HAMBLETON HOBBLE DAY 2

Sunday 06/12/2009. Today's section of the walk is a mixture of field edge paths and woodland with the delights of Boltby forest at the end of the day. I soon passed Arden Hall and then on to Combe Hill an area I first walked in October on the Inn Way to the North York Moors. Once past Old Byland the route was for a time co-incident with the Inn Way and the Cleveland Way as I got closer to Rievaulx Abbey, then back up out of the dales to the quiet village of Scawton, on over the fields to Cold Kirby with the next section taking me over the Cleveland escarpment at High Barn (see picture and a little bit of sunshine) and into Boltby forest as daylight receeded. I had hoped to get out of the north side of the woods and to be able to camp on Gallows Hill but as per usual when I get into forestry commission land I always manage to get lost and so it was again! I kept going till 5pm and as the track I was on was heading well off-route I pitched in the dark on the rough verge of the track. As I often find camping on rough ground gives an excelllent night's sleep thanks to the indentations on the ground matching hip and bum ect. can't be guaranteed of course but thankfully it was the case tonight, and again thankfully, the rain kept off the wind died down and I enjoyed a few pleasant hours listening to Radio 4 on my MP3 FM radio, my wife's very welcome and useful Christmas present from last year. Wonder what I can look forward to in a couple of weeks time, fingers crossed.