Page Five

Issue 32 Web Edition

Winter 08/09

STRAY NEWS

u3a.harrogate@googlemail.com

Realising an Ambition

After doing some research, I discovered that quite a few of our members –particularly those living ‘down south’ have walked parts of the Thames Path. Some have even walked the total length of 184 miles during weekend breaks over a period of months or even years. I contacted some of them earlier this year whilst I was preparing to have a go myself. However I could find no one who had done it in its entirety, alone, without backup and in one go – which was my ambition. Starting from the source of the Thames in the middle of a meadow in Gloucestershire, I followed the river as it meandered through ten counties and the City of Westminster to the Thames Barrier –the official end- reaching it on sixteenth of October last. My wife (who has had both her hips replaced) joined me for the final five/six miles, which was nice. In total, I reckon I covered 240 miles due to diversions because of flooding in the upper reaches. In the first ten days it rained for eight and a half! All in all it took me sixteen walking days to complete the self imposed journey which I undertook to celebrate my eightieth birthday. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Ron Williamson

Putting the Clock Back

The Walking Group enjoyed doing the 20 mile Harrogate Ringway Walk in five sections in the summer of 1995 and we decided to do it again in Autumn 2008 in four sections this time- all easily accessible by bus.

We started walking from Knaresborough on roads and field paths to Wetherby Road but were prevented from continuing to Leeds Road by a badly waterlogged field by Crimple Beck.

We started the second section from Fulwith Mill Lane down to Pannal and enjoyed wonderful views as we made our way across fields on a beautiful sunny day eventually arriving at Harlow Hill. Most people caught the bus from there but some of us continued through the Pinewoods for a relaxing cup of tea in the Valley Gardens.

The third day’s walk went via the foothpath behind Harlow Carr Gardens, then through the woodland to climb up to Birk Crag with more good views and after a steep climb down continued a pleasant woodland walk to Kent Road and on to the little packhorse bridge which goes nowhere! The route continued by Oak Beck to the Golf Clubhouse and across the Jennyfield Estate, then over the busy Skipton Road following a track to Grange Farm, finally

arriving on Ripon Road to catch the ‘36’ bus into town.

We returned to this point for the final walk down Knox Mill Lane to cross another packhorse bridge where there used to be a ford, used by some people to wash their cars. Turning left on the intriguingly named Old Trough Way we continued on to Bilton allotments, Willow wood and the old railway viaduct, which may be re-opened as a Sustrans cycle path to Ripley. We were blessed with another lovely sunny day with clear reflections in the river Nidd as we followed its course, often very muddy except where volunteers had built boardwalks. We paused for our “banana stop” where there is a little sandy beach, which it is said, was used by a nearby nudist camp years ago. We continued on past the footbridge to Scotton and after a steep climb continued through woodland to Old Bilton Lane. The group of twenty split up at this point – two Biltonians turned right back to their homes, eight took a short cut back to Knaresborough Road and the remaining ten followed the Beryl Burton Way to Knaresborough. The intention was to celebrate the fact that Ivan was the only one who had done all four walks by visiting the Yorkshire Lass – but alas she was up for sale and the pub on the opposite side of the river was not open either so we returned to Harrogate on a crowded school bus. We will treat you at some future date Ivan! Our regular programme of Tuesday walks continues throughout the year so there will be plenty of opportunity.

Daphne Fisher