From the picturesque village of Firbeck, 11 wandering students set out north, which could have been a homage to the Cistercian monks of Roche Abbey.
We went through fields full of nature, (well mainly rapeseed) and further through the green valley, where the abbey loomed tall.
The perfect place to stop and eat.
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On the way to Roche Abbey
On the way to Roche Abbey
We drove past the ruins and crossed Maltby Beck. We climbed the 200 feet steadily through Kings Wood, fields, meadows and more oilseeds to reach Laughton en le Morthern. Since it was a seven mile hike, it was deemed appropriate for another break. After finding Kirk Croft Road to the east, we camped in a clearing for ten minutes. Though we were weary travelers, with our spirits still intact, we set out for the last few miles through mornings and mornings peas, or is it bean?
Fields? Whatever God or nature provides, the farmers castrate and harvest for our freezers.
Today the weather was good and nobody was cold.
We thank once again the band of brothers who turn up when they can to join and support our rambler walks. Don’t forget everyone is welcome, you won’t have a better time.
An oval field in the village marks the former private racecourse of the 18th century racehorse owner Anthony St. Leger, who founded the St. Leger Stakes.
A local airfield was requisitioned by the Air Ministry in 1940 and became RAF Firbeck and a base for No. 613 Squadron RAF, after moving from Netherthorpe Airfield and as a training base.
The abbey was founded in 1147. From the beginning, the abbey was built for the so-called White Monks, as the Cistercians were called, who had an almost otherworldly charisma. At its peak, it supported a community of about 175 men, about 60 of whom were choir monks and the rest were lay brothers, a Cistercian innovation.
The rules for outdoor exercise and group activities are constantly changing. Please visit the Doncaster Ramblers for the latest information, including future activities. You can also follow Doncaster Rambler’s Facebook for details on past trips.
Remember, while out and about, maintain social distancing, wear a mask, hand sanitizer, and gloves. Follow the Countryside Code and give space to other hikers.
Doncaster Ramblers have had a program of Tuesday and Saturday walks for about 30 years, most of which are between 13 and 11 miles long.
The location of these walks varies from local walks in the Doncaster area such as Tickhill, Sykehouse or Askern to walks in the Derbyshire Peak District, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and West Yorkshire.