James promised us that the circular route from Ramsgill via Dale Edge that Graham had kindly planned for us would provide: "Glorious views of Gouthwaite reservoir". These views can be seen - in all their glory - in the photo blog below. At least we got plenty of exercise (different pieces of technology measured 11, 8.5 and 9.3 miles over a route that we were told was 7 miles) so this was a bonus on a day that no-one in their right mind would have gone hill walking. The other bonus was a lovely lunch of soup, sandwiches and chips, funded by the AONB office, and cooked and served to us by How Stean Gorge Cafe staff - thanks guys!!
Special note - any poor photos taken outside are due entirely to the weather conditions.
The poor ones taken inside are due entirely to the wobbly nature of the subjects.
The walk began outside the York Arms, Ramsgill,
which was looking very festive in the morning gloom.
Lots of us came wearing festive hats.
Santa spent all day gazing skywards and
complained of an aching neck at the end of the walk..
The pixie ears got very droopy by lunchtime,
thanks to them soaking up the atmosphere.
Off up the hill to look for these glorious views.
Is this one?
No.
Perhaps this?
Definitely not.
Coffee time at the bridge...
... where James brought forth a tin of the MOST
delicious brownies (thanks James!!)
Oh - wow! A glorious view!
Onwards to the shooting lodge before the
hair-raising walk down the muddy path to the valley bottom.
The group spread out as everyone slowed down & tried
to maintain a perpendicular position.
At least down here there was a bit of a view...
...although two tree hazards had to be negotiated.
Come on Santa - lift up your leg.
Poor Angela had both of her boot soles sucked
off by the mud and had to tie them on with her laces.
At the cafe everyone settled down for their feast.
Table one - present and correct
(although wobbling around too much for a focussed picture).
Table two - all here.
Table three - yes. They eventually sat down too.
(But had obviously caught the strange wobbling condition from table one.)
There were unusual Christmas trees here -
a very creative use of sticks and screws.
The lovely ladies in the kitchen were given a cheer.
On the route we saw some toadstools that
Ros's wonderful fungi ID phone app could not identify. Any ideas?
After lunch a shorter walk back to Ramsgill.
Again - a bit more to see - but not much!!
Just a little bit of non-walk news:
Audrey Summersgill, one of our more senior NCVs who keeps us fortified with flapjack on a regular basis, was awarded no fewer than two of Harrogate's Volunteer Oscars this autumn. One for her services to wildlife and another as a lifetime achievement award. How impressive is that?!
Audrey with her well deserved Volunteer Oscars.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
TO ALL OUR READERS!!
Ros E.
Could the second fungi be Glistening Ink Cap - Coprinus micaceus?
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