Woo Dale

Words and pictures by John Jones

Chapel interior.. 

 Poisonous fungus, Sarcoscypha austriacia.

 Attractive Lodge by A6.

Haydale Cave

Teviot lambs

Celtic style war memorial, enlarge for reading.

Old Green Lane

On Thursday, 18th, I decided to try a different area from where I usually walk locally. I drove down Redgap Lane and parked up near some old farmhouse , now modernised and no longer a farm. I set off back a few yards then E along  walled lane , through a gate and into the start of Woo Dale .A gentle stroll down and upto the A6. I noticed a figure in front who was climbing up the hill side on my left. It looked like Jock?. I followed said person and on top continued towards Cheedale, where the path turned down over a mineral railway line and a familiar row of cottages by the Wye , which was in full flow. Over the river to an access road and taking a right in a W direction to Topley Pike Quarry, soon crossing over and up in a S direction past settling pools from the washing plant . Soon into and up a short steep gorge where I thought I noticed a rather portly figure slowly climbing above us..It was only on surfacing into a field that i recognised Tom  and Daisy !  Pie time ensued.with two skylarks regaling us from above.. A lovely sound indeed.. .. Soon we set off S past a country residence, across A 5270 towards Frogmorton. Down a walled track but turned right and right again down a delightful green land after passing a field with Teviot ewes with their youngish lambs, most in pairs.. We came off the lane W to a farm and the A5270 again, passing a sewage facility. soon off the road and over a stile past disused buildings and into haydale. The sun graced us then with it's presence and as we walked gently down we joined Horseshoe Dale, which was quite scenic .. We took lunch  then in a leisurely manner.. After we returned to our stroll we joined Deep dale  the valley walls of which enclosed us and steepened somewhat forcing us to walk along a stream bed which was not easy going. ..We crossed over a stile and the stream onto Midshires Way and to a tarmaced road near  King Sterndale,, giving the chapel a good perusal.. A lovely spot with celtic cross war memorial,, see pix.. Along the road to A6, at Wyevale, Soon over  and passing a lancet windowed lodge we climbed up to Pictor Hall complete with a bell tower and tree lined drive. Very posh soon along this drive we came out at Redgap lane again,, A superb stroll, one I thoroughly enjoyed ... It may have had something to do with the al fresco cup of tea and double helpings of Mary's delightfully tasty, fruit cake.