Wow! What an absolutely fantastic week I've just had exploring the delights of Yorkshire - and beyond....

Now, being eco-conscious as we all are (aren't we?) I usually try to travel by coach, bus or train and so travelled up to Bradford, which was to be my base for my Easter break by National Express for the bargain price of £2 return. But how could I pass up the opportunity to explore such a wonderful area in the heart of England and so, yes, I'm afraid I gave in and hired a car for the week. And what an adventure me and my little Clio had. The staff at the car hire centre, Alamo/National in Nelson Street, Bradford, tried hard to hide their giggles when they saw the look on my face when I was handed the keys to a brand new Renault and very guiltily put my muddy walking kit in the boot - then drove off with a big smile tuned in to the pumping sounds of Galaxy FM (coolest station in the North!) heading for the North Yorks Moors.....

On Saturday I headed out for a day on Ostmotherly Moor and part of the Cleveland Way. Mindful of the strict instructions of my Physio I intended to keep the walks short and simple - but the weather was glorious, the scenery stunning and with my new custom made insoles (by Superfeet) and being conscious of my posture throughout - I ended up completing a wonderful 5 hour walk around the moors. Throughout the day I passed hardly another soul and the sense of freedom, escape and peace was incredible - once I got used to the grouse who seemed to take delight in 'jumping out' on me at regular intervals. The view coming back over the summit of one hill to see the reservoir glistening below me in the distance was breathtaking. And I didn't get lost once! Back at the hostel the friendly staff had prepared a fab meal after which I wandered into the village with a fellow hostel guest, Kathy, where we enjoyed a lovely glass of wine or two at the Queen Catherine Pub. This was my first stay in a Youth Hostel and I was really surprised at the atmosphere, the facilities and the comfortable set up. Staying in a room with 10 others was slightly daunting but it was O.K - and I'm now hooked on the whole scheme! Kathy is a lifetime member and has been hosteling for many years and we shared many a story over our wine.

On Easter Sunday I was due to move on to Robin's Hood Bay but on the drive over I was captivated by some stunning peaks that rose up before me and I just had to stop and go walking. I quickly discovered where I was, thanks to the information board, took a wrong turn and headed up the wrong peak - realised where I was, berated myself and then congratulated myself on the extra ascent/decent practise I'd just given myself and finally headed off towards Cringle Moor. As I approached the path I was slightly alarmed to see a mobile ambulance and Search and Rescue Land Rover parked up and though 'Oh no, what could possible have happened so early in the day', and so breathed a sigh of relief when too smiley happy chaps greeted me and explained they were there for the day on PR exercise.

I was surprised to learn that each Search and Rescue outfit has to raise their own funds and receive no help from the state for this vital service which many of us rely on. 'Skinny Dave' and Neil took time out to show me the equipment, talk about some common accidents which occur in the area (mostly ankle injuries and exhaustion through being ill-equipped or prepared) and then continued to tell me some rather scary climbing stories with a strange glint in their eye........!

But seriously, Cleveland Search and Rescue have to raise around £20,000 per year to operate and the guys and girls involved are all volunteers, and the same applies to all of our Mountain Rescue outfits and as walkers the least we can do is pop a couple of quid their way whenever we can. I happily donated a few coins and picked up a copy of an old annual report which is always an interesting read. If you're thinking of walking the Cleveland Way, Pennine Way, Coast To Coast or any other area of the North Yorks Moors and if you feel inclined you can help support them at: Cleveland Search and Rescue Team, 84 Marwood Drive, Great Ayton, Middlesbrough, TS9 6PD. Details for other Moutain/Search and rescue teams, such as Kendal, can be found on the web.

Tearing myself away from my rugged rescuers (yes, they know I'm teasing) I headed off with the intention of walking to the first peak, Cringle and no more than an hour out, then an hour back to the car. Well, they do say the best laid plans..... The weather was amazing and the view from the top awesome. And as I looked at the onward path the next summit loomed ahead of me and looked even more incredible - and so what can a Hill Walker do but walk.......and then I was at that summit, looking out a the vast landscape before me, and the next summit, which featured some amazing rock formations - the Wain Stones - and I could not resist! At the Wain Stones I stopped for a rest and watched some climbers scaling the various faces and routes. It was interesting to note that only one of the four was wearing a helmet and after hearing some of the horror stories from Dave and Neil wondered as to why people continue to take such risks?? With the ascent and decent of the route I had been walking for around two hours and so figured I'd better begin the walk back. At first I had the good intention of following the lower, flatter path around the base of the hills, but as I looked up at the inclines before me I took mental stock of my physical state and decided that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make the most of real ascent/decent routes and took the higher, harder path - and it was great! Hot, but great! Back at my start point 'Skinny Dave' and Neil were swamped with families and visitors each keen to have a play with the siren and waved hello as I strode past, smiling and sweaty. Not quite sure why then were so surprised to note I'd made it back....alive, 4 hours later!!! And then it was on to Robin's Hood Bay.....

Arrived at the Boggle Hole Youth Hostel late evening and just in time to enjoy a walk on the beach before the tide came in and it was time for another yummy diner, followed by a bottle of local beer on the beach and a bit of star gazing before bed. The atmosphere here was so different than Ostmotherly - more families and even some young musicians to serenade us with their guitars in the dining room. Very relaxing and with nothing else around to disturb the sounds of the sea I soon fell into my bunk and had one of the best nights sleep I'd had in a long time.

Easter Monday - and after a good hearty breakfast I took off across the cliffs for a walk from Boggle Hole to Whitby. The route is very simple and beautiful, high cliffs, soaring sea birds, crashing waves and blue skies, but it is also a continuous roller coaster of a walk - up, down, up, down for 7 miles in each direction. And the weather was glorious yet again. The walk was lovely and peaceful and so wandering into Whitby on a hot, sunny bank holiday Monday was a total shock to the system! After three days walking on my own on the moors and cliffs to suddenly be amongst so many people and so much noise was really difficult to cope with and so I grabbed some famous Whitby Scampi and chips and soon made a hasty retreat away from the maddening crowds and back along the coast path. Now, too be honest, by this point I was, well, to put it bluntly, rather knackered, and I had hoped to get onto the old railway path back to Robin's Hood Bay but to do this from Whitby would have meant fighting my way through the crowds (walking poles come in handy here!) and out the other side of town and I really couldn't be bothered with that so I took a big breath, grasped the poles and headed back the way I came - only slightly more slowly. About half way back it's possible to join the railway path and so I took advantage and walked back along a flat, even surface and in the footsteps of the line my step-dad and his dad worked in days gone by when the steam train ran along this route. I was so relieved to see Robin's Hood Bay looming up after a couple of hours walking in the never faltering sun and quickly made my way to that famous pub by the sea, where many a Coast to Coast walker have laid down their poles, taken off their boots and claimed their certificate. Couldn't claim to have walked that far of course but over the past three days I had averaged around 10-12 miles over hilly terrain and that was enough for me - for now. But the Cleveland Way has captured my imagination and I'm already thinking of ways to get back there in the summer and actually walk from point to point, via the YHA, and covering a good portion of the route. My Physio is going to kill me....but hey, who could pass up walking around here.......

Tuesday - my step dad and mum decided to take me on a gentle, easy walk around Ilkley Moor, looking for ancient 'Cup and Ring' marks and some lesser known stone circles. My step dad is a Yorkshire man and claims to know the moors 'like the back of my hand' and so we headed out, without a map, on a wee adventure.... We parked up at the Keighly end of the moor and headed for 'Piano Rock', and area which suffered massive damage last year due to fires - but more about that another time'. The wind, compared to previous days, was savage and I actually had to don the hard core walking jacket - such a contrast to the T-shirt and sunblock of the day before. From Piano Rock we made our way towards the Hawksmoor end, looking for an elusive stone circle and it quickly became apparent, as we trudged through the bog, that my step dad was....can you guess yet.....lost! I hung my head in disbelief and wished for an OS Map to appear - but no such luck. And, of course, being a stubborn Yorkshire man, he wouldn't admit it or give in. After many a cross word whilst standing in the 'Crimping Mire' - mud, to you and me, I decided to take control, went into would be walking leader mode, and took us off in the direction of safety - and yes, before you say it, I was going in the right direction and got us back onto a main path, via the elusive stone circle, and heading back towards the car. The only reason I got a bit stressed about it is because my Ma, a stubborn East Londoner, has a pacemaker, arthritis and a nasty habit of throwing herself on the floor to meet the wildlife - otherwise known as falling over. And she was getting tired. My step dad has also had a quadruple bypass and was also beginning to feel the effects of what was, by now, an epic 4 hour walk! Me, I was happy as larry once I knew where I was but my immediate concern was to get my parents back safely and, hopefully, still enjoying the walk. Which, eventually, we managed! I'll always remember my step dad finally admitting that he was lost and 'Eh, I never knew that Ilkley Moor was sooo big!' - No kidding!!!

On Thursday 12th we headed off to Pen-y-gent - the smallest of Yorkshire's three mountains. I was being taken here because I'd said I wanted a scramble - and that's what I got! The path up soon becomes a shingle base and then rocks and from a distance the ascent looked formidable. Up close, it's not too bad and as long as you watch where you put your feet it's actually very easy. Mum didn't make it up by David (step dad) and I ploughed ahead and were soon standing at the trig point enjoying the views. I'd made sure Mum had rung us when she was back at the car - for safety reasons - and we returned the assurance when we were about to make our way back down. We abandoned our original plan of a circular route as this would have taken a good couple of hours to complete and it didn't feel right to leave poor old mum on her own for so long. After the slightly longer descent - thank heavens for the walking poles - we joined up with mum and went on to Malham Cove and Gordale Scar where David and I attempted, and failed, to climb the waterfall - much to mum's distress!!! Sorry Ma. A good few hours of scrambling and walking - good practise for Ben Nevis.

Friday 13th - took a day out to visit Sheffield, legendary home of so many walkers and climbers - and my favorite author! Popped into Blacks in the main shopping area for some new sun glasses (had an awful headache for a few days due to the glare when walking) and was really surprised by the friendly staff there. Looks like I could have some new walking chums and Nicola, if you're reading this, I'll be taking you up on your offer as soon as I can!

Sunday 15th - last day of walking before heading home. Grabbed mum and car (step dad wanted a rest!) and headed off to Ambleside in the Lake District - only an hour and a half from Bradford. Hottest day of the year so far and what did I do - I made poor old mum walk from the town to Lower Sweden Bridge, then Higher Sweden Bridge. It was a tough route for her but she did it - with a little encouragement - and I'm really proud of her determination - and the fact she enjoyed the scenery as well. At the Higher Bridge we parted ways for a while and I made a dash for the summit of Red Scree yet again, but yet again failed as the route was far too long for the time I had available and to push it to that extreme in the heat was silly. So I stopped at Swandale Head, took in the view, and then headed back to town to meet up with Ma for a nice cold drink. Earlier in the day we had been pointed in the wrong direction for the start of the walk and ended up taking in Stock Gyll waterfall - nice - but not where we wanted to be. Three lovely chaps heading for Trout Beck helped us out and cheekily added which pup they would be in at 5.30pm. Imagine our surprise when we were just about to get back in the car - at 5.30 and who should walk past but...our helpful walkers. So we decided to join them for a drink but......by the time we had put the stuff in the car and turned around they had disappeared down a side road and we lost them....so sorry lads.....we did try to find you but to no avail! Hope you had a good walk and thanks for helping us out.

So, phew, there you have it - in abridged form, the adventures of Sturdy Girl over Easter. And what a time it was. I got in some great walks, met some amazing people, some of whom I hope to stay in touch with, gained some great experience and shared some of my passion with my nearest and dearest. Thanks to all who helped me on the way; the staff at Ostmotherly and Boggle Hole YHA, 'Skinny Dave' and Neil of Cleveland Search and Rescue, Gill at Alamo Cars, Nicola at Blacks in Sheffield, Kathy - fellow walker and drinking companion, Martin and his wife completing the Cleveland Way route, mum and David, Rupert the Renault and the unknown barman!!!!

Sorry none of you could join me this time around - but I still need help and guidance so please do get in touch if you have any comments, tips, suggestions or want to come walking. I'm a friendly sort - honest!

A weekend off this week, then back down to Somerset next week for a gentle stroll with friends...

All for now and apologies for any spelling mistakes - I've just got back in after a 7 hour journey back and the camera's just packed up - hence the lack of photos for the second part of the entry...sorry!!!! Back to the grind-stone tomorrow.