Bishop Wilton to Pocklington - Saturday 27th May 2017

We were off on a sunny start for our simple 12 miler yesterday.  Timing ourselves very carefully against the incoming storm warnings that had promised thunder and lightening.  Not the kind of weather best for open field hiking.  Had the weather man got it right we would have been home and dry.  But for the second walk in a row, the rain coats came out and it was time to swap from hiking to puddle hopping and mud wrestling.  

The rain held off until after we hit this hill that seemed to loom in the distance.  This hill that seemed to go on...

And on...

And on...

Oh, and on...

Then a bit more...

 Almost there...










The term 'we are the champions' must definitely apply here!

Yes it is true 4yr old Esme made it up the hill before mum.
                         (On dad's shoulders!)

Levisham, the return - Saturday 20th May 2017

Levisham has been our favourite walk so far.  So going back this week seemed a great idea.  Only thing was, the weather has been a bit showery all week.  So off we went to buy some summer rain coats.  After all, practising in some light rain will be good mental strength training incase our typical English summer runs it's usual wet course.  Oh yes, time for some inner strength resilience training.

The video is so short because the rain was hard enough to press the 'off' button all on its own!  

But we made it.

Malham's Cove and York split - Saturday 13th May 2017

Today the boys and girls split up for two different walks.  The boys got a long drive to Malham's cove to join other men from our church group.  Not to be left home alone, it's an urban walk for the girls this time.  Who do you think had most fun?

BOYS...

  

GIRLS...

The boys may have found the prettier walk (can't wait for us all to go together...we must remember our bathing suits) but their measly 5 miler did not come close to the girl's 13.75 miles.  Even if mum's map reading took us down an accidental 3 miles detour.  

Bridestones, Dalby Forest - Saturday 6th May 2017

First twelve miler.  We were really looking forward to a forest walk.  Strolling beneath the shade of ancient woodland sounded magical.  It wasn't!  Tree after tree after tree.  We could not even see the woods for the trees!  And then the trees parted and...

                                               

 
 

       

The Bridestones are sedimentary rocks that were deposited about 150 million years ago in the Jurassic period. Since then they have 

become an adventure playground to rival anything man has made since.  

At least our kids thought so.  

It turned out to be a very long day.  

Thanks nature!

Adder Walk, Levisham - Saturday 22nd April 2017

With Easter holidays over - back to work! This was the best walk yet.  So much to see.

Across the beautiful moors...

Through Levisham railway station...

 Fed the friendliest white horse...

Almost stepped on an adder...

 Walked down the needle point...

Waved to the steam train...

Found an abandoned farmstead...

 ...and back across the sunny moors finishing 9 miles of heaven 😇

White Horse - Monday 17th April 2017

Back to the white Horse walk today, only backwards.  A route always seems a little quicker when you are familiar with the way.  Though it is nice to find some little distractions for the kids along the way.

The only problem being the lovely walk downhill at the beginning became an enormous challenge uphill at the end.  Still, who knows what we are to discover on our actual walk.  Best prepare for everything.  Oh, and at the top there was a very sweet reminder of some local history at John Bunting's Chapel.

White Horse, Kilburn - Monday 10th April 2017

If visiting North Yorkshire, the White Horse is a fun must-see.  Talk about diversity... kids, parents, grandmas a plenty and even a dog or two... hardly any room for us hikers. This was also our first 9 mile hike.

Going down the hill to Oldstead, the kids found this little cave.  Exploration time!

Back to Bishop Wilton - Saturday 8 April 2017

Finished our walk.  The hills felt a bit easier today. The weather was amazing.  There is spring about two-thirds of the way along.  It has magical powers.  One drink and the kids ran the rest of the way.  We'll definitely be going their again.

Some diverting distractions.  
Walk on!

P.S. We have our first official stalker.

Muddy Levisham - Sunday 2 April 2017

Mud, mud, glorious mud (not!).  At the end of this 7 mile walk, we were all really tired.  On the map, it looked so easy.  Step one... photo shoot on bridge.  Step two... play with the friendly cute farm dogs.  Step three... make it back to the car in one piece.

 


Definitely no step four... get as muddy as you can.      ->

Bishop Wilton - Saturday 25 March 2017

This was our first proper walk in the countryside (including hills!!!).  As you can see, we are still innocent and unprepared.  Dad's got the only rucksack but at least it's full of lollipops.






Our guide was a little young and hesitant.  Perhaps a grown up should take the lead next time?

Bishopthorpe - Saturday 4th March 2017

Hi, so this is us on our first training hike.  We started at Bishopthorpe and did a five mile circular route.  It ended up being a little more urban than planned.  However, brought a friend along, the sun shone and no hills in sight. A great start except...

...Lesson number one.  Always bring a first aid kit.  Harry's back took a good beating by some stinging nettles!

Welcome to the Cornish family blog.  This August mum, dad, 5 kids and a grandad will be hiking from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay.  That's 180 miles of stunning countryside and blistered feet.  We'll be raising money along the way for the RAY charity that supports displaced refugee families living in York.  As we uproot our family and lose ourselves in the wilds of Britain for 16 days, help us raise £10,000 for these deserving families who are re-building their lives.