Hiking and walking in South Yorkshire and beyond

  Bempton Cliffs A Visit to the Bird Reserve 28/05/24 We set off from Barnsley at 9 o’clock. My daughter in law Claire and the 3 Grandkids Lacey, Max and Lola. It took 2 hours to reach the RSPB centre at Bempton. Because the weather forecast was strong that rain would arrive about 1 o’clock we had to get straight onto the clifftops. The sights at Bempton are amazing Gannets, Fulmars, Puffins, Guillemots, Razor bills, gulls and even pigeons in abundance. The walk along the cliff top was only a couple of miles with several viewing platforms. Due to good fencing and good paths it feels very safe but these cliffs are very high so be aware. After 2 hours of avian excitement we had to return to the car as the rain began. A fantastic day was had by all.

  Pike Low Walking with my brother RFM Blue Line 24/05/24   The blue line is the walk route https://explore.osmaps.com/route/21696094/pike-low-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.484353&lon=-1.698987&zoom=12.7527&style=Leisure&type=2d   A dull and cool early meeting at about 7.30 at the back of Langsett Res. The route today was special as we had first attempted it a couple of years ago on Peter’s birthday with kids and grandkids in tow. Unfortunately on that occasion, in early January, the weather conditions put paid to a serious attempt as it was extremely wet, windy and cold. It’s a not a very difficult walk but it is rarely done being well off the normal beaten track and very much at the edge of the Peak District.     The climb to Cut Gate over Midhope Moors was, as is normal this year, wet, muddy and a bit of a trudge. Plenty of bird life especially curlews gave us something to ...

  Norwood Walking alone RFM Blue Line 20/05/24   The walk is the blue line. Starting in the suburban setting of Netherthorpe this walk progresses through the back ways to Nethermoor lake. The lake is fine but nothing special. The walk passes to the east of the lake but there are very few views of it. It’s just a wide grassy path, pleasant but boring. The second lake is Meadowgate Lake but is again pretty uninspiring. There was plenty of birdsong and some aquatic birds around so it was still worth visiting. After the lakes a road side path along the Rother Valley access road again was pretty plain but at least it was easy walking and very little traffic.   Crossing Mansfield Road the walk started to pick up. Watched by a curious horse I walked along the path of what looked like a private drive but the sign clearly indicated public footpath so I persevered. At the end of the drive were some great statues of horses, elephants and rhinos. Alt...