Sunday, April 1st dawned cold but sunny for those of us in Weardale for the weekend. After team photos in Stanhope Market Place we set off on a short walk that explored the disused Ashes Quarry. We headed east alongside the quarry then across high pastures and down into the delightfully named Shittlinghope Dene. We followed the stream through this picturesque wooded gorge then climbed away up onto Shittlinghope Edge and onto the moors. After some ‘heather-bashing’ we made our way down to Black Beck to rejoin the route along Crawley Edge, high above Ashes Quarry. At last we reached the road at Crawleyside by another old railway incline. Slow progress on the moor, meant the walk was taking longer than expected, so after visiting the incline we cut back along Crawley Edge and dropped down into Stanhope. The walk was only about 6½ miles but it seemed further and took longer than expected.
Meanwhile back home Stuart was leading the scheduled HDWC short walk from Fridaythorpe standing in for the injured Joyce. A good turn-out enjoyed a pleasant 7 mile walk on the Wolds between Fridaythorpe and Huggate.
Sunday, April 8th. Being Easter caused some disruption to the programme due to many of us having other commitments. With the HDWC programmed walk being cancelled just a few walkers did a walk from Millington previously done last November when the views were obscured by thick fog! Graham led this repeat walk, but just for variety did so in the opposite direction.
April 15th and 22 members of Leven Walking Club gathered a Coneysthorpe near Castle Howard. Always a popular area, this 9 mile route in the Howardian Hills AONB followed a circuit via Easthorpe, High Gateley and New River Bridge with views of Castle Howard, the Temple and Mausoleum. Afterwards, tea and toasted tea-cakes in the Courtyard Tearoom at Castle Howard can best be described at disappointing!
Saturday, April 21st – Pocklington Wolds Gateway Walking Festival. I decided to support this event by joining a 7 mile walk from Warter. This particular walk was planned as the launch of a series of ‘Bus Walks’ in the area, which the local Ramblers Group had helped prepare. Alas, April was by now well on its way to becoming the wettest April on record and Pocklington had been flooded earlier in the week! So at about 11 o’clock, five us, and that included Tony the walk leader, the Mayor, and the Town Crier of Pocklington posed for the ‘official photo’ before catching the bus to Warter. With others joining, there were now five walkers (not the Mayor and Town Crier) who alighted at Warter. We visited the disused Church, now a Heritage Centre, before setting off up the ‘roman road’ towards Millington. The first rain in the form of a short sharp hailstorm passed as we lunched in the woods above Millington. The skies cleared and we headed past Warren Farm to Kilnwick Percy for tea and cakes at the World Peace Café. The strawberry cheesecake and black forest gateau were excellent, as always. Whilst in the café the next downpour passed over. So under brightening skies we headed across the golf-course down into Pocklington before the next downpour. A most enjoyable day – a pity there wasn’t more support for the event.On the drive home, torrential rain was encountered on Arras Hill.
April 22nd and we crossed the Humber Bridge to start a walk from Laceby near Grimsby. Once again the weather forecast had been for heavy showers, but we missed them all. Betty had discovered this route, but I had added an extra loop through Bradley Wood. This was fine except I had problems finding the right path out of the woods, so the loop had extra loops! Soon we were back on Betty’s route after which progress was much better. After several miles of flat farmland we climb up onto the fringe of the Lincolnshire Wolds with views back over Grimsby. However after the pretty village of Irby we missed a path and as a result got a good sighting of a fox crossing ahead of us. Back through woodland we rejoined the correct route back to Laceby. All the extra loops increased the distance to 11 miles, but no complaints – it was a good walk. On the way home once back over the Humber we drove through torrential rain!
April 29th and the forecast was for more rain and strong winds. This put most people off joining an extra walk. Just four of us ventured up to Cockmoor, where Bob wanted to use the opportunity to recce some new routes around Troutsdale. This turned out to be a bit of an adventure, with some sections definitely off the beaten track! The rain wasn’t too bad and the whole day was good fun, but this 8½ mile route is definitely not one for the programme. Once again torrential rain was encountered on the drive home after stopping off for tea and cakes at the Wolds Gallery tearoom. Here the carrot cake comes highly recommended.

To view Photo records of all the above, and the Walking Year Albums
click on 'Dales Trails Picasa Photo Albums'