Babs Boot 3rd Eyelet RFM Blue Line Walking with Nev


Babs Boot 3rd Eyelet 

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with Nev

22/04/26



Nev and I set off from Ilkley on a beautiful April day, blue skies and sun but a cool brisk wind from the east. I was aware this was a big jump in ascent for Nev so the intention was to take it easy on the way up. It was a wonderful walk and being just after Bab's funeral and before her birthday we had plenty of  grief to share. Its hard to explain but these are the days that cement Babs into my new world and I value them immensely.
The slope through the large mansions up to the moor was steep, very steep. 
Then we were straight on to the Dales High Way and heading across the slope below the moor.


This route goes gradually up the slope but its not long before we are quite a way above Ilkley. There were plenty of dog walkers, runners and walkers. We spent all walk talking to many travellers in complete contrast to Theo and I last week when we met no-one on the moor. Just shows the sun brings people out.
The first panoramic picture below the white house was such a wonderful view of Yorkshire why would you be anywhere else?
The ascent to this point was, to be honest, really easy but it did get harder immediately after the house.


We had plenty of stops to get our breaths back, talk to passers by and just take in the view.
Nearly at the top of the Crags.



This is the last view of Ilkley and the valley below from the Crags before we head out across the moor. Its still up hill in front of us but a much gentler slope.

We met a couple of Dutch guys and had a long converstaion about Menwith Hill mushrooms, music, mountains and the Coast to Coast path. It was great and a brilliant example of why you should always say hello when you pass people on a walk. This is a happy place as you can see from our faces. Babs was in many of our conversations but these were happy memories. We agreed again that the farewell to Babs was very special.
The views up here are just awesome. This is looking towards Burley and Otley though they are below in the valley so are not actually visible.
The 12 apostles an ancient Bronze age monument. Last week we had it to ourselves today we shared it with a couple of picnickers and a book reader. It was still very cool.


In one direction Leeds in the haze, more hills in another and Menwith Hill in the third.
We crossed the moor to the Trig point at the top of the moor. It was pretty uneventful just such a great place to be.


We were travelling quite a bit to the west so as we descended our views were over towards Addingham.

This is the Badger Stone. I can't honstly say it looks like a badger so why call it a badger stone. Maybe a badger lived next to it or even under it in days gone by...who knows.



We were on the least walked part of the moor so the paths were hard to follow and we did have to yomp across the rough grass a few times to make sure we were on the right route.

This is the Neb stone. No idea of the name but love the view.
The descent became steeper and we had a bit of rock hopping which was fun.
Near the bridge over Black Beck we met a lady with a pretty little dog we assumed was female but turned out to be male. We chatted away and the dog was just gorgeous, taking instantly to Nev.



The walk back along the edge of the moor was flat and would have been reasonably quick except there were so many dogs to pet and owners to talk to that it did take quite a while. Nev mentioned that some of the people we talk to seem shocked to have been spoken to. She is right there are some people who just don't expect strangers to want to comminicate but as I said I am from Barnsley so if you pass me on a walk I expect and want to talk to you. Its got to be a better world if we are friendly even to strangers.



Then it was off the moor and back to the car. 

Nev did really well and I am not being in any way condescending, this is a tough walk over 6 miles and nearly a thousand foot of ascent is a proper walk. She might give Theo a run for his money.
The weather made it into a great Yorkshire day out in classic Yorkshire scenery. Is there anything more Yorkshire than Ilkley Moor. The conversations on route were a feature between us and with strangers. Loved it...just loved it. 

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/31624351/babs-boot-3rd-eyelet-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.91889&lon=-1.84686&zoom=14.8314&overlays=os-obstacles-layer&style=TopoAuto&type=2d




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