Bare Hill

A strange feature to come across in the middle of a grouse moor. What appear to be two tracks, coming together at an angle of precisely 60°. The left hand track is about 27 yards long, and meets another track from the right. Again the angle is 60°. Once more, the left hand track is about 27 yards long, and meets another track from the right. Again the angle is 60°. Continuing clockwise I return to my starting point. Three sides, each about 27 metres with internal angles of 60°. A perfect equilateral triangle. A quick look at Google Earth gives an overview see Link . A clue to its purpose perhaps is revealed by a brick and concrete structure some 100 yards to the north. The triangle was a practice bombing target and the building was the observation hut, probably dating from the early 1950s. The target would have been painted yellow and lit up at night with lamps. I assume dummy bombs would have been used, otherwise the observing officers in the bunker seem a bit too close for comfort. I believe the aircraft came from RAF Wombleton where Royal Canadian Air Force personnel were being converted to fly heavy bombers. RAF Wombleton opened in October 1943, just north of Nunnington, and was a sub-station of RAF Dalton (Topcliffe). It was the base for 1,200 N.C.O.s, airmen and airwomen, and operated both Halifaxes and Lancasters. The airfield closed in the early 1950s. Sources: North York Moors National Park. (2012). HER Map: North York Moors National Park. HER Nos.: 18522 and 18292. [online] Available at: Link [Accessed 8 Dec. 2021]. 'Airmen's Club on the Yorkshire Moors' (1945) Hull Daily Mail, 26 Jul, 7, available: Link [accessed 08 Dec 2021].

South Roppa Cross is a long way from the path, and was hard to find in low visibility.

North Roppa Cross is right by the path.

Upland farm in an 'island' of improved land at the edge of the moor.

A recently cut hay field below Piethorn farm contrasts with the bracken and heather covered slopes of the moor beyond Bogmire Gill. This side is pleasant walking, the other side is not, at least not until the track is found.

Almost certainly not the line of the PRoW, but much easier to follow than the footpath which should be another 50m or so to the left. The farm at Piethorn is seen ahead.

Looking NW from Bilsdale East Moor.

With lots of polluting smoke.

The remote farm called Piethorn.

View north-east towards Piethorn.

A moorland track heads towards Bogmire Gill and the farm at Piethorn. The prow is 100m or so to the left, but is invisible in the heather, whereas the track is easy to follow.

The footbridge looks fairly recent and may well be a replacement following the flash floods of 2005.

Between Bogmire Gill and Piethorn Farm. Bench Mark at 212.61m.

Close up of the benchmark near Bogmire Gill

Looking North-west across Helmsley Moor.

Wide open spaces and big skies, North Yorkshire Moors.