Ravenscar Barn Weekend

We arrived in a trickle on Friday night – Hughie, Geoff, myself, Sue, Steve and Carol and their friend Richard, Liz and Helen from the cycling section and finally Ian. The barn was not brilliant - very low on comforts, i.e. no fridge and no oven - not even a microwave, but nevertheless some rather excellent culinary delights were turned out over the course of the weekend. With Ian’s arrival we gathered around the map and discussed the plan for Saturday and were all turned in by 22.00.

An early start on Saturday saw us away from the barn by 07.30 and all fit and raring to go. It was very warm even this early in the morning so the decision to wear shorts was taken by all, even if one of our number had to revert to his underpants to achieve this. Have pity on poor Carol, who had the dubious task of trying to point this out to him! Up to the mast above Ravenscar, then down across the moors and across the A 171 heading for Pike Hill via Brown Rigg and the Ling Hill Plantation. Just below the peak of Pike Hill we found a couple of caves to explore before continuing our journey down to Old May Beck and back across the Moors towards Kirk Moor Plantation. On arrival at Ramsdale Beck we found our only way forward was by canoe and an exciting white water ride followed down to the coast at Boggle Hole. We returned to the barn, tired but enthusiastic by way of Stoupe Brow and that infernal mast.

After our meal, and a majority decision, it was back on with the walking boots for an evening stroll around Ravenscar before proceeding down to Fylingthorpe Village Hall for a Ceilidh. Upon arrival back at the barn we all collapsed into bed, tired but happy.

Early morning tea, served in bed, by Liz and Richard preceded our Sunday walk. The hut cleaned and tidied and the key returned; Geoff left to join up with the Mountain Bike section on the railway lines of Rosedale and Steve, Carol and Richard leaving for other activities as well, left just 6 of us for the expedition. We took the dismantled railway up the coast to Robin Hood’s Bay for coffee and ice creams before returning via the Cleveland Way back down the coast, passing by Ravenscar and continuing south until we joined the beach at Haybum Wyke for a scramble along the shoreline, a brief climb up the cliffs in an attempt to regain the coastal path before deciding to continue the scramble down to Cromer Point and the appropriately named ‘Sailors Grave’ where we stopped for a late lunch. This was followed by another climb up the cliffs, and across the fields to pick up the railway line once more for the return to our vehicles at the barn.

In all I think the weekend was enjoyed by everybody who attended, although it was strange to see so many unopened wine bottles being popped back into the boots of the cars on Sunday morning, to be saved for another time. The company was excellent and I think we would all be quite happy for another like that one.

On a slightly different note, I am rejoining the Navy on October 17 in a full time role, and although I intend to retain Club membership and will attempt to attend the main functions I will probably end up being posted away from the area. With this in mind - if I don’t see you out on a walk or at a social before then, I would like to say thank you to everyone who has made my time with the Club such an enjoyable and memorable experience, you will be always in my thoughts and I will always have such happy memories of the Swale Outdoor Club.

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Ravenscar Barn Weekend

Richard Harradine