A cloudy day with the sun threatening to break through but never quite making it for long. The hills were covered by a haze which took the edge off what would have been wonderful views.
The bad news was that there was a strong westerly wind which would be against us on the outward leg - the good news was that we would positively fly on the way back to Aysgarth. The other groups having starting their walk before reaching Aysgarth would have had the wind against them for the whole walk.
After being dropped off at a lay-by just off the main road at the outskirts of Aysgarth (SE 004883) we walked west through fields to a track. Here we turned left before joining a path on our right taking us in a south-west direction to Folly Lane .
As we took a left turn down this rough track we could see that the ford ahead at Heaning Gill looked deep so we took advantage of some wooden benches to have a quick coffee stop before negotiating it. We continued on the track until at SD 995868 we turned right on to Haw Lane where we continued west, eventually joining up with Stake Road, with Gayle Ing in woodland down the valley on our right. The path became more exposed and the wind got noticeably stronger. When we reached Busk Track we turned right, Addleborough Hill dominating the skyline up ahead.
Up to now we had been fighting against the strong wind but now it was now at our sides and we were looking forward walking the final leg with the wind at our backs. As we reached Carperly Green the track turned into Carperly Green Road . Soon we turned right onto a footpath taking us over exposed moor. By now the wind was now on our backs making the going easy.
|
After a while Russell suggested, seriously I think, that some of us may want to run up to the summit of Addleborough. We declined the offer, our excuse being that it was getting late but the thought of struggling steeply uphill against the wind was probably nearer the truth. It would have been interesting on the summit as there are some carved stones there - the Romans had a lookout station at Addleborough and an ancient British chieftain is thought to be buried in a cairn close by. We continued on this path until at SD 967884 we joined a lane down into the village of Thornton Rust. |
|
Here we turned right continuing on the road until shortly after crossing Gill Beck we joined a footpath on our left which took us into Aysgarth but not without having to squeeze through several squeeze stile on the way. If we had more time some would have liked to explore an impressive looking rock garden on the outskirts of Aysgarth.
A not so private rock garden
In 1906 Frank Sayer-Graham commissioned Backhouse, the famous alpine specialists and nurserymen from York, to create his own personal Rock Garden complete with mountain stream and pool. Development took the best part of 8 years, the rock being brought down from Stephen's Moor at Thornton Rust. Each boulder was transported on a low horse-drawn cart. The construction was overseen by one of Backhouse's top foremen WA Clark who: 'was paid £1 a day, always wore gloves, carried a small gavelock (crowbar) and went home every third week'
The rock garden was restored in 2002/2003
|
A suggestion by Russell that we explore the rock garden was met by shock from some us who were looking forward to a visit to the pub in Aysgarth. We continued in search of the coach at the car park near Yore Bridge. Instead of going into the village we decided to visit the pub/restaurant/ butchers at the car park where not only could we have a beer but was able to view 'Happy Piggy Pork' while waiting in the long queue. |
.jpg)