Saturday 30th December 2000
( Weather: wonderful for the time of year )
Today's walk: Great Ayton - Captain Cook's Monument
( 7 miles )
Today we joined some work colleagues and their families for our annual ' Christmas Walk '
We set off from the
village of Great Ayton across the snow covered fields
- our destination, Captain Cook's Monument, can be seen straight
ahead on the top of Easby Moor
As we climbed the
south-western slopes of Easby Moor the sun began to shine warm
& brightly
and those of us who had come prepared and ' wrapped up' were soon
beginning to peel off our top layers!
However, it was well worth the effort as we enjoyed some superb views south-west towards the Cleveland Hills
The same view from a bit further on
. . . 
Then we enjoyed about a mile of walking through the forest and Mill Bank Wood . . .
. . . 
. . . before emerging at Bankside Farm and joining the Cleveland Way path to Captain Cook's Monument
Just before we reach the Monument we get a good view back east to Kildale . . .
. . . before joining the gathering 'crowd' who were enjoying well-earned refreshments by the Monument itself
The top of Easby Moor was a popular place to be today
No wonder with views in the bright sunshine such as this, south to Urra Moor . . .
. . . south-west to the Cleveland Hills . . .
. . . and north to Cleveland's most prominent landmark, Roseberry Topping
We then descended the track to Gribdale Gate
Yes, that shadow's my legs, . . . no, I'm not on stilts!
From Gribdale Gate we followed the path down to the houses of Gribdale Terrace . . .
. . . enjoying watching the kids sledging in the fields alongside
The wild birds hadn't left a scrap from this morning's ' breakfast '
Before long we were soon back to the rows of stone cottages in Great Ayton . . .
. . . and the little church in its picturesque surroundings
On the way home, the last of the late afternoon sun's rays catch the slopes of Roseberry Topping
May I take this opportunity to thank all of you who have visited North York Moors CAM,
and I wish you all
A VERY HAPPY, PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR !
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