February Walk
A group from the Able service had a lovely walk in the grounds of Kiplin Hall this week. It was a good time to visit, as the annual Snowdrop Strolls had started. We got a map with the numbered trail from the entrance. There were carpets of snowdrops and aconites everywhere. We saw several different varieties, and some had a honey fragrance. The topiary hedges shaped like peacocks were impressive too. We walked through the large walled kitchen garden with leeks, artichokes, parsley and kale growing. The paths were muddy in places, but bark chippings made the going easier in the woodland. The red brick of the Jacobean Hall made a great backdrop for the many drifts of snowdrops. It was then good to warm up with hot drinks in the panelled tearoom. After a picnic lunch, we explored the trail a little further. Well done everyone. Thanks to Stefan for driving.
January Walk
A group from Northdale set off for Studley Royal deer park just as Storm Jocelyn was subsiding and were lucky to walk in the dry. After arriving at the Studley Roger entrance, we found they'd closed the car park, so we parked in the village. We walked through the striking entrance archway and up the main avenue towards the church. Looking back we had a good view of the distant Ripon Cathedral. The deer were nowhere in sight, so we turned right up a track and finally spotted almost a hundred of them in one large herd. There were several red deer stags with their impressive antlers, fallow and the smaller sika deer. Mark G expertly pointed out a low flying barn owl. We also saw some very old oak trees with ideal hollows for owls. Further on, we passed the grand stable block of the former Studley Royal House and crossed a stone bridge. By now it was a bit squelchy underfoot, but nobody complained! Back at the bus we decided to drive to the visitor centre, but we found they'd closed entry due to the storm. So we ended the day in Ripon Market Place for refreshments. It had been a grand day out! Well done everyone and thank you to Martin for Driving
April's walking group bravely fought all sorts of weather at not so sunny Redcar. On arriving at the seafront, we were faced with blustery winds. The waves were roaring and it was difficult to spot the offshore wind turbines through the mist! The promenade was ideal for our wheelchair users. William enjoyed manoeuvering his chair slalom style through the penguin sculptures and water fountains. The viewing platform at The Beacon with its curved metal ribbons was closed. Lots of small fishing boats and old tractors lined our route before we reached Zetland Lifeboat Museum. It has free entrance and houses The Zetland, the oldest surviving lifeboat in the world. Some of us were able to view the impressive boat from a platform. It looked huge and would have needed 8 to10 rowers. The boat was built in 1802 and saw 78 years of service. Some of us went upstairs to see a replica of a 1900's fisherman's cottage kitchen, lots of old Redcar photos and a jaw bone from one of the recent stranded sperm whales.
We then visited Redcar Palace, a new arts venue where we saw a jewellery exhibition, colourful rag rugs and crafts by local artists. On leaving it was raining heavily, so we rushed back to the bus. We ended the day at Kirkleatham Museum where we just had time to see the First World War room with its model of a biplane. Well done everyone for braving the weather. Thanks Gary for driving.