January Lockdown Walks

A collection of my "best photo of the walk" from my local walks during January's lockdown.  All done from my doorstep.

05/01/2021 - Hedon - Burstwick - Camerton - Thorngumbald circuit (6 miles)
Up the track to the road, then return via the main road through the villages.  Got my timings wrong and returned home in the dark.  Many polystyrene snow showers! Gave me the opportunity to take a pic of the memorial I normally only ever drive past though:

Memorial in Thorngumbald

07/01/2021 - Hedon - Preston Lake circuit (6.75 miles)

Beautiful day.  Glorious sunshine, hard crisp frost making the muddy fields a pleasure to walk on.  Sadly, the lake has been fenced off due to ne'er-do-wells so you can no longer sit on the log enjoying a brew with a view:

The "secret" lake

09/01/2021 - Hedon - Preston via Nuns Walk (5 miles)

The frost was starting to melt, making the fields a bit squishy underfoot but still not as bad as they can be!  Decided to see if there was an exit onto the old rail track from one particular field - there is..  Also discovered that most of the fields on that side of the track have wide, well walked field margins.  More exploring to be had there then.  Glad to see the Llamas/Alpacas were still out:

Llamas/Alpacas (how do you tell the difference?)

10/01/2021 - Hedon - Leafsail quarter via the pub (4 miles)

Definitely a circuit to do after a hard frost or a drought!  It's only the second time I've done this route and it's pleasant enough.  Found a few little "sneak throughs" across the field drains - but definitely only do-able after a drought.  Saw a couple of deer but they dashed off before I could get my camera out.  Surprised at the level of the main drain - expected it to be much higher than it is:

Tide's out on Burstwick Drain

22/01/2021 - Hedon (2.75 miles)

First lovely sunny day in ages.  Thought I'd check out the drain levels after all the rain:

Burstwick Drain - a bit higher than normal

24/01/2021 - Hedon to Paull (9 miles)

Did a separate write up for this but my fave pic is this one:

Old wooden boat on Pollard Clough

Other than these, I've done plenty of functional/scenic walks to/from the shops but I never took any photos.

It's looking like it'll be more of the same for February too with the never-ending Lockdown 3.

Ye Gods, I can't wait for the travel restrictions to be eased.

East Yorkshire: Hedon to Paull (9 miles)

 Sunday, 24th January 2021

Well, I wasn't planning on posting any further local walks as I do them so often but, this one, I've not done for a number of years - primarily due to the mainly unscenic and flat nature of the drain bank, which takes up the majority of the walk.  Plenty of bird life in and around the "river" and I saw a herd of deer in the distance but sadly too far away to get a pic of. 

After a circuit of my favourite bit, I returned along the drain bank(s) until I got to the Saltend Road where I walked the drain bank on the opposite side, just to spice things up a bit.  I always forget which side is the official PRoW but both sides have clearly defined paths which look regularly walked. Having just looked at the map the PRoW is on the outward leg of my walk yet the fingerpost at Saltend Road points to the opposite bank (my return leg)!  

Despite having walked near on 8 miles as I returned to Hedon, my legs didn't feel "done" yet so I took a short detour across the cow field.  It looked quite magical with the hard frost on the pasture.

The hard frost made the under-foot conditions throughout the whole walk a pleasure - the normally slippery, squishy mud was frozen solid.

Anyway, some pics:

Frosty foliage

Saltend's cooling towers from Hedon Haven Clough

Pointless gate with the lighthouses behind at Paull

Windswept Hawthorn

A truly rubbish attempt at an arty-farty pic
of the reflections in Pollard Clough

Wonderful old boat with a less wonderful backdrop!

Heading up (yes up!) onto the frosty cow field

Beginnings of a nice sunset from the frosty cow field

A nice way to while away a Sunday afternoon but I am looking forward to some sort of easing of lockdown. 

Thanks for looking 😊 

East Yorkshire: Old Ellerby Circuit (4.8 miles)

 Sunday, 3rd January 2021

First walk of the year.  I chose a route that incorporated a bit of the Hornsea Rail Trail/TPT that I've not done before.  The first part of the walk I've done with our walking group a few times and I was always curious about the bit on the "other side" of the A165.  So today, I decided to explore.

I got parked up at my alternative car parking spot that I use for the bluebells walk.  There is a proper but small car park near Oubrough Manor, plus a massive lorry layby opposite but they're both usually pretty busy.  

A lengthy walk down Crab Tree Lane ensued, through the sleepy little village of Old Ellerby.  There is a cute little Church here:

There is also the Blue Bell pub.  The only pub I know of that has "lock OUTs".  It never looks open (even pre-covid) but it is - I'm sure it's invite only!

Heading out of the other side of the village onto Skirlaugh Road and I was glad I'd wrapped up against the elements (and the promise of rain, sleet and snow) as I mooched along the exposed single track road:

There was a "refreshing breeze" belting across the fields!  Eventually I got off the road and onto the start of the muddy paths.  First, along the short edge of a field before joining the Hornsea Rail Trail:

One day, when this madness is all over, me and a pal from the walking group are going to catch the bus into town and walk the full length of this (about 20 miles).  Definitely a task for when the pubs and cafes along the way are open again!

Crossing a very minor road near Ellerby Gatehouse had me joining the Trans Pennine Trail:

I was glad of this slightly more sheltered bit nearing the other end as a sudden blast of "polystyrene snow" followed by sleety rain attacked me.  Waterproof, windproof and insulated clothing - check - passed.

I crossed the main A165 road at Oubrough Manor and was greeted with a very newly laid tarmac track.  I wonder if the previous bit will receive the same treatment:

Eventually the tarmac track turned into a compacted hardcore farm track and, at Kelwell Farm I took a sharp left turn onto Green Lane:

I don't think "green" describes it very well and I'm re-naming that bit "Mudbath From Hell".  I just hoped the occupants of Kelwell Farm weren't watching me as I slithered, squelched and slid along whilst battling with intermittent sideways sleet.

Crossing to the next field, the mudbath improved slightly into a deeply rutted track but at least the worst bits were avoidable.

The field after that would be what I would describe as a "green lane" and this bit was a pleasure to walk on, if you ignored the fly tipping near the main road:

There was a patch of blue sky in the distance that never quite reached me, but it was nice to see, nonetheless.

After I re-crossed the A165 (which was an easy task in these travel restricted times) it was a simple plod up the quiet road opposite and back to my car.  There were a few nice puddles for me to get the worst of the mud off my shoes too, which was a bonus.

The road will be closed from 4th January for a while so I'm glad I did this walk today.

I really enjoyed getting out in the fresh air and having the elements battering me occasionally.  Came back with sparkly eyes and rosy cheeks.

Thanks for reading 😊