Midge Walkers

Walk No.  194

Yarrow Valley Country Park

The invitation promised a walk of 5 miles, no stiles, flatish, good pathways and couple of step ways. This latest tour was undertaken by 11 adults, and no dogs.

We met in the car park of the Yarrow Valley Country Park Information Centre at 2 p.m. The forecast was for a warm sunny afternoon and we set off all envying Jayne & Lauren who were devouring lashings of ice cream with great relish. Skirting around a lake on which all types of ducks where swimming about dodging groups of enthusiastic fishermen actively engaged in trying to tempt something to bite on their bait. At the opposite end of the lake we took a route passing by the reed wet land nature reserve and wildlife sanctuary and followed the river Yarrows course, arriving at Birkacre weir and fish ladder, which obviously enabled any determined fish access to the higher reaches of the river. Our next landmark was the old Birkacre Mine Shaft which was suitably fenced off.

Following the tow path in more or less single file, we arrived at a point where some young cows had got into the river and seemed to be enjoying the coolness of the water and eating the foliage. After crossing the bridge over the river, we had to tread with care to avoid tripping over an abundance of tree roots. Eventually we climbed from the river bank up a series of steps to a gate allowing us to emerge into open fields, and benefit from the bright sunshine where we continued on an upward slope and ultimately arrived at a series of steps, routing us through a wooded area and back down to the banks of the river. A stone carving of a dog called Bevis who had been instrumental in saving the occupants of Duxbury Hall from a serious fire, sadly losing his life in the process, was found on route. As the riverside pathway had suffered serious erosion, we had to detour upwards to the Golf Club Car Park and short distance along the driveway and back down to a bridge across the Yarrow. Cries for a coffee break resulted in us settling on the riverbank adjacent to a foot bridge. We enjoyed watching kids and dogs having a great time.

Pursuing the route along the riverside and through the trees,  passing a variety of carved items, brought us to a steep upward slope, and having attained what appeared to be a considerable height above sea level ultimately brought us to a well-made path which took a downward route back towards our starting point. Just as we thought we were almost back a further detour added an extra aspect to our walk by taking a route which ultimately brought us to a superb playground area which parents and children alike were obviously enjoying. The car park was just beyond.

The final verdict, successful venture virtually on our doorstep, and within the 5-mile prediction and despite a few exaggerations of understanding of the meaning of good underfoot, without a doubt brought considerable enjoyment to all participants. A downside was the ice cream shop was closed.

Plagiarised  from Raymonds’s original Walk report  - Rodney.