Author: Lois Skilleter

A lovely morning in the Dales with my great friend Lucia Smith. We had a “hobble” round Hebden village and a really good brunch at the Old School Tearoom in a heated gazebo! Lucia is an artist and was taking photos for her paintings as we looked over the River Wharfe and Burnsall village from the Scuff Road. If you wonder what the reef knolls are, in prehistoric times the limestone country north of Skipton was a tropical sea, and the reef knolls were formed by coral deposits on the sea bed. I love the fact that Elbolton means “fairy hill”: our ancestors may not have known exactly what the reef knolls were but they knew they were special and different!

I managed to hobble 1.1 miles on the crutches today surveying the aftermath of the River Wharfe flooding when Storm Eunice hit at the weekend. It was sad to see the park under water and the path turned into a causeway between the river and the new, temporary “park lake”!

I was walking on one of my usual gorgeous routes on Ilkley Moor with fantastic views over the valley when my right foot slipped on a muddy slope, the rest of me overtook it and left it twisted under me, with a distinctive snapping sound! I had to hobble back down (thankfully with the help of John, my husband, for most of the way) and get it x-rayed. Looks like no break but a painful and bruised sprained ankle. Here are a few photos of the route before the sprain happened: I won’t spoil the blog with photos of the bruising!

Whitby, my spiritual home and our number 1 family holiday destination, is the jewel in the crown of Yorkshire’s coast. History in spades, character and beauty in abundance, traditional seaside pursuits sitting side by side with the ancient harbour – what’s not to love?! We also had a mooch round the nearby village of Sandsend, smaller and quieter but with its own charm.

It’s always a nice change to walk with a group, and this one was a decent sized one. About 11 of us joined Jane, our instructor, for a 7 mile walk up behind the Cow and Calf to the Grubstones with the wonderful horse’s head carving, the hard to see Grubstones circle, and the intriguing 12 Apostles stone circle. We descended to Burley Woodhead and returned by Audley Clevedon and Ben Rhydding golf course – a great walk with awesome views.



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Almost 10 miles today with my friend Heather. We went up to Ilkley Moor and above White Wells through Rocky Valley, passing the Ilkley Grammar School Coronation Cairn and the Badger Stone. Once across Keighley Gate we passed the Neb Stone and walked along High Crag ridge, past the Canadian airmens’ memorial, and on to the Millennium Way past the Noon Stone and Piper’s Crag to the cairn on Addingham Moorside. Taking a left, we headed down towards Silsden, with the Doubler Stones prominent on the horizon. They have been weathered in much the same way as Brimham Rocks: the more resilient gritstone on top has withstood the elements better than the softer sandstone below, resulting in a mushroom shape on one and a similar effect on the other. Apparently there are prehistoric cup and ring marks on them but I’m too short to see them! We then walked back up to Windgate Nick at the western end of Rombald’s Moor, where there is another memorial for a crashed aircraft, and home along past the Swastika Stone.

This is one of my favourite local walks. Quieter than the more famous Ilkley Moor, it is just as dramatic and beautiful with views from a different angle. I love the way I can look over the valley at Ilkley Moor and see the paths I follow there. I enjoy seeing wildlife in the form of both flora and fauna and these lovely horses often come to the gate to say “Hi!” when I walk past. Walking here puts everything in perspective and calms the soul.

I often choose to come down on the riverside path. The Wharfe is a capricious, unpredictable river and needs respect, but she’s also beautiful, and beloved by local people. I have a special spot where I enjoy sitting mindfully or meditating, and I and my swim buddies, the “Merry Mermaids”(!!) share the swim spot with many other wild swimmers all year round.

The family and I always love a day at Whitby while they’re home for Christmas. It’s as beautiful and bustling as ever, with Christmas lights to add to the atmosphere. We had the usual treat lunch at the fantastic Magpie Cafe which does my favourite ever fish and chips: it’s right opposite the fish market and you can taste the freshness!

http://www.magpiecafe.co.uk/