Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: January 2023

Grey Skies At Top Cow Pasture Rocks

Cow Pasture Rocks in another place I've blogger about a couple of times before. Situated not far from the road from Horton in Ribblesdale to Ribblehead, it is an ideal place to stop due to its limestone pavement. It may not be the biggest pavement in these parts but it is still a good spot to grab some photos plus, I reckon that if you are fit enough, you could navigate yourself on to the summit of Ingleburough but I'll leave that for someone else to try!

I didn't hang about too long though as it was drizzling and rather cold. On a nice crisp clear day, you can get some stunning shots looking across to Pen Y Ghent with the lime stone making a perfect foreground.

Mission Accomplished

What a great day this was. the first time I had walked the complete circuit of St Ives from the golf course car park since a had started my Prostate Cancer treatment. I've done this walk dozens of times and have blogged it loads as well so there is no point in me describing it in ant detail again.

I had plenty of stops, the long stops were at the top of the big field and then by the kissing gate near the top of Druids Lane. From that stop, it was downhill all the way. My legs ached by the time I got down to Coppice Pond so I sat there for a good while before slowly making my way to The Ivy Kitchen for a celebratory cappuccino and gingerbread man and then staggered back to the car.

Two Gates Bridleway

Ivy

Druids Wood

Druids Alter Path

Racehorse Plantation

Racehorse Plantation and the big field

Racehorse Plantation

Druids Lane Kissing Gate

Golf Course Bridleway

Heather Moor

Return Footpath

Bell Bank Wood and Betty's Wood

A very cold and slightly misty morning at St Ives Estate. I wanted to assess how my Prostate Cancer medication was affecting me as it had been a nightmare so far. I had lost a lot of my muscle power and also became tired very quickly.

I was quite pleased with how I got on, a good part of my walk being uphill, if only slightly for the most of it but, with plenty of short stops and a sit down at the farthest point, I manage d to do a good circular walk which gave me some great views down the Aire Valley to Bingley.

In Betty's Wood I got a close up view of the decimation that tree disease had cause with most of the ancient woodland trees having been destroyed and saplings planted in their place.

A sad walk in places but I was very pleased with myself and it raised my spirits no end.