Terry Smith's Photo Walks

Today's Walk 24th May 2008: Clay Bank Top (GR 573036). to Gribdale Gate (GR 593110) 12.5 miles with 1,500 feet
of ascent.

Map: Explorer OL26 North York Moors, Western Area.

Weather: A dull, cool and cloudy start to the day imroving by the afternoon to pleasant sunshine.

Leaving Clay Bank Top there is a steady climb to the point from where the above photo was taken. Once through the
gate in the stone wall the gradient eases although the climbing continues up Urra moor to reach Round Hill. At 1,489
feet it is the highest point on the North Yorkshire Moors. The old trig point stands on the mound of a tumulus. From
which there are good views of the surrounding hills and moorland.

In the background is the trig point marking the highest point on the N.Y.M. and in the foreground is the 'hand stone'
which is an old guidestone, between 'Stoxla' (Stokesley) and 'Kirby' (Kirbymoorside).

This lonely spot is Bloworth crossing (GR 616014) and where we turn left, parting company with the Coast to Coast route with
which we have shared the same path since Osmotherley. It's difficult to imagine that this was once a busy workplace. Part of a
railway line built in 1861 and closing in 1929 it carried Ironstone from Rosedale to the furnaces of the Ironworks at Teesside. On the
moors the railway was never less than 1,000 feet above sea level, and here it is 1,300 feet a.s.l.

The track is exposed and the wind is whipping past (although it feels straight through) us. So jackets are pulled from our rucksacks,
not for their waterproof qualities but for the equally important windproof ones. Ah that feels better, now I can enjoy this lovely track.

Kildale village store and post office (GR607094) , currently a fairly typical sight in these small country villages and very
much appreciated by locals and passers by. Unfortunately though it would appear that many are to disappear and will
soon be just history. The Post Office is no longer seen as a service it's a busines and as such has to make a profit. Small
branches like this have small turnovers and have been earmarked for closure as they're not viable. The post office side of
the businesses have subsidised the shop side and without it the shops will close too. Good business sense or a short
sighted fix? Whatever your view once they've gone they won't be opening up again and yet another much needed facility
will disappear from countryside communities.

Happily, just around the corner from the post office/store the Glebe Cottage tea shop & coffee shop seems to be going
strong. We were ready for a hot drink and as the sun was now shining we sat at one of the tables outside. It was very
pleasant indeed and the horse soon made itself known to us. It turns out that the horse shares the field with two others
who were out being ridden. This horse didn't like being left on its own and no amount of sweet talking from it's owner
would placate it. Though once the other two returned it quietened down immediately.

We're nearing the end of today's walk which will finish just after visiting one of the most well known spots on the North
Yorks. Moors......

A view taken from near to Captain Cook's monument with Roseberry Topping framed in the gap between the trees (creative
photography eh?). We actually should have finished today's walk descending from there, but when planning the trip I decided to cut
today's walk short and increase tomorrow's to make them more equal in distance. My little legs get tired on long walks you know!!

A stone trough and water pump on the village green at Great Ayton. If fuel prices keep rising perhaps we'll see it being used again
by horse and carriages. It would be great news for gardeners though, think of all the free fertilizer and it would be organic too.

We've come down to Great Ayton as we're staying here overnight. It's a nice place and where James Cook spent some of his school
days. We were made very welcome and comfortable at Susie D's guest house. Our room had shared facilities although there is an
en-suite room available. See my Links for contact details.