THE Saturday midsummer walk began from Richmond. Weather conditions were cloudy and dry as a group of 20 ramblers, led by Clare Sandercock, set out from the old railway station and crossed the bridge over the River Swale. We headed steeply uphill, passing the 12th century Richmond Castle and on through the busy market place. We walked in a NW direction leaving the town behind and onto a track giving good views back towards Richmond and the surrounding countryside. Alfred Wainwright passed by this way on his famous Coast to Coast walk. A plaque on a bench at a viewpoint gives his pleasing comments on the wonderful views to be seen here.

Weather conditions were deteriorating and the rain began as we continued on through Beacon Plantation. The views now shrouded in mist. Lunch was taken in the shelter of Gilling Wood. From here we continued on field tracks before turning in a SE direction on to a track past Crabtree House Farm leading to the village of Gilling West, then south past Aske Hall, the Grade 1 listed building with beautiful parkland. The final leg of the walk took us on a public footpath across Richmond Golf Course, then back into Richmond to the starting point of the walk. A few hardy ramblers finished off the day with a swim in the pool adjacent to the car park. Afterwards they joined the rest of the group for refreshments in the old railway station building now converted into a superb cafe, shopping and cinema complex.

Tomorrow (Saturday) meet at Trinity Methodist Church at 9am to drive to Grassington NPCP for a 13-mile circular walk to Kettlewell. Telephone 01423 503343 for details.