Day 2 ...

Wintringham to Crowsdale Wood (Nr Sherburn)

Wednesday, 15th August 2012

Mum spent Tuesday night downloading, photoshopping, printing and laminating the maps we'd need, as well as preparing the rucksacks. She's come up with a better solution for carrying the maps too and had bought a binder popper wallet, so that it could be used like we did the polypocket but had a popper fastening to stop the maps falling out. She didn't get much sleep again! What did I do? I slept!  

Just like on day 1, I did breakfast in my PJs and did my chores after being reminded as usual that I hadn't done them! We met up with Mel, who was joining us, as we headed out to Uncle Mick's. We had his birthday present to give him before we set off so we were a bit later leaving this time.

Instead of going cross country and using the smaller roads, we went via Malton ... oops, that was a mistake ... we spent
40 minutes sat in traffic in the town centre. We passed a sign after we got out saying North Grimston 3.5miles ... which we had passed through an hour earlier! We decided because it was almost 2hrs since we left Hull that it might be an idea to stop at Wolds Way Lavender again for a comfort break, before we headed to the drop off point, since we wouldn't get another chance until we finished walking! We were an hour later than planned, as we pulled up at St Peter's ready to tackle map 1.

We set off at noon and shortly after, we got the shock of our lives as we rounded a corner and realised that we faced a very nasty looking climb up through Deep Dale Plantation! The signpost said steep gradient, The Walking Englishman website said stiff climb ... we said almost vertical cliff face!!!!!
It must have been a 1 in 2 half way up and took us several minutes to get to the top. Mum and I had our poles so it was easier for us than Mel, who was virtually on her hands and knees trying to get up. We were very proud of ourselves as we collapsed at the summit, especially Mum who already had her left knee in 2 support bandages and was struggling to breath as she climbed because of her asthma ... she was also carrying the heaviest rucksack! We decided since it was now 12.30pm and we needed to stop & recover that we may as well eat lunch and make Mum's rucksack lighter. 

these photos don't do justice to how steep it was

At 1pm we set off again, rounded the bend a few feet from where we had eaten and came across a red gate, which had us a little confused as to why it would be painted. We went through the gate, round another bend and found out why ... it marked the entry to Enclosure Rites, part of Wander, a series of artworks along the Yorkshire Wolds Way.

"A new viewpoint and resting area, drawing inspiration from the local archaeology, creating a rich new area for flora and fauna. The earthwork and posts make reference to Bronze Age burial mounds (or barrows) and palisaded enclosures nearby. The carved figures (or guardians) refer to mysterious chalk figures often found discarded in Iron Age settlements in Yorkshire. Just past the earthwork is a dew pond and wild flower meadow to encourage new wildlife."

 

About 20 mins after leaving the earthwork and walking along the edge of Knapton Wood, we got to the end of our first map of the day and met a young couple who asked us if we knew where the earthwork was because they wanted to go take some photos. We showed them on our map and they decided to see if they could get closer to it by car after mum showed them the road that lead to the caravan/camp site that was nearby. 

Overlooking Brow Plantation, towards the West Heslerton Hall

At around 1.30pm we started map 2 that would take us to just passed Crowsdale Wood. As we walked along the edge of  East Heslerton Brow, overlooking West Heslerton in the distance, the wind got up, so we decided to have a sit down, a biscuit & a quick drink next to a signpost and enjoy the view ... a view dedicated to a gentleman called Denis Robinson by his sons (or Grandsons), Ant & Dave. There was a small plaque attached to the bottom of the signpost saying "enjoy the view Pop" so we assumed Denis' ashes had been scattered there as we had scattered Grandad's at Settrington Brow and thought maybe we could look into having a similar plaque put on the signpost where I had my photo taken going over the stile. 

Denis Robinson's signpost and view

The next part took us through a field that had its previous crops harvested & bailed, with a poor lonely scared sheep, who wasn't sure how to take us. He kept running from us but then coming back for a look. I named him Shaun. When we crossed over the stile into the next very prickly steep field, full of thistles and nettles, we found the rest of the flock. They were the only wildlife we saw today apart from bees, butterflies and lots of different coloured pretty snails.The field was very difficult to walk on because there was no flat areas, so it hurt our ankles and our trousers were covered in prickles. At the end of the field we realised we should have waited for our snack and sit down, when we came across a beautiful bench. We decided to have another short break to take in the lovely view of East Heslerton.

Not long after we set off again towards Crowsdale Wood (a mile outside Sherburn) to meet Uncle Mick at 4pm, it started to drizzle with rain, but we decided not to worry about raincoats because like last time, it wasn't raining that hard. That was until we got to the edge of Crowsdale Wood where we had a short climb, up to the lane. Then the heavens opened! But we didn't need our raincoats because luckily even though it was only 3.30pm, Uncle Mick's car was already parked on the lane, next to the signpost pointing towards Sherburn. We threw our rucksacks into the boot, dived into the car and headed home! This was a nice way today to celebrate turning 10 and a half. (15.5miles completed)