Stroll, crawl or meander with Doncaster Ramblers

Today was different, today would be one of our regular monthly ‘mid-range’ walks of about eight miles.

Looking about I noticed loads of familiar faces.

Some regular ramblers, some regular Thursday walkers, even a few from the occasional Sunday stroll.

Word is slowly getting around and today’s wonder attracted a crowd of sixteen. Now we Ramblers are obsessed with the weather, so today was no different.

“Is it warm enough for shorts, and do we need to stow away some wet weather gear?” Luckily we came prepared.

Lee, our walk leader who planned this circular route, began by taking us South West along a forest edge to Sprotborough Flash Nature Reserve, where we picked up the Trans Pennine Trail towards the magnificent Conisbrough Viaduct.

By now drizzle was in the air, and with our backs to the wind we headed North West then North through fields of barley and poppy towards Cadeby.

On route we learned that barley comes in either two row or four row ears.

Continuing North along Cadeby Lane we made our way to the collage gates at High Melton for a refreshment break. Fully rested we made our way North across Ox Pasture towards Melton Wood Country Park, a haven for dog walkers, which reminds me – we had one canine with us today, and well behaved she was too, even off the lead.

We make a big thing about the social side of walking in groups, and it was seen in action today, as we all mixed and mingled with one another, talking politics, leisure, the weather, whatever.

As a consequence, the group often broke up, which is why back marking, in this case by Rob Elvidge, is such an important role of our troupe.

By now brollies had come down, as we made to right turn in the centre of the park, to head East along a metalised track before making another right passed Fox Flat Plantation, with wind turbines behind us and the start point ahead.

A quick march through the outskirts, then passing Sprotbrough Country Club before descending some well maintained steps brought us safely back to our cars.

Great walk Lee.

Earlier this summer the Ramblers also went on an annual coach trip to Pateley Bridge.

Dave Binnington said: “It was a very smooth and surprisingly quick coach journey to this lovely Nidderdale village and we arrived in bright sunshine, raring to go! Norman and Elaine led their group on a pretty 6.5 mile walk that took in a number of industrial heritage sites and centred on the remains of Providence Lead Mine for a refreshment stop. Peter’s nine mile walk made its way up along the Nidderdale Way with expansive views over the valley opening up. A final clamber through boulder-strewn woodland led to the centre of Brimham Rocks. This group returned down through Smelthouses and alongside the River Nidd, allowing a couple of hours to explore the village.

“Dave and Bob led their group along the same route to Brimham Rocks but in the afternoon branched off down to Summerbridge for a short pub stop before climbing the other side of the valley to Abraham Crags with spectacular views looking north and then descending into Bewerley.”