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Train
Walks 2007
Below are reports and photos of selected train walks from
2007. Please click on the appropriate links to view these.
3 February - Gargrave to Gisburn via
Marton Scar
24 February - Settle to Hellifield via
Sugar Hill & Langber Lane
3 March - Ilkley Circular via Addingham
High Moor & Beamsley Beacon
10 March - Gargrave Circular via Flasby,
Hetton & Friars Head
31 March - Hellifield to Malham via
Otterburn and Weet's Top
12 May - Lazonby to Armathwaite via
Kirkoswald
19 May - Settle Circular via Pikedaw
2 June - Arnside Circular via Eaves
Wood and Gait Barrows
16 June - Kirkby Stephen Circular via
Nateby, Hartley & Winton
30 June - Horton Circular via Ingleborough
21 July - Ilkley Circular via Beamsley
Beacon
18 August - Appleby Circular via Flakebridge
Woods and Dufton Pike
1 September - Blubberhouses to Bolton
Abbey via Thruscross Reservoir & Rocking Stone
1 September - Carnforth Circular via
Arnside
24 October - Wennington to Bentham via
River Hindburn & Tatham Valley
3 November - Clapham to Bentham via
Wenning Side, Mewith Head & Fourstones
15 December - Long Preston to Settle
via Attermire Scar
3 February - Gargrave to Gisburn
via Marton Scar
Photos by Eric Bottomley
24 February - Settle to Hellifield
via Sugar Hill & Langber Lane
Arrive Skipton, bus to Settle where we waited a short while
for the second bus (more walkers) 24 bodies in all. Not the
best of weather but not unbearable, a brisk walk through Settle
and then a steep climb up Constitution Hill, (not that it
did my constitution any good) moaning and groaning from some
of our not too fit walkers, all ignored, a steady climb up
the hill, for those who chose not to rush, taking our first
tea brake below Attermire in the dry. Turning right over Sugar
Loaf hill with good views over the valley towards Pendle,
left on the road to Scaleber Force with a short stop to have
a look, forward on to Langber Lane, now we were confident
in not getting lost, here lunch was taken. Langber Lane being
a fair distance in length it is amazing when you look round
to suddenly realize that a lot of work has been done in tree
planting and preservation, building of walls, strengthening
of banking and information boards.
Bookilber Barn now seems to be in a more advanced stage of
renovation having taken a lot of years to reach its present
condition, it looks very impressive. Forward on the track
turning right towards Hellifield Moor Top, at this point Deryck
decided to grease his sticks and he was off (had he smelt
the beer) heading towards Haw Lane we had to pass through
a herd of Highland Cattle these are most docile and did not
show a lot of interest in our party (what is there to see)
entering Hellifield and in to the pub, (Black Horse) we are
always made welcome and they do serve tea. As the train times
are not precise at the moment some of our party caught the
service bus while the rest of us had another pint. Finally
after feeling refreshed we headed for the train, what train!!
It was not there, Joyce off down to the signal box, a few
shouts and info was that it had been cancelled, a call from
Deryck to the help line, they said they would call back, this
they did to inform us that a bus would pick us up at the bottom
of the road in ten mins, guess what it arrived. Luxury travel
with a humorous driver and a pleasant journey to Skipton so
Northern came up with the goods and we were not much out of
time. A pleasant day a little rain a little inconvenience
a good pint what more could you ask at our age. Thanks Joyce
and Glennis plus those on the walk.
The Pain.
Report by Eric Bottomley
3 March - Ilkley Circular via Addingham
High Moor & Beamsley Beacon
Please click the links below to view the photos
A welcome change of scenery, decent weather forecast and
a short train journey within the West Yorks Metro boundary
were excuse enough for 31 (yes 31) keen Dalesrailers to mass
at Ilkley station for this strenuous walk. A short climb to
walk along the ridge via the Swastika stone towards Addingham
Moor brought clear, far reaching views followed by a sharp
descent after morning coffee to Addingham village with its
pretty church and suspension bridge. Following the adage what
goes down goes up, an ascent across fields and woodland to
reach the lunch stop above Langbar with distant views across
to Otley Chevin. Continuing upwards the top of Beamsley Beacon
brought a breathtaking 360 degree panorama toward Bolton Abbey
and across to Pendle Hill; the human caravan of Dalesrailers
making good speed on moorland paths to Round Hill, from where
Emley Moor Transmitter and the cooling towers at Drax, Eggborough
and Ferrybridge Power stations could be seen in the far distance.
From Lippersley Ridge the unmistakable "golf" balls
of Menwith Hill were visible and further away the White Horse
at Kilburn could just about be made out. After a final break
it was downhill in dazzling sunlight reflecting mirror-like
off March Gyll reservoir to Ilkley and refuelling of the hand
pulled variety at the Bar t'at to reflect on a superb walk
enjoyed by all.
Photos and report by Ian Hull
10 March - Gargrave Circular via
Flasby, Hetton & Friars Head
The Gargrave circular walk on the 10th March was a celebratory
event for the leader, Glennys, for whom it was a significant
birthday and the start of a life of leisure. 25 eager walkers
and one dog set off from the station on a bright, crisp, spring
morning for what was going to be a 'party on the hoof'.
The ground underfoot wasn't as muddy as we have experienced
in the past few weeks, which was a pleasant change. The merry
band of walkers arrived at Flasby in good time for the morning
break when the party commenced. Corks popped, champagne flowed,
chocolates were distributed, speeches were made and gifts
presented. What a presentation. Eric did the honours and proposed
the toast, then proceeded to demonstrate his gift of a chastity
belt - a 'Pound Shop' best buy. Other useful gifts followed
and as it had been stipulated that no one was to spend more
than a pound, the thought really did count .
Among the many presents was a birthday cake hat, a most annoying
frog, and a string vest and thong knitting kit. Well, Glennys
has to have something to fill in all that extra free time.
The mood set, we continued our walk through the fields towards
Hetton enjoying very mild, sunny weather. Our lunch stop at
Hetton was more subdued than the morning break as, unfortunately,
we were not treated to the drama of extraordinary demonstrations,
just more champagne and goodies.
We arrived back at Gargrave in time to acquaint ourselves
with the delights of the local pub - a lovely place which
can be recommended.
Eventually and reluctantly we walked to the station for the
trainbus back to Skipton.
Many thanks to our leader, Glennys, and back up, Pat Wilson
for a wonderful walk.
A day with champagne, sunshine and good companions.
Report by Friend of the Pain
31 March - Hellifield to Malham via
Otterburn and Weet's Top
Fairies discovered at Janet's Foss, near Malham - look carefully!
Photo by Eric Bottomley
12 May - Lazonby to Armathwaite via
Kirkoswald
Please click the links below to view the photos
Photos by Eric Bottomley
19 May - Settle Circular via Pikedaw
Please click the links below to view the photos
Photos by Eric Bottomley
2 June - Arnside Circular via Eaves
Wood and Gait Barrows
Please click the links below to view the photos
Photos by Eric Bottomley
16 June - Kirkby Stephen Circular
via Nateby, Hartley & Winton
Photos by Eric Bottomley
30 June - Horton Circular
via Ingleborough
On the Saturday after all the floods in South Yorkshire and
another forecast of heavy rain for the weekend, 11 valiant
souls set off in light rain from Horton. Up through soggy
fields form the station, and on through Sulber Nick we trudged,
Stuart leading with Penny Smith as back-up.
We couldn't see Ingleborough, it was covered in mist but we
carried on in the rain. When we reached Little Ingleborough
it was lunchtime and we started to eat and then the heavens
opened; the heavy rain that had been forecast drenched us
and continued until well after we reached the summit and started
our descent.
Not one of us arrived back in Horton in dry clothes, some
were soaked to the skin, more like January than June, but
we had all enjoyed the "walk" and dried off in the
café or pub.
It couldn't have been a wetter day for Stuart's debut as leader,
but he took it all in his stride!
The rain proved too much for Penny's lighter and no matter
how hard she tried she couldn't get a lucky strike!
Report by Carole Ballard
21 July - Ilkley Circular via Beamsley
Beacon
Also known as Olicana a Roman name.
Our first casualty of the day, our leader due to unforeseen
circumstance, the post immediately filled by the back up.
Off to a brisk pace 18 centurions not in skirts and sandals
but in proper walking gear to brave the elements of a not
too promising day. Gliding through the town centre down towards
the open air pool for a toilet stop, (not in the pool) across
the grass climbing through the edge of town, an Art Deco House
was then spotted which created a lot of interest, on up hunger
hill on reaching the top, yes you have guessed it we had elevenses,
here we lost our second casualty with an Achilles problem.
He has a lot to answer for this Achilles!!?, if he had been
held in a different place, more private, there would have
been fewer problems for walkers but more problems for other
activities, not bad new leader two out of eighteen. A steady
climb up a track, not much improvement in the weather, approaching
a small hamlet, would you believe it, another casualty the
back up, as some one decided to go with the back up that was
4 down 14 to go. A long steady climb with a lot of boggy patches,
here some one produced 2 bin bags to cover her legs, one problem
she had short legs and we all know how big bin bags are, on
towards Beamsley Beacon with the weather worsening, we then
decided to go forward and walk the ridge hoping it would improve
when we reached the wall. Nearing the wall a Kite was spotted
not far away, a lot larger bird than I had thought; next another
large bird skimming the ground, a Bog Owl was the cry, a Bog
Owl! What they meant was a Short Eared Owl, nearly sounds
the same, as it was not raining we had lunch.
From now on it was all down hill, long heather with views
over Olicana and distant hills, down towards Loftshaw Gill
picking up a track we came upon a dead sheep, none of us really
hungry, forward towards Nessfield, on coming down a track
some excitement at the front, a new born calf, owd on, owd
on, one cow enjoying a meal of 'rops', to you city dwellers
(after birth), a second cow with cleansing hanging down, have
a think two cows with extras, one calf, have a look over the
wall sure enough another calf. Moving off there were numerous
paths to take, it was easy to go the wrong way, not our leader
she was well in control, on reaching the road we were joined
by another walker, thus making one up. Down towards the pool
on the side of the river, what do you do when you see people
looking up in to a tree? Sure enough there was the ball, can
dogs climb trees? Back in to Ilkley for a quick pint.
Well done and thanks Carol plus back ups for a good wet day.
Ignore spelling, grammar and punctuation, absorb the walk.
Rops---- another name for after birth, used by farmers. (pronunciation
- rhymes with tops)
Cleansing----another name used by farmers for after birth.
Some smart farmers about.
Report by 'The Mellowed Pain'.
18 August - Appleby Circular via
Flakebridge Woods and Dufton Pike
Although not blessed with good weather 9 people + dog set
out from Appleby Station to do or die.
The first hazard was to cross the A66. Having completed this
successfully we then carried on over the fields and through
Flakebridge woods inspecting the rearing pens on the way.
Reaching Keisley we then tried out the old track up to the
quarry to finally join the Pennine Way for a short distance
before, to the joy of our leader, we reached open access land.
This terrain being new to us all we ignored the rain and happily
worked our way across moor and boulder fields and down to
eventually reach the track up Great Rundale, this we ignored
and climbed up to the top of Dufton Pike. Great views from
the top, but what goes up must come down, which meant the
next hazard was to get over a somewhat dilapidated wall at
the bottom of the hill. Wall building completed we continued
through Dufton and field paths back to Appleby with time for
suitable refreshments and final drying off for our wet gear.
Thank you Jack and Sylvia for another cracking walk.
Report by Audrey Sessions
1 September - Blubberhouses to Bolton
Abbey via Thruscross Reservoir & Rocking Stone
Please click the links below to view the photos
Photos by Eric Bottomley
1 September - Carnforth Circular
via Arnside
Limestone Pavement at
Gait Barrows - please click here to view
Photo by Pat Bottomley
24 October - Wennington to Bentham
via River Hindburn & Tatham Valley
Great
Stone of Fourstones - please click here to view
Photo by Penny Smith
3 November - Clapham to Bentham via
Wenning Side, Mewith Head & Fourstones
Please click the links below to view the photos
Photos by Eric Bottomley
15 December - Long Preston to Settle
via Attermire Scar
Please click the links below to view the photos
Photos by Eric Bottomley
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