Sunday, Mar 2nd
As I would miss next week's 'long' walk from Millington because I would be in London, I, with Betty and Caroline, decided to join the HDWC 'short' walk, but with the idea of a possible extension. So 18 of us set off from Millington up the lane to Little Givendale Farm, then down to the little church at Great Givendale for a coffee stop. It was quite sticky-going on the next section around field sides and into Grimsthorpe Wood, where we found some convenient fallen tree-trunks to sit on for our lunch break. Beyond the woods we said farewell to the main group, who turned back towards Millington. We three headed across fields and up through Pocklington Woods and around the golf course to Kilnwick Percy. From there we followed country lanes back down to Millington, arriving just as the main group were leaving the Rambler's Rest tearoom - meaning there was room there for us! (8½ miles).

Tuesday, Mar 4th
With Suzie having to rest her legs following a minor operation, I was on my own for a midweek walk. As I had to go into Beverley to the bank anyway, I decided to go by bus and walk back. From the town centre I headed straight down Grovehill Road past the industrial area to reach Swinemoor. Instead of cutting across to the riverbank I decided to follow the banks of the Beverley Drain straight across Swinemoor, switching banks at the brick bridge, finally reaching the river at Hull Bridge. The River Hull was very high as I continued north up the flood bank, and past Pulfin Bog there was just a narrow strip of bank between river and lake! At last I reached the Leven Canal, and it was plain sailing then along the canal bank to home (8½ miles).

Sunday, Mar 9th
I was down in London for the BATOD AGM & Conference. There was a good turn-out for Graham's long walk from Millington. I gather there were plenty of ups and downs, as his route went via Millington Heights then followed the boundaries of access land up Millington Dale, Frendal Dale, to Huggate Dykes and back via Pasture Dale and Sylvan Dale. (11+ miles)

Wednesday, Mar 12th
A good forecast, so it was decided to recce the short walk up Forge Valley, that Suzie is down to lead in May. In glorious sunshine we headed out of West Ayton past the ruined castle, no devoid of security fencing. We made rapid progress along the board walk then crossed the footbridge over the Derwent and joined the road. After just a short distance on the road we were able drop back down through the trees and pick our way round to a clearing with a view up the valley. We did a little detour following a 'conservation walk' before continuing along the road. Turning right we followed a farm track and bridleway round to Raincliffe Woods. We climbed up through the trees to reach Middle Road and turned back down the valley. Eventually the path leads back down to the road, but again road walking can be avoided by following the river bank into East Ayton and back to West Ayton (7½ miles). We stopped off on the way home for tea and cake at the Wolds Gallery, Staxton.

Sunday, Mar 16th
Another bright spring morning and a good number gathered at West Knapton for this month's LWC walk. After Joyce had rounded up Andrea who had parked in the wrong lay-by, we set off across the A64 and up the long hill onto Knapton Brow. Here we joined the Wolds Way through woodland along the brow where we paused for morning coffee. Then we looped round past the Wolds Way Caravan Park with to the ArtWork overlooking the Vale of Pickering. Now we were faced the tricky steep descent of the 'ski-jump' into Deepdale Woods where we found a sunny sheltered spot for lunch. After walking through Wintringham we took to the bridle-way to Thorpe Bassett (the section I recced last month) to find the 'lake' by the ford was even bigger! Also the barbed-wire fence had been repaired making negotiating the area more tricky. Everyone made it safely and we took a footpath into Rillington. From there we headed across fields to Scampston where we called in at the Farmhouse Bakery & Tearoom. After tea and cakes, it was just a short distance past Scampston Hall back to the cars at West Knapton (made slightly longer though, by missing a turning!) (9 miles)

Wednesday, Mar 19th
With a brisk easterly wind we headed west to the shelter of Thixendale. From the village we set off up the dale to Thixendale Grange and to the 'Roman Road'. About ¼ mile south along road we found the field path that leads down to Uncleby, with hazy views across the Vale of York. Near the bottom we encountered a sign 'Permissive Path to Ancient Monument' so we investigated, and found nothing! unless a mound in the field was a tumulus or something? On down the lane we had a pleasant chat with the owner of Waterloo Cottage, but he knew nothing about the mysterious monument. So we continued to Kirby Underdale for a lunch stop in the shelter of the church. Then it was the long haul up past Painsthorpe and down Worm Dale to the sculpture in Thixen Dale, ending with a pleasant stroll on the Wolds Way back to the village (9 miles). Tea and cake at Seaways, Fridaythorpe

Sunday, Mar 23rd
Bob's walk from Sinnington zig-zagged too and fro to take in the villages of Appleton-le-Moors and Cropton. Daffodils where just come into flower at a few locations as we climbed away from the River Seven then back down via Lower Askew to recross the river near Appleton Mill. We found a sunny lunch stop on valley side, but this was interrupted by a shower of sleety hail - strange stuff looking like 1cm diameter polystyrene balls! Then it was a stiff climb up the hillside to Cropton, then back along the top, finally dropping down past the little church into Sinnington.(8½ miles).We stopped off on the way home at the Whole Hog Farm shop for tea and cake.

Wednesday, Mar 26th
The weather was still a bit chilly coming from the east, so we headed for Allerthorpe Woods. In fact today we did two walks in neighbouring areas which can't be linked without a long stretch of busy road. Firstly we set off from Allerthorpe Woods and across the Common to Allerthorpe village and returned via Waplington Hall. As we we neared the carpark we encountered a shower of sleety hail again. In the shelter of the car we took our lunch break, then drove the couple of miles to Melbourne. From there we did a little circuit through pleasant countryside and back alongside the Pocklington Canal (Total 9¼ miles). We called in for tea and cake at Allerthorpe Lakeside cafe.

Sunday, Mar 30th
The fifth Sunday meant no scheduled club walk, so just six of us headed to Thornton-le-Dale. The plan, should we wish to follow it, was a variation on a walk done a couple of years ago into Dalby Forest. From behind the church, we picked up a field path that took us up to Outgang Lane, near the rubbish tip in a former quarry. A little further we forked left down a track to join the lower path past High Papermill Farm. Just within the forest we turned right and followed Sand Dale steadily upwards through the Forest to a clear area on the plateau. From there we turned left onto a narrow path the crossed a few riggs (ups) and dales (downs) finding a lunch spot in a clearing. After crossing a forest road we turned left again for a long gradual descent of Housedale Rigg towards Low Dalby, where we took a short cut down zig-zag cycle tracks to the Forest Centre and Low Dalby Courtyard with its various facilities. The sun was shining and there people everywhere! We haeded down the dale on a very busy path, dodging families on foot and on bikes, until we took a new path that crossed the beck to the quieter side. From there down the dale, past the trout hatchery and through the hamlet of Ellerburn back to Thornton-le-Dale.(10¾ miles) The teashops were all very busy (it was Mother's Day) so we headed home but called again at the Whole Hog farm shop and cafe for tea and cake.

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	Welcome to the Trans-Dales Trails These Trails, Trans-Dales Trail 1, Trans-Dales Trail 2 and Trans-Dales Trail 3, are each about sixty miles in length and can be comfortably completed by anyone that is reasonably fit in five days, with four nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation. The routes establish links across the Yorkshire Dales using some of the public rights of way that are less frequently walked. There are three booklets in the Trans-Dale Trail series, each giving a detailed description of the route. The booklets cost £2.50 each (including p&p) and are obtainable from: Arnold Underwood (Dales Trails) 41 The Orchard Leven East Yorkshire HU17 5QA e-mail: arnold.underwood@dalestrails.freeserve.co.uk (Please make cheques payable to 'Arnold Underwood')
	The Author Arnold Underwood is an experienced walker and a leader of his local walking club. He lives near Beverley and is the East Yorkshire correspondent for Country Walking magazine. He has walked the Ridgeway (1983), the Pennine Way (1990), the Dales Way (1993), and A Bowland - Dales Traverse (1994), the latter two with Peter Tomkinson. He has walked much in the Yorkshire Dales, Moors, and Wolds, including completing the Three Peaks, Lyke Wake, and Saltergate challenge walks - the last two again with PeterTomkinson. Arnold devised the three Trails with the help of Peter Tomkinson, and together they walked each of the routes - Trail 1 in 1995, Trail 2 in 1996, and Trail 3 in 1997. Peter Tomkinson is a former Scout Leader, and as such has done much walking in all terrains and in all conditions. In addition to those walks mentioned above he has also completed the Cleveland Way, Minster Way and the Ebor Way.
	Leven Walking Club Leven Walking Club is a long-established club. Members suggestions result in a varied programme of walks on the Yorkshire Wolds, North York Moors and elsewhere. Go to Calendar for walking programme. For further information contact Arnold Underwood on 01964 543883 or 07989 292522, or Dave Fox on 01964 542564 Read Nomad's report in each issue of Leven Life. Find out more about 'Leven Village'.
	Hornsea District Walking Club Hornsea District Walking Club is an independent club relying on its members for suggesting and leading the variety of walks. Go to Calendar for walking programme. For further information contact Club Chairman Graham Hadfield or Walks Secretary Arnold Underwood (07989 292522) *********************** Visitors to Dales Trails since August 1st 2007 ************************* This page was created by Arnold Underwood | Home | Calendar | Trans-Dales Trail 1 | Trans-Dales Trail 2 | Trans-Dales Trail 3 | Walking with Underwood | Photo Gallery | Useful Links