Start/Finish: Aysgarth Falls NT Car Park
Distance: 9 miles
Time Taken: 5 hours (including Tea Shop visit)
Companion(s): dittzzy
Route Map:
With life events having gone from bad to worse as of Wednesday evening this week, when I received a message from dittzzy on Thursday evening offering companionship on a walk this weekend, I jumped at the chance to get out and about and make a new acquiantance. Dittzzy quickly came up with a route suggestion for us and arrangements were made for us to meet at about 9.30am on Saturday.
As the day approached, I have to admit that I seriously considered backing out of this one as I was feeling so down and I was worried that I wouldn't be very good company, especially considering that dittzzy and I would be meeting for the first time. However, I managed to persuade myself (with the help and encouragement of one or two others) that it would be far better for me to make my best efforts to enjoy a day out in the great outdoors and in good company than it would be for me to sit wallowing in misery at home. Excellent decision that turned out to be too :-) [Thanks to everyone who helped]
So, although feeling a bit more unprepared than usual and a bit apprehensive about how I would cope with everything, I set out on the drive to the Yorkshire Dales at about 8am. As I got further and further away from home, I realised that I was beginning to turn my attention away from the troublesome life events and anticipation of a good day out on a good walk began to fill my mind instead - the therapy seemed to be working already :-)
By the time I arrived at the Aysgarth Falls NT Car Park, I was in a much better frame of mind and was looking forward to the day ahead. Dittzzy had already arrived and, having introduced ourselves, we proceeded to get kitted out and ready for the off.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn't as good as forecasted for today but it was fine and dry and reasonably warm and we hoped that the rain would hold off for us.
We began our walk with a visit to Aysgarth Upper Falls....
Then we headed out across the fields.....
until we arrived in the pretty little village of West Burton...
....where we visited West Burton Waterfall....
From there we headed uphill, across the fields again, to gain a little height....
....and then took the Morpeth Gate path to lead us along past Morpeth Scar....
Continuing on our way, we kept our eyes peeled for the track we needed going off to our left....
....and once located, we headed downhill again....
....taking in the views over to Castle Bolton on the way....
...passing an impressive bull enjoying his lunch....
....heading through Swininthwaite to join the field paths...
....and through some woods - with an interesting tree stump....
....to reach Redmire Force....
As we climbed uphill from here, I couldn't resist looking back to take one more photo...
....and then we continued on our way along the river.....
...to reach the stepping stones which we intended to cross. However, I was a proper wuss at this point and, having ventured so far across and realising how wet and slippery the middle stones were going to be, I wimped out and turned back round again....
Luckily, it was a simple task to change our planned route and we simply followed some more field paths....
....and enjoyed more river views....
....and views of Aysgarth Lower Falls and Middle Falls....
After a visit to the tea shop for welcome refreshments, we returned to the car park so that we could relieve ourselves of the rucksacks before heading down to view the Middle Falls and Lower Falls from the other side of the river....
I know you can't make it out but, there is a heron taking centre stage in this picture...apparently it is a regular visitor at Middle Falls :-)
.....and so to Lower Falls for the full view.....
An excellent day out, in great company on a wonderfully easy, gentle walk route - just what the doctor ordered! :-) Thanks for a brilliant day dittzzy.
