The Hanging Stone Trail

At last a wee trip off in the van - just for two days wandering the North York Moors - curlews, lapwings, rabbits, hares, fantastic scenery, climbing opportunities for Dr Fred and a fantastic Andy Goldsworthy art trail thrown in!!! 

We met up with some friends who were holidaying in Castleton.  We had a scenic tramp across the moors at Westerdale and after an almost (by my standards) intrepid cross country rumble through the bushes, bilberries and bracken we found some rocks to climb... well.... they climbed - I sketched and pondered and read my book while Dr Fred impressed himself by still being able to climb a few routes up the rock.   It was a sheltered spot and while a tad cloudy to start with it morphed into a beautiful evening bringing out the amazing colours across the hill side.  We were quite high up and had fabulous panoramic views across the moors with only the sound of the odd falling rock and birdsong to break the silence. The climbers did very well exhausting themselves and earning the right to to a very pleasant pub meal in the Downe Arms in Castleton - I had wielded a mighty fine liner so reckoned that was good enough justification for me.... 

after a hearty steak and ale pie we took the van up to the top of the moor to a quiet layby for the night, our first wild camp since pre lockdown.  There was, for a few minutes, an agitated curlew circling us but it calmed down when it realised we were only fit for sleeping.  We did however wake at about 4.00 for an amazing sunrise to herald the summer solstice - sadly I didn't have my camera and by the time we actually got up the cloud had set in and it was all looking a bit grey and not in the slightest bit summery .

We were meeting another friend in Rosedale Abbey for a walk so we reluctantly got up - its a potentially lovely moment - tea and toast in bed - doors open.. wilderness outside the van on top of a hill with only the odd curlew for company...  but we don't always have time.. so we packed up and went over the top off the moor to have breakfast while we waited for our friend to arrive.  The plan for the day was to walk the Hanging Stone Trail - a new walk starting and finishing in Rosedale Abbey which was about 6 miles long and was planned specifically to showcase the natural and glorious setting of several art installations by Andy Goldsworthy.  What a treat it was!! The weather was suppose to improve but in fact got worse before it stopped drizzling after lunch but getting a wee bit damp is just part of a Yorkshire experience.  

We had not really researched this walk - we kind of liked the idea that we didn't really know what to expect having found out about it through our friend who is currently involved with  some of the implementation of the overall project so it was a fantastic surprise when we set off and came to the first barn.   Andy Goldsworthy is using existing ruins across the valley and is reconstructing them and utilising them to showcase his own very particular kind of art.  When you open the barn door there is this fantastic feeling of anticipation and then not a drop of disappointment - its just magical... The art, as you would expect from Goldsworthy, is just amazing - locally sourced natural elements, all fitting to the landscape, superbly thought out and executed - clever - thought provoking - each one different but yet equally spectacular.  As I understand it there will be ten buildings when it is all finished -five are currently completed and three just in the process of being built.   I'm really intrigued by the barbed wire potential at one of the under construction structures - not a natural product but incredibly evident everywhere in the countryside these days...   - but in addition to the art its a wonderful walk - you have to book a key for the barns picked up locally and there is a map which guides you right to the top of the valley to 'Jobs Well' taking in several different structures on the way - we had our picnic at the top in a space provided for just that moment (even a fireplace for those prepared) - fortunately under cover as the rain came in quite hard for a short while and then we set off back down the hillside.  

All the installations are brilliant - I have two favourites - one called Southfield House and another 'The Red Room' -  the walk itself is mostly gentle - quite a lot of ascent but at a low level gradient - (I did fall in the stream - no injuries just loud splash and wet feet) in a beautiful part of the world and having these wonderful art creations just makes it even more special.  I took photographs but they do not in any way do justice to the art.... I'm deliberately not posting many photographs as opening the door to see what lies within is part of the whole experience...these are pieces that need to been seen in situ - in the valley, with whatever the weather is throwing at you - with the whole experience of wandering up and opening the door - I'm excited to think we can go back in six months and it will be different again - some will actually evolve with time and natures input.