Despite rather dour and gloomy weather throughout most of the day yesterday, we had a decent walk over varied terrain. I wrote a couple of walking guides years ago, and filled them with original routes, but whenever I see a local guide, I am disappointed to see they include the same blatantly cribbed and idlily researched routes. Consequently, the vast majority of walkers, in any given area, stick to the same overcrowded paths, and if you go off the beaten track, and show a little imagination, you can have a lovely walk, with rarely another soul for company. It was certainly like that yesterday, we only saw a couple of farmers, getting on with their work, at a distance.
Our walk started close to 18th century Harewood Bridge, which gracefully spans the
River Wharfe just before the West Yorkshire/North Yorkshire boundary. Today, it doesn't look any different to this sketch from 1808.
Looking downstream, the river was looking higher than on our last visit, and the solitary heron, who usually sits above the weir, was not there today.
We were going upstream today though, so crossed the bridge, and made our way along the damp banks of the Wharfe. There were views north to
Almscliffe Crag, a traditional local rock-climbing spot, and we had it in sight throughout most of our hike.
The next weir upstream is ancient, and while partially collapsed, it still diverts some water to a pond on Harewood. It's original function was to provide water-power to a saw-mill, and while in its modern incarnation, it only dates back to 1973, there is still a saw-mill at Harewood Bridge.
Walking on over the muddy terrain, we continued alongside the river until we reached ancient woodland, which conceals the even older earthworks of what was once the local centre of manorial power in the district.
Little remains to see of Rougemont Castle, which once stood here, from the later Anglo-Saxon period until the 12th century. It stood at a bend in the river, a ringwork with bailey, which consisted of stone buildings, including the residence of the local Lord, fish ponds, with a ditch surround, a timber palisade, and a stone wall. The paths through the woods still align with the entrances to the structure which once stood here.
We decided to stop for some tea and porridge, and I got to try out my latest titanium set-up
Leaving the wood by the northern entrance, we walked alongside a large cleared field, with views back to the wood, and ahead to the small village of Weeton.
The whole area is dense with small villages and hamlets, most of which go back to pre-Norman times, but most of which do not contain so much as a pub or shop, just large houses inhabited by the local bourgeoisie, and a few old farming families. Weeton's only feature of note today is a rather imposing church and adjacent vicarage.
Crossing the field, we passed an old Ash tree, split asunder, but still thriving, and spotting a suitable fork, I harvested the makings of a slingshot.
...
