The full stay-at-home lockdown in England officially ended on 29th March, freeing us from 82 days of mind-numbing confinement, during which we finally answered the age-old question, "why do dogs chew the furniture?".
Now allowed to meet outdoors in groups of up to six people, we emerged from our homes like bears, slowly awakening from hibernation to venture out into a world that looks the same but is somehow different.
First to emerge into this brave new world were Monica, Bernie and Colin with a circular walk from Boltby on the North Yorkshire Moors. They were closely followed by Peter with a walk from Hart and Jane with a walk from Birk Brow via the Quakers' Causeway.
(MIXED) EASTER BLESSINGS
The met office forecast for the Easter bank holiday weekend predicted a mixed bag of weather with Good Friday and Saturday remaining somewhat cloudy and Easter Sunday and Monday feeling the brunt of a cold front, including high winds, sleet and snow.
Linda kicked the weekend off with a Good Friday walk along the Eskdale Valley and posted a photo of primroses to prove it really must be Spring.
On Saturday, the first 'group of six' ramblers (Chris, Tracey, Cath, Brian, Steve and Michael) met in the car park at Richmond to start their circular walk via Easby Abbey, Skeeby and Aske Hall. Before setting off, they humorously noticed that their rucksack straps had shrunk somewhat during the lockdown and would no longer fasten across their stomachs. A generous portion of fish and chips and cakes all round did little to resolve the problem.
Making the most of the sunshine on Easter Sunday were Colin, Ray, Jean and Janette on a circular walk from Coxwold via Husthwaite and Carlton Husthwaite. Also walking were Tracey and Brian on a 6.5-mile stroll from Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey along the Cleveland Way, while Sue and Marie opted for a coastal walk from Redcar to South Gare. Monica and Bernie clocked up a creditable 13.8-miles on their circular walk from Swainby. John explored Thorp Perrow Arboretum in Bedale and posted some lovely photos of his visit.
REACHING A MILESTONE
Congratulations to Bill, who celebrated his 80th Birthday recently. Bill was born in 1941, the year in which Winston Churchill was Prime Minister, World War II was in full swing, and construction on the Pentagon began. The average car price was £310, milk cost 7p a pint, and the average salary was £195. The biggest hits of the year were God Bless The Child by Billie Holiday, Take The 'A' Train by Duke Ellington & the Delta Rhythm Boys, and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by the Andrews Sisters.
Happy Birthday to Bill from us all at Stockton Rambling Club.
CAR WALKS PROGRAMME RESUMES
Our car parks programme resumes on Sunday, 9th May in line with the latest Government advice on Covid-19. We have three walks on offer, each allowing up to 12 people to attend.
The latest programme is available to view on our Walks Programme page.