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Here you can see the report from our latest walk and also some of the pictures that were taken.
Unless otherwise stated, report by Paul Coates and pictures by Keith Bilton.
Thursday 26th. March 2009
Today's report by Keith
Pockley, Reegarth Farm, Helmsley Y-H-A, Ebor Way, road, fieldpath to Harome (The Star Inn), Shaw Moor Farm, road, Nawton Common, Syke Wood, Wombleton, Beadlam, Howdale Lane, Marr Wood, Pockley.
Sunny periods, showers, very strong cold wind
And so there were 7 of us willing to brave extreme terrain and inclement weather in furtherance of adventure. Those missing gave the usual lame excuses, having to take the wife on holiday, devotion to work, sickness and going away in a newly acquired caravan.
Those travelling in Stu's car were given an account of Bob's holiday in India. During his travelogue he 'slipped in' the fact that he had just got a brand new car and then gave some obscure clues as to the make of this car. Stu thought it was a Robin Reliant, Keith a Lada and Craggsy wouldn't commit himself. It was only when Bobbo mentioned a well known East Hull MP that the penny dropped and the name Bobbo onejag was on everyone's lips.
Sadly, I have to report another event that occurred during our drive to the wilds of North Yorkshire. A cock partridge, working desperately to gather nesting material to help his partner build a home for their planned 12 babies, had his life cruelly cut short by a headon collision with Stu's car. In defence to Stu he didn't know that the bird flew across this road at the same time every day and also we all took evasive action by ducking when we saw the collision was inevitable. 
Perhaps if the partridge had also taken evasive action, he would be a happy Daddy at the time of writing. The only consolation to a distraught Stu was the realision that he was now a 'fully fledged' member of the Paul Coates road kill association.
A typical Pockley residence, complete with owl on roof
We arrived in good time at Pockley and did the usual 2 circuits of the village in order to familiarise ourselves with the surroundings. Bobbo one jag told us that the walk had been shortened from 15 miles to a mere 11 and that put everyone in good spirits.It seemed that when the walk was put into the programme, Paul didn't object to the longer than usual mileage due to the fact he would be away on holiday.
Suddenly we all became concerned as to Bob's behaviour. He was walking around in ever widening circles muttering to himself. He was asked what he was doing and told us he was looking for his rucksack to show us a photo he'd brought back from India and blamed everyman and his dog for hiding it. It was only when we all cracked up with laughter that Bob realised it was on his back!! The delights of old age! It must also be reported that we all turned away in disgust at the sight of this photo which depicted a seemingly impossible position from the well known children's book 'The Kama Sutra.'
We were soon enjoying a good walk with an abundance of flora and fauna. Primroses, dog violets and wood anemones were in abundance and we enjoyed appearances from a Red Kite and a Peregrine Falcon. 
Suddenly the skies darkened and the heavens let leash a torrent of rain which had some of our number scurrying for their overtrousers.
Of course Murphy's law dictates that no sooner were these put on when the rain abruptly ceased. This caused much derision from those that hadn't bothered with claims of superior hill craft and other skills of the great outdoors.
We stopped for grub at a lovely spot overlooking Hemsley, the sun was shining, birds were singing and we were sheltered from the wind. The tranquility was shattered by an Anglo Saxon outburst from Col who had just managed to spill his mug of tea over his legs. he quickly told us that this was the real reason he had put on his overtrousers and Chris joined in by saying that he knew he'd be sat next to Col and he had put his on for this reason. The reader can make his/her own judgment as to the integrity of these statements.
We arrived in the village of Harome and Keith remarked as to the 'plasticness' of the houses. Everyone looked to have been scrubbed and polished and not a speck of dirt could be seen. The village would not have been out of place on a film set and the inhabitants also appeared upper crust to say the least.
We got to the Star Inn in good time but the place was full of upperclass eaters and considering it was only noon they had taken over all the seats and tables .Happily filling their fat faces with grub costing up to £27 a serving, the FAC were consigned to a few bar stools lined up around the counter.
Beer on offer wasn't bad with the ubiquitous Black Sheep and an hitherto unheard of brew entitled Leeds Bitter. The majority plumped for the Leeds which was far too hoppy for Keith's tastes and he settled for the Black Sheep. Craggsy came in, ordered his coffee and proceeded to move a pile of menus lying on the bar when a sharp voice snapped 'leave those where they are, Sir'. Now Craggsy, world famous for his hobby of reading old newspapers, probably intended only to peruse this heap of menus as no other examples of the printed word were on offer. He uttered 'I'll drink my coffee outside, and made a loud and hasty exit from the bar. He was soon joined by Keith who was suffering from vertigo caused by his lofty perch on the bar stool.
The FAC will have to decide whether to ever go back to this pub which due to it's success is rapidly becoming a no go area for us rough walking types, also bearing in mind our numbers were well down today and a full compliment of the FAC would never have been accommodated.
The afternoon went along smoothly due to Bobbo onejag's fine map reading with the odd reference to Keith's Sat Nav.
Ray had decided to keep up with the main group instead of his usual rearguard position.
We stopped for our grub stop among the outskirts and dog eggs of Wombleton and all agreed that despite the cold strong March wind, it had been a good day on the hills.
On arriving back at the village of Pockley, 3 of our number decided not to follow the official path and elected to openly trespass across some farmland saving at least 80 yards. When challenged they replied that it would not be a proper walk without a bit of trespassing.
Whilst we were getting changed, Bobbo entertained us with some outstanding vocal renditions, although the lyrics were not the ones used by the church choir.
The journey home passed without incident and the Yorkshire wildlife suffered no further losses that day. Another great day out and we all look forward to next time!
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