Walking Diary 2025

Delayed by a week due to a heavy fall of snow, just five walkers arrived at the car park for the Marfield Wetlands Nature Reserve.   Anxious to get started, they left at pace

Cunningly the walkers made a small detour to locate a bridge and pose for a group photo 

A mere five walkers arrived at the car park beneath the giant Kilburn White Horse.   Since the previous Kilburn walk, exactly 10 years earlier, the walkers were pleased to note that the locals had not mislaid the White Horse again, although they were concerned about its missing head!!   However, they were more troubled by the disappearance of a lake, which was rumored to have been located nearby.  

The walkers set off up the White Horse steps at a pace not recorded for years

Conditions on the tops deteriorated with driving snow, but the walkers continued their mission unperturbed

Paul remained confident of the route to the missing lake, but the others were unsure!!

A bridge hidden by holly was quickly negotiated

SUCCESS!!!    The walkers were triumphant when the lake was located, having been missing for possibly decades.     The co-ordinates were recorded and transferred to the Ordinance Survey so that the lake could be reinstated on their maps.  The authorities were again grateful to the walkers for their diligence.

DISASTER STRUCK when progress slowed due to excessive MUD.  

Would this stop the walkers reaching the Forresters Arms for lunch?

Cunningly the walkers constructed a bridge over the worst of the mud that enabled their passage to the Forresters Arms without further delay

Just one more bridge had to be crossed before Kilburn came into sight and the walkers knew that their mission would be a success

Soup with chips was selected by the majority of the walkers at the Forresters Arms, before heading, via the Mouseman Furniture showroom nextdoor, back to their cars.

A one mile steep road climb was accomplished taking the walkers back to their cars.  However, it was remarked how fresh the walkers looked after their legendry walk. 

Six eager walkers arrived in Preston-under-Scar and after the customary group photo set off thinking about the proposed lunchtime stop in Redmire, in the bright sunshine

The walkers were pleased to find a good supply of bridges on-route

The cunning walkers detective skills soon located the hidden remnants of a long lost railway.  They agreed to meet at a future time to repair the line and restore train services for the locals.   However, they agreed that this work should not interrupt their planned lunch stop

Great views of Penhill were seen as the walkers headed towards Redmire

When the walkers managed to pass a flooded section of the roadway - thus saving their lunchtime plans 

Scenes of great excitement were witnessed when Redmire came into sight.

Lunch at the Redmire Village Pub proved most successful

The walkers were reluctant to leave their corner in the sun, but vowed to return again on another day

Seven super fit walkers arrived in the village of Newton-le-Willows ready to set off on their walk of discovery and education

If only a bridge could have been constructed over this waterway!!!

Yet more styles came into view!!

BUT WHERE WERE ALL THE BRIDGES!!!

The walkers entertained themselves during the hunt for bridges

But John showed some reluctance to leave the park

Lunch was enjoyed in the sunshine with good food and ale at the Bay Horse Inn in Crakehall, but they remained perturbed and anxious that no bridges had been discovered

The walkers can be seen here rushing to find a bridge!!

SUCCESS - The bridges were now discovered and added to the Ordnance Survey maps of the area.  The walkers were triumphant.

The walkers questioned the logic of the locals

The walkers were proud of their achievements on yet another historic walk

Seven keen walkers arrived at the Nidd Gorge car park ready to test Jim's testing walk.

Immediately the walkers were faced with a fotbridge, which they accomplished with ease.

The scenery proved to be incredible, as they crossed the fast flowing River Nidd.

The walkers were pleased with the quality of the boardwalks and bridge that had been constructed in their honor

As the walkers climbed to the Nidd Viaduct, they were overwhelmed by the majesty of the bridge and stared helplessly in amazement

After crossing the viaduct the walkers felt the need for immediate refreshment and hurried to 'The Guy Fawkes' in Scotton for nourishment

On leaving the 'Guy Fawkes' the walkers made their way quickly back to their cars thankful of another successful walk in good weather

Just three super fit walkers arrived at Paul's house at the start of another epic walk

Bridges arrived rapidly as the walk unfolded

John spent much time studying the ground, whilst the others tried to ignore him.

John and Bruce were pleased to find a substantial bridge

Was this a real bridge?
Where is the water?

Why was this Citroen Van in the Dales?

All goals achieved!!

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The three weary walkers at the end of a splendid day

A splendid turn out of eight walkers arrived at Ashfield House in Otley for coffee and Pain au Raisin at Jenny's.  The route left the house, back up to the road turning onto a footpath at Boots Well

The walkers were quick to gather on a special hidden bridge, with much debate about the quantity of water flowing beneath and whether there was a bridge there at all!!

The walkers contemplated calling the Air Ambulance after a major injury was caused by a hole in Jim's right sock.   First aid was administered by John to allow the walk to continue.   The other walkers were very grateful.

The excitement of reaching Clifton tired the walkers who elected to take a Mars Bar Crispy break.

They were thrilled to find the remnants of a bridge nearby

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One final bridge before the walkers again traversed Green Lane on their way back to Ashfield House

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The walkers were successful in stopping the flow of water over the weir to allow the walk to continue.   They were pleased with their efforts.

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The walkers posed outside the Bull Inn in the knowledge that their walk was over.   Only a single road crossing was required to re-unite the walkers with their cars.   All agreed it had been a most satisfactory walk.

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The walkers were annoyed and frustrated to find the first bridge, although of high quality, bore a 'Private Property - Keep Out' sign.

The walkers were consoled by convincing themselves that they had found an alternative bridge (only they knew the truth!)

However, John's promises of bridges soon came to fruition

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.One last group photo records the end of another successful walk, with thanks to John.

Just 4 walkers braved the horizontal rain and deep mud to start in Aysgarth, following down to Yore Bridge passing by St Andrews Church.  They trudged through Bear Park to Carperby and continue the climb up to Oxclose Gate to join Oxclose Road (track).  They were seen following this track along the fell side to Heugh, before dropping down to Newbiggin, where they gathered for a group photo.

The walkers were concerned about crossing the next bridge due to the torrents of water cascading underneath, but no disasters occurred

Paul pondered whether a pub lay at the end of the rainbow.   They quickly rushed off to find if this was 'The Signal'.

They all agreed that the rainbow, in fact, ended in a pint of Theakstons.

Lunches and more ale was enjoyed by the walkers at the Kings Arms in Askrigg, before they declared their walk 'Complete'.  Although the service was slow, the beer (Theaksons) was good, but the chips were disappointing.  However the company and camaraderie was exceptional.

A small group of intrepid explorers departed Aysgarth for the surrounding countryside.

The walkers soon encountered a near un-navigable obstacle (the River Ure) but with the assistance of some bin bags and a high degree of fortitude, the TWADs were able to wade through and overcome the torrent and continue their journey. Whilst a passer by recorded the end of the episode, Colin disposed of the bin liners in an environmentally safe manner.

The eagle eyed adventurers were keen to acquire their target destination and soon spotted it on the horizon. The Fox & Hounds beaconed!

Sadly, the warm welcome at the Fox & Hounds was not matched by the quality of the ale and the chips were at best acceptable.

Even the people on the adjacent table, who were drinking a different beer had reason to complain.

Downhearted, but not defeated the lads moved on to the final bridge: the Bridge over Bishop Beck where, for geographical reasons, Colin and the boys went their separate ways

Meanwhile, back in Aysgath, the remaining 3 parted company in anticipation of another rip-roaring adventure.

Despite a number of last minute drop outs, due to viruses and flu, a respectable group of seven walkers gathered in the market place at Leyburn ready for a leisurely 10:15am start.  

As the walkers passed Harmby, crossing Mill Beck presented no challenge for the experienced walkers, who took the walk with characteristic easy

With Tom's incredible fitness level, he found the pace so easy that he took every opportunity to let the others catch up, not knowing that were in fact searching for more bridges

Leaving Harmby the walk took them through familiar areas and they became excited as they realised that they were nearing Cover Bridge

Indeed on reachng the Cover Bridge Inn the walkers were pleased to see that their colleagues (Ed, Andy & Dick) had already reserved the back room for their festivities