~Feizor and back~
31st May 2010
May has provided me with a wealth of walking opportunities and this report completes a set of 12 for the month. Feizor is a small hamlet in North Yorkshire and is becomming a more popular destination for one very good reason....
Heron
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk
Settle to Carlisle Railway
Karen and I left Stainforth at about 11:30 and crossed the road to take the short steep road down to Stainforth Bridge.
The Ribble at Stainforth
This view is looking North from the bridge, most photographers would offer a view looking South, but that's how it is. A short steep ascent gets us into Little Stainforth.
To Feizor
That's Pen-y-ghent in the background.
Smearsett Scar
The path leads directly to Feizor and the pace quickens as anticipation grows.
Feizor Wood
We descend to Feizor; the raison d'être, the purpose of the walk - a visit to Feizor Refreshments, now known as Elaine's Tearooms. I've been before and rate the milky coffee nearly as highly as the version my grannie used to make for me, all those years ago.
Elaine's Tearooms at Feizor
Well, things have changed a little. Firstly there are more tables now and more staff, I reckon they can accommodate about 60 at the various tables inside and out. The service was as prompt as you might expect on BHM with 80% capacity. The business was nominated in the 2010 Yorkshire Rural Awards (Farm Business) and was "Highly Commended" which is a wonderfully polite way of saying they came 2nd.
Leaving Feizor
Less than helpful
Broken Society
Daddy is now separated from Mummy and Baby. Mother is on benefits, which include bigger field and no sheep. Baby doesn't fully understand what's going on; Daddy seems to regret the separation.
Pen-y-ghent
We descended down to the small hamlet of Stackhouse and along the path to the river. There is a shortage of water in the river, I wonder what the Foss will look like?
Stackhouse Weir
The River Ribble nr Stackhouse
Wild Garlic
Has anyone ever come across tame garlic?
Stainforth Foss
One week earlier, with temperatures in the high 70's (old money), my son Andrew and his mates made their first visit of the year to this spot and quietly enjoyed the facility, along with a few others. Today it was less busy, but still one or two in the water.
The Ribble
Stainforth Bridge
Back to Stainforth
Walkers: Karen and Me.
Time taken: 3hrs 40 mins over a distance of about 5 miles.
Route: Stainforth to Little Stainforth and over to Feizor, back via Feizor Thwaite to Stackhouse and up the river to Stainforth.
Weather and conditions: Warm, sunny intervals.
Greetings Count: Understandably high in the Feizor area, quieter on the way out and back.
Richard's Refreshment Review: Elaine's Tearooms, Feizor. One downside - the milky coffee was not quite as good as last time, but everything else was spot on.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2010 © Leave a comment below if you like, it's quick, free and painless.