Friday 2nd September - Tuesday 6th September. A Wee Holiday in York

We found a very good getaway deal online and decided to take the opportunity for a short holiday. York fell within our budget and is a place we both love so we booked a short break. Not strictly a ramble but it counted as five very good days out.

The Hotel we booked had a fascinating history and the main building was quirky with a lounge resembling a miniature great hall complete with sweeping stair and minstrel gallery. I was delighted to find that we were in an ensuite in the courtyard which could be reached easily from the road at the back of the hotel negating any need to struggle up and down the hill at the front.

After dropping our bags we headed into the town for the afternoon.

We made our way to the Stickleback Cafe This is a brage moored near Lendal Bridge which serves an excellent range of snacks and cakes. We had a late lunch and sat enjoying the afternoon sunshine.

On saturday we went down into the town the long way, via Micklegate

We stopped in at this little church, one of the oldest still functioning as a church.

We wandered on into the bustling centre and discovered there was a Festival of Traditional Dance in full swing. We had an enjoyable morning watching Clog, Country and Sword Dancers go through their paces then wandered off round the shambles to find a cup of tea.

Next we made our way round to the minster itself.

Then we took a picnic into the gradens of The York Museum although we decided against visiting it because of the very high admission costs and limited accessibility. The gardens held some interesting features though and the squirrels were amazingly friendly.

On Sunday we went to Leeds for the day to visit friends. We had a really lovely visit wandering round the streets listening to the various street performers almost all of whom were well worth a listen.

On Monday we went on a riverboat trip. We were recommended to wait for River Duchess and were able to roll on and roll off as her lower deck is fully accessible. Robin wanted to be outside so we were shown on to the foredeck

although we did retire to the cabin later for a coffee and to escape the rain.

This enchanting little cat has adorned this gable for two hundred years and can only be seen (and photographed) from the river.

The rain had made the access ramp very slippery but luckily two of the other passengers came to my rescue before we got into any serious trouble.

 Although the rain stopped shortly afterwards we made our way back to the minster to see the chapterhouse, most major attractions allow readmittance throughout the following twelve months as long as you retain your ticket which is great value, and we went to see the Astronomical Clock.

The floor and ceiling are also stunning!

On Tuesday morning, after a brief visit to the Bar Convent we made our way home. I have to say that (unusually) we were amazed by the efficiency of the railway's passenger assistance scheme - it's the first time it's ever worked for us but it worked well. And also mention wetherspoons, who weren't the most accessible building but were friendly, efficient, affordable and have very very tasty breakfasts!

Monday 15th August - The Footpath Vanisheth!

A short way along the main road out of the village there's a sign...

The track looked reasonably hospitable and it was a pleasant morning, although there were some darker clouds on the horizon we decided to take the chance and go for it. However it wasn't entirely clear which path was the correct one so we took the one which led straight ahead.

A short way along the lane it became apparent that it was not bearing off to the left as the OS map had indicated it should so we enquired of another walker if the track led to the destination stated on the signpost. We were told that it did not. A little further on we came to a path which appeared to head left so we took it and ended up in the middle of the cornfield via an access which had been made for the combines and tractors to get into the middle of it!

It was pretty rough going getting out of it and we ended up back on the track which we hadn't taken at the outset finding on the way past that the signed footpath which we had intended to follow had actually been built over by a golf driving range and is apparently no longer accessible.

Continuing down the field edge we watched the harvesters for a bit while I caught my breath.Tempers were frayed and this probably doesn't class a good day out! It certainly isn't one we'd recommend to anyone - accompanied by a wheelchair or not!

However the far end of the original path, which was not our intended destination and is quite a way out, does have a rather nice little public house which reportedly does a good lunch so in the event that we have a nice autumn day over the next few weeks, when it is firm underfoot we may perhaps attempt the other path again

Saturday 6th August - Not strictly a Ramble

Today we went out. It wasn't a ramble but since our destination, though not 100% wheelchair user friendly proved to be a really good outing we've decided to include it here.

On the way out we copped the gate at a notorious local railway crossing which has been featuring quite heavily in the news lately. Actually we often do but today is the first time we've ever been at the front of the queue. I was quite chuffed with the crispness of the image in this shot because that's the express and she was going a fair lick!

Eventually we reached our destination - Denny Abbey. The site is not especially laid out for wheelchairs but as long as the locomotivator is fairly fit it's pretty easy to get around the whole of the ground level. The building has broad accomodating ramps. Although the upper floor is off limits the openness of the main hall gives you a good perspective and the information boards are all at ground level, clear and at a good height and distance. The coffee shop has lovely home baking and double doors. There is also a bookshop which is worth a visit, plants and crafts. Through the next couple of months they've also got a lot of adult  art & craftworkshops too.

Since the 1100's three religious orders, The Benedictines, The Knights Templar and The Poor Clares occupied the site and later two local families, The Dimmocks and The Chivers. We spent a marvellous afternoon in the company of a gentleman in his eighties who had lived there since childhood, it turned out that he and Robin shared both the same first and second given names! He told us about his amazing life, he had lived and worked on the estate for 74 years man and boy! We felt privileged to have the benefit of his company as it made the whole thing come even more alive.

There's also a museum with information about the history of farming in the area as well. This is a little harder to navigate because of the shingle pathways but we managed by going backwards and letting the big rear wheels do the work. The site is well laid out with audio presentations in each of the stalls which house a different aspect of daily life and there are some wonderful old photographs on display. We thoroughly enjoyed this too.

So not strictly a ramble but we'd highly recommend it as a largely accessible site with all the ingredients for an exciting and interesting day out.
http://www.dennyfarmlandmuseum.org.uk/

Tuesday 2nd August - Mystery Tour

This morning we woke to the soft sound of rain falling but it didn't last long and by the time breakfast was done we had enough of a blue sky to prompt a walk into the village.

After a brief stop at the corner shop (which isn't on a corner) we walked on southwards out of the village and connected with the old London Road, its not only former railway lines which make good walks.

The going is quite tough on this one though being on chalk where it's not tramac the ground is solid enough, it is quite rutted in a few places where heavy farm vehicles have been up and down to the fields and orchard but also amply wide for a wheelchair to pass as long as you pick your route carefully. I didn't and we had one hairy moment when I went into a deep scar on the path but we got out of it without too much effort on either part.

Robin was starting to worry that it was too steep for me but I've cycled this a few times since we moved here and I knew it levels out pretty soon after this point, I didn't bother mentioning it - it's nice to be fussed over sometimes!

The gateway into the orchard provided a shady respite and a charming photo opportunity - I was stunned to discover later that I had taken ninety photos this morning but there were some spectacular views.

From here the track moved into a gentle descent to the A10, we were startled by the ripe blackberries, though as we were to discover later they weren't the only early starters by a long way!

The clouds were thining out obligingly now and I probably didn't need the wet weather ponchos I'd packed but I bet it would have rained again if I'd left them behind.

A little further down the hill we came across a rabbit warren but the bunnies were all inside out of the heat of the sunshine.

We rejoined the A10, took the road back into the village and then followed another footpath that cuts across, theoretically to Bury Lane Farm

The day was starting to get quite warm and we debated whether or not to follow this path as I hadn't explored this lane previously, we had heard it was a good walk from neighbours who walked their dogs but we had no idea whether it was wheelchair user friendly. However with the rain backing off and the ground underfoot drying out nicely we decided to give it a shot.

Can you spot the rabbit? He saw us and after posing for his picture he raced the wheelchair down the track before vanishing into the undergrowth - needless to say he won!

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The track had brought us back out on the A10 quite far north of the farm we had been aiming for and, accompanied part way by a friendly cyclist who had good advice about the route that lay ahead we decided to cross over and carry on following the footpath. It passed through shady woods which were quite welcome now as the sun was rapidly gaining strength. The ground was solid underfoot and we carried on, pausing to pick fat, juicy, ripe blackberries from the hedgerows, they were all quite high up though.

A little further along we found a damson tree beside the path, this too was very heavily laden with fruit.

So were most of the less palatable berries in the hedge!

Robin spotted some fallen walnuts on the ground although these look as if they have been brought down by children or squirrels as they don't seem to be quite ready, even so given that today is only the second of August it seems likely that we're in for another tough winter.

Everything seems to be ripening early and in plentiful supply so that the local wildlife can stock up ready for the cold. Even against such a clear blue sky there's a reminder that the seasons are ever changing.

The path was clearly nearing its end now, we saw a car pass by the end of the long leafy tunnel we were wallking through.

There were a couple of surprises still to come though, the trees dropped back to a cultivated orchard and at the side it had a very overgrown waterway or pond, we weren't sure which but it's been some time since I last saw bulrushes like these outside of the botanical gardens!

And the nicest surprise of all was that this footpath finished up at the Farm shop! Robin treated me to an ice cream which we ate under a shady tree at the entrance before carrying on home for a nice cup of tea and a spot of lunch. we got back shortly after mid-day. I have to say that I'm glad we set out early as the sun had become very fierce. As I write now though, sipping a cooling lemonade shandy, the clouds are gathering and I suspect the day may well end with a thunderstorm.

Sunday 31st July - FOLLOW THE RIVER

The first time the children spotted this path in passing one of them had commented that it looked like a railway line leading into a magic forest. In actual fact it accomodates the wheelchair's width almost exactly and today we followed it. There were a couple of hairy places where the bank has slipped away on the river side but with care it was manageable and the three fellow walkers we encountered kindly gave us way.

We spotted these colourful but deadly specimens alongside the track as we followed it through the woods, eventually we reached the bridge where the A10 crosses the river and the path broadened out into a wide cart track alongside the cornfields. Not too badly rutted and in the present dry conditions we managed quite well. The wildflowers nestling among the ripening ears of wheat give some amazing colour and great photo opportunities.

Just beyond this point though the track ends and we thought our walk had too - there is a railway foot crossing but in order to reach it walkers have to climb a stile which is not wheelchair friendly in any way shape or form.

As we had walked along robin had been saying how the location reminded him of his childhood holidays and some of that adventurous spirit had clearly returned - he argued that he didn't want to go home yet and cautious exploration revealed that there was a bridge where the railway crossed the river which had room for us to pass alongside. I would warn here that it is incredibly low, I managed to get the chair under in the river itself but the water is very low today. Robin can walk a short distance and managed to get under the bridge on the tow path but after climbing out the other side we agreed it was a butt stupid thing to do and we shan't be doing it again in a hurry.

Continuing along this path we came to Melwood. The paths here are well maintained and there's a nice comfy bench which this particular locomotivator was very happy to take a breather on and sip some cold water. We had set out just after 9am and I'm not sure I'd want to undertake this walk in mid-day heat. As we were resting we spotted this wee chap in the tree above, at first we weren't sure what he was but when he unfolded he was a quite magnificent Wood Pigeon, his condition & colour quite put his scavenging city cousins to shame!

After we had refreshed we continued following the path of the river, in some of the deeper spots small fish and bright water beetles scurried busily about and it was delightfully cool under the shady canopy of the trees. I found it surprisingly easy going but I suspect that a little rain would render it less user friendly.

 We passed an exit via a little footbridge but it wasn't really a practical route for us - If we had urgently needed to escape back into the tarmac jungle we probably could have but it would have been a steep climb up the bank which Robin would have had to make on foot and there's a very pretty wrought iron kissgate which I would have had to lift the chair over so after a brief discussion we opted to carry on exploring knowing that we had a couple of options for returning home. There were several of these small bridges leading into the gardens of private houses.
Robin wants a house with its own bridge! If we do ever have one it had better be over a river that's wide enough and deep enough for me to have my own boat!!!

Finally we reached a stout wooden kissgate, far more practical. Robin still had to walk through it but closed up the wheelchair pushed through easily enough. The meadow on the other side had clearly been grazed by cattle but fortunately they were not in residence; we were reminded of the old joke The farmer doesn't charge people when crossing this field - but the bull does! There was a little bit of cow pat slalom but on the whole it was good going, I was afraid we might encounter another stile at the far side but it was a kissgate that matched the one we come in through at the start and we passed without incident.

This gate led us into the grounds of a former water mill. The beam pictured below was massive and it's breathtaking to think of the mighty English oak it must once have been!

We carried on down the drive and came out outside the Village church at Meldreth. The service was just ending and there were quite a few people starting to make their way back down the path we'd just come up. We walked on home by the road, strolling down the shady side of the street until we ran out of pavement.

There was a rustling in the branches overhead - look carefully - see if you can spot the squirrel!

We paused a couple more times to rest on convenient roadside benches before we got home, just in time for lunch and a wee nap for Robin. Downloading the pictures for him it occured to me that it would be nice to make a diary of our rambles this summer and hopefully beyond and so I trust that this will be the first diary of many wheelchair rambles.