[caption id="attachment_232" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Brian indicates a likely spot to dig for coal as Roger and Melanie look on[/caption] A coach load of 57 of us set off for Ilkley on 31st May, on what proved to be an ideal day for walking. The 27 short walkers, led by John Irwin, were dropped off near Silsden and walked along the moor edge to The Cow and Calf Rocks, en route taking in the Swastika Stone and White Wells. The 14 medium walkers, led by Roger Norton, set off from Ilkley along the Dalesway before climbing southwards onto Ilkley Moor, while the 14 long walkers, led by me, climbed straight up to the Cow and Calf Rocks before following the Dales High Way westwards, also taking in White Wells and the Swastika Stone, and then dropping down to Addingham, up to Beamish and along to Middleton Woods. The Swastika Stone is an early bronze age carving, meaning unknown, and also found in Sweden. White Wells was built in the 18th century, and has a plunge pool for visitors, including one Charles Darwin, to take the waters. (Your editor tried hard but failed to persuade Brian to take the plunge.) [caption id="attachment_231" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Brian indulges in a spot of rock climbing[/caption] As the long walkers dropped down into Addingham the footpath went through the local cricket ground. Just as we arrived a batsman was clean bowled, meaning we could continue walking without disturbing play. However, we hadn't allowed for three laggards who arrived just as the new batsman took the crease. Ambling along, oblivious to the cricketers, it took a loud cry from the wicket keeper of "COME ON YOU WALKERS” to get them to get a spurt on. One can only imagine what he was muttering under his breath. Then blow me if the three of them didn't stop for an ice cream as we were crossing the footbridge over the River Wharfe! I couldn't possibly name the ringleader, but he did complain several times that I was going too fast to allow him time to collect beetles from under the moor's stones. Totally unplanned, all three groups coincidentally met up at the Swastika Stone at midday.