Since it was completed in 1984, the Five Pits Trail has become well known as a place to go for a short walk in our delightful county, so we left the Timber Lane car park at 4.30pm to begin our first summer evening walk of the year – and the weather was glorious.
Our leader, Steve, decided we would follow the 5 1/2 mile walk down the Astwith Trail which began on a surprisingly dry, pebble path with fields on each side, containing plenty of sheep with their lambs. Under the hawthorn hedges, now sporting fragranced blossom, we saw the usual dandelions, cow parsley, dock leaves, brambles and over to the left, far-reaching views and the vivid yellow of fields of rape seed. The evening was warm and still and the trill of birdsong filled the air.
We crossed over Tibshelf Road, then over a trickle of a stream and into a wood where there were a variety of trees, chestnut, cherry and a snowberry shrub which, according to Julie has white berries in winter. Turning onto a very narrow track, again in a wood, I was struck by how everything smelt so fragrant and saw cherry blossom and hawthorn blossom nearby. The birds were still chirping and everything around smelt so refreshing. At a farm, an aggressive Dalmatian, warned us to keep away and we turned left onto Hawking Lane, a tarmacked road with a good view of Hardwick Hall. We turned right into a ploughed field, with the ground being very dry, and again noticed beautiful views all around us of lots of fields, trees and hedges, all in different shades of green although on our right hand side was a massive pile of manure.
Our journey took us over a wooden bridge into fields and then continued uphill for some time until a bench came into sight under a tree at the top of a field, where we stopped for a much-needed drink, see photo. We walked past Manor Farm, a stone-built structure with a row of horseshoes arranged along the building and an impressive well-kept garden.
We had a wobbly moment as we negotiated a deep muddy area before walking through fields of long grass. Bob spotted a magpie’s nest in a tree; apparently, they build a shelf above it, how clever. Bob then admitted that he used to steal birds’ eggs when he was a boy and that’s how he knows. On our left was a superb bluebell wood which according to the map is mentioned at Broomridding Wood and an area rich in wildflowers. This was a wonderful sight to end our very enjoyable walk in May when we saw two rabbits and saw a Spitfire flying above us.
The next walk on Sunday 2nd June will leave at 4pm from the church gates. Anyone wishing to join us will be most welcome.
Evelyn Lowe