Boroughbridge and Ripon

Boroughbridge
We enjoyed our time in Boroughbridge exploring the town and surrounding countryside. We downloaded a couple of walks, the routes taking in a few of the local villages. I have passed this area many times racing up and down the A1M but never realised how beautiful an area this is. The walk took us back to the lock from which the Milby cut starts (short section of canal that bypasses the weir on the river) and through the very peaceful and sleepy village of Milby. We then traversed a long and sometimes overgrown green lane taking us passed the church at Kirby Hill.

Kirby Hill Church

We walked through the village until we reached the old Great North Road, thankfully much quieter now due to the motorway. Crossing over the motorway I noticed the "golf balls" of Menwith hill to the west and the roof tops of Harrogate to the south, this made us realise just how close to our starting point we are!

We eventually returned to Boroughbridge having walked along a beautiful stretch of the river Ure, Scruff was relieved to be able to cool of in the water. 

Back in Boroughbridge we walked up to view the Devils Arrows, Neolithic stones that appear to have been shot into the ground.

We called into a local butchers who sadly told I us he will be closing soon due to his being unable to compete with the supermarkets. This will be a great shame as the meat we bought was far better than anything you could get in the superstores. 

Haviing feasted on the local produce we decided, as it was such a nice evening, to cruise up the river to the start of the Ripon canal.  This has to be one of the most picturesque stretches of river anywhere as it meanders it's way along past Newby Hall with trees and corn fields to either side. 

On reaching the canal we went up the lock to the peaceful moorings just above.

Ripon

The Ripon Canal never fails to delight, it is only 2 miles or so long but is a really pretty stretch of water running right into the town, terminating at the canal basin just below the Cathedral.

Ripon caters for all the needs of a boater with plenty of good pubs, restaurants and cafes to choose from as well as all the usual shops and supermarkets, most within walking distance of the canal.

Dad joined us on Friday (14/7), he takes the No.36 bus from Leeds a journey that takes in Harrogate and lasts approx 1.5 hours, amazingly this service runs every 15 mins from both ends and is a useful link back to the rail network should this be required.

We have been to Ripon, by car, many times over the years and this is our second visit by boat, however, we have never managed to see the Ripon Hornblower. We took Scruff out for a walk on Friday evening and although it was raining quite steadily there were a number of people huddled in shop doorways, obviously waiting for something to happen. This reminded me of the Hornblower and that he appears at 9.00 pm every night.

Sure enough he turned up and at the 9 o'clock chime of the cathedral bells he commenced a ritual that has been unbroken since 1604. The Hornblower blows at each of the four corners of the market cross to signify that watch has been set, a tradition that goes back to the time when the Wakeman kept watch over the town at night and a curfew was kept to keep the peace.

Saturday (15/7) started off very wet but the rail cleared as the day went on become dry and fine by the evening. We decided to go for a walk and followed the river Skell down to its confluence with the river Ure. We walked along the river down to the bridge just past the race course then back upstream into Ripon, a very pleasant walk through yet more scenic countryside.

On Sunday we were joined by Duncan,  Jude and Molly and walked from Ripon, along the river up to Studley Royal. The weather was as good as it gets with blue skies and warm sunshine yet cool enough in the shade to provide relief from the summer heat. The walk provided spectacular views across the the vale to the White Horse of Kilburn and the Cleveland Hills, then stunning scenery down in to the woods below the lake at Studley Park.

Our return trip back to Ripon took us through Studley village and back into town past the Rugby and Cricket clubs.

We had dinner in the SO! Bar and Grill, then back to the boat to prepare for our return trip down to Linton (hopefully there will be mooring space here).