​10 of us started our weekend on the Friday evening arriving at the National Trust’s newly refurbished Bransdale Mill, located in the delightful Yorkshire Moors. We discussed how the next two days might go with rain virtually guaranteed for our work day the next day, but a good day forecast for our walking day on the Sunday.  

​Saturday dawned and the forecasters were right! Luckily we were working in the field right next to the Mill. Whilst we all got a bit wet we were able to limp back at lunch time and warm up and some changed into dry clothes. Some then put back on the wet clothes to go back out for the afternoon.  You can tough it out when you know there is a warm woodburning stove and drying facilities a stone’s throw away!

​The work was planting trees and constructing tree guards. This wasn’t just putting a twirly bit of plastic over a new tree - although this was added as a final flourish. No, we made a square wooden structure to protect each new tree, mainly from cows we were told. Despite the conditions we all enjoyed the work and the fact that it was something new to all of us.

​Jude had created the evening food menu for us and as usual many hands were involved in getting the meal ready. Jacket potatoes, a tasty ratatouille based dish with meat free and ordinary sausages, followed by fruit pies and custard. You can’t beat a bit of conservation style catering!

​No work was arranged for the Sunday and the weather was sunny! So off we set on a 9.5 mile walk climbing to the top of Bransdale Moor, having a good walk over the high ground with some fantastic views then dipping down into the valley, up the other side and eventually back down to our Mill. 

Nick led the map reading, backed up by Julian with his newer version map and we happily trundled over the moors enjoying some lovely sunshine (and trying to ignore the strengthening wind!). Anne and Julie did a more local walk and reported seeing many daffodils, exploring a small church and enjoying the quiet lanes nearby. ​

Anne and Julie had kindly tackled a lot of the tidying up and hoovering at the Mill. After tea and cake and everyone taking some of the leftover food we packed our things and set off for our return journeys.  After such nice weather for our walks the weather suddenly turned wet again and made loading up the cars ‘interesting’!  Poor Nick seemed to have drawn the short straw: being in the lead car as we left he got a bit of a soaking opening and closing the gates we had to negotiate on the way out! What a star, as was everyone who made it as usual a great weekend away.
​
Jonathan.