Showing posts with label walking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label walking. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Llangollen steam, and Pontcysyllte Viaduct

Hello. Thank you all for your birthday wishes. I've had a brilliant day, except for one little mishap, I broke a tooth. Drat, a visit to the dentist when I get back. It was a back molar so I haven't got a toothy grin thank goodness.

The railway station is almost opposite the B & B and I noticed a steam train was in and had to have a look at it. I just love them. A real old fashioned station.

Look at this beauty. A lot of holiday makers were on board waiting to set off. I had already decided what I was going to do today, but I was sorely tempted to change my plans and jump on it.

They let me get in to see the engine, the heat coming off that fire was sweltering.

Two lovely volunteers who keep the trains running. These old trains and stations would lie rotting if it wasn't for these dedicated people who give their time so everyone can enjoy them.

Happy me on my birthday. Lots of train enthusiasts about snapping away, everyone was so friendly.
Getting stoked up and steaming, preparing to go.

Happy smiles from the driver and his mate.

The chuff sound chuff, the hissing of the steam, the toot of the whistle, it's just magic. This is the site for the Llangollen Railway.

After seeing the train off, I got on the Llangollen Canal and started walking. The sign said four and a half miles to Pontcysyllte. It's a lovely walk, The birds were singing, mummy ducks were watching over their babies and guiding them through the water, and the smell of the garlic plants was lovely. Lots of boats were up and down, everyone saying good morning, happy people on their holidays.  

Here I am at the start of the viaduct. It's a one way system so people have to wait their turn to cross. Boats followed each other, several at a time. 



Ha ha, Shawn the sheep at the entrance to the Visitor Centre. 
Here, I am half way across, looking down on the River Dee below.

There is a narrow footpath along one side of it. The boats are right up to the edge of a sheer drop on the other side.


More fantastic views.

Wow it's a long way down.

I walked over and back, then went down to a road to get some distance shots.

Now you can see how tall it is.

Here is a good web site for the Aqueduct.  And this one.

Time to move on, time to head back by a different route. I picked up the sign for Offa's Dyke Path, it looked interesting. Through a wood.


And out onto the hills, they call it the Panorama Walk. Fantastic views. That's Llangollen down there. Time to linger and sit for a while and eat my sandwich.


Off the path and onto a road where the sheep roam free.


I had it in mind to go up there, but watched two walkers slowly crawl towards the top. It looked a bit steep and I hadn't got time, so I took the easy route and bimbled around the bottom of it.

I picked up the road again and came back down to the canal. This is Llangollen Junction.

Once back in the town I called in the Co op for some food to have a picnic in my room. Yes, I have cake, I found an iced lemon cake, reduced from £1.25 to 44p. I've checked the total walked and it's 12 miles. I'm pleased with that, it was a brilliant day.

I'm moving on tomorrow to find something else to look at. Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Monday, May 8, 2017

A walk from Filey back to Hunmanby.

Hello. Here is the last part of my two day walk in East Yorkshire. The weather has stayed dry, it has been sunny, but it is oh so windy on the coastal path. 
Filey is the start/finish point of three long distance paths, the Cleveland Way, Yorkshire Wolds Way, and the Centenary Way. This is the monument which marks the spot. I have done most of the Cleveland Way, parts of the Yorkshire Wolds Way, and a little bit of the Centenary Way. 
I set off through Filey Country Park along the coast, and was battling the wind along the Cleveland Way. I had it in mind to walk to Scarborough, but when I got to the holiday park at Gristhorpe Cliff, more caravans, I decided I'd seen enough of the sea, and turned inland down a track which led to a road. It was a relief to get out of the wind. I crossed over the A165 and walked through the village of Lebberston.

I got to a crossing over a railway line, the gate was shut but not locked, and I didn't know if I was allowed to go through the gate and walk across. There was a sign which said phone signalman for permission to open the gate. I guessed that might be for cars wanting access to the other side. I was pondering because there was a sign which said no trespassing on the railway, wondering whether to dash across. Just at that moment a signal lady stuck her head out of the cabin door and said I could cross.

A few yards further on I saw this unusual house at Lingholm Farm, I wondered if it might have been a church at some point.

I walked past Magdalen Grange Farm, and over the River Hertford, and came across this picnic area which someone had spent a lot of time planting and tidying it up. A sheltered little haven.


I crossed over the A1039 road, and joined the Yorkshire Wolds Way. This was sheer heaven as it was in a valley and sheltered from the wind, and lovely and warm in the sun.


I reached a road and the quickest way back to Hunmanby would be to turn left on it, but it was very busy with cars whizzing by, and no footpath. I decided I had time to take the long way round and carried on along the footpath.

There was a hill to climb out of the valley and I did a u turn along the Centenary Way which joined up with the fast road closer to the village. Oh boy, the wind blasted me again, I was cold through to the bone. It was a long straight stretch past Field House Farm to the road. Lovely views mind you. Love that yellow.

It was nice to get back to my car and sit in the warm for a few minutes before I set off for home. I sent a text to Janet, my lovely house/cat sitter, to let her know my estimated time of arrival. The journey took a bit longer than I thought because I popped into Morrisons at Beverley as I was passing, and managed to get a few yellow stickers, ha ha. It was 16 miles for this walk, so a total of 27 for the two days. That's given my challenge a little boost.

I have emailed the nice couple from The Poplars camping and caravan park, at Sewerby, and they got back to me, Their names are Sarah and Russ, so if you fancy having a look round the area and need accommodation, they also do B & B, give them a shout.

I am planning my next trip which will be to the other side of the country, North Wales beckons. I have a list of places I want to visit, just sorting out the order in which to do them. I won't be booking any accommodation, preferring to be flexible. Weather permitting I would like to go up Snowdon. and visit  Anglesey.

Right, it's Crafty Club time and I have to get ready, so I'll sign off now. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Sunday, May 7, 2017

A walk from Hunmanby to Filey

Hello. Again I am going to split a one day walk into two posts. Easier for me and not so laborious for you to scroll through masses of photo's. Sometimes my posts go on for too long. I don't know about you but I tend to scan blogs to pick out the bits that interest me. 
So, the view from my window at the start of day two. 
Here is a little Good Morning video I made before I left the camp site.



The morning was fresh and sunny, and a bit chilly. I drove a couple of miles north to Hunmanby, on the outskirts of Filey. There is a nice little square opposite the church which is convenient for free parking. From what I saw it's a lovely village, and a lady dog walker confirmed it is a lovely place to live. I set off along the Centenary Way, which is an 83 mile long walk from York to Filey. The tarmac road narrows down to a farm track, then goes through some fields. These cows and calves were curious and edged their way forward to have a closer look at me. The bull is taking it all in his stride, not really interested.

Crossing over the A165 as I was coming into Filey I took a right turn, past Muston Grange and over a railway line,  towards the sea. Down the steps to the promenade. As I look along the coastline I can see the cliff around the other side of the bay, where I will be walking next.

Not many holiday makers about yet, a few dog walkers. It's quite a short promenade, with a few seaside attractions, it doesn't seem overly commercialized.. I didn't venture into the town.

Love this cute model changing hut. It was rolled down to the waters edge with the bather inside, to give some privacy when entering and leaving the sea. What a good idea, saves getting all that nasty sand in your knickers, ha ha. I have never liked going in the sea for that reason. I have always hated sitting on a beach.

The gift shop worker getting ready for the days trading. Laying his wares out on the forecourt of the shop.

This sculpture has also been shown in Whitby and Scarborough. High Tide in Short Wellies is the creation of Ray Lonsdale. The iron fisherman is about 10 feet tall.


I sat for a few minutes and ate a boiled egg. No one for Crazy Golf yet, the girl waits patiently in the paybox for punters to turn up. Don't think she will be doing much business today.

A look back as I continue my walk. Leaving Filey.

Looking ahead to the next bit, around the top of the cliff. I can see dots in the distance, there are others walking that way.

Bye bye Filey. Still windy.

And here we are at the end of the cliff top walk. It's as far as I can go, Filey Brigg End down there in the sea. If the tide was out I could take a track down onto the rocks, but it isn't. There are signs at the Lifeboat Station saying not to attempt it until two hours after high tide. It's a very steep drop down there. 

Flippin heck, it's windy and cold. Lovely view.

Right, that's it for this post. It's a longer walk than yesterday so I'll break off here and come back tomorrow to finish the story. Thanks for popping in, see you soon. Have a nice Sunday.
Toodle pip