Jo and Dennis’s Winter Walk

At last the weather was suitable for the walk to go ahead. It turned out to be a day well worth waiting for and even though it was cold the sun shone and there was hardly a cloud to be seen in the blue sky. The group was only small with just six walkers but the walk was very pleasant indeed. It started at Pately Bridge and the walkers followed the Nidderdale Way which ran alongside the River Nidd. When Gouthwaite reservoir was reached the walkers stopped for a picnic lunch and sampled the biscuits bought from the Young Farmers stall earlier that morning. The walkers then crossed over the river and climbed up the valley side and passed through Heathfield Farm where there was a newly born calf in a stable with its rather anxious looking mother.

The walk then passed through a well laid out caravan park where some of the walkers had previously spent holidays. As higher land was reached the woodland changed to lovely open moorland and eventually the walkers came to a disused quarry. After a short steep climb the walkers rejoined the Nidderdale Way and walked along a track most likely used by the mine workers in the past. As the walkers passed another farm lambs could be seen in the field and rare breed hens wandered freely about. The walk then went down the hillside where there were fine views of the surrounding countryside.

Thanks go to Dennis and Jo for patiently waiting for the weather to improve and for planning yet another excellent walk.