Osmotherley, Solomon's Temple and Chequers.
(North Yorks.) October 13th.
We were going to walk from Alwinton in Northumberland but the weatherman forecast rain in the north of the north, slightly less rain in the south of the north so we are off to Osmotherley on the edge of the Hambleton Hills in North Yorkshire.
Easy to find from base, A19 south and turn off to the left when you spot the sign, park on the village street, free. And there are benches or a bus shelter for booting up. There is also a fine little café, The Osmotherley Tea and Coffee Room, run by some lovely ladies who serves bacon sandwiches, scones and toasted crumpets too. 
The required map is OS OL 26, North Yorks Moors, Western Division. The bus shelter is at GR SE 456972, approximately.

                  Car park and bus shelter.
Fed and watered we headed north up the village road, past a number of attractive stone cottages before turning left onto the Cleveland Way.

                     Luebury? Buebury? Turn onto it anyway.
After a short distance we left the Cleveland Way to visit The Lady's Chapel which has some connection with the nearby Mount Grace Priory.

                        The Lady Chapel.
Beyond the chapel we opted for a footpath alongside Arncliffe Wood which eventually brought us back to the Cleveland Way and the nest of radio ariels.

                              The nest of radio ariels

Beyond the wood we entered the National Trust Scarth Wood Moor, good for views.

                             For October it was very warm, 18C , humid and overcast.
Having crossed the moor we came to Scarth Nick, turned south and walked along the road until we came to  Cod Beck Reservoir, a popular local dog walking area.

                          Cod Beck Reservoir.

                     Lunch time near the dam. Today's feast consisted of Pork Pie, Chocolate cake, Ben's ginger biscuits, Double Decker bars and Mrs A's chocolate flapjack. And a sandwich.
Fed and watered for the second time we took the path southeast through a wooded area eventually coming to a gate, crossing a field and finding Rocky Plain farm. Down the farm track, watching a group of beaters putting up the grouse, turning right and following the road past Solomon's temple. This part of the walk is on an old drove road, there is evidence of a walled stockade for holding cattle on the way to market. There is also The Chequers, once a drovers' inn, now a house.

                   Once the inn sign for The Chequers, the board now decorates the house wall.
Beyond the old inn we came to Square Corner, a car park and little else.

                Not on today's walk, but what a name.
At Square Corner we turned north west down Oak Dale. The path is a good one, mostly flagged with true Yorkshire grit flagstones, probably as well because it falls quite steeply, passing Oakdale Upper and Lower Reservoirs.

                  Oak Dale, well named and flagged. I was flagging a bit myself at this point. Probably eaten too much this week even though I didn't join in the Curry Night on the previous evening.

                                   Oak Dale Upper Reservoir
When we reached the road we stopped to admire the garden of the house before turning left and then almost immediately right up the lane to The White House!

                        I'm probably wrong but I think this is a Japanese style garden. Those who know better are more than welcome to put me right.
Beyond the White House we followed the Cleveland Way downhill, across a stream, up a steep bank, down a lane with some interesting stiles and down a passageway (Ginnel in Tyke talk) and finally emerging back on the village street.

                 This week's gate fastener, gravity operated self closing gate

                                   The last few yards down the ginnel

                                    And out on to the street.
Changed we walked across the road to The Queen Catherine pub and restaurant.

Named for Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. She called in on her way to Mount Grace Priory. Today the pub offered Lancaster Bomber, Wainwright, Aragon (brewed especially for the pub) and Boon Doggle. 
A slightly shorter walk than our usual strolls but qualifies as a good 'in. A few slight climbs, good views, changing terrain and a beautiful Yorkshire village to start and finish. It is also the start of the Lyke Wake Walk (42 miles)

The Matrix MMXVII  Z+

                                                                          steps                               miles
NAK                                                                 20256                             8.31
iPhone                                                              19999                              8.9
OUTDOOR GPS                                                                                      8.49
Dave's 3D                                                         18819                               8.32
  "" USB                                                            17816                              8,44
  "" NAK                                                           17682                              8.37
Sylvia's mother                                                 17673                              8.37
Brian                                                                                                         8.3

                        Contains OS data Copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2017
Plus some photographs