Pen y Ghent - A fell of a race

Today we were bound for Pen y Ghent again because of the Yorkshire 3 peak Fell Race where Tom was a participant.   We got their early so we could get up and half way down before the start of the race at 10am to get a good vantage point to watch the race. 

It was a glorious day with just enough of a chill in the air to make it comfortable for the runners.  I cant imagine running in wind and rain up a hill but then again I cant imagine running up a hill full stop but fair do to those who do. 

It wasn't long before we'd reached the top and climbed over the wall by the stile to start making our way down the path.  We'd planned to stop about half way down to see the runners go up and then come down again before heading back to the finish line to see them come through. 

Tom was doing really well and quite far up the pack on the initial climb and still one of the front runners coming down of Pen y Ghent. 

They still had Whernside and Ingleborough to do but we had a wander down to Hull Pot and then stopped for a pit stop in the pub whilst the runners were tackling the other 2 peaks.  

An hr or so later we were at the finish line to watch Tom complete the race.  He did really well and out of nearly 1000 runners he was in the top 15.  Impressive. 

Hewitts included on this walk: Pen-y-ghent

Date walked: 27/04/2018

Time taken: 3 hrs

Distance: 12 km

Ascent: 525m

Pen y Ghent - a wander up a local dragon

Well we always said if it was raining when we started a walk then we'd not bother but if it started raining while we were on a walk then it was ok as we'd have our waterproofs with us.  This day it was raining but we decided to give it a go anyway and off up the path towards Pen y Ghent we went. 

It wasn't the most pleasant walk but hey, we were out and anything is better than resorting to a TV couch afternoon.  

As with most walks the views sometimes save the day and today was no different.  The changing weather gave the most remarkable skies and as the clouds swirled around us we pushed on up the hill. 

Pen y Ghent is a lovely hill, I've been up here many many times and each time I've always loved the little bit of scrambling that you get just before the summit.  Today was no different and its always a little bit more challenging and exciting when the rocks are wet but not difficult enough for it to be dangerous. 

At the top the views were not too bad, clouds became picturesque and we stopped at the trig point for a few pictures. 

We didn't stop long at the top and were soon on our way back down the hill.  The downward section is mainly stepped but a little bit slippy when wet so care had to be taken. 

After only a couple of hours were back at the car, a little damp but exhilarated after a brilliant walk in some challenging weather.   Glad we got out and my favourite of the Yorkshire 3 peaks never fails to offer a good walk. 

Whitby to Runswick Bay - Brisk and Breezy

A windy, muddy, cold and damp walk along the coast from Whitby to Runswick  Bay.  We chose this walk today mainly because it was one of the only places in the North that was forecast to be dry and it rung true apart from a very short shower, well more of a thick mist really but it was precipitous all the same.

We arrived in Whitby and parked up at the harbour, changed into walking boots and headed out towards the harbour wall and left and then down onto the beach.

The first part of the walk took us along the sand towards Sandsend.  It was bracing to say the least but pleasant enough.  Dogs yapping broke the sound of the waves crashing into shore and we could see a few surfers out on the swell who were brave chaps indeed but the waves were big enough that they had a surf or two whilst we walked by.

At Sandsend we climbed the steps up onto the harbour wall and walked inland slightly to cross the bridge and then followed the coast around the headland. 

We were following the Cleveland way and soon we were on a path that was thick with mud and very much on our own.  Not another soul around and we had to quicken our step as it was getting later in the afternoon and walking through all this mud was hard going.

Around a couple more headlands and Runswick Bay came into view.  We made our way down the wooden steps towards the beach but got a surprise when the path had been completely washed away and a temporary bridge put in place but still it was tricky going as everything was slippy and one false step could mean we landed in the sandy gushing water.  Yuk!

Down onto the beach we were met with what we thought would be our last challenge of the day and that was the fact that the tide was coming in and we had to get over the rocks towards Runswick Bay before that happened and we'd be cut off.  Moving as fast as we could we literally just made it before the tide made its way fully on shore.  There was a family along the shore behind us and I'm not sure they made it back to Runswick without a bit of a paddle.  The sky was pink with the setting of the sun that made for spectacular views.  Stunning.

It was 4pm and we were happy at the thought of catching the 4.10pm bus back to Whitby.  On asking a kind lady in a car where the bus stop was she said oh its at the top of this hill, I'll take you up and instead of dropping us there she took us along to the next one convinced that the 4.10 bus still had to arrive.....WRONG!.... After checking in the local pub at 4.30pm they told me that that only time that the bus was on time was at the beginning of its journey, the rest of the time it was a bit hit or miss.  So we waited, in the cold, dancing on the spot, willing the bus to come round the corner.  Too muddy to go into the pub and anyway what if we'd missed the bus.

Finally about 5.15pm  a bus arrived and whisked us back to Whitby where after a quick change in the car we headed to Threshers for a slap up fish supper and several pots of tea.

 A smashing end to a fab day out.

Last walk of 2015 and its November - darn weather !!!

After a completely gorgeous autumnal day never did we think that this would be the last walk of 2015.  The rain and winds and more rain to follow couldn't have been predicted but what a walk to go out on.  Beautiful light, T-shirt weather and a local and familiar walk that is always full of surprises.  Today the surprise was colour, an abundance of colour everywhere and just gorgeous.

Leaf!

 Along the river, stunning!

 A little twisted?

 Bathed in light

 Sun peeping through the streams of light, beautiful

 Babbling

 The OP

Golden Saunter!

Ingleborough and Simons Fell

First walk of 2015 and we didnt venture far.  The beauty of living in Lancashire is that there are so many options practically on your doorstep.  A couple of good leg stretchers mins away in the shape of Pendle & Boulsworth Hills a little bit of a drive takes you into the Yorkshire dales and then a bit further and your in the glorious Lake District.

Today however it was Ingleborough that was our leg stretcher of choice.  The weather was set to fair with a cold frost to start the day and there was no rain forecast so that was a bonus.  Parking at Clapham we set of up the track that would take us past Gaping Gill and then onwards to Simons Fell.  On the first path we encountered this little chap.  I've not seen as many robins this year as I usually do but perhaps that's because over the past 6 weeks we've not been out as much as we'd like, never the less this little chap gladly waited to have his photo snapped.

 Lisa and Damian joined us on the walk today and Lisa was trying out her new walking boots.  Chris and Lisa are like 2 peas in a pod in this picture all decked out in RAB........Rabtastic !

 The path takes you up through a pass where the ground is rocky but luckily due to the frost the ground was hard and we had no major boggy bits to contend with. 

 Through the pass then on the path past Gaping Gill where a group of ramblers had stopped for their morning coffee.  Hoards of them all huddled around the Gill with their knapsacks and walking sticks out enjoying the countryside as them rambly type folks do.  Are we ramblers?  I tend to think not but then again who knows!

 Our first stop was Simons Fell as it was such a nice day and a pity not to wander over there as Lisa and Damian hadn't been there before.  The views were amazing and although there wasn't much of a sky for pictures it was still bright enough to get a few shots.  The top of Simons Fell is pretty boring, not much to speak of but a pile of stones but we had a drink and a snack and then headed off for the main attraction, that chiseled looking devil, Ingleborough.

 The views were getting slightly better and I couldn't resist this shot of Pendle Hill.  The trek up Ingleborough was uneventful and was a bit blowy on top.  Obligatory visits to the trig and then a huddle in the shelter for a moment and it was onwards back down to the car.

 The light was fading fast and even at 3pm the suns rays were dwindling.  There are several paths off Ingleborough and due to too much chatting we headed off on the wrong one, oops!   It meant a slight detour once we'd got down a bit but nothing too drastic as to dampen a somewhat lovely day.

Ingleborough never fails to make me smile and today was no exception.  Its a lovely hill and even moreso when its not accompanied by hail, snow, rain, wind and the likes as it seems to have done on previous visits.

First walk of 2015 done, bring on next weekend and hopefully calmer weather and the glorious lakes.

Whitby to Robin Hoods Bay walk

Today took us over to the East coast as promise of a dry day with some sun proved popular.   We arrived in Whitby just before lunchtime, parked the car and headed up towards the abbey to start our walk on the Cleveland way.

 The wind was quite strong on the edge of the path but the quicker we walked the warmer we were and there was a chance, a small chance that the sun may come out at some point.

 Further along the path we went past the lighthouse and 2 lovely children who said hello as we passed.  I wonder what its like at night when the coast is dark apart from the long range glowing of this lighthouse.  Lovely spot.

 My fav picture of the bunch and showing the coastal path - The Cleveland Way and the best bit, the sun is finally coming out, hurrah!

 Finally 6.5 miles later we make it into Robin Hood Bay with its quirky little streets and narrow passageways. Old fishermens houses all painted white and bright colours and the best fish and chips outside of Keswick.  Yum, yum!

What a superb day.  A lovely but bracing walk along the coastal path and the funniest moment having spent all our change on fish and chips was wondering (whilst there are no cash points in Robin Hood Bay) how we were going to get change for the bus back to Whitby.   Cashback was the answer so armed with Chilli Jam and a Gingerbread we hadnt planned to buy we had the change we needed for our bus fare back to the car.

I wonder where our next adventure will take us.