I parked near the bonny little church of St. James, just above the confluence of Fordon's three dales, innovatively named West, North and East Dales. Most of North Dale is access land, although it always did have a footpath running along its length. After negotiating the first fifty yards of nettle infested weeds the path materialised and broke through into the dale: a typical flower rich, Wolds chalk dry valley, grazed by cattle and sheep: unspectacular but very attractive. The Wold tops, in contrast, carry intensive crops of grains and rape.
Lots of birds were in evidence, with an old hollow tree being occupied by noisy chicks of unknown species. At one point a stoat ran across the path and plenty of rabbits and a single hare made appearances.
After the dale becomes Lang Dale the Yorkshire Wolds Way was met. There followed the only significant climb of the day: a 150 foot haul to a lane on the Wold top. The Wolds Way shortly peels off the road heading for the coast. I took the Danebury Manor Lane track down into East Dale.
The lane quickly loses its surface and sports a good selection of wild flowers. There’s a country road along East Dale which quickly leads back to Fordon and the car.
The south facing valley side, Fordon Banks, is also access land, as well as being a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve - the land is, apparently, “a rare survival of herb rich downland grass, cropped by rabbits and cattle”. In addition to an interest in the flora and fauna, I had hoped to use the Banks to avoid a half mile of road walking but, whilst a small roadside notice boldly proclaims the land’s access status, entry was barred by a barbed- wire fence. Back then to the car to enjoy a coffee and apple on the bench outside the church, before exploring the interior – it was Sunday after all.
It was another good little walk. Not challenging enough to test stamina or gear but, at least, marking an increase in exercise levels.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment