A Walk in the Cleveland Hills (or is it Yorkshire) Forums

Broom

Hi All

Still without a van, so we were off today Sunday 24th February 2008 on another walking expliot, looked at the weather forcast a big cloud was over the Yorkshire Dales, so we decided on a walk in the North Yorkshire Moors and the Cleveland Hills, we selected a walk just south of Stokesly at Clay Bank on the B1257.
We that is Mitsi, the wife and me were up at 7.00 flasks and sandwiches packed when the phone rings, are you going walking was question from the other end, its was the wifes mate Hazel a firry red head if there ever was one, yes I said timidly, I'm coming, I have to make a marang first will be with you for 9.30, OK I said fearfully, she arived as advised so we were off Mitsi, the wife, me, hazel and Rossi a long haired Jack Russell, he's named after a motorbike racer or something, again my mate should have come but was working making some cash for the start of the season was his excuse. The morning was quite dull but we travelled north, York, Helmsley, then the B1257 to Stokesly, just short of Stokesley we parked in Clay Park car park, what a lovely view over the Noth East could see the sea and Roseberry Topping
Boots and gear on we were off across the road and straight at it a 500ft climb to the top of Hasty Bank, we all strugled a bit, you need time to get warmed up before a climb, the assent was quite steep and the sun was starting to come out, great to be out again Hazel and the wife had not stopped talking since we set off, so me and the dogs pulled a little bit infront didn't want to get head ache, achieved the summit somewhat breathless, by this time it was quite bright and panormic views were great, we stopped a while to get our breath and let the girls catch up they had stopped talking due to lack of breath presumably. The way infront just looked like a ridge walk to the girls so they were quite happy to progress, little did they know. for about a mile we walked across the top of Hasty bank heading west, then they saw the valley come up in front of us, we had to drop a few hundered feet and then climb back up even further to the top of Cold Moor, as we dropped down Mitsi and Rossi were not pleased as they had to be on their leads due to the sheep. We made it across the small vally and decided it was time for our sandwiches, found a sheltered spot in the sun but out of the wind, got out my trusty supermarket plastic bag which all walkers should have to sit on, and Hazel said I want that, who am I to argue, we all settled down, dogs with biscuits us with sandwiches when the wife pionted up the fell to a guy running, look at him go, we watched him run down to us and then just leap over a four foot gate, brought back memories of me forty years ago doing silly things like that, oh to be fit and young again.
We finished our break and were off again up the 500 foot Cold Moor, quite a bit of wind chill, got to the top and looked round full panoramic view could see the Dales to the West and the Sea to the East, North went on for ever. The girls were quite pleased they made it to the top without having to stop talking and the way infront looked reasonable, again little did they know, we traversed the drop off on the north side and saw 2 caravan sites in the bottom, not sure of their names but there was paths leading up the fell from both. We carried on the ridge observed a few spoil heaps which I have been informed were where mining for Jet had taken place in the distant past. we carried on over the top to discover a further valley and an even bigger climb up the otherside to the top of Cringle Moor, I was by this time suffiently infront as to not hear the girls abuse the valley and the climb back up was negotiated without problems waited at the top to let them catch up, mainly because the wife was carry the coffee, we had a 10 minute stop taking in the gorgous day and the view, I assured the girls the climbing was now done for the day.
We dropped down to low level and then made our way back via an old Jet mining track to the car park, I didn't think it was worth risking my life on climbing the 4th hill Carlton Bank. The girls enjoyed it once they had got their breath back and I heared comments like we should have lost a bit of weight doing that and hope I wont be too stiff in the morning.
Another great walk in my beloved county Yorkshire or is it Cleveland this bit not quite sure.

Best regards
Broom

PS could not get SpellCheck to work

ksebruce

Steamdrivenandy

Sounds like a v good day out.

I went to walk the dogs at Quarry Moor, Ripon and forgot there was a 2m height restriction. Had to change plans and diverted off to the Ripon Canal and walked the dogs a few miles along there. It looks like good birdwatching country on the old gravel workings beside the racecourse.

When I got home the OH had arranged Sunday lunch at one of the village pubs so just about recovering my appetite.

I think that Cleveland (as a county) is no more and the there are various so called unitary authorities or some such bureaucratic silliness. I believe some of the old Cleveland came back into North Yorkshire, but I may be wrong.

I still think we should have the old Ridings and let the local authorites call themselves what they like, but not foist it on the road signs or postal addresses. From old maps our village was in the West Riding, as was Harrogate and the North Riding border was at Ripon, north of us.

ksebruce

By the way it's Yorkshire the cleveland Hills take their name from the ancient Cleveland not the created county of Cleveland. Very Happy

Steamdrivenandy

Ah that's absolutely correct, the same range of hills, but round our side of the Moors are the Hambledons.

clodhopper2006

very nice report. Reminds me of my old stomping ground many years ago when we lived on Teesside. Out of interest did you notice any motorhome overnighting restrictions in the Clay bank car park?

Bob

TheRallier

Broom

Hi All

Ken
Thanks for that we had a great day, we will defanatley revisit.

Andy
We have family links to Ripon, my brother owned the Art Gallery and set up Ripon Finanlial Services he lived in Sharow and is buried in the church their, I also know a lot of guys through