. 
Thursday 21st June 2001
Weather:
Mainly cloudy and cool
Today's Walk: Helmsley - Beck Dale - Carlton - Ash Dale
( 11 miles )
.
Today's walk begins at north-western end of the pretty market town of Helmsley ( Grid Ref: 610 840 )
We set off past the little cottage and footbridge ( above right ) walking alongside the beck . . .
. 
The track takes us past a woodyard and sawmill into the forested area of Beck Dale and Collier Hag Wood
. 
Due to the Foot
& Mouth Epidemic, there are still severe restrictions as to
where we are allowed to walk
but it's just nice to get out into the countryside again and see
familiar shapes and colours
After emerging from
the forest and following a narrow road, we arrive at this weird
'sculpture' ( Grid Ref: 593 904 )
- originally there were two of these objects made of aluminium
but one has all but disappeared.
I am led to
understand they were commissioned in 1977 by the Yorkshire Arts
Association and fashioned
by York sculptor, Austin Wright, in order to 'frame and enhance
the view' !!!
Personally, I prefer to walk towards the seat and small tree to the left of the photo . . .
. . . and 'enhance' it myself - Cringle Moor, Cold Moor and Hasty Bank can be seen about 8 miles north-west
From here we turn right and walk along the ridge above Clark Bank . . .
. . . and soon find a seat where we enjoyed a packed lunch . . .
. . . and stunning views over Howl Wood Farm towards Pockley Rigg
Just past the seat we turn south along another quiet country road for about a mile . . .
. . . leading us into the tiny hamlet of Carlton ( Grid Ref: 610 866 )
.
All is peace and quiet here . . .
. 
. . . so if you need to use the phone just whisper!
. 
We retrace our
steps back along the road for about 100 yards then turn left
along Keld Lane and down into more forest
where we turn left again and follow a quite muddy track along Ash
Dale - aptly named as we are surrounded by ash trees
About 1½ miles
further on, through a break in the hedgeback, we get a glimpse
across towards the
houses on the eastern outskirts of Helmsley
. 
On rejoining the road from Carlton, we turn right and follow it into Helmsley, passing wild roses and pretty cottages . . .
. 
. . . before making our way back through the town centre, past All Saints' Church and back to the starting point
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