The ruins of Ellerton Priory seen from the B6270 road between Grinton and Richmond.

Today's Walk, Sunday 15th May 2007: A 7 mile moorland walk with good views and tracks. Lots of interest along the way. One long steady climb to the top of High Harker Hill. Map: Outdoor Leisure 30, Yorkshire Dales. Weather: Hazy in the morning, clearing later. Very warm throughout the day. Parking: Allowed in certain areas on the large village green of Reeth, for a small payment. GR 038993. I left Reeth along the Gunnerside road and just after the fire station on the left turned into Langhorne Drive. At the end turning right, walking ahead to a lane then following a lane to the left (signposted Harkerside / Grinton). Through a gate, half right to a pedestrian suspension bridge.

The half right turn seen here. In the background is High Harker Hill.

I'd attempted to complete this walk several years ago but when I reached this point the bridge had been swept away by floods. So I was pleased to see its replacement here today.

These lambs having an early lunch.

I cross the bridge, walk to the end of the field, where there are alternative routes to get me to the minor road ahead.

An old gate in a stone wall next to the minor road. The gate looks towards the hamlet of Healaugh, with Calver Hill behind.

GR020984 - Leaving this almost traffic free road there is a clear vehicle track which goes half right. I could follow this but decide on a diversion along a fainter track going half left (S.E.), as I wish to visit Maiden Castle about 200 yards away.

Part of the defensive ditch around Maiden Castle. The lone tree has been left in that shape no doubt after being regularly battered by the wind.

The flat ground of Maiden Castle surrounded by the ditch. It is believed it was an early British camp built as a defensive retreat. And that it may have later been used by the Romans as an overnight stop on the way to/from their fort at Bainbridge.

Talking about maidens. While I was taking the above photo, I noticed a group of young women walk by on a track above me. I probably noticed them more as it's fairly unusual to see such a group out walking together. Certainly a welcome addition to the waking fraternity. Well by coincidence :-) I had to climb up to that track turn right and follow them so I could return to the vehicle track mentioned above.

And here they are taking a break in the warm sunshine.

I carry on to the vehicle track which carries on up near the spoil heaps of the long gone Harker Lead Mine. Approx. 200 yards before reaching a building (shooting hut or old mine building?) the track forks. I take the left fork which climbs up to the summit and a bridleway sign GR 011972. To follow the track E. along the summit. Height 1528 feet.

Pile of old stones? There are plenty more behind me as well.

Shown on the map as earthworks. Possibly built by the early British tribe, the Brigantees, who were defeated by the Romans. The link here suggests this area was important because it was rich in lead and the earthworks were part of a defensive system built to protect Maiden Castle.

From this point I made my way down to Grinton and then returned to Reeth. At Grinton I visited the lovely church of St. Andrews which for hundreds of years was the only church in Swaledale. To be buried in consecrated ground the dead were carried here from nearby villages. A journey often lasting two days.

St Andrew's church, Grinton, Swaledale mainly dates from the 14th and 16th centuries, although some fragments of the building date back to the 12th century.

The church and graveyard with some of its ancient gravestones. The ones above right dating from 1765.

This is a photograph showing the top of the stone seat in the church's porch. What do you think made those unusual marks? To make this more interesting I'll buy everyone who gets the answer correct within 10 secs a bar meal in the pub over the road. Ready? Go. 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-STOP! Oh dear, no one got it right (I say so and my decision is final). Well I'll tell you:- In the 13th century almost one fifth of England was a part of hunting forests (not meaning all wooded) When a hunt was about to be held the very weathly Lords taking part attended a hunt service at the church. While they were in the church their huntsmen waited outside. Some passing the time by sharpening their arrowheads on the seat and porch walls. Better luck in the next competition :-) There is a leper squint to be seen outside the church. Because leprosy is contagious the lepers were not allowed inside with the rest of the congregation, but by looking through the squint they could still observe the service. Whether it was as a result of the heat or that my mind was still distracted on the 'maidens' group I don't know, but I forgot to take a photo of the squint. So we'll go straight inside instead...

The beamed ceiling.

A minitare garden made to represent Calvary. Easter Day had been the previous Sunday.

The font dates from the Norman period.

Some of the stained glass windows from inside the church. The centre panel depicts the patron saint of England, Saint George. Despite coming from the area which is now Turkey he is, as here, often shown Anglicised.

Here's an even older grave marker inside the church from 1692. To be buried inside the church the person would have been from an important and influential family. (i.e. rich) The closer they were buried to the altar, the more important and influential they were. (that means the richer they were!)

A stroll over a couple of fields past a flock of sheep will see me back at Reeth.....

Oh (yawn) when it's warm like today it's really really hard for little lambs like us to stay awake (sigh). The look that ewe on the right was giving me I'm sure she was saying,"Don't you dare wake them up". So I didn't.

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