But the rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of those at the top of the hill as more and more police motorcyclists, police cars, and support vehicles heralded the approach of the race. Despite the conditions, they were on time with the 'break-away group' passing at about 4.20pm followed a few minutes later by the 'peloton'. And so it was all over.... and the rain stopped!

Sunday 5th May
On a cloudy Sunday morning eleven walkers gathered at Fordon crossroads for this 'shorter' walk in this remote area of the Yorkshire Wolds - rolling hills and dales criss-crossed by a network single-track roads linking the little villages and hamlets. At 10.30am we set off up the hill past the little church onto a ridge known as North Cote. North Cote Road runs along this ridge, but the 'road' east of the junction was never 'made up' and remains a green lane. With a following wind we headed along this lane, with wide views to the south and east, with the trend gradually downhill towards Hunmanby. After a coffee break we walked along the road past the drive-way to Hunmanby Grange (home of Wold Top Brewery) and then joined another 'green lane' up Cans Dale. As we headed uphill an expanse of yellow appeared on the hillside - dandelions, daffodils? - no, cowslips! We ventured through a gateway to investigate - the hillside appeared to have been sown with wide belts of cowslips. Further up the hill we took a lunch break in the shelter of trees before continuing past Danebury Manor to join the Yorkshire Wolds Way briefly for the steep descent into Lang Dale. From Lang Dale it was a pleasant walk down the sheltered North Dale, populated by sheep and lambs, back to Fordon to complete a walk of 7½ miles. Afterwards most of us called in at The Anvil Arms in Wold Newton for tea/coffee/beer or in some cases, double pink gins!

Wednesday 8th May
The first evening walk for this summer, from Hornsea, was cancelled due to heavy rain.

Friday 10th May
After a very wet and windy week, the forecast for today looked much better. So me and Suzie headed to the village of Hovingham in North Yorkshire for a walk in the Howardian Hills AONB. Our route took us via Wath up onto the ridge and through Fryton Woods. Then across Fryton Moor with its vast pig farm, and back past Hovingham Lodge and through Hovingham Park to complete a walk of about 8½ miles.

Sunday 12th May
Just nine of us made the journey to Oxspring, near Penistone in West Yorkshire for this walk in new territory for us, following the Thurgoland Boundary. After the initial climb out of Oxspring the route followed green lanes across undulating countryside towards Silkstone Common. This was once coal-mining country, but not a trace remains. For a short distance we followed the trackbed of the Wath to Penistone railway - built to serve the collieries. In days of steam up to four locos (2 at the front, 2 at the back) would be need to bring the heavy 1000ton coal trains up the Worsborough Incline and through the Silkestone Tunnels. The line was electrified in the 1950s and then four electric locos would be used on 2000ton coal trains. All this ended with the decline of coal mining and all that remain now are the old track-bed and the sealed Silkstone tunnels. In Nabs Wood near Silkstone Common is a monument to mining disaster in 1838. A thunderstorm over the hills caused the stream running past Huskar Pit to burst its banks and flood down the drift mine up which 26 child workers were making their escape. All the children were trapped by the floodwaters and drowned. After a coffee break in the bluebell woods which now cover the site of this tragedy, we continued on our way down Dodworth Moor. After Berry Moor House we made a rare navigation error and missed a left turn. This resulted in a loop round Berry Moor back to the same spot where we made the left turn, which led us to a long climb up through Tom Royd Wood. From there more downs and ups brought us to Bagger Wood where we found a convenient tree trunk on which to perch for our lunch. After lunch we dropped down into the little village of Crane Moor, which was followed by another long climb onto Crane Moor Top. Safely across the busy A629 road we descended into the DonValley and joined the track-bed of the former Great Central Sheffield to Manchester line, now used by the Trans-Pennine Trail. Here we deviated from the Thurgoland Boundary Walk and remained on the trail to experience Thurgoland Tunnel. Recently restored and lit throughout, this curving tunnel has amazing acoustic properties which were tested by our rendition of 'I like to go a wandering....' Back in the daylight we rejoined the Boundary walk and followed it by the River Don back into Oxspring. There was one small diversion, to below the old railway viaduct. During construction a stone fell killing one of the workers - his colleagues engraved a memorial to him on the stone and incorporated it in the construction, high up beneath one of the viaduct arches. By the end of the walk we had completed nearly 10 miles, with those deviations and diversions.

Wednesday 15th May
A lovely evening for this week's evening walk from Harpham via Burton Agnes.

Thursday 16th May
Today's walk was something special as five of us, Suzie, Joyce, Dudley, Ann, and myself, headed to Goathland to meet up with former walking club member, Daphne, who was visiting Whitby. Setting off from near the Mallyan Spout hotel on a bright and breezy morning we made the long descent to West Beck to pick our way over the rocks to visit Mallyan Spout itself. We then followed West Beck to Beckhole where West Beck joins with Eller Beck to form the Murk Esk. Here we joined the Rail Trail for a pleasant stroll towards Grosmont alongside the Murk Esk, which is a major tributary of the River Esk. Before reaching Esk Valley Cottages we turned across the new(ish) bridge over the river to begin the climb up to Green End. The revised bridle path passes under the impressive Murk Esk railway viaduct, and just as we reached it a NYMR train rumbled over on its way down to Grosmont. We chose a spot on the bank overlooking the railway for our lunch stop, as a check of the train timetable 'online' revealed an 'up' train was due in about 20mins. This turned out to be the 'Lunchtime Pullman' headed by 76079 - the 'Pocket Rocket' - and surprisingly banked at the rear by SR 926 'Repton'. Two for the price of one! From Green End we cut across the moor towards Darnholm, where we glimpsed another train pulled by 80135 heading up the gorge towards Goathland. Steep steps brought us down to footbridge and ford followed by the equally steep climb up the other side. We noticed a slow worm sunning itself on the path before it quickly disappeared into the undergrowth. From above Goathland Station we joined the farm track dropping down to Abbot's House. As luck would have, it as we walked under the railway bridge at Abbot's House, 76079 (again) passed over on its way back to Grosmont with the Pullman. Finally we headed through the caravan site and across fields to emerge by Goathland Church opposite the Mallyan Spout Hotel to finish an enjoyable, 'undulating' walk of about 7½ miles. We concluded an excellent day with tea and cakes at the hotel Coffee Shop.

Sunday 19th May
After discovering the bluebells in Hagg Wood last year, I devised this longer walk from Stamford Bridge to include a loop through the bluebell woods. Unfortunately by May 19th this year the bluebells were past there best here! Nevertheless eighteen walkers enjoyed this brisk 10 mile 'stroll' through the pleasant low-lying countryside bordering Yorkshire's River Derwent. Our route took us from Stamford Bridge, along the east side of the river under the old railway viaduct (which we cross on our return) through the village of Low Catton to the main A1079 York road. After a short stretch on the pavement by this busy road at Kexby Bridge we turned away from the noise of traffic to make a drink/banana stop in the peacefully surroundings of Scoreby Wood. Continuing through Millfield Wood and past Londesborough Lodge on bridleways and farm roads we reached Hagg Wood. This Forestry Commission wood is also cared for by the 'Friends of Hagg Wood' who have created a network of paths through the woods. Leaflets were available from information boards. As expected the bluebells were past their best. Undaunted we continued through the woods which have a variety of trees, broad-leaved and coniferous to reach the 'Millennium' area where we found a convenient seat and logs for our lunch stop. Our return from Hagg Farm followed Scoreby Lane for much of the way. This lane links several farms in the area, although most of these seem now to be converted into 'exclusive' homes. The lane is also used by National Cycle Network Route 66, and where the lane meets the A166 road, a cycle/foot path has been created away from the road and links with the track-bed of the former Beverley - York railway line, so taking cyclists and walkers across the viaduct over the River Derwent. This section was very popular on this fine Sunday afternoon. Once across the viaduct we descended steps to join the path back to the car park. Afterwards we enjoyed tea and cakes at the Derwennt Tearoom who had agreed to remain open past 3 o'clock for our benefit.

Wednesday 22nd May
Another good evening for today's walk from Bethell's Bridge on the River Hull going via Emmotland and Hempholme with lots of interest

Friday 24th May - Teesdale Weekend
On the first day of this Walking weekend in Teesdale, ten of us met up at Egglestone Abbey (near Barnard Castle) for a 'short walk' by the River Tees. However, as it was such a glorious day, Joyce decided to add on a loop taking us via Thorpe Hall and Wycliffe, which featured an historic church. After crossing the Tees at Worlton Bridge we returned along the north bank and then back over at Egglestone Bridge to the Abbey, completing about 9 miles. We then drove on to Middleton-in-Teesdale where we would be based for the rest of the weekend.

Saturday, 25th May
Today we had our full complement of thirteen walkers - having been joined by Margaret & Trevor, and by Sylvia - for this 'classic' 9 mile walk from Bowlees Visitor Centre following the Pennine Way by the River Tees upstream past Low Force and High Force. However within 100yds of setting off we lost half the group who were way-laid near the Visitor Centre to assist with laying of the first stones on a Geological Map of the area. Reunited after a short wait, we crossed Wynch Bridge (one at a time) to join the Pennine Way by Low Force waterfalls. Springtime in Teesdale brings out an abundance of wildflowers and Betty, our botanist, was in her element identifying the flowers. Above High Force the countryside becomes more rugged with moorland rising to the highest part of the Pennines. On a cloudy and breezy day we took lunch overlooking the confluence of Langdon Beck and the River Tees, before continuing to the scattered settlement of Langdon Beck itself, to return on the opposite side of the Dale. After the clearly signed Pennine Way, our route back had a distinct lack of signs and waymarks resulting in some toing and froing before at last gaining the track that led us straight down to Bowlees for a deserved cup of tea at the Visitor Centre

Sunday, 26th May
Today's walk would be the challenging one and a lot depended on the weather, and the weather wasn't looking good. The plan - to walk the Pennine Way by the River Tees to Bowlees then strike off up onto the open fell to the old mine workings and Coldberry Gutter, a man-made gouge in the hill-top at 1700ft above sea level. A local had told us it would be as 'thick as pigs' o t'top. We didn't have to make a decision until Bowlees, so kitted out in waterproofs we set off through the drizzle, after a false-start, following the Pennine Way upstream past meadows of wild flowers. After a brief stop by the river for a late coffee and/or banana stop we continued upstream to Newbiggin footbridge and there crossed the river and headed though woods to the Bowlees Visitor Centre. Picnic tables here made this an ideal spot for our lunch break. Continuing onwards and upwards the weather was brightening - no longer 'thick as pigs' - we could see the notch in the skyline that is Coldberry Gutter. We reached Field Head Farm but typically no signs or way-markers. "Through gate, across beck and straight up the other side. I'll not come looking for ye if ye get lost" said the elderly farmer. We didn't get lost, and soon we among the spoil tips, shafts, and hushes of the old lead mines and the sun broke through as climbed through Coldberry Gutter! Picking our way down the other side was more tricky but we eventually reached the ruins of some mine buildings and a clear track down the valley. We dropped down to Hudes Hope Beck and followed a good track down the picturesque wooded valley to enter Middleton-in-Teesdale by the Parish Church. After a quite strenuous walk of nearly 10miles, a pint of 'Curlew's Return' ale from the hotel bar went down very well!

Monday, 27th May
Our final day in Teesdale. With the weather much better than forecast, eleven of us (Margaret & Trevor had headed off to the Lakes) did a delightful 7mile from Cotherstone via Romaldkirk, crossing the River Tees at Eggleston Bridge to return on the opposite side of the river. For a 'riverside walk' there were several short but steep ups and downs where the river had cut into the hillside. We took a morning drinks stop on the expansive village green in Romaldkirk and later, a lunch stop on the hillside near East Barnley with views across Teesdale towards the Pennines. After drinks in the pub in Cotherstone we headed home and didn't encounter the heavy rain that was forecast until we were past York.

Wednesday 29th May
A miserable evening weatherwise - dark and drizzly, a much of the walk from Lund via Kilnwick was done on country roads because field paths were overgrown or non-existent.

Thursday May 30th
After a couple of wet days, the well-drained Wolds beckoned so once again, me and Suzie headed to Huggate. The idea was to walk from Huggate to Wetwang (and back) which also coincided with the annual Scarecrow Festival in Wetwang. This was a route I hadn't done for many years and I failed to check the mileage - it turned out to be 10miles, although generally easy walking across the Wolds with no major hills. The weather was bright and very breezy, warm with a threat of showers which didn't materialise. Afterwards back in Huggate we visited Rachel's Walnut Cottage Tearoom (again) for tea and scones.