6 miles Windy and dry
We decided on one of Tom Scott Burns' shorter walks today and parked at the Lord Stones Cafe knowing that we would repay this hospitality later.
 |
| Today's walk from The Walker's Guide to the Cleveland Hills |
 |
| The Lord Stones Cafe |
In his walkers' guide Tom Scott Burns explains that the Lord Stones Cafe takes its name from the Three Lords' Stones tumulus which is situated immediately behind the cafe. This modern name for the tumulus derives from the three estate boundaries held by the local land owning lords: Helmsley, Busby and Whorlton, which meet here. The present owners have placed a few 'faux Lord stones' on the green ridge north of the cafe.
The cafe is a Hobbit-like building built into the side of the hill and we walked beside it it to start our walk, passing a dedication to Alec Falconer, who as 'Rambler' wrote a walking column in the Evening Gazette in the 1950s and 60s.
 |
| Faux Lord Stones |
 |
| 'Wayfarer' |
We set off to climb Cringle Moor, walking on the Cleveland Way, and on reaching its summit admired another tribute to Alec Falconer, this time a memorial seat and viewpoint overlooking the Tees Valley.
As well as writing a walking column Alec Falconer was a founding member of Middlesbrough Rambling Club in 1912 and was a campaigner for walkers' rights. He was much involved in the planning of the Cleveland Way which passes this spot, but sadly died a year before it was opened.
Leaving the memorial we walked on and after about 100 yards looked down onto a rock face where long ago, in more literate times, someone carved 'Tempus exploro omnis negotium'. TSB says this roughly translates as "I'll try anything once and everything in time." but Google translates it as "Time solves all problems", which sounds more likely, though not as much fun.
 |
| Amazing view from Falconer's Seat |
 |
| Cringle Moor ridge walk |
 |
| Tempus exploro omnis negotium - Highbrow graffiti |
You have to look hard to make out the letters and Clive resolved to bring his wire brush next time we walk here, to make it more visible to passing walkers.
After following the ridge path we negotiated the steep descent from Cringle Moor (from 'Cranimoor' - circular moor) with care on the damp stones. Passing by the old stone remains of Donna Cross we came to a wooden signpost pointing towards Beak Hills and this is where we turned right, leaving the Cleveland Way.
 |
| Starting to descend from Cringle Moor |
 |
| Donna Cross |
Donna Cross is an ancient wayside cross and is believed to mark the descent from the moor to Kirby. The letter E is engraved on the north face of the stone and F on the south, representing the landowners Emmerson and Feversham, indicating that it was also used as a boundary stone.
Turning right at the Beak Hills signpost there is initially no path but having crossed a field and passed through a gate we joined a farm track that changes from grass to grit to stone as it progresses and eventually becomes tarmac.
TSB says this was an ancient pannier-man's trod along which lime, fish, salt, jet and alum were once transported. It now connects the farms of Beak Hills, Cold Moor Cote and Stone Intake to the Chop Gate to Carlton road.
Passing Cold Moor Cote Farm we paused to admire their hardy Galloway cattle before continuing along the road to turn off at a stile just before Stone Intake Farm.
 |
| Cold Moor Cote Farm |
 |
| Galloways at Cold Moor Cote Farm |
 |
| Leave the tarmac at Stone Intake Farm |
Reaching Stone Intake Farm we turned right into a field at a stile just before the farm buildings, and descended via several fields as we dropped down to Raisdale Beck, soon reaching the Chop Gate to Lords Stone road. We followed the tarmac lane for a hundred yards or so before turning left into a drive leading to Raisdale Mill.
 |
| Descending through fields at Stone Intake |
 |
| Stone Intake Farm |
 |
| Turning in to Raisdale Mill |
Reaching the mill buildings we chatted to the owners about the history of the buildings and they told us we were welcome to use their picnic table for our coffee break, which we did.
 |
| Raisdale Mill buildings |
 |
| A gargoyle at Raisdale |
 |
| Two more, enjoying their coffee break |
 |
| Our picnic table among the mill buildings |
Refreshed we set off from the mill, across the fields alongside Raisdale Beck. We soon reached a conifer plantation and forestry path which made much easier walking.
We followed the forestry track until it crosses Raisdale Beck and swings sharply left. At this point we turned right, following a yellow waymark sign into fields and towards the remains of the hamlet of Clough.
The word Clough comes from the Anglo-Saxon for a valley with steep sides and this Clough is a rather sad spot with fairly extensive ruins showing that it was once a thriving community.
Beyond Clough the path crosses several boggy, reedy fields. Actually there is no path as such but yellow waymarks indicate the way at every field boundary. We continued straight ahead until we reached Staindale Farm where we were greeted by noisy dogs and a couple of quieter alpacas.
 |
| Mine workings on Wath Hill on the opposite side of the valley |
 |
| Staindale Farm appears in the distance |
 |
| The horse showed little interest in hikers |
 |
| Staindale Farm |
 |
| Alpacas |
After Staindale Farm we continued following yellow way marks through fields, soon reaching Thwaites House and shortly after, the tarmac road almost adjacent to the Lord Stones Cafe.
 |
| "We're prettier than alpacas" |
 |
| Thwaites House |
 |
| Thwaites House |
 |
| Pond at Thwaites House |
 |
| Glamping pod at Lord Stones |
We returned to the car park and after changing out of boots, sat outside the cafe in a sheltered spot to enjoy our beer and discuss the day's short but pleasant walk.
