The Handbag Walks, Part 8

‘You have to admit our walks are different’

It’s been said before, but as we sit in our second tea shop of the day, it’s worth saying again.

This week, we headed north of York, towards the White Horse of Kilburn, and did a circular walk around Husthwaite and Coxwold. For once, the directions in the book were remarkably good. Ok, the author did occasionally use a little artistic licence, ‘Abandon your path...’, but we never got lost, or had to strike unerringly towards an oak tree!

As we walked up onto Beacon Banks, and saw the better part of North Yorkshire falling away to our left and right, it was glorious, and once again made us realise how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country. We commented that our walks should really be called handbag and photography walks, as there were lots of stops for photos* and posing.

Reaching Coxwold, we visited our first tea shop. As neither V or I had had lunch, we allowed ourselves cake, which was home made, and delicious. Leaving there, we called in the village shop (our only shop of the day, but we have to find one somewhere), and emerging spotted some ‘proper walkers’, three women on the opposite side of the road. No one would have stopped and offered them a lift, as they looked like they meant business – rucksacks, sticks, shorts, ‘proper’ shoes and socks. I’m sure they were doing a much more strenuous walk than we were!

As we walked, the talk turned to whether we’ll keep this up as the weather grows colder. I think we’re all amazed just how well we’ve kept it up, despite the awful summer. We also discussed that we’d need new clothing – I certainly don’t have a winter ‘walking jacket’ - and I’d need new trousers (possibly, shock horror, new jeans!). We want to, but then we’re fair weather walkers, so there might be a lot more time spent in pubs and tea shops.

After we arrived back in Husthwaite, V suggested stopping at a coffee shop in Easingwold, if we had time – well, we made time, and it was lovely. Definitely one to return to in the future.

*which I don’t have any of at the moment, as I reverted to using film.