Swaledale Outdoor Club

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Marske Bridge Mothers Day

Ten people and a dog.

Departed Marske Bridge seven minutes past ten, prompt. All dressed for the inclement weather expected but admiring rainbows at the outset.

Up into the village of Marske all in good cheer and admiring the renovations so tastefully done to the old properties. Left along the track into the village of Clint, more beautiful domiciles. Into Clint Wood with a wonderful display of snowdrops, first signs of wildlife but unfortunately no deer.

Proceed to Orgate Farm admiring the views even though dulled by low cloud and intermittent showers. Past Clint Lead Mine before descending to cross Marske Beck, one of our drier crossings. Up to Telfit Farm studying the barn conversion. Very high doorstep will be required for entry to the cottages.

Followed the Beck, stopped for coffee in between showers overlooking Helwith Bank. On along the Beck to Helwith Manor House. Continued with the planned walk even though the Beck now in full flow. Can we get any wetter as we wadded across the torrent that had been a trickle two days prior?

Up onto Shaw Tongue along to Hog Hill, a few tight squeezes along the way. The ways through the walls are getting smaller, cannot be us getting bigger, can it.

Stopped for lunch in a delightful shaded spot, imagination needed for a sunny day. Once more our strength refortified for the crossing of the torrent known as Marske Beck. Up again away from the Beck to take the higher bridleway back to Helwith descending down to the water which this time we only looked at, thankfully said some.

Up again, what a slave driver. Up and around to the top of Telfit Bank. Time for the weather to remind us winter is not over. We are blown, we are battered, the rains came down and we were even hailed upon as well. As we start our decent into the valley glimmers of sun, clearing views, beautiful.

Short excursion on the road before back to the fields for final decent to the beck, again, I do love the water. Along to Pillimire Bridge to the waterwheel or was it a saw. Crossing of the Beck was a dry one, thankfully was the cry. Through the woods more snowdrops and early showing of wild garlic. All back to the cars safe if not dry but exhilarated with stories to tell.

Back to the pub with a roaring fire was the call of the day. Back to the pub with a smouldering ember was the answer.

Thanks for the company and great anecdotes, which made for an exhilarating day. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Ken H

Last Modified: 7 May, 2003