Sometimes planned trips by Moorsbus don't go according to plan. Last Saturday was a good example. Hot sunny weather brought out motorists by the thousands heading for the coast, and the Moorsbus was caught up in the long traffic queues, so before we reached Malton we were already 25 minutes late, meaning that we would miss our connecting bus to Dalby Forest, and a replan of our day was necessary.
After Dalby Forest we were planning to spend a bit of time at Thornton Dale to see the scarecrow festival display, so we needed a route to Thornton Dale from Pickering (about three miles)
England and Wales have an enormous network of 'Public Rights of Way', accessible on foot or in some cases on horse or bicycle, where there is a legal right to pass over land, whoever the owner might be, and there are several possible routes between Thornton Dale and Pickering. I looked for a route with a degree of shelter, and the route I favoured was also the shortest, so it was an easy choice! Farm tracks lined by trees, woodland, field edges and across planted fields were all part of the walk, and here, approaching Thornton Dale the route passed through a field of crops.
As you can see, the path is kept narrow to minimise damage to the crops and the vast majority of walkers are careful to minimise any damage. It is a very well used route, but causes a minimum of problems for the farmer.
A pleasant short walk, but sadly the heat had quite a severe effect on me (Katharine was fine), and I was relieved to get to Thornton Dale, and spend a bit of time sat on a bench under the trees around a large pond there, before looking at the scarecrows.
Glad you were okay after all that. I would have struggled walking the 3 miles in the heat too. Love Thornton-le-Dale and we have often stopped there for ice cream from that lovely little shop and eat it in the shade on the other side of the road, watching the ducks by the stream. Lovely shot across the ripe field.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Although I have been affected previously by the heat while out walking, it has never been on such a short walk. Perhaps I'm beginning to show my age! After some time in the shade at Thornton Dale I was able to complete our day. A good night's sleep and lots to drink completed my recovery.
These legal rights of way have a long history, and some were based on the routes farm or industrial workers would have used to get to their place of work. Most follow tracks or field boundaries, but where they cross fields, as here, it is important for the walker to follow the legal route. They are usually marked by an arrow on a post or stile at the field edge which shows the direction the walker should follow. The walker has no right to be anywhere else on the farmer's land.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
Although I have been affected previously by the heat while out walking, it has never been on such a short walk. Perhaps I'm beginning to show my age! After some time in the shade at Thornton Dale I was able to complete our day. A good night's sleep and lots to drink completed my recovery.
Ian
These legal rights of way have a long history, and some were based on the routes farm or industrial workers would have used to get to their place of work. Most follow tracks or field boundaries, but where they cross fields, as here, it is important for the walker to follow the legal route. They are usually marked by an arrow on a post or stile at the field edge which shows the direction the walker should follow. The walker has no right to be anywhere else on the farmer's land.
Ian