Thursday 14 March 2013

Another Wolds walk, from South Cave

Good morning. It's a fab sunny morning here in North Lincolnshire, I've put the washer on, a good day to dry clothes outside methinks. I had a fab day yesterday, back over the river for some more ambling around the Yorkshire Wolds. I will get my money's worth out of this map, plenty of places to explore, and not too far to travel to get to the start. I went a little way up the main A63 and came off at the junction with the A1034, to go into the village of South Cave. Here I found a free parking place in a quiet residential street.  
This is the view from the road, of the Cave Castle Hotel, doesn't it look rather grand. There is a large pond, almost a lake, in the extensive grounds.
Here is a bit of blurb from their web site.
As you approach through the stone arch and up the tree lined drive you cannot fail to be impressed by the grandeur of Cave Castle with its original turrets, stone features and historic charm. Nestling at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds this is the idyllic country retreat for a relaxing and tranquil stay.
Cave Castle boasts an excellent 18 hole golf course set in the 150 acres of meadow and parkland which surround the hotel.
For the more energetic the Health Club has a well equipped gym, 19m pool and aerobic suite with a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room for those wishing to take things easier. 
This is the entrance. The building to the left of the arch seems to be unoccupied, it would make a lovely little residence. Reminds me of the sitcom, To the Manor Born. Penelope Keith living in the Gatehouse within the grounds of The Manor.  
I walked up the driveway to get this photo. Looks rather splendid. Think I might treat myself one day :o)
Next door to the hotel is the church. I walked out of the village along the road past the church where it turned into a track, and past the golf club.
On my way to North Cave, I passed through the small hamlet of Everthorpe.
There is a general stores in North Cave, couldn't resist treating myself to a Magnum ice cream. As I was ambling through the village I thought, wow, look at that tree up the side of the house. Got to have a photo of that, how unusual.
The church in North Cave stands magnificently on a little hill. The sun is shining on me today, and I'm feeling great. Feet are holding up ok in the new boots, though they are getting caked with mud.
Leaving North Cave, there is a tarmac path through a country park which leads to Hotham. As I came into the village I caught sight of Hotham Hall. This is a Grade 11 listed building, which opens it's gardens to the public as part of the National Open Gardens Scheme for Charity. This is the closest I could get to it. I like the bird sculptures in the pond.
Around the side is the vehicle entrance to the hall.
This little cottage in Hotham has an amazing roof. As you can see it has been extended two feet beyond the wall of the house, and is supported by eight wooden pillars.

According to the reviews on the Hotham Arms website, it is a very popular eatery, favoured by tourists and locals alike. I like the little tables at the front with the gingham tablecloths. A posh smoking area I think. The pub was closed when I passed, but not to worry, I am too mean to stop and spend money, ha ha.
Hey, what's happening here?!?!? Snow, yikes!. I was in South Newbald and had stopped to chat to a local gentleman who was tidying his garden. He was telling me about him and his son going for bike rides, he knew the area like the back of his hand. Always good to get some local knowledge. As I was walking towards North Newbald I could see the skies ahead of me turning white, with visibility diminishing by the second. I quickened my pace as I walked through the playing field, thinking I urgently needed to find shelter. The path came out in the village centre so I headed for the porch of the church.
My goodness, it's turning into a flash blizzard, ha ha.
As quick as it came, the snow went. Now look at it, brilliant sunshine and blue skies. I left the village by road, and came to the turn off to pick up the Yorkshire Wolds Way. I like the way the signs have been maintained in these parts, no guessing which way to go next. Makes finding your way a doddle.
And this is the way I am heading, Into Swindale, round Whin Hill, then cross over a couple of roads. These are the Wolds, wide open spaces of gentle rolling hills. As I walk through I am totally alone, time to drink in the serenity and peacefull beauty. I feel like I want to hop, skip, and jump, and sing. It's like being in a huge outdoor church. Indeed I do sing to myself as I stroll along.
I am out of the open dale now and heading into a wooded dale. This is East Dale, which leads onto Hunsley Dale. Not such easy walking as it's a steep downhill slope over a muddy and eroded path.  
The path eventually runs alongside a disused railway line, which is out of bounds as it's private land, though it looks as if people do walk it. I came out of the wood and turned right up a steep bank called Comber Dale. When I was almost to the top, this is the view I had as I turned round and looked back. Fabulous. I have hardly seen anyone on this walk, virtually had the place to myself :o)
A bit further along I joined a path I had walked on the previous walk, and came across the twisty wooden benches, remember them? Time to finish my sandwich and give my feet a rest for ten minutes. There was a few dog walkers about, luckily I had remembered to put a few dog treats in my pocket. I love making new doggie friends. Time to make my way back down to South Cave. I had a bit of a panicky moment when my car wasn't where I thought it was, then I remembered, I was looking in the wrong street, ha ha, phew. Once back I was ready for getting my boots off, and changing them for an old soft pair I took with me. Oh, bliss to put my slippers on, ha ha.
Half an hour later I was home. My feet have held out pretty well, it brought back memories of my first long walk, Blackpool to the Humber Bridge. There were times then when I thought I couldn't go on, when the pain was too much to bear, but when you are far from home you don't have a choice, what alternative is there? Sit down and cry, or keep on walking?
Toodle pip.

18 comments:

  1. Love that gatehouse! I could live there. You do so well with the walking good exercise and oh how much you see!

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  2. Lots of interesting buildings on your walk and the espaliered tree on the house wall is amazing.

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  3. Thank you for the walk today. It's a good job you are prepared for all weathers.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  4. What a lovely walk - what do you think the espalier tree will look like in a few months time? Spectacular I'm sure. Mummyhen xx

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    1. Hi. Now I think I will have to go back in the summer and photograph the tree again. Maybe another walk over that way :o)

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  5. I really enjoyed this walk - so many interesting places, lovely photos and I just love that espaliered tree - I'd like one of those on my house!

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  6. I enjoyed this walk with you Ilona, but I was a bit fearful for you in the lonely and deserted areas. Loved the old buildings and the espalier tree on the house, I wonder what kind it is.
    Get some rest and give your feet a good epsom salts soak, and you'll be all set to go again. Those boots were made for walking, so I know they'll be out again really soon.
    You are so thoughtful to take doggie treats with you for those bow wows you meet on your journey.

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  7. Loved your bit about hop,skip,jump and sing. I know that feeling but on my bike I just sing and at the top of my voice- well there's no one else but DH and maybe DS. Thanks for the visdual walk.

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  8. Lovely photos! I love the "tree house" especially.

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  9. Super pictures as usual. Am trying to get some decent walking boots at the moment but think I have odd sized feet!
    That hotel looks very smart. (Expensive?)

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  10. I thoroughly enjoyed that walk in your company Ilona - but the bit that really made it for me was Elvis singing. What a brilliant clip you put together; fitted the words beautifully. Thank you. x

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    1. Hi Rambler, I didn't put the Elvis clip together, I wouldn't know where to start. sorry, I should have said. It's shared from Yootoob. Just thought it might have fitted in well here.

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  11. Thankyou for your comments. The best thing about walking in an area you don't know is the wow factor. When you turn a corner and see something out of the ordinary, it's like finding a diamond on a pebbly beach. I think, wow, I would never have known about that if I hadn't been here today.

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  12. Thank you for sharing another beautiful walk. I can't believe the weather!

    In all your accounts of your walks and visits to villages, there was something that I couldn't put my finger on. And I realised what it was in this post. There's hardly any people. Given the population density of England, I would have expected more people in your photos. And given how beautiful the places are that you visit, I would have thought there'd be tonnes of walkers?

    Now, I know you could be framing your shots, but even in the villages there are no or few people on your photos. Where are all the people? In front of the tele at home? Or are these villages all deserted?

    Sorry, if I sound ignorant, but you seem to pass through so many villages where there are one or two people, or even no one!

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  13. Interesting point lucindasans. There are several reasons for lack of humans in my photo's. At this time of year there are not many about, they are all inside in the warm. I prefer to walk between Monday and Friday, because lots of people are at work. I deliberately choose less popular walks and make up my own. A lot of walkers like to follow a recognised and well publicised route, I hop on and off these, and like to go off the beaten track. I don't want to do something like the Pennine Way, or the Coast to Coast, far too busy for me.

    Also you have to be carefull about showing people's faces in photographs, some of them don't like it at all. If I have to include people, because there are a lot of them, I try and do it from a safe distance, do it quickly, and move on.

    I don't mind putting people into my photo's if it will add something to it, but more often than not I wait untill they have ambled along out of the frame.

    Yes, we are densely populated in some parts, but only a few get out into the countryside, except for the weekends that is, and then the touristy areas get quite busy. .

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    1. Thanks for clearing that up, Ilona. I appreciate the point about people not wanting their photo taken and having to be careful with faces but I thought there'd be more people in the distance. But doing walks when most are at work and chosing the less popular walks makes great sense to me. I'd do the same.

      Still, while I love all the photos of village churches, buildings etc, it seems strange to me that there weren't many people out and about in the villages (not on the walks). The siren call of work or the warmth of indoors has called them!!

      Lucinda

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  14. Hi Ilona
    thanks for the comment on Princess, I can tell you we were besides ourselves looking for her and sooooo relieved when we found her, she's not set foot outside today and every little noise sends her running for cover. Something must have upset her but we'll never know what it was.

    I love the tree growing up the side of the house, what kind of tree is it, if its a pear you'd need a jolly big ladder to collect the fruit.
    It just reminded me of the poem about the trees and the line of 'the pear tree grows along the wall the poplar stands up straight and tall'
    Love the travel posts.
    Keep safe
    Briony
    xx

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  15. I've loved this walk - very varied, as was the weather!

    I like to sing when I'm out walking. If it's windy I sing at the top of my voice because the sounds get carried away so I reckon no-one will know it's me, otherwise I'm a bit quieter.

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