St Ives RFM Blue Line Wednesday Walk
St Ives
RFM Blue Line
Wednesday Walk
with Jane, Nev, Becky and Sophia
01/07/26
This was a day of perfect walking weather warm, dry and calm.
We made our way into St Ives along a tarmac lane and paused at the Coppice Pond to watch a lady feeding the ducks. She kindly gave some food pellets to Sophia so she could also feed the ducks. What a lovely lady.
Its a shame the buildings here are in the main derelict. When I compare it to the publically owned Cannon Hall it fails miserably. Shame on you Bradford Council, shame on you. The golf course is to our right.
Crossing the lane we held up the golfers who had to shoot over the lane to get to the green. Not ideal.
The view on the right was great. I do really like the Aire Valley, such fine views.
Crossing the Racecourse Plantation and into the woods. I wondered what the Racecourse was like? was it cars horses, who knows?
I massively admire Becky's carrying of Sophia after Sophia had walked for at least a mile. She is the equivalent weight of a full backpack so really impressive.
We headed into Hollin Plantation and the views from the rocks on the edge were long and just so good.
We think this is the Druids Altar Stone. I reckon it was probably a recent naming as I'm not sure what Druids would be doing in Bradford, but you never know, sacrifices, pagans etc etc. Maybe the Celtic gods still live in these woods.
We met a group of Duke of Edingburgh students on day 1 of there hike. They were full of beans and nice to talk to.
Heading down the lane toward Altar Wood Farm, the journey had been fairly easy so far.
Then we entered the woods towards Marley Brow and everything changed. I prefer these areas as not only do you walk through rougher terrain but you touch it. The ladies intrepedily fight they way through the jungle.
We followed the moss-covered wall at the base of a steep, wooded slope, wondering if the gods resided here—or perhaps the Gruffalo.
The obligatory selfie using the wall as a camera stand is a great reminder of the Wednesday walkers on this challenging route.
The panoramic view from Marley Brow.
Just look at that moss.
I’m used to scrambling along these kinds of paths, ducking under fallen trees and such, but for the ladies, it was a whole new challenge. They handled it brilliantly. There’s something special about stepping out of your comfort zone and doing things you probably haven’t done since you were a teenager. Playing in the woods is still just as fun at any stage of life.
We paused on a bench in a clearing and enjoyed the rest and a drink of water. Sophia explored the area on foot. I think we were all positively affected by this wonderfully relaxing spot. Picnics were mentioned and it sounded like a good idea to me. I think the gods had definitely created this peaceful glade.
Back to reality we were still going down hill through Marley Brow past the farms dotted on the hillside.
Sheep and old tractors gave us something different to look at.
Marley itself looked posh and well manicured. We were still descending but slowly. We passed a very old couple who were slowly making there way along the grassy path. We passed the time of day and to be fair it was good to see someone again after a long stretch passing no one.
Finally we reached the bottom of the hill. This lady was taking a horse from a field her dogs were noisy bit friendly.
We passed the horses in another field and though one was a bit frisky the lady watched to make sure we were safe.
The Aire River is fastly becoming my favourite river in Yorkshire. I love walking alongside it. There is always plenty to see. In this case we saw a creche of Canada Geese,our second such sighting of the year. This one was different as it had a Greylag Goose in its midst. As we walked along the lane the geese walking along the river bank so we had plenty of time to watch them. We speculated as to what the Greylag Goose was doing, was he the bouncer for the geese, was he looking for friends, had he been imprinted at hatching, our imaginations were running hot. When I googled this behaviour it turns out our guesses were pretty accurate apart from the bouncer option. I learnt that Greylags also creche a fact I did not know.
The weir at the bottom of Bingley is a feat of engineering to admire, and looks and sounds great too.
Off Ireland Terrace our one big uphill of the day finally began. It was steep and quite long.
More good views of the valley as we ascended. I should mention at this point that, yet again, I have to admire Jane's tenacity and sheer guts as she climbed this very challenging ascent despite it taking her to the edge of her present abilities. When we started these Wednesday walks this hill would have been too much but now she conquered it and without complaint. You have to admire the ladies on this walk, Becky with her full back pack, Jane going beyond her comfort zone and Venka who's walking ability is now that of a hiker not a walker.
The big hill done we were now at the top of St Ives and walking through the planted woodland with its many non native trees. It didn't take long for Sophia to want to walk again as the going was pretty flat.
There is something really nice about watching a child wide-eyed absorbing the experience of the woodland walk and the passing dog walkers with their fluffy pets. There was plenty of chat and dogs to say hello to. Loved it.
Venka had told us of the Octagonal house and here it was.,
Belted Galloways and Aberdeen Anguses and possibly Guernsey or Jerseys gave us something to admire beyond the greenwood.
Rocks, knobbly trees and ruined walls gave the walk a dark and almost mystical atmosphere.
Sophia was bouncing along merrily tumbling occasionally but getting quickly up again. She was savoring the experience.
Just look at that grand knobbly tree, king of the woods. I can almost see Treebeard here.
Then it was over, back to the road, the cars and home.
Crossing the Racecourse Plantation and into the woods. I wondered what the Racecourse was like? was it cars horses, who knows?
I massively admire Becky's carrying of Sophia after Sophia had walked for at least a mile. She is the equivalent weight of a full backpack so really impressive.
We headed into Hollin Plantation and the views from the rocks on the edge were long and just so good.
Then we entered the woods towards Marley Brow and everything changed. I prefer these areas as not only do you walk through rougher terrain but you touch it. The ladies intrepedily fight they way through the jungle.
We followed the moss-covered wall at the base of a steep, wooded slope, wondering if the gods resided here—or perhaps the Gruffalo.
I’m used to scrambling along these kinds of paths, ducking under fallen trees and such, but for the ladies, it was a whole new challenge. They handled it brilliantly. There’s something special about stepping out of your comfort zone and doing things you probably haven’t done since you were a teenager. Playing in the woods is still just as fun at any stage of life.
We paused on a bench in a clearing and enjoyed the rest and a drink of water. Sophia explored the area on foot. I think we were all positively affected by this wonderfully relaxing spot. Picnics were mentioned and it sounded like a good idea to me. I think the gods had definitely created this peaceful glade.
Back to reality we were still going down hill through Marley Brow past the farms dotted on the hillside.
Sheep and old tractors gave us something different to look at.
Marley itself looked posh and well manicured. We were still descending but slowly. We passed a very old couple who were slowly making there way along the grassy path. We passed the time of day and to be fair it was good to see someone again after a long stretch passing no one.
Finally we reached the bottom of the hill. This lady was taking a horse from a field her dogs were noisy bit friendly.
We passed the horses in another field and though one was a bit frisky the lady watched to make sure we were safe.
Off Ireland Terrace our one big uphill of the day finally began. It was steep and quite long.
The big hill done we were now at the top of St Ives and walking through the planted woodland with its many non native trees. It didn't take long for Sophia to want to walk again as the going was pretty flat.
There is something really nice about watching a child wide-eyed absorbing the experience of the woodland walk and the passing dog walkers with their fluffy pets. There was plenty of chat and dogs to say hello to. Loved it.
Rocks, knobbly trees and ruined walls gave the walk a dark and almost mystical atmosphere.
Sophia was bouncing along merrily tumbling occasionally but getting quickly up again. She was savoring the experience.
OS Map
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/32720688/st-ives-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.84985&lon=-1.843&zoom=13.9674&style=TopoAuto&type=2d
Comments