Road to the Moors by fishers

Road to the Moors

Yesterday was a sad day. For many years the North York Moors have sponsored an integrated bus network primarily through the more sparsely populated western part of the moors supported by longer distance services from cities like Hull, York and Middlesborough

Sadly, due to continuing financial cuts, the service ran for the last time yesterday, and Katharine and I had a nostalgic trip to Helmsley, Hutton-le-Hole and Danby, out over Blakey Ridge and back down Bilsdale.

This shot was taken at the northern edge of Hutton-le-Hole looking along the road towards Blakey Ridge, when a short break in the cloud allowed sun to highlight the scene. Here the road is lined with bracken, but further north this turns to huge areas of heather.

After 18 years exploring these moors by Moorsbus, and because I don't drive, I'm not likely to be enjoying views of this beautiful area again, hence the sadness.

Ian
A lovely shot of a familiar scene. It makes me sad too. My husband was until recently a Voluntary Ranger on the North York Moors and he didn't know about this until I read your script to him. FAV for the memories!
October 28th, 2013  
Lovely bright spot. I sympathise as we have had problems with our rural bus as well.
October 28th, 2013  
Oh, I am sorry! That is sad! This shot is beautiful! FAV!

Hopefully something will turn up, and you'll have opportunity's of coming here again before too long!
October 28th, 2013  
So sorry, economy rules the world.Maybe ,once get you drivers licence and a car so you can visit them by you own. Now we all have the wonderful pic. you`ve made ofit
October 28th, 2013  
A beautiful composition.
October 28th, 2013  
A lovely shot of this wonderful landscape, very dear to me too. Am so sorry the ending of the bus service will stop you enjoying g these views in the future.
October 28th, 2013  
Nia
That is so sad that you and others will no longer get to enjoy such an amazing spot. Beautiful scenic shot.
October 28th, 2013  
Lee
Very sad to here about the end of this service. Good shot.
October 28th, 2013  
Gorgeous shot, Ian. Sad description, though. Always makes me sad to hear how the world, or our access to it, shrinks.
October 29th, 2013  
Bob
Marvelous fall colors of the moors.
October 29th, 2013  
lovely colours and a great composition
October 29th, 2013  
Sad about the end of this service and yet the Govt seems more interested in spending billions on making the journey times from London to Birmingham, Manchester etc faster. Beautiful landscape shot and a Fav for me.
October 29th, 2013  
@julieco

Thank you Julie - it's such a shame that the whole network is to close. This will leave only fairly limited part of the moors that I can get to. In contrast the Dalesbus (which is independent of the Dales national park) has expanded services and is even providing a winter service once every 2 weeks from York.

I wonder if your husband and I ever met? I make a point of stopping for a chat with the rangers, since they need encouragement in the great job they do too!

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
@jrstanier

Thank you John - service cuts are a pain, but I can just about understand them, but here the complete network is being closed. I will need to find alternatives!

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
@monkeykid

Thank you Therese, and thank you for the fav! - there is a group campaigning to keep at least parts of the service open, so we will have to wait and see!!

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
@pyrrhula

Thank you Ferry - sadly, now in my 60s I am probably too set in my ways to learn to drive, so I will be exploring other alternatives! I will miss this western part of the Moors though!

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
@thresheg

Thank you Graham, glad you like it!

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
@dolphin

Thank you Molly, I will miss these lovely places. It looks like it's the Dales next year for me since the Dalesbus services look likely to continue!

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
@sianipops

Thank you Nia. I will miss the Moors, but at least there are other places to explore, so I will get my walking boots waxed ready!

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
@gamelee

Thank you Lee - sadly these cuts have a serious impact on those of us dependant on public transport. I will be studying rail and bus timetables for other areas to explore!

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
@cathieg

Thank you Cathie - it's sad that as more people use cars it has the side effect of restricting travel opportunities for those of us who don't drive!

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
@bobhuegel

Thank you Bob - I was fortunate to catch this with some sunlight before the clouds closed in.

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
@doodlerdeb

Thank you Debra, glad you like it!

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
@malc

Thank you Malc, and thank you for the fav! - it is sad to loose the whole of this bus network for the sake of relatively modest amounts of money, but that is unfortunately the regime we live under.

Ian
October 29th, 2013  
Such a shame. Our whole country is going to the dogs just now. You have captured a beautiful shot here. You never know, people are volunteering and starting up people power projects so there may be something that can be done re transport. I hope so.
October 29th, 2013  
@lyndag

Thank you Lynda - there is a 'Friends of Moorsbus' group campaigning to retain the service, but the subsidy required is quite high, so it doesn't seem very optimistic.

Ian
November 2nd, 2013  
stunning colors! so very sad. Hope you find a way!
November 2nd, 2013  
@colie

Thank you Colie - I hope some way can be found because there are so many nice walks and places to visit, but if not, at least I've got a large collection of photos to remember it with.

Ian
November 3rd, 2013  
That really is a shame. Lovely colours in this shot.
November 9th, 2013  
@kjarn

Thank you Kathy - there are discussions going on looking at transferring the running of the services to a community interest company, so there is some hope!

Ian
November 16th, 2013  
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