At last the weather had warmed up a bit and we had some good views as we set off from the visitor centre along the escarpment looking down on
Gormire Lake, part of the Sutton Bank Nature Trail.
There was quite a strong wind but fortunately for most of the day it was behind us and we kept up a good steady pace on the wide dry paths. Shortly after passing High Paradise farm we entered Boltby Forest and stopped there for our lunch break.
Although it was more sheltered in the forest the wind was still blowing and the slender trees were swaying backwards and forwards in a quite hypnotic way.
After lunch and a short walk through the forest the track emerged on to open heather moorland which would have been a splendid sight if the heather had been in flower. We were warned to look out for adders but it was still too cold for them.
We had a few spots of rain as we sheltered against a wall for a quick tea break but these soon passed and we made good progress towards Osmotherley. Towards the end of the walk the flat terrain was left behind as we descended into Oakdale, crossed the bridge and climbed steeply up the other side.
It wasn't long before we arrived at our destination just in time to catch the cafe before it closed at 4.30 or the Golden Lion for refreshments.
My guide book states '....near the ancient market cross can be found a stone table upon which local produce was displayed for sale, and on which John Wesley stood while preaching to assembled villagers.'
Another place of interest was the 200 year old shop
Thompson's that has recently been in the news when the contents were auctioned. Follow
this link to see some of the items sold.
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