From Ilton we headed west up on to the moors for some 3 miles before turning north along a Grouse shooters track along side a picturesque valley (Arnagill) leading to the Roundhill Reservoir. The wind was cruel at White lodge Craggs so Lunch was delayed until the Dam where it was quite pleasant in the sun on some stone benches opposite the inaugural Stones layed by some geezers a long time ago. From here we proceeded down the access road until we reached Leighton Reservoir where we met the Masham-Lofthouse road and followed it northwards around the reservoir until we reached Leighton Hall Farm where we turned east on a footpath across two fields and through a wooded valley to join the Ripon Rowel footpath for a short while until meeting the road leading to Healy/Fearby.
We arrived at Fearby to find that the first choice pub was closed!!!! Tom turned somewhat surly but luckily the fall back was still open although it was now 2:30. A very pleasant 40 minutes was had as well as three pints and several bags of crisps (always cheers me up). The landlady although charming was a bit of a stickler and in spite of Bernard's silver tongue we were chucked out at 3:20.
My off the cuff navigation round the back Fearby to regain the road we had come in on was not generally met with enormous approval but was rectified by climbing over only one fence. From here we headed up to the Druids Temple reaching it in the twilight. It looks quite sinister to me and quite inspired Tom to scare his wife/any visiting friends. A flog down the files (and through the mud) by Knowle Farm and then up the bank to Ilton saw us back to the LandRover.
Estimated distance 11.5 miles
Ron Fairbairn