Post 220 – 14 December 2017, The Inn Way – Appleton Mill Farm to Newton-on-Rawcliffe.
Parking in Cropton in very cold frosty conditions, we did a short circular walk down to Appleton Mill Farm, which we had reached on Monday. Before leaving Cropton, we had the usual debate about whether we should wear microspikes. Again I decided to wear them.
Leaving Cropton, we passed the first of 4 memorial benches in the area. We will remember them.
We passed the first and last of the days inns. These days it is a delight to find ones that haven’t closed!
There ground was still frozen from the overnight frost.
Just before Appleton Mill Farm a deer appeared.
Returning to Cropton we passed the old well and Church of St Gregory, a Grade II listed building. It was rebuilt in 1844 following a fire.
A second memorial bench was passed.
We passed the Roman camp of Cawthorne, which was a temporary marching fort en route from York and Malton. Away from the camp were expansive views which the Romans would have appreciated to keep an eye out for the Brigante tribes in the area. It must have been a harsh life to be posted here.
At Keldy Banks Farm there was an interesting selection of buildings!
Peat Road (Track), being a bit higher, had sections of sheet and broken ice and I was glad I had my microspikes on.
After some uneven, tiring, muddy, icy, and slippy paths we eventually reached Newton-on-Rawcliffe for our lunch and the end of that section of The Inn Way. We had walked over 8 miles and now had to do the return journey. On finishing lunch it started to rain, which we thought was forecast for much later. It meant taking gaiters off, microspikes off and putting waterproof trousers on, then gaiters and microspikes back on, all of course covered in mud. At least we had a bench to perch on, which was a memorial to Kenneth and Patrick Evans who ‘enjoyed the freedom of moors’ as boys but tragically were killed at the age of 21 during the second world war.
We left Newton-on-Rawcliffe on the Rawcliffe Road and left the tarmac at Rawcliffe House Farm where there was an interesting collection of signs.
We passed a dilapidated building ripe for renovation before reaching Thornsby House.
After heading north and then south-west along tracks,
we reached Keldy Castle, which is not a castle. It is a Forest Holidays complex with a number of log cabins, a shop, cafe and reception. The car park area would have been good for ice skating.
There is a bug hotel.
Sid the Yorkshireman ventured into the archery area and came off worse.
We continued through sections of Cropton Forest, which were very dark. Parts of our route were used in The Crosses Walk. This was a walk of 53 miles first thought of in 1971. It was meant to be completed in one go and one group finished it in 22 hours 55 minutes. The oldest member of the party was 61. There were 180 entrants for the first organised walk! They were fit in those days!
There were two more memorial benches and as with the others they were in excellent condition and care. We will remember them.
Miles Walked 14.5
Steps taken 32,830
Calories Burnt 3,820.
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