Harewood and Emmerdale country.

October 10 2016.

I was in Leeds for a few days. My son recommended this varied walk - I inadvertently extended it a bit, but wouldn't recommend trying to walk along the busy A61, between mile 4 and 5 on the map.  About 6 and a half miles.

There is just about a walkable verge all the way, but it's noisy, and a bit dodgy in a couple of places. Another time, I would turn back and find the proper route!


Just after the turning to Harewood House on the A61, there is a left turn along a small road. I started my walk with a cup of coffee in the Muddy Boots Café, which is in the village hall.  

After this the road is private as far as motor vehicles are concerned, and it hugs the walls of the Harewood grounds.

In half a mile or so you emerge into an open area with wide views across to Almscliffe Crag

and Arthington Viaduct.

According to the OS map there is a church on the other side of the wall, but it seems well hidden among the trees.  I couldn't see it even with a short detour up the track to the left.

There was a herd of deer, and the stags were in good voice.  Buzzards and red kites were around too. Soon after the field where the deer are, the route turns left, following the contours round the hill. The path so far has been following the Ebor Way, and continues to do this for about another mile, through the farmyard called Stank on the map, across the stream from the Fish Pond.  It continues up hill slightly past some more buildings, and at Stub House plantation, You should turn left along the Leeds Country Way. 

The leaves were just beginning to show their autumn colours

View of the Fish Pond from the path along the side of woodland, heading for Stub House plantation.

I managed to miss the turn and continued heading south - this takes you past the area used to film Emmerdale - as shown by various signs on gates:

I met an Irish couple who were in Yorkshire to see the 'real' Emmerdale. 
I walked blithely on, following an easy path, not realising how far out of the way I had wandered until I came to the road to Eccup Reservoir. I couldn't see any rights of way to walk back and decided not to risk the other footpaths. Retracing my steps goes against the grain!  The walk to the reservoir past Owlet Hall and across the dam is fine, and another time I might continue right round the reservoir.

 Instead I walked for about a mile along the A61 - there is a verge, but it is not by any means pleasant. I joined it near Millfield Farm, went past Wikefield Farm entrance, and passed the minor road to Wike. This would be another alternative route!  The short busy stretch between the two roads leading to Wike is not good for walking - you need to keep ears and eyes working the whole time.

At last I reached the second road to Wike, and opposite this I joined the Leeds Country Way. 

Harewood House from the Leeds Country Way

Just after is a turn to the right along a very pleasant wooded permissive path, almost parallel to the main road.

The path emerges on to the main road just after a derelict house very close to the Harewood House entrance.

PS: This is the route I should have taken . . .

Another Northamptonshire walk - Corby ,Little Oakley, Newton Church, back via Great Oakley.

Monday 03 October

With Gordon and Maureen.

We started from Morrisons, and walked to little Oakley, under the viaduct and the new A43.
The route goes behind Little Oakley church, then follows a farm track up towards Newton. We didn't call in at the Dovecot cafe this time, but had our break on the bench outside Newton church Field Centre, where a woman who works there took a snap of the three of us.

We returned along the path behind the cafe, then along its drive to join the road briefly, before taking the farm track, then the footpath which leads to a row of electricity pylons, and downhill towards the small road bridge over the A43. 

We followed the road to the junction and turned right. A short distance further on we took a path to our left which took us into Great Oakley. Then into the parkland, past Great Oakley church to meet Lewin Road.

Norfolk 3 -On the bike - Kelling, Holt, Letheringsett, Glandford, Blakeney,Wiveton,

Friday 30 September

A very pleasant gently rolling ride with plenty of stops, for drawing, for looking at the world. 

After breakfast we cycled to Holt,

drew the Methodist church, 

then went to Byford's for coffee and scones.
Then we made our way to Blakeney via Letheringsett Water Mill

and the Gallery at Glandford(mainly wildlife pics). 

We bought baguettes and dairylea at the Spar shop, ate them by Blakeney creek,

and drew a little more

before cycling back to Kelling via Wiveton and Salthouse Heath with views of the sea. Harry saw a large flock of lapwings.  I was too busy cycling! 

Norfolk 2 - Short walk near Felbrigg Hall

We used to visit Norfolk almost every summer, but hadn't been for some years. This year we had the chance to spend a few days exploring new places and revisiting some old haunts. After a mroning wandering around Sheringham, wedecided to make use of the National Trust membership and visited Felbrigg Hall, near Holt. 

 There's the usual good, though not cheap, cafe for lunch.

A lovely setting and interesting interior, and an eccentric ancestor, known as "Mad" Windham.  Ok, not the way to talk about anyone, but here's some info and you get the chance to dress up with a cap like his! 

 Impressive house, with a beautiful kitchen garden, complete with orangery and dovecote ...

 ...a  conveniently placed church

 grazing sheep . .

 a lake . . 

 and plenty of woodland walks.

Norfolk 1 - Kelling circular via Salthouse

Tuesday 27 September

We arrived in Kelling in the early afternoon, and after a quick lunch followed the path towards the beach, but missed the right hand turn after the lake, and found ourselves on the outskirts of Salthouse, chatting to a woman picking blackberries.

The wind blew strongly

Lovely surface for walking

What a poser!

From there we headed to the beach and walked back along the shingle for a mile or so before picking up the path we should have followed.  

I guess we walked about 4 miles.

Back home . . .

Catch up time.  Very brief summaries!

Monday September 19th

Duddington to Fineshade and back with Gordon.  Somewhere between 4 and 6 miles. Dull weather but dry.

Thursday 22 September

Brigstock circular via Fermyn Hall and the woods. Parallel to the Bocase Stone, but not past it.  About 7 miles.

A

Chile highlights - part 5 Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge

Another day out from La Serena.

This time we headed south along Route 5 to the Fray Jorge Forest park.
This is famous for having the northernmost temperate rain forests. Coastal fog hangs on the mountain-slopes and vegetation, allows the hydrophilic forests to survive despite being surrounded by semiarid scrub.

We were struck by the scent of flowers and the birdsong. 

For further photos and info check Harry's blog