Route Summary - Fremmington, Pillimire Bridge, Marton, Marske, Applegarth, Richmond. |
The weather may have been clear and sunny with a wonderful clear blue sky but the ground was boggy underfoot and it was very windy.
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Climbing up to Fremmington Edge |
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From Fremmington we joined a lane taking us north through High Fremmington then steadily uphill to the extensive Fremmington Edge Chert Quarries. The wind was picking up now, far stronger than the weather forecast, but luckily mainly at our backs. Here (NZ045002) a footpath sign lead us steeply uphill through the quarry workings to a disused radio mast above Fremmington Edge.
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The scenery was wonderful but it was difficult to fully appreciate it with our heads down, shielding ourselves from was now becoming gale force winds - we must be mad! Could have been raining of course - but that doesn't bear thinking about!
We continued across the road following a lane into Marrick. We walked through the village then started to walk up what appeared to be the most obvious route. We were obviously not alone in attempting this route because we were discouraged by no less than two signs proclaiming "no right of way".
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Lunch stop on Pillimire Bridge |
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After walking around the farm we rejoined the right of way (SE080982) and then walked in a north east direction through Nun Cote Nook, Ellers and Hardstile Top through to Marske Beck where we thankfully sheltered from the wind to have lunch on Pillimire Bridge. Then we continued down into Marske, turned left, following the road, until we turned right onto a footpath taking us to Otteringtom Plantation, Applegarth Scar into Applegarth - Whitecliffe Scar and the site of Willance's Leap up above us. |
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As the wind seemed to be moderating the ground became much boggier - the mud way above our boots. At High Applegarth, at a crossroads of paths, we had a long ponder to discuss the correct route before taking the right-hand path down to the River Swale. From here we continued into Richmond with the river never far away on our right, crossing the river on a bridge below Round Howe, where we continued on the south of the river, through woods, to Richmond Bridge, the imposing Richmond castle up ahead. Unusually, Russell agreed with Ken's GPS readout of 12.3 miles for the walk.
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Willance's Leap.
An amazing event took place in 1606. Robert Willance, a Richmond draper, was out hunting one day when a thick fog suddenly came down. His horse, an inexperienced and nervous young mare, bolted and leaped over the edge of Whitcliffe Scar, falling 200 feet (60m). The horse was killed instantly, but luck was on Willance's side, he suffered only a broken leg, which unfortunately was later amputated. Realising he would not be rescued until the fog lifted, he cut open the horse's belly and inserted his injured leg. This action most likely saved his life, as the extra warmth would have delayed the onset of gangrene. Three stones mark the last three strides the horse made, each bearing the inscription: '1606. Glory be to our merciful God who miraculously preserved me from the danger so great'.
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We now had under an hour to get back to the bus, change our boots and get to the pub (or coffee shop) and get back. We tried three pubs starting off with Weatherspoon's before managing to get served at the Fleece. Then it was a rush to get back to the bus by the designated 5 o'clock - just made it!
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