Spring

The water course is the remains of a channel along which water diverted from the river Derwent, flowed to rejoin the river, having passed through the waterwheel of a nearby mill.

Sycamore leaves

Ye Olde Forge Valley Inn

East Ayton Lodge and associated outbuildings is noted on the 1854 Ordnance Survey map and although it has been altered and extended, the historic form of the building is still evident. Originally a private residence, it was given by Lady Nunburnholm to the Regional Health Authority in 1947 in memory of her son David Wilson, Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Who was killed in action, 22nd March 1941. His name appears with those of his brothers-in-arms, on the war memorial located at St John the Baptist church, East Ayton. He is buried at Exeter Higher Cemetery, Devon. The lodge was opened as a convalescent annexe to Clifton Hospital (York). It had 20 beds and was used for women patients. After the creation of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948, it became part of York B Group, an organisational unit within the NHS. Thereafter it was used not only by Clifton Hospital but also by other mental hospitals in Leeds Region. In 1974 it was transferred to Scarborough Health District, and it closed in 1978. The lodge was sold in 1980 and is presently a country house hotel. As with other hotels it currently closed due to Covid-19.

Taken from the Green Lane bridleway on a hazy Spring morning, descending from Seamer Moor towards East Ayton, about 1 km away. The higher ground on the far side of the vale are the Yorkshire Wolds.

East Ayton - North Yorkshire

East Ayton - North Yorkshire

High above The Vale of Pickering these trees grow alone on this part of East Ayton Moor, which in Spring is a sea of green. As the year passes the sea will have turned to gold as the crop ripens. There are no hedgerows or other trees in this large area of open fields. It is possible that these trees mark the boundary between fields and uncultivated moorland, as shown on a 1938 OS map. Since then entire area has been put under the plough or consists of fields for the grazing of sheep. My walk across this area was accompanied by the constant song of the Skylark. There must have been many of them, as there was always at least 2 or 3 fluttering and singing high above. I was lucky enough to see one on a nearby fence-post, but not quick enough with the camera. The whole experience reminded me of: The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Played by Nicola Benedetti with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andrew Litton . www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLhpkvQLDt0

The ridge forms the southern wall of Glen Shiel and is a popular destination for both climbers and hill walkers. Glen Shiel is a glen in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The glen runs approximately 9 miles from south-east to north-west, from the Cluanie Inn at the western end of Loch Cluanie and the start of Glenmoriston to sea level at the village of Shiel Bridge and Loch Duich.

The Grand Hotel St. Mary's Church Scarborough Castle Scarborough Lighthouse Scarborough Harbour Scarlborough Early History Scarborough was reportedly founded around 966 AD as Skarðaborg by Thorgils Skarthi, a Viking raider, though there is no archaeological evidence to support these claims, made during the 1960s, as part of a pageant of Scarborough events. The origin of this belief is a fragment of an Icelandic Saga. In the 4th century there had briefly been a Roman signal station on Scarborough headland and there is evidence of much earlier Stone Age and Bronze Age settlements. However any new settlement was soon burned to the ground by a rival band of Vikings under Tosti (Tostig Godwinson), Lord of Falsgrave, and Harald III of Norway. The destruction and massacre meant that very little remained to be recorded in the Domesday survey of 1085. The original inland village of Falsgrave (now part of Scarborough) was also Saxon rather than Viking. Scarborough recovered under King Henry II, who built an * Angevin stone castle on the headland and granted the town charters in 1155 and 1163, permitting a market on the sands and establishing rule by burgesses. Edward II granted Scarborough Castle to his favourite, Piers Gaveston. The castle was subsequently besieged by forces led by the barons Percy, Warenne, Clifford and Pembroke. Gaveston was captured and taken to Oxford and thence to Warwick Castle for execution. * The Angevins were a royal house of French origin that ruled England in the 12th and early 13th centuries; its monarchs were Henry II, Richard I and John. In the Middle Ages Scarborough Fair, permitted in a royal charter of 1253, held a six-week trading festival attracting merchants from all over Europe. It ran from Assumption Day, 15 August, until Michaelmas Day, 29 September. The fair continued to be held for 500 years, from the 13th to the 18th century, and is commemorated in the song Scarborough Fair: Are you going to Scarborough Fair? —parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.... Celia Pavey - Scarborough Fair (with lyrics) www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9_bluYa9Xc

Bassenthwaite Lake*, owned by the National Park Authority, is one of the largest at 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 3/4 mile (1.2 km) wide, but also one of the shallowest (70 ft (21.3 mtrs)). It is the most northerly of the lakes, and has no major settlements on its shores. Bassenthwaite is a good place for viewing Osprey who nest nearby. The lake is also home to the vendace, a rare and endangered fish species found only here and in Derwentwater. *Bassenthwaite Lake is the only body of water in the Lake District to be named a lake.

Common Frog ( Rana temporaria) Possibly our most recognisable amphibian, the common frog is distributed throughout Britain and Ireland, and can be found in almost any habitat where suitable breeding ponds are nearby. Garden ponds are extremely important for common frogs and many populations in suburban areas depend on them. Common frogs have smooth moist skin. Frogs are often found close to fresh water in habitats that remain damp throughout the summer. Outside of the breeding season they can roam up to 500 metres from a breeding pond. Adults can grow to 9cm (nose to tail). They are generally a shade of olive-green or brown, with a dark patch (or 'mask') behind the eyes. Frogs often have bands of darker striping on the back legs. Many individuals have irregular dark markings on the back. The common frog’s colour can vary considerably – most are brown, olive green or grey, but red and yellow individuals also occur. They are able to adapt their skin colour to blend in with their surroundings. Came across this little boy/girl in Wykeham Forest, on the first sunny day this Spring without a cold wind blowing.

Wykeham Forest

Cockmoor Road to Wykeham Forest