Category: North York Moors
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Capt. Cook’s Monument
The obelisk to Captain James Cook on Easby Moor, a familiar sight from the Cleveland plain. Cook is a local hero. We all know of his epic voyages to the Pacific, they are taught in schools, but his legacy is being reassessed as we look at events at that time through 21st century eyes. Cook’s…
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Kissing trees
Nineteen years ago in February, the landscape draped in snow, I found myself fascinated by a pair of beech saplings, their slender forms intertwined like old lovers. Over the passing years, one of the trees has asserted dominance, its girth swelling, while its companion languished in subservience, scarcely growing at all. Yet, despite this apparent…
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The merry month of May
Bluebell season has undoubtedly arrived, yet the spectacle seems somewhat diminished compared to previous years. Perhaps it’s premature to judge. If May proves to be as chilly as April, the following proverb may come to mind, though its exact significance eludes me. A cold May and a windy, Makes a barn full and a findy.
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Hadrian’s Wall
On yet another day of our journey, Hadrian’s Wall remains a constant companion as our route leads us further eastward. This is a distant view of Crag Lough. But why did Hadrian build his Wall. It seems it wasn’t purely defensive, certainly not against an invasion. There is evidence of livestock and other resources making…
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Great Ayton Moor: big skies and an avian nesting ground
Great Ayton Moor offers vast open views like rural Suffolk, but closer. Moorland provides tranquility and habitat for birds like lapwing, golden plover, curlew and red grouse. In August, the heather blooms purple.
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From Cawdma to Cranimoor
Cold Moor, often overlooked, is a vast and rugged moorland offering stunning views. Its historical name, Mount Vittoria, hints at forgotten stories. A pit and boulder field on its peak adds to the mystery. Cringle Moor, a nearby peak with a distinctive shape, is a geological marvel.
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From a 19th Century Cottage to a Smoke-Free Future
This peaceful cottage hides a story: 1 resident in 1911, an “Engine Driver Oil” worker. And thoughts on the proposal to ban cigarette sales to create a smoke-free generation. Laws help change cultures, but so do stories, music, and images. They shape how we live.
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From Warren House to Toft Hill Scout Camp
From the vantage point up Kirby Bank, one’s eyes are drawn across the Vale of Cleveland to the iconic silhouette of Roseberry Topping. Closer though, in this picturesque view, stands the Pybus Scout Camp, its white facade gleaming under the cloudy sky. Adjacent to it lies Ricey Hill, adorned with the mellow yellow flowers of…
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<— To Highcliffe Nab <—
It struck me as a bit peculiar that explicit directions to Highcliffe Nab were considered necessary. One might conclude that folks have frequently found themselves inadvertently ending up at the nearby farm. However, upon closer observation, the reason became apparent: the gate stands firmly padlocked. Despite its designation as a Public Footpath, no stile offers…
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Glaisdale
The village of Glaisdale perches high on a hill, where Glaisdale Beck meets the River Esk in a dramatic confluence. Its terrain is spectacularly steep, with descents plunging more than 500 feet within a mere half-mile stretch. At its heart lies the church, commanding a view towards Glaisdale Head. Settlement in this dale adheres to…