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 17th January 2008

Route: Fridaythorpe, Lane, Brubber Dale, Ings Plantation, Gill's Farm, Lane, Pluckham Farm, A166, Huggate Wold, Horsedale, Glebe Farm, Huggate (Wolds Inn), Shortlands Plantation, Middleham Plantation, Holmdale, Lane, Fridaythorpe (9 miles).

Members: John, Paul, Paul Craggs, Keith, Stu, Ray, Jack, Bob.

Cars : Stu, Paul Craggs.

Weather : Rain to start but clearing mid morning. Showery afternoon, cold wind.

We arrived at Fridaythorpe undetered by the bleak weather forecast which had us believe that rain would be falling right from the off. And even though it wasn't raining, the clouds certainly threatened it. So the pessimist's had their wet gear on from the start, while the optimist's claimed it would soon blow over and didn't bother. However, about a mile out from Fridaythorpe, the pessimist's gloomy outlook won the day as the rain began to come down.

If Ray puts waterproofs on--expect rain!

The rain could be best described as persistent, so we were glad to find shelter from the continuing downpour for our morning grub stop at Pluckham Farm.

The shelter was an old ramshackle railway goods wagon which had stored within it various items used for the feeding of game birds. We all managed to squeeze inside as the rain fell outside. As we had left the footpath and were claiming squatters rights on farm property, we were technically trespassing. So when someone claimed they could hear voices from outside our dilapidated abode we all fell silent, except for Keith's phone. For just at the moment we all stopped in mid chew to listen, Keith's mobile phone burst into life with his ring tone of 'hello' in around 20 different languages!

Eventually, and reluctantly, we had to leave our rickety refuge and once more brave the wind and rain. Bob had named the hovel 'the vile hut', but at least it kept most of us us dry most of the time.

Can I come in?	Smile please!	It sez in this bible 'thou shalt not trespass'

Our route should have taken us down Greenwick Dale and Tundale, but we decided to shorten the route a little to try and get us to the pub and out of the rain a bit earlier. Of course as soon as we started out on the alternative route it stopped raining, but we decided not to tempt fate, and more rain, and we stuck to the shorter route.

We arrived at the pub just before opening time and found that Chris was already parked up with this weeks members of the sick, lame & lazy club. They had lost one member, Ray, who was out with us giving his knees a workout, and gained another, Paul 'Sherlock' Holmes, who was giving his knees a rest (without a sick note, it must be noted). Along with Chris and Sherlock were Dennis and Jacko.

The sick, lame and lazy section of the FAC

We were glad to get in the pub with it's lovely glowing fire and cosy ambience. As we dried out and warmed up, ale was supped, money changed hands and jokes were told. Tin Tin even made a reappearance, but luckily there was no one else in the pub to be offended. Sherlock ordered some ham sandwiches, and then sat there and ate them all himself. Greedy sod! Keith continued his tradition of having three pints to everyone else's two. He claimed his first pint of 'Timothy Taylor's' had mysteriously evaporated. The beer must also have gone to Jacko's head as he announced, in front of witnesses, that he might come with us on our next walk! He then quickly realised what he'd said and qualified it with "it's all on the flat isn't it?" and "as long as it doesn't mean we need three cars if I come".

All good things come to an end and we were soon saying farewell to Chris, Jacko, Dennis & Sherlock, wisely staying put in the warmth of the Wolds Inn, while we reluctantly went out into the cold and wet of the mean street (there's only one) of Huggate.

We had our afternoon break sat on wet logs among the dripping trees and damp foilage of Middleham Plantation.

Mud, Mud and more Mud

The remaining route back towards Fridaythorpe took us along the bottom of some lovely Wold's valleys, finishing with a seemingly never ending climb out of Holmdale. It's not steep, but it does go on a bit. For once we were glad to reach the muddy and waterlogged track at the top of the incline. The cars were conveniantly parked near to 'Boococks Butchers' shop, and some of our number bought their famous (in Fridaythorpe at least) sausages and meat pies. Unfortunately no one thought to ask the butcher if he had a sheeps head, to which he could have replied "no, it's just the way I part my hair". Either that, or thrown us in the village pond.

Cold, wet and muddy, but a good day to be out. Strangely we never saw any other walkers today. I wonder why that was?

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