DAY 15 : ENGLAND : BLAKEY RIDGE to GLAISDALE - 16.1 kms - 4 hours

Yorkshire Moors - looking down towards the Esk Valley

Our third day on the Yorkshire Moors - a fine day on a long flat path high on Glaisdale Moor.
It was not long after we set off from The White Lion that there were some important points of interest.



Leaving the historic White Lion pub, Yorkshire Moors

We came across a white wheel-crossed stone, which has come to represent Fat Betty. Travellers leave food treats - we had some marmite packs - for other passing walkers. Legend has it that Fat Betty communes with the 2 Ralphs,  2 ancient crosses nearby. We followed a left hand turn into Great Fryup Lane, where it is suspected that Betty spent a bit of time!

The legend of Fat Betty

It wasn't long after this, that we realised in the dense purple heather, that there were grouse. Lots of grouse. Initially, illusive - can you blame them, being grouse season - we saw flocks of them and were able to get some good shots, so to speak.

Grouse aplenty

Hunting lodge - 1801

The view for the rest of the way to Glaisdale was just mesmerising. We were walking by lush heather with views over 2 valleys on either side - drumlins, farmland, small hamlets with immaculate little houses - a very pleasant morning's walk.

Heather, picturesque valleys

Glaisdale sprawls across a ridge of the Esk Valley.




Glaisdale

 We found a pub for lunch, The Arncliffe Arms. It was very quiet and we learnt that all the residents have gone to Whitby for the annual regatta. We had a very happy few hours eating a beautiful lunch - bagettes with salad. Bob and Mark are working through the local beers - the favourite today was the Honey Bunny Bitter.

The helpful staff at The Arncliffe Arms

 The waitresses were very attentive and helpful and even booked last minute tickets for a local production tonight, Same Time Next Year.

Last minute tickets to local producation

Our B&B is the Beggar's Bridge (with conservatory). An old station house bordered by a railway station and the River Esk - a very popular fishing spot. It's hard to believe that this quiet place had 3 blast furnaces between 1869 and 1875.

The Beggar's Bridge B&B

 The B&B looks over The Beggar's Bridge. In the 17th century a pauper, Ferris, fell in love with a local landlord's daughter. Because of his humble status he was not considered a suitable prospect, so he planned to leave the village to make his fortune. On his way out he tried to say goodbye to his beloved but the river was too swollen due to heavy rain. He did make his fortune and married his love - and built the bridge so that other lovers would not suffer the same torment.

The Beggar's Bridge

We are so pleased that we have not rushed this walk. Some of our fellow travellers have walked it in 10 and 11 days and were not able to savour the sights as we have. Tonight we look forward to another meal at the Arncliffe Arms and a night at the theatre.

Esk Valley Theatre