The Yorkshire Wolds Way: Part 1 Hessle to South Cave

OK. It isn't Hornsea but it is a walk :) To paraphrase a friend of mine - my blog, my rules! This is a long entry so you may want to get a drink before you start :)

Friday 28 July 2017 dawned clear and bright, dry and warmish. Perfect walking weather.  Also perfect was the fact that our daughter was leaving our house at 06:30 to head home and she would drop me in Beverley in good time for me to catch the 07:14 to Hull and onwards to Hessle.

The rail system worked well and I arrived at Hessle station on time and in good spirits. I had a good supply of food and drink to sustain me through the day, at least until my nearest and dearest picked me up at South Cave!!

Off I go then, on my bit-by-bit walk through The Yorkshire Wolds. I've already done a fair portion of the middle parts with friends over the months but you can't beat doing a more complete version.

The start of TYWW

There were lots of people around the path when I got near The Country Park Inn but only 2 of them (and their dog) proved to be Way Walkers. A few hundred yards in and the path was nice and empty, allowing me to concentrate on putting one foot in front of t'other and to enjoy the scenery and the wildlife. Going past the pub there is a lovely marker stone (the twin of which I hope to see on Filey Brigg) which isn't the start of the walk, it's just that there isn't room for it where the walk does start.

The Humber Bridge

A nice marker but not actually the start of the walk

Along the Humber Estuary path, walking was clear and easy, sharing this bit of the Way with the Trans Pennine Trail has its benefits as it is really smooth so the bikers can ride along in comfort. No mountain bikers passed me on this bit - obviously too easy for them.

Writer's note: you will pick up later in this narrative that some mountain bikers get on my frups. Not all mountain bikers, just those that don't have the brain power to suss out that a footpath is different to a bridleway. A bridleway is usually wide enough to allow two people, or a pedestrian and a cyclist, to pass each other reasonably easily and safely without having to step out of the way. Not always the case but 95% of the time I've found this to be true. Footpaths however come in all shapes and sizes. More later :)

Under the bridge and onwards.

Under the Humber Bridge

At the Reed Pond I had a decision to make as the tide was coming in, and the path gets submerged at high tide. I chickened out and took the alternate path through North Ferriby rather than risk a soaking or worse.

Grey Heron on the Reed Pond

The incoming tide

Negotiating the A63 junction was a bit of a nightmare as it isn't immediately obvious where the path goes after you cross the bridge but I got there in the end.

The route hadn't been particularly scenic up to now, apart from the Humber Bridge of course. I was looking forward to the next stretch of the walk to Welton and beyond which promised to be more pastoral and enjoyable.

A long gentle climb took me to the top of the hill past Greystones Pit and the scout camp with Welton not too far away...

09:47 up the hill to the scout camp

There were reasonable views over the estuary from the path as it wound westwards into Bow Plantation then down into Welton which is the first Wolds-type village on the route.

Views over the Humber estuary from above Welton

The village itself went past in a bit of a blur really. Lots of new build houses with one or two interesting bits of detail on older properties to look at.

I walked past a lovely old pond and onto the road that takes you up through a short stretch of woodland into Welton Dale, which is really nice and secluded. The first taste of a typical Wolds dale with steep sides and sheep or cattle quietly grazing.

Welton Dale

Woodland to the left as you walk through the dale

At last, somewhere to sit for a breather

I took advantage of a fallen tree to have a rest stop and a well-earned drink with some of the snack food Lin had provided to ensure I didn't die of hunger in the outback of deepest Yorkshire:)

On reaching the top of the dale the scenery changed to typical agricultural land with rolling hills and wide vistas. A fine sunny day helped the views and the crops were ripening nicely as I approached Brantingham.

Passing by Waulby Manor Farm there is a small dam with lots of wildlife. These Little Grebes took my attention for quite some time, as I hadn't seen nesting Little Grebes so closely since I left our old home nearly 3 years ago.

Little Grebe and a young 'un

Along the path towards Brantingham I came upon the place where a photo had been taken in my guide book - it'd be rude not to get the same view into my camera wouldn't it!!!

11:50 Brantingham 1 mile away

As it was nearing midday I could feel the pangs of hunger gnawing away at my stomach so it was time to find somewhere to sit and tuck in to my sarnies. There is a definite dearth of seating opportunities along Part 1 of TYWW so when one present itself you'll do well to make the most of it - so I did.

Lunch location

About 10 miles into the walk, walked 1.2 miles to get to Hessle

A bench! Lunchtime :)

Nice bit of wood carving in the shape of an acorn

 There are some great views from the hill overlooking Brantingham, both towards West Yorkshire and over the Humber

Another estuary view

Another signpost

Brantingham village

After hearing so much about this village and its church I found myself hurrying down the hill, or hurrying as much as I could with full belly. Brantingham is a lovely spot and the church is very well tended and beautiful. Worth a few minutes of anyone's time if you're in the vacinity.

 All Saints church

Up the hill out of Brantingham is a walk on the road rather than on footpaths. It isn't particularly busy but I wasn't expecting to have to trudge up the road when there's a lovely wood on either side. Only a couple of miles to go now though.

Here is where I had a bit of a do with mountain bikers. The footpath was very narrow with brambles and nettles either side, and it was steep with several blind bends. It was clearly marked no cycling so I wasn't really surprised when 4 mountain bikers came down as I was going up.

The usual thing happened. I said do you think it's safe to cycle down here, given you shouldn't be on a footpath anyway. They said f*** off, or some such witty banter. As long as they get their kicks by risking their necks going down a very steep footpath it doesn't really matter if other people may get hurt in the process does it.

Rant over. Off to South Cave :)

A pile of poo - pity that Comma butterfly got in the way

The final part of the route was down hill to South Cave but there were still great views over the estuary and down to South Cave itself, and a nice old way marker to enjoy too on the way past Great Wold Plantation.

South Cave

Barley field

A few more steps and I was out of the fields and onto the road at the end of the first part of TYWW. The sun was still shining and I was hot and a bit tired, but elated too at having started on the enjoyable task of doing the whole of the Wolds Way.

End of part one at 13:20

1.2 miles to the start then 13 miles on TYWW

 However, the best was yet to come. As I waited by the road for Lin to pick me up at the arranged spot, I started to realise something wasn't right. We've driven up and down the road to South Cave many times and it's usually busy...and surely the road is wider than the one I was looking at...and I've never actually noticed the sign before....bugger, it's the wrong road Gromit!!!! I was on the B road from Little Weighton rather than on the A1034 where I'd said I'd be.

I couldn't ring Lin to tell her of my mistake as she was driving. I had about 15 minutes to get over to the right place before she breezed by looking for a worn out old bloke by the side of the road.

I made it by the skin of my teeth, and I'd been lounging by the cemetary (very apt!) for all of 2 minutes when Lin appeared. So the day's total was 15.3 miles and my knees told me they'd been busy. A wonderful walk and I'm already planning part 2.