Report on Thursday 22nd September walk

Escaping the sudden and threatening ‘hail’ of acorns, 7 of us headed north uphill from Millthorpe before turning left at the path ‘crossroads’, to head back down towards Unthank, and then on into Meekfield Wood where some convenient logs provided an excuse for a coffee stop. We passed through Moorhall, and onto to Barlow Grange where we shared a field with some [thankfully] very disinterested horses, out of the wind, with an excellent view and a wall to provide a backrest [but still there was some grumbling about nettles and thistles]. Then onto new [un-recced of course] paths where everyone got involved with either spotting the next stile or map reading, as we passed through a riding school field with its huge odd ‘swan’ structure. before entering a field full of cows with calves and a huge bull. Most of us decided to give them a very wide berth, but one member, obviously considering there was no danger, just walked along the path very close to them. thankfully without any mishap. Then over yet another dry stream bed, through Overgreen and Oxton Rakes [briefly another new path, so more map reading required] before joining familiar paths once again, through Rumbling Street and back to Millthorpe. Another enjoyable walk in this area full of horses [not my favourite animal!] classy expensive houses, surprisingly extensive views and, after this dry summer, many dry river beds and unusually for this area, no mud.
Thank you all for your company and helpful route finding.
Vanda Boyd