Fremington Edge Top

It was a steep climb up to Fremington Edge Top although it didn't seem to take long to summit. The path went through a disused quarry. In fact throughout the morning, I'd find old quarry and mine workings all along the edge. There was a well-built cairn at the top. The view down into the valley was stunning. On the other side of the valley I could see Calver Hill. I'd visit the summit of that, as my last stop of the day, before returning to my car. The hills beyond Calver Hill were shrouded in very dark clouds. I wondered if there was a chance of some thunder...I hoped not.

It was a very pleasant walk along the edge of ridge. The path was relatively flat and was easy going. After a while a bridleway disappeared down the hillside towards Reeth. At this point, the edge path moved to the moor side of a stone wall and this restricted the valley views somewhat.

I didn't see anyone else on the edge. It was just me, some grouse and a few rabbits.

Marrick Priory

I'd seen Marrick Priory ('Remains of Priory - Benedictine Nuns') on the map and thought it would be worth a slight extension to the walk I had intended. The OS map indicated a bridleway going through the abbey. On arrival I noticed that there was a note on a gate to the abbey. It stated that the bridleway was now closed due to a result of an enquiry. There seemed to be some doubt that a bridleway ever had historically existed, and so was now no longer a bridleway. Bit of a shame really.

I continued down the road towards Reeth. I noticed a sheep had got its horn caught in some wire fencing. I've previously freed a sheep in this predicament and it's not as easy as one might think. As you try to release it, the normally placid sheep turns into a frenzied mammoth. My problem was that the field was lower down from the road that I was on, and as I edged my way down to the slope, I started sliding towards the barbed wire top. The sheep also thrashed about. It really needed releasing from the field side. I decided it would be best to leave it where it was; hopefully the farmer would notice it when he went into the field.

Calver Hill

Just beyond Reeth fire station, my path headed off uphill. It wasn't long before I was out of Reeth and back up on the moors, The path offered views along Swaledale although the hills at its end were still topped with mist, The route to the top of Calver Hill was punctuated by parts of a sheep. The body parts were spread out over hundreds of yards, so I'm not sure it was the remains of just one sheep.

I stopped to eat an apple on the summit. It still looked like thunder was a possibility. The gloom had remained all day. As I reached my car, it started spitting with rain. Perfect timing.