A cold walk….and a great pint

On a cold Monday morning in late February, with a forecast of snow, we set out for a 10.5 mile walk round Leighton and Roundhill Reservoirs near Masham, Yorkshire. The tracks were brilliant and with the icy weather, were hard underfoot. The occasional flurries of snow in the biting wind made for an interesting walk!

Along the route are some fantastic views down in to the Nidd Valley and out towards Scar House reservoir in the distance, and nearer the end of the walk some of the walkers had a clamber on some big rocks – engaging the inner child.

There is quite a spectacular sink at Roundhill reservoir as you turn for home.

And after the walk  – a trip to the Bistro at the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham for a Riggwelter burger, a few glasses of wonderful beer, and fruit cake and Wensleydale for after – Yorkshire heaven!

Across Cross Fell

One of the more unusual pastimes Sarah and I have taken up since 2016 is an annual bit of dot watching – by which I mean following the Montane Spine race. This is an ultra run where runners/walkers have to complete the Pennine Way in 168 hours….all 268 miles from Edale to Kirk Yetholm…..and in the harshest winter weather. Amazing men and women who do this – to check out the website click here.

Anyway, the highest point on the Pennine Way is Cross Fell, less than an hours drive from home. Inspired by the ‘Spiners’ we decided to do a walk over Cross Fell one windy and wet (especially underfoot) Monday. Parking at Kirkland, we walked just over nine miles in completing the circular walk, and enjoyed our sandwiches in the shelter of the massive cairn on the top of Cross Fell, 892  high.

On the way back down to Kirkland, the sun was shining, the wind blowing, and we had great views of the ‘ball’ on Great Dun Fell.

Not quite ‘The Spine’, but an achievement none the less.