Staithes to Whitby 29 December 2011
I actually walked part of this route three days earlier with a Whitby Town supporter 'Andy Lever' and his springer spaniel 'Ibby', so I have included some photo's of that event in the Staithes walk. Andy (AKA Danger Mouse) actually walked from his house in Loftus on a 15 mile sponsored walk to the Turnbull Ground, the home of Whitby Town FC, and raised over £300 by his efforts.
A couple of days later John drove us to Staithes by a most unusual route for reasons known only to himself, (probably to confuse me( easily done). and with a strong cool wind behind us , we set off for Whitby, following the Cleveland Way. Conditions were a lot better than I expected after the recent wet weather
A couple of days later John drove us to Staithes by a most unusual route for reasons known only to himself, (probably to confuse me( easily done). and with a strong cool wind behind us , we set off for Whitby, following the Cleveland Way. Conditions were a lot better than I expected after the recent wet weather
Castle Crag
31 August 2011
An enjoyable day out with Dave and the lads. Although this was a short walk, I think it was enough to make the boys feel as though they had achieved something and hopefully, they may want to do something similar again.
An enjoyable day out with Dave and the lads. Although this was a short walk, I think it was enough to make the boys feel as though they had achieved something and hopefully, they may want to do something similar again.
Skiddaw
Date walked......................28 June 2011
Distance walked................Abt 8 miles.
Hight................................3,054 ft (931 m)
Skiddaw has never really been on my 'wanna do' list. In fact, I hardley knew where it was untill my son David and his family moved to Bassenthwait. The first time I went to the house I was awed by the magnificent scenery in the area. The nearest mountain to Daves house just happens to be Skiddaw. The first time that I stayed over, I awoke early as I always do and going downstairs I looked out of the window on the landing to see Skiddaw with the sun rising behind. I made a coffee for myself then went back to the landing and sat on the top stair watching the colours change to full daylight. Even at that early hour, walkers were visible on a footpath along what I now know to be Longstone Edge. I knew then that I wanted to walk that way but the opportunity did not arise untill after I retired. I chose a day when the weather was going to be kind, and using my bus pass, made the six hour trip to Bassenthwait where after spending the night with my family I set out on what was to prove a great days walking. At the time I did not think I was fit enough to reach the summit and only intended to walk along the ridge but it was such a fantastic day for me I just kept going on and on.
I didn't realise it at the time, that when Wainwright passed this way, he took the same route as I followed. this is what he wrote.
"There is no doubt in my mind that by far the best approach to the top of Skiddaw is by way of its North West Ridge. This offers a fine expedition along a narrow crest in exciting surroundings and provides excellent views throughout."
I could not agree more !
Distance walked................Abt 8 miles.
Hight................................3,054 ft (931 m)
Skiddaw has never really been on my 'wanna do' list. In fact, I hardley knew where it was untill my son David and his family moved to Bassenthwait. The first time I went to the house I was awed by the magnificent scenery in the area. The nearest mountain to Daves house just happens to be Skiddaw. The first time that I stayed over, I awoke early as I always do and going downstairs I looked out of the window on the landing to see Skiddaw with the sun rising behind. I made a coffee for myself then went back to the landing and sat on the top stair watching the colours change to full daylight. Even at that early hour, walkers were visible on a footpath along what I now know to be Longstone Edge. I knew then that I wanted to walk that way but the opportunity did not arise untill after I retired. I chose a day when the weather was going to be kind, and using my bus pass, made the six hour trip to Bassenthwait where after spending the night with my family I set out on what was to prove a great days walking. At the time I did not think I was fit enough to reach the summit and only intended to walk along the ridge but it was such a fantastic day for me I just kept going on and on.
I didn't realise it at the time, that when Wainwright passed this way, he took the same route as I followed. this is what he wrote.
"There is no doubt in my mind that by far the best approach to the top of Skiddaw is by way of its North West Ridge. This offers a fine expedition along a narrow crest in exciting surroundings and provides excellent views throughout."
I could not agree more !
Skiddaw is located to the north of Keswick
Esk Valley Walk.
1st stage
Walked on 3rd June 2011.
This was a great day out, the weather was perfect and the scenery is absolutly stunning on this walk. The route took us from Castleton to the Lion Inn at Blakey where we partook of the obligitory 'Black Sheep' before proceeding along the ironstone railway and on to Westerdale before returning to Castleton. John Leeman was my companion.
This was a great day out, the weather was perfect and the scenery is absolutly stunning on this walk. The route took us from Castleton to the Lion Inn at Blakey where we partook of the obligitory 'Black Sheep' before proceeding along the ironstone railway and on to Westerdale before returning to Castleton. John Leeman was my companion.
Mulgrave Castle
Walked...... Quite Often
Distance abt 3 miles
Terrain Woodland tracks
Mulgrave Castle is not very well known to visitors to the area and in fact many locals are unaware of its existance. There are actualy three castles on the Mulgrave estate, One of which is the home of the Marquis of Normanby, and this is clearly visible from surrounding roads. The other two as far as I am aware are completely invisible from any public road in the area. The oldest of the castles was reputedly built by 'Wada. a 6th century ruler of Halsingland, a province of Sweden. This castle was a Mott and Bailey and all that remains today is a mound hidden in woodland which in springtime is carpeted with bluebells.
The second castle is of Norman construction and was built about 1120, possibly by Nigel Fossard. The castle occupies the full width of a ridge and is defended from the east by a large ditch. The only approach was from the west along a narrow track on the top of the ridge and access was over a drawbridge. Not a great deal of the castle remains, the curtain walls have been reduced to ground level inside the castle. This ground level is about 15 to 20 feet higher than outside so a substantial amount of wall is still visible. Inside the wall there are the remains of the keep which at one time was surrounded by a variety of other buildings all of which are now all but invisible. The well has also survived. The drawbridge was protected by two round towers which untill recently were amost dismantled to ground level but have since been rebuilt to give some indication as to their origional appearance.
In its day the castle must have been an imposing site. All the vegitation surrounding it would have been cleared away and also the approach road along the ridge would have been horribly exposed had an enemy been rash enough to attack from that direction. Now of course the castle is surrounded by thick woodland giving the whole site a much more gentle feel.
Mulgrave castle has a dark side to its past. one of the lords of the manor, Peter de Mauley was thought to have been responsible for the murder of Prince Arthur, the nephew of king John and who was seen as a threat to his succession to the throne. Demauley recieved the Castle and adjoining lands as his reward. His son also named Peter de Mauley is thought to have been involved in the massacre of jews in York, some accounts even say that it was planned at Mulgrave.
During the civil war the castle was held by the royalists before an act of parliament ordred that it be dismantled.
Distance abt 3 miles
Terrain Woodland tracks
Mulgrave Castle is not very well known to visitors to the area and in fact many locals are unaware of its existance. There are actualy three castles on the Mulgrave estate, One of which is the home of the Marquis of Normanby, and this is clearly visible from surrounding roads. The other two as far as I am aware are completely invisible from any public road in the area. The oldest of the castles was reputedly built by 'Wada. a 6th century ruler of Halsingland, a province of Sweden. This castle was a Mott and Bailey and all that remains today is a mound hidden in woodland which in springtime is carpeted with bluebells.
The second castle is of Norman construction and was built about 1120, possibly by Nigel Fossard. The castle occupies the full width of a ridge and is defended from the east by a large ditch. The only approach was from the west along a narrow track on the top of the ridge and access was over a drawbridge. Not a great deal of the castle remains, the curtain walls have been reduced to ground level inside the castle. This ground level is about 15 to 20 feet higher than outside so a substantial amount of wall is still visible. Inside the wall there are the remains of the keep which at one time was surrounded by a variety of other buildings all of which are now all but invisible. The well has also survived. The drawbridge was protected by two round towers which untill recently were amost dismantled to ground level but have since been rebuilt to give some indication as to their origional appearance.
In its day the castle must have been an imposing site. All the vegitation surrounding it would have been cleared away and also the approach road along the ridge would have been horribly exposed had an enemy been rash enough to attack from that direction. Now of course the castle is surrounded by thick woodland giving the whole site a much more gentle feel.
Mulgrave castle has a dark side to its past. one of the lords of the manor, Peter de Mauley was thought to have been responsible for the murder of Prince Arthur, the nephew of king John and who was seen as a threat to his succession to the throne. Demauley recieved the Castle and adjoining lands as his reward. His son also named Peter de Mauley is thought to have been involved in the massacre of jews in York, some accounts even say that it was planned at Mulgrave.
During the civil war the castle was held by the royalists before an act of parliament ordred that it be dismantled.
Whitby to Sandsend
Date walked..............Frequently
Distance....................abt 2.5 miles
This is a favourite walk of mine. The start can be found just outside whitby about 1/4 mile along the Sandsend Road near the point where golfers cross. For a short distance, fly tipping is something of an issue but it soon becomes a pleasant walk although it can be a little muddy in wet weather. It is not very well signed but with the aid of an ordinance map it is not dificult to follow. I usually return to Whitby by way of the beach.
Distance....................abt 2.5 miles
This is a favourite walk of mine. The start can be found just outside whitby about 1/4 mile along the Sandsend Road near the point where golfers cross. For a short distance, fly tipping is something of an issue but it soon becomes a pleasant walk although it can be a little muddy in wet weather. It is not very well signed but with the aid of an ordinance map it is not dificult to follow. I usually return to Whitby by way of the beach.
Blencathra
This is a walk I did a few years back, 2007 to be exact. The main reason for doing it was basicaly because our last house was called Blencathra and to my shame, before we moved in I had never heard of the mountain before.
2/8/07