Babs Boot 5th Eyelet RFM Blue Line Walking with Nev

Babs Boot 5th Eyelet 

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with Nev

25/05/26

This looks like a straight forward long walk with 1 hill but for the end of May it was hot, over 30 degrees, no clouds, no woods and no shade. 

We started at the Medical Centre in Addingham. Being a bank holiday there was no problem parking here. The first job was to get through Addingham New Town and up to Street Farm. There were lots of echoes of the Romans on this walk and I wonder if this name is pertinent.

We left Addingham through the fairy bower, well it looked like a fairy bower.

Wonderful countryside and then the A65 not too busy but very fast vehicles.

In every direction the scenery of this part of  Wharfedale may be agricultural but it is green and very pleasant. We reached the spot where Theo and I left off and rejoined the Dales High Way. He was missing today which was a shame he would have loved this walk.

Even at the start of this walk the dappled shade was welcome it was scorchio. The carpet of Greater Stitchwort was good to see. (I Google imaged it.)

We headed across horse fields and back over the road back into Addingham

Up and down a small steep sided valley and then past the Allotments on to the playing field. This is a really nice village but the park entrance stank of dog pooh, not good.

There were House Martins with their little white rumps buzzing over the gardens. 

Then it was up the hill at Causeway Foot (another hint of Roman) past the Victorian pump house and the modern covered reservoir.

The bullocks were watching us closely. They looked harmless enough.

These old trees looked like an ideal shelter from the sun but there were no animals in the field.

We watched the man and the horses for a while. There was something cute about the mother horse heading down to make sure the foal was ok. It was just nice.

Ilkley was starting to recede into the distance.

Clamboring over a style we found a line of sheep to our right and left using the diminishing area of shade to keep cool. We could not help disturbing them but I am sure they returned to the wall when we left. The field had tumulus which as I suspected are pre-historic. They could still have been used in Roman times though, another link. 

Lapwing and Curlew were providing us with some entertainment as we slowly ascended this green hill. Towards the top near the fence we noticed a Curlew circling around us. At the fence line we could here a lamb bleating and realising there was a problem we decided to investigate. He'd only gone and got his head stuck through the wire fence. He couldn't get out because his little horns were catching on the top wire. I freed him pretty quickly and he ran to mama. He is the little fellow closest to mum in the photo on the right. It always feels good to be able to help trapped animals but as Nev said what was that Curlew doing because once the lamb was free he flew away. We both believe in some animals having empathy for each other but that Curlew seemed to be asking for assistance. Maybe a coincidence but I'm not sure.

This why we love Yorkshire, or at least one of the reasons.

Its not open moorland but the huge wide fields and lovely stone walls were very welcoming. 

Some of the stiles were high and some very wide, just to keep us on our toes. I think this wall is another Roman indication. I always think that when a dry stone wall has 3 ledges in its design it is a Roman design because it looks like their walls with the red layers.

We paused at a bench next to the road to take in the beauty of the place and have a drink. 

This looks like a field barn but it is very small. I wonder what it actually was for.

The road to the farm was near to the highest point of the day which was welcome because the heat was not being moderated by the breeze. We had expected more wind up here but it was almost still. Putting the camera on a wall for a timed photo I did not expect camera shake. Better make sure it is in a better position next time. 

We quickly passed Snow Hill farm and headed towards the trees in the distance.

We thought these were sheep taking shade in the boulders but no they are just boulders.

At the point at which we turn back we could see Skipton in the valley below. That hill is for the next eyelet. We paused on a stone bench and had a drink. It wasa getting even hotter.

The way back was a lane, easy walking and downhill. Turns out this route is the old Roman Road to Skipton so I was right the Romans were here. Belted Galloways are always a welcome sight but I think they were unhappy in the heat. We had really met no one on this walk so far but here we met a birdwatcher and discussed birds for a while. Its always good to have a chat.

The way back was quite quick and really green and the views were just wonderful.

We walked through the modern suburbs and then the Victorian street of Addingham sweltering but reaching the car quite quickly.

This is the 200th walk posted to this blog and I am surprised it is so many.

A thousand feet ascent over 9.5 miles on a heat wave day (easily over 30 degrees C) is no mean feat. I have the miles in my legs so found it ok but I was more impressed with Nev who also found it OK. I am really pleased she did so well. 

As ever we talked about loads of different things and we always talk about Babs. She is going nowhere as she sits more and more comfortably in our hearts. (And not just ours.)

The Lamb rescue was an obvious high light but the Curlew behaviour as part of the rescue was out of this world. 

We don't have hikes or rambles or walks we have adventures.

OS Map

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/32170059/babs-boot-5th-eyelet-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.94943&lon=-1.91501&zoom=13.7274&style=TopoAuto&type=2d