Apologies for the delay - its been a busy couple of weeks! The weather for much of July remained unsettled with rain and showers. The main event of the month was the family week in North Wales (Anglesey)

Thursday 4th July
With another fine day forecast we headed to the coast to do a walk from Ravenscar which Suzie had missed last year. From Ravenscar our route was initially all downhill, following the Cleveland Way through the site of the 18th/19th Century alum works. 200 years ago there was a thriving chemical industry here which extracted alum from shale, quarried from the hillside, by reacting the shale with urine brought in by boat from as far afield as Newcastle and London. A dock was cut into the rocks at the base of the cliff for loading and unloading the ships. Continuing along the clifftop we reached the top of Stoupe Bank. Here I persuaded Suzie to pose on a WW2 concrete 'pillbox' on the cliff edge. However half of the structure had broken off and was lying down the cliff so I wasn't able to recreate the photo of Caroline taken there a few years ago! We continued along the cliff-top to Stoupe Bank then down the steep steps to the beach. A short stroll along the sands brought us to Boggle Hole. Here Mill Beck flows down past the former water mill, now YHA Boggle Hole, and across the beach to the sea. With the tide going out there were lots of people 'rock-pooling'. For us the only way from here was up the lane to a farm turning right past a few cottages, then back down again to ford Mill Beck and up the other side! At last a couple of miles of easy walking on the 'cinder track', the long-gone Scarborough to Whitby railway. We took our lunch stop at a convenient bench near the site of Fyling Hall station. We turned off the cinder track at Browside Farm and headed up the hillside to join the lane that serves several cottages that lie along the 500ft contour below Stoupe Brow, with an uninterrupted view north over Robin Hoods Bay. This lane climbs the flank of Stoup Brow reaching about 750ft above sea level from where we could look down on Ravenscar. Taking to a narrow path above the shale quarries high above the alum works we reached Raven Hall Road. Here we decided to do a little loop around the 'town that never was' by heading along Church Road, then down Loring Road to Station Square (see the 1900s town plan). After a cup tea at the Station Tearoom we headed along Station Road back to the car, completing about 9 miles in all.

Sunday, 7th July
We were blessed with a bright and breezy day for this shorter, 7 mile walk from Bempton with the intention of spotting a puffin or two at Bempton Cliffs seabird colony which is in the care of the RSPB. Twelve of us set off past the pond in Bempton a crossed a couple of overgrown fields to reach the adjoining village of Buckton. From there we took the track known as 'Hoddy Cows Lane' which brought us to the top of the 300ft chalk cliffs - the highest in England and home to the largest mainland Gannet colony. We soon spotted our first puffin, then two or three more, amongst the gannets, kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills that nest precariously on the cliffs. It was very busy at the various RSPB viewing areas as we continued along the cliffs towards Flamborough Headland for a lunch stop away from the crowds at Dykes End - this is the northern end of Danes Dyke - an earthwork which cuts across the Flamborough Headland. The return to Bempton relied on a 'permissive path' still being there, and fortunately it was! Waymarked as a 'Conservation Walk' with footpath gates the path took us down the sides of two fields to Blakehowe Lane, thus enabling us to avoid much of the busy Cliff Road down into Bempton village. After the walk most of us called at the Buckton Galleries Tearoom for tea and very nice scones, with strawberries!

Friday 12th July
A later start and high tide meant changes to the planned route. This walk with Suzie may have been only just over 6 miles but it did involve a single 400ft climb from the beach up Speeton Cliff. Along the stretch of the coast, north of the chalk Bempton cliffs, the cliffs become unstable and are 'slumping' into the sea. Although there are steps at Speeton Cliff and Reighton Gap the lower sections have long lost the battle with erosion meaning walkers have to pick the best route over the clay, fortunately baked hard by the recent warm weather. At Speeton village we visited the little Saxon church before continuing along the side of some very large fields of rapeseed and barley to arrive in Reighton. From being warm earlier (for the cliff climb!), the weather had now cooled somewhat become cloudy, with a brisk north wind bring light drizzle. We had our lunch in the shelter of Reighton church before heading downhill through gorse (ouch!) to a green lane bringing us back to the Reighton Sands road. Here we ventured ahead along the cliff-top towards Hunmanby Gap, but down below the tide was high so we decided against continuing down to the beach, and turned back along the cliffs to the car park near Reighton Sands Holiday Park.

Sunday 14th July
Things didn't look promising as we made the drive to Hawnby through drizzle and heavy showers. Just eight of us today met up near Hawnby Church, and with the threat of more rain we donned our waterproofs - then the sun came out! After setting off over the footbridge it was a tedious plod up the hillside through long wet grass and clumps of thistles and nettles to reach Sunnybank Farm. From here we entered the remote Gowerdale, and with a lack of signs and waymarks, there was a bit of toing and froing before we found the correct route up the hillside. After a long climb, broken by a drink stop half way up, we reached the top at Noddle End. Now on the plateau 1000ft above sea level of the Hambleton Hills we made brisk progress past hay fields and across Dale Town Common to reach the Cleveland Way near High Paradise Farm. This farm provides refreshment and accommodation for Cleveland Way walkers, and as most of us had never been there we made a detour for a late morning coffee. We had hardly seen a soul since leaving Hawnby but the tearoom was doing brisk business with walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. After our coffee we returned to the moor and followed a narrow path straight across, with Bilsdale TV mast straight ahead. Dropping off the moor we found a convenient spot for lunch in a disused quarry on Arden Bank. Heading downhill past Arden Hall we crossed the River Rye by the substantial bridleway bridge, which replaced that swept away by the floods of June 2005 which devastated Rye Dale. We now faced our final challenge up the steep 'north face' of Hawnby Hill. With the weather now clear and sunny the panoramic views were amazing and everyone agreed it was worth the effort. A easy walk along the ridge was followed by a steady descent into Hawnby village where we diverted via the tearoom before returning to our cars to complete a good walk of about 9 miles.

Thursday 18th July
With Suzie away this week, but another good weather forecast, I made a late decision to go for a walk on the Wolds opting to start from that old favourite, Huggate. There is good a choice of footpaths radiating from the village, plus the Wolds Inn and/or Rachel's Tearoom for a drink afterwards. So it was about 11am when I set off from Huggate heading towards Fridaythorpe on the Yorkshire Wolds Way. There were scores of marbled-white butterflies in Horse Dale and Holm Dale and after several attempts I managed to get some photos. The weather stone by the path into Fridaythorpe was accurate as always - a shadow of the stone forecast sunny, and it was! I paused for drink by the pond then detoured via the quaint little church before continuing on the Wolds Way down into Brubber Dale and up the other side. After a lunch break I continued to Gills Farm then turned along the minor road towards Pluckham Farm. Last time I was here with Suzie, we somehow missed the bridleway to Pluckham Farm but not this time. The bridleway past fields of ripe barley had been recently mown making for a pleasant walk off the tarmac. After crossing the busy A166 I started to head back towards Huggate as I now had a time to meet - Caroline had hinted that she would meet me at Huggate tearoom at 3pm on her way home from Scarborough. So I continued briskly over Huggate Wold and across the top of Horse Dale where I was greeted by a small herd of cows at the footpath gate. 'Moove over' I said, and they did, standing aside to let me through. Meeting up again with the Wolds Way I took a zig-zag route via York Road to drop down into Huggate via Farmer Sam's field emerging via the only stile on the walk next to Church Farm. Back at my car, I spotted Caroline's blue Merc Coupe lurking round the corner. We walked up through the village to Rachel's Tearoom, then after tea and cake back down again but via the 'back way' past the ponds and the church. Including this loop around the village, I had walked about 10miles today - I had originally planned to do about 7!

Sunday, 21st July
After a tedious journey caused by roadworks on the A59 it was half an hour late that the eleven of us set off through the pretty village of Ripley, passing the Castle, on our walk in Nidderdale. The first half of the walk was straightforward as we followed the Nidderdale Way to Hampsthwaite, for a drinks stop in the churchyard, and then alongside the River Nidd to Birstwith Mill. We took our lunch break near the very old 'New Bridge' before following the medieval cobbled lane up away from the river. We cut across fields to Dinmore House - a rather exclusive conversion of former farm buildings - and now navigation became rather tedious. Just like last week, there was a distinct lack of signs and waymarks, which resulted in more toing and froing on our part. Eventually thanks to those with GPS mapping we picked up a path that led us to Burnt Yates, where we paused for another drinks stop by the church. We crossed the Pateley Bridge road in Burnt Yates to follow a path down from the ridge with views north to Bishop Thornton. After passing another farm redevelopment at Hill Top we re-crossed the main road at Bedlam and headed along field sides to join a track alongside the perimeter wall of Ripley Park. Soon we rejoined our outward route through Hollybank Wood into Ripley. Here we diverted via the busy Castle Tearoom for tea and scones before continuing to our cars. We returned home by another route, avoiding the A59!

Saturday 27th July
For Ann & Arnold's 50th Wedding Anniversary on the 1st August we decided on a family get together. For this we booked a week in a converted water mill in Anglesey, overlooking the Menai Straits. So it was on a very wet and miserable afternoon of Saturday 27th July that all twelve of us (plus two dogs) had safely arrived at Yr Hen Felin Pwll Fanogl, near Llanfairpwllgwyngyll..., from now on known as our 'base'. The twelve being Ann & Arnold, our big children Matthew, Joel, and Hannah, granddaughters Jodie, Caitlen, Emily, & Chloe, Sally (Joel's partner), Ros (Ann's sister) and husband James, and their two dogs, Buttons & Bobby. Let the adventure begin! Sunday, July 28th.
Sunday 28th July
Today we explored the locality of our base - a former watermill overlooking the Menai Straits. Myself, Joel, Sally and Emily explored a section of the Anglesey Coastal Path towards the Britannia Bridge. Sally and Emily got as far as the Nelson Monument, whilst me and Joel continued past the Britannia Bridge to get a view of the Menai Bridge. The Britannia railway bridge was destroyed by fire in 1980, and was rebuilt to carry the A55 road above the railway. The stone columns are all that remains of the original. The Menai Suspension Bridge still carries the A5 road, no longer the trunk road since superseded by the A55 North Wales Expressway. On the Sunday afternoon we drove a few miles to the Anglesey Sea Zoo which is almost opposite Caernarfon, across the Menai Straits. Apparently the biggest aquarium in Wales? I guess we are spoilt back in East Yorkshire by having the Deep so close at hand!
Monday 29th July
A good weather forecast for today could only mean one thing - Snowdon. One item on the agenda of the Underwood Family 'Golden Wedding Celebrations' in North Wales was the ascent of Mount Snowdon at 3560ft above sea level. With the weather forecast good, three cars carrying the 10 intrepid explorers (Myself, Matt, Hannah with Chloe (aged 2) in a carry pack, Joel & Sally with Emily (aged 6), Caitlen, Jodie, and James with Bobbie the dog) left our 'base camp' near Llanfair PG on Anglesey for the 30min drive to Llanberis. From there we travelled by a packed Snowdon Sherpa bus up to Pen-y-Pass at about 1000ft above sea level. The plan was to approach Snowdon summit from there along the Miner's Track, and return by the longer but less steep Llanberis Path directly to Llanberis. By about 10.30am we joined the procession of walkers heading gently up hill past Llyn Teyrn to the much larger Llyn Llydaw, where we took a drinks stop by the disused mine workings. Continuing there was now a steeper climb up to the third lake, Glaslyn, which sits in a cwm below the flank of Yr Wyddfa, Snowdon summit. Here the miner's track ends and our route continues very steeply upwards to join the Pig Track before emerging on the summit ridge. This daunting prospect convinced some of our party (Caitlen, Jodie, James and Bobby the dog) to make an honourable retreat from here back down to Pen-y-Pass. So Caitlen, Jodie, James and Bobbie turned back for the relatively easy stroll back down to Pen-y-Pass (where they were 'rescued' by Ann & Ros) the rest of us led by Emily re-joined the procession of walkers for the serious ascent to the summit. However, half-way up the procession was halted. Some-one up ahead had fallen and was seriously injured and the Coastguard Rescue had been called in. Clinging onto the rocks and our hats the helicopter, directly above us, edged its way sideways towards the mountain side before lowering the rescue personnel. We waited as the helicopter hovered above us until the injured person was winched up and off it went towards Bangor Hospital. Now we could continue and slowly but surely we plodded upwards to emerge on the ridge next to the Snowdon Mountain Railway. It was now about 2.00pm, any cloud had dispersed and the views from the summit extended in all directions. The summit was so crowded that there was a queue to reach the trig point for those important 'selfie' shots! Joel and Sally managed that, but our 'team selfie' was taken on the ridge. After a lunch break and ice-cream reward for Emily it was time to set off down to Llanberis as it was by now about 3 o'clock. The Llanberis Path is easier graded but is still rough underfoot for much of the way, so progress downhill had to be done with care. I think it was about 5.30pm by the time we arrived back in Llanberis, having completed a 9 mile walk that included about 2,500ft of ascent and 3,000ft of descent - Well done everyone, especially Emily!
Tuesday 30th July
Today we stayed on Anglesey and drove the short distance to the attractive little town of Beaumaris. Here some of us experienced a bit culture by visiting the fascinating Beaumaris Castle. The little ones enjoyed time on the beach and in and around the outdoor play area and pool. Across the Menai Straits the mainland was shrouded in dark clouds which we heard brought heavy rain and thunder, whilst the sun shone on Anglesey. We did get one sharp shower later in the afternoon which caused a quick retreat into the nearest pub!
Wednesday 31st July
A damp overcast day so we decided to go underground. So back to Llanberis to the 'Electric Mountain' where unfortunately the visitor centre was closed for refurbishment and the tours were fully booked! So instead we walked to a viewpoint to see a waterfall. This walk was up quite a steep hill and the viewpoint was right next to the Snowdon Mountain Railway track. Back in Llanberis we had lunch in the Station Café before an exhilarating drive via the Llanberis Pass and Nantgwynant - where the A498 is single track in places - to the Sygun Copper Mine at Beddgelert. At the mine, kitted out with hard hats we made our way into the mountain via narrow tunnels and steep stairways to emerge way above the entrance. A steep path then brought us back down.
Thursday 1st August - 50th Anniversary Day.
Drove to Llandudno and travelled by tram to the Great Orme Summit. Afternoon on West Shore beach overlooking the Conwy Estuary before returning to base for Anniversary Dinner - a Chinese Banquet from the local take-away and very nice it was too - accompanied with Champagne of course. Friday 2nd August Another fine day. We spent some time exploring the shore near our base and photographing Painted Lady butterflies before the tide came in. Plas Newydd, which is in the care of the National Trust, is just visible along coast from 'our' little beach, so in the afternoon we decided to pay it a visit. Research showed that the Anglesey Coastal Path passes (no quite!) the entrance so a few of us decided to walk, whilst Ann took the car. It was a bit further than we thought and the coastal path didn't pass the entrance, but makes a big loop inland. But referring to the OS map we found a path, rarely used, with rickety stiles, which brought us nearer to were we needed to be! Plas Newydd is a fascinating place - the woods have various play area for the little ones and are home to red squirrels apparently, and the house - it was being refurbished! However it is not closed, and the National Trust has made the refurbishment into a major feature of the self-guided tour of part of the building.
Saturday 3rd August
The drive home, which was somewhat less fraut then the drive there!

Evening walks
July included three evening walks which somehow I had put myself down to lead: from Hull Bridge via Weel on July 3rd, Beverley Westwood on the 10th, and from Hotham via North Cave on the 24th.

Photos of these walks can be found on the Photo Albums page. Click on this link: Photo Albums