There was every possibility of taking a walk this day so James and I pulled on our walking boots and set off through the village and up the hill behind the quarry.
As we climbed higher the views up Ribblesdale were wonderful on a cloudless springlike day.

Pen-Y-Ghent

We then headed west but somewhere missed a turning and came to a big straight wall with no way through, here we met a group of walkers similary disorientated and together headed to the familiar landmark of Buck Haw Brow garage from where we picked up the clear path over to Feizor (guess where we were going for lunch). By now I was regretting having brought my bulky fleece lined waterproof jacket that was both unnecessary and a blinking nuisance given the warmth of the sun and the total absence of rain bearing clouds.

As we approached Feizor the views towards Ingleborough and the lake district hills beyond were revealed.

Signpost, sheep and Ingleborough

The broad well trodden path led us gradually downhill to our lunch stop at Elaine's Tea Room where we enjoyed a nice leisurely lunch including chocolate sponge, rich chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Not suprisingly our return journey was slowed by our full stomachs and the uphill nature of path out of Feizor but were drawn to admire a roaring bonfire of cleared scrub, old fencing and other farmyard bits.

Not a funeral pyre

Our walk back along the line of Giggleswick Scar brought more fine views this time down the Ribble valley towards Pendle Hill and took us round the top of the now defunct quarry and back into the village past the golf course.

Misty distant Pendle Hill from Giggleswick Scar

Tomorrow back onto two wheels.

Good night.





I am reliably informed that the temperature went to -5c last night.

I spent the night in my sleeping bag in my tent in my back garden.

The tent.

It is quite a while since I last slept in a tent and had forgotten that they are not soundproof. I had no idea, until last night, just how much traffic, especially heavy lorries, use the local roads at night, this kept me awake.

I had forgotten how when you are camping your kidneys play a rotten trick on you by working overtime and cause you to get for a wee every few hours, this kept me awake.

I had forgotten how there is no thermal insulation in a tent and although my sleeping bag kept most of me toasty warm, by 6.30 this morning my nose and feet were very cold and this kept me awake.

The tent had a rather fetching coating of frost when I got up and the flysheet had a certain crispness when I unzipped it to get out. I did manage to sleep for some of the night and felt quite pleased to have managed to stay out alnight despite the temptation of a warm bed only yards away, I think this bodes well for my chances of surviving the trip.

Just a gentle 12 mile ride today via Helwith Bridge, Austwick and Eldroth, the sky was blue and cloudless, the views, particularly of Pen-Y-Ghent, were marvellous but again I had forgotten my camera so you will just have to take my word for it.

Tonight, Badminton, tomorrow a nice long walk if the weather stays fine.

I was out late last night so didn't get to post anything, instead I had lovely evening with Ruth including a very slow journey to Kendal as there had been a serious accident on the M6 and a leisurely stroll round an almost deserted town while R went to a meeting.

I was excited to receive a load of pens I have had printed to publicise my blog and will now be handing them out to any unsuspecting poor soul who shows the slightest interest in my trip.

I have still not got my bike back from it's rebuild so went for a short ride on my old bike that is now set up for James so reaching the pedals is a struggle for my little legs.

Now my bike will require proper accomodation when I get it back so today was shed tidying. Where does all that junk come from, I really need to get a grip when it comes to seeing a bit of expended polystyrene and thinking 'I'll save that, it might come in useful'. I am frankly embarassed by the amount of complete rubbish I have kept over the years. One day some documentary maker will come and film me as an old man shuffling round my house stuffed with boxes and carrier bags full of old newspapers, broken electrical appliances and bits of dismantled bikes. Today I found some tins of paint that I fear were from 1987 and Embsay Tank Engine Club cards that my sons had in 1996! Worse still I haven't thrown them away.
I took a whole car load of stuff to the recycling centre but even so there will only just be room for my bike.

This afternoon I have pitched my tent on the lawn and may try sleeping in it tonight knowing that if it gets too cold I can retreat to my own bed.

First I have Table Tennis to go and play (must take some pens with me).

Good night.

Stonkingly good concert by Moishes Bagel tonight at Settle's Victoria Hall full of energy, humour and ripping good tunes, the percussion solo in the last number was exhilarating but it was all good (instruments used include fiddle, keyboard, piano accordian, double bass, percussion, ukelele and mandolin (or similar)). They are playing in York at the end of April at the Early Music Centre (not to be confused with the Early Learning Centre) so if you enjoy East European/Klezemer/North African/Folk music sort of stuff and are in or near York, go see them.

Hockey this morning was poorly attended, 5 a side might work for football but it is hard work playing Hockey when the pitch is sparsely populated, it involved rather more running than my little short legs can manage.

I took my bike in to the bike shop to be prepared for long days of pedalling up and down the highways and byways of Britain, I am hoping when properly set up and with new smoother, narrower tyres it might be a little easier to propel (does that sound a little desperate?).

Tis late now and I must away to bed. Good night.

I never cease to be amazed by the power of theatre to hold one in thrall. Northern Broadside must surely be among the most talented, innovative and versatile theatre groups in Britain, I first saw them at Skipton Auction Mart in 2000 doing 'Much Ado About Nothing' and I was impressed then and have seen several productions since. Their current offering of 'Rutherford and Son' I saw today in the company of my friend Ruth at the Dukes Theatre in Lancaster is amusing, powerful and brilliant, they are on tour and if they are coming to a theatre near you I would highly recommend them. The play was written in 1912 by Githa Sowerby and although giving a glimpse of family structure and roles in an early 20th Century industrialist's household many of the themes are still relevant today.

 Afterwards we had an excellent meal at Pizza Margarita (now in it's 34th year of business - they must be doing something right) to round off a highly satisfying day. The icing on the cake was Sheffield Wednesday winning, we will escape relegation yet!

Good night.

I am struggling to write anything interesting and didn't see anything worth photographing today although in many ways the most satisfying and certainly the longest ride of the week. My route for anyone who wants to know took me via Eldroth, Keasden, Mewith, Wray, Wennington, Low Bentham, High Bentham, Clapham and Eldroth (again).

I called in at Growing with Grace our local organic market garden co-operative, they have been going over 10 years now and supply excellent fruit, vegetables and wholefoods and now offer various courses in various aspects of organic gardening, look them up on Google or call in on your way to the lakes, they are on the A65 at Clapham, look out for the carrots.

I was home in time for lunch which leads me to the conclusion that I must pace myself better, I have this compulsion to try and get round as quick as I can in case something goes wrong. I am hoping that when I actually get started I will take it steady and not rush things.

I have a fun packed weekend ahead, I am going to see Northern Broadsides production of Rutherford and Sons at the Dukes Theatre in Lancaster tomorrow which I know from previous experience of Northern Broadsides will be well worth seeing. On Sunday there will be hockey of course and in the evening, as previously mentioned on these pages, Moishes Bagel in concert at the Victoria Hall, Settle, be there or be square.

As I start to write this Suarez has scored a truly wonderful bend it like Beckhamesque goal from a free kick.

I digress. I had a very satisfying ride out today calling at Elaine's tea room at Feizor for lunch, very nice it was too, met someone I used to work with a few years ago so I am pleased I went. Feizor is the most unlikely place for a popular tea room as it is at the end of a cul de sac with no big signs advertising it's presence, yet Elaine's has acquired a good reputation and people make the effort to go there so even on a cold Thursday in February it was busy. I shall go again.

The bridleway out the far end of Feizor goes over into the next little valley that runs from Wharfe to Helwith Bridge. Looking on the map it appears this valley has no name (Wharfedale is taken and Helwithdale doesn't sound right) perhaps the National Park Authority should run a competition to give it a proper name. Anyway, I rode over the bridleway and while it was a little bumpy in places it was no trouble for the bike.

I have been considering ways of reducing the weight I will have to carry when I embark on my journey, I have the light tent, light sleeping bag, light clothing and light wallet. Tomorrow I shall reduce my weight further with a haircut.

Not only is the road over to Airton very steep, involving a climb of 248 metres (775 feet) in one mile but was done into the teeth of a stiff, icy cold easterly wind. Needless to say I did much of the first bit pushing the bike, consequently it took me 45 minutes to do the first 3 miles and 20 minutes to do the next 3 miles.

Herd of sheep who thought I had arrived to feed them. They had a lesson in disappointment.

Arrived in Gargrave in time to meet Jim and Judith (happy birthday) for a leisurely lunch at the Anchor and had a catch up of each other's news. Jim is not a fan of cycling and thinks pedalling round Britain would not be his idea of a good time, this from someone who walked to Everest base camp as a leisure activity!

A not very interesting photo of a bike and signpost.

Journey back via Bank Newton, Hellifield, Wigglesworth and Rathmell. Considering I was awake from 3.30 this morning listening to the magnificent England victory over New Zealand in the one day cricket (great batting from Yorkshire's Joe Root, he must be destined for a long England career), I don't feel too tired today. Met with a group of Alpacas in Wigglesworth who treated me with the disdain I probably deserved.

Very wooly Alpacas looking at me like I've just crawled out from under a stone.

Table Tennis last night, Badminton tonight. I can feel some rest days coming.

A photo of the cyclist as a shadow of his present self.

What another fantastic sunny day, up bright and early for another brisk ride via Rome, Wham and Rathmell.

Pen-Y-Ghent and Fountains Fell from Rathmell (just look at that blue sky).  Went into town as it is market day and bumped into loads of people to chat to so was out longer than I intended. Have booked my bike in at 3 peaks Cycles for a full strip down, rebuild and general preparation for the real event.

Former Greenfoot Elderly Persons Home now only a pile of rubble.
Strange to see where I used to work now gone it was a great place with a great staff team and while it is sad in many ways that it is no longer there we can hope that the replacement, Limestone View Extra Care scheme, will be even better.

Tomorrow a longer ride.

Gosh that was hard work today. It has been a glorious early spring day with lots of sunshine and birds singing, the call of the the Great Tit really sounds like the herald of spring. I even got James to come on a gentle 5 mile bike ride this morning, first time he has been out on a bike for years, perhaps the start of new exercise interest for him.

Now, Thomas, get your map out and see where I went today.

Feeling bold and energetic I loaded the panniers with bottles of water, some sandwiches and a flask of tea and set off through the village (stopping at the newly reopened shop to buy some sweets). I headed north through Stackhouse, Little Stainforth, Helwith Bridge, Horton in Ribblesdale (where for the first time I overtook some other cyclists), Selside and Ribblehead. Here I stopped to eat my sandwiches whist admiring the views of the railway viaduct, Whernside and Ingleborough. I then turned south west through Chapel le Dale ( lovely little church here containing the graves of and a memorial to the navvies who died building the railway) to Ingleton. Here I turned south east on a little road that runs parallel and to the north of the A65 to Clapham, Austwick and Lawkland.

I covered only 29.5 miles but it felt like more with the uphill climbs and the weight in the panniers, it took me some time to recover and I regretted not having worn my padded cycling shorts. However, if I am to do this journey I will have to get used to such hardship.

Tomorrow a more gentle ride without long uphill bits and I will try to remember my camera so I can post some new pics.

Good night.

Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a hockey stick and proceeded to run randomly round the pitch for an hour and a half during which time he fell over twice, stood on the ball once, scored once and took a shap knock on the lower left shin (the part of Buck was played by me in this production).
I think any sport can look silly when you try to see the point of it, afterall it boils down to two groups chasing a ball for no other reason than it is a whole lot of fun and just a little bit dangerous.

I cycled round by Greenfoot this afternoon the demolition is now virtually complete but here is a picture from last week when it was still partly demolished. Now it just a pile of rubble with only the flat 3 lounge wall still standing.

Greenfoot 11.02.13.

James and I are going to the quiz at the Hart's Head tonight determined to win at least one round so we can have a meal out there one day soon (the prize for winning a round is a meal voucher) before the voucher we won a few weeks ago expires.

Tomorrow back to serious training.

I regret I have little to relate today I have been very lazy and only nipped up to town on my bike. However I did go into work to try and find somethings for my successor. It was good to see the staff and residents, there have been improvements already, the office actually looks business like rather than the cluttered mess I didn't do anything about.
Tomorrow we play Hockey, it is remarkable just how much I look forward to and enjoy the game, it takes something really significant to stop me going to play on a Sunday morning.
I shall leave you with a photo of Settle railway station on Wednesday morning, it was cold and bleak.

Crocuses at Botanic Garden

Edinburgh from Nelson Memorial

My apologies for my earlier post with my hideous visage thereon, I was was so pleased with myself for having managed to a) take a pic with me in it and b) managed to upload it on to the blog. I did not consider what it might look like to those viewing the page. Sorry.

To compensate I include two more edifying pictures taken during my trip, the plants in the greenhouses at the Botanic Garden were enchanting, tiny little flowers emerging from pristine green domes.

I think I am getting better at this lark, sometime soon it might even be interesting.

I went to see the musical 'Cats' last night, not sure it was really my cup of tea, it felt like watching Summertime Special with the Young Generation dressed like cats (apologies for those of you too young or with too much good taste to have ever seen Summertime Special). I nearly left at the interval but having spent good money on the ticket decided to stick it out, and to be fair it was better in the second half but essentially it is saved only by one decent song, some good special effects and the costumes. I'm not sure what Edward Lear would make of it, the words are rendered unintelligible by amplified singing or maybe I need some sort of hearing aid.

Although Edinburgh is a delightful city I was dismayed to see that 3 years since my last visit the place is still greatly disrupted by the ongoing construction of the tram system, I only hope it it is worth all the trouble when (and if) they get it finished, I really like the trams in Sheffield and Manchester so maybe Edinburgh will eventually be enhanced with it's own system.

I was also dismayed to see the number of homeless people begging is as large as ever, I know there are many individuals and organisations that work with homeless people to give opportunities to find ways out of such a life but clearly either more needs to be done or there are those for whom that life is one they can't or won't change. Do we accept there will always be beggars and if so how is it best to repond to them? Discuss.

Went up on Calton Hill this morning the views were stunning in every direction under a virtually clear blue sky, it felt very spring like and on my journey home saw many lambs in the fields. The year is new and refreshed and so am I.

Oh how I love much about Edinburgh. Up with the early birds this morning ate all I could at breakfast then off to the Botanic Gardens only to discover they don't open til 10, why should that be, what are they waitibg for? So I walked along the waters of Leith to, yes you've guessed it, Leith. There I saw the royal yacht Britannia from a distance then bought a day rover bus ticket for a mere £3.50 that enabled me to scoop around all day, did go to the botanic gardens this afternoon which was really good then out to Musselburgh to take the sea air and now I am going to the theatre to see Cats. Busy day, but this place has so many interesting places both on show and hidden away, 2 days is not enough to do it justice which is a good excuse to cone again soon. Home tomorrow.

Long day travelling to Edinburgh, with a lengthy delay in Carlisle due to a freight train getting stucj at Shap. Lots of snow which gave the scenery a bleak but beautiful aspect. Edinburgh very cold and wet but looks mean, moody and magnificent. The travelodge is really rather splendid in an old victorian terrace with grand stairways and plaster mouldings. Tomorrow I explore the city.

I fear today's post will offend some people so if you like dogs, sheep, four wheel drive pick-up trucks, white vans, lager and cigarettes stop reading now.

Another cold day, cloudy but dry and still, headed off via Eldroth and Keasden then off towards Slaidburn before turning round and home via Clapham, Austwick and Lawkland. My new windproof jacket although very bright and garish is very effective and keeping me nice and warm but also highly visible which is just as well given the way some people drive. Why do these pick-up drivers hurtle along narrow country roads as if they were taking part in a race, surely the pace of country life should be less frantic especially when very often you can't see very far ahead. They were out in force today some towing trailers and I had to get out of their way smartish on two or three occasions. White vans also seem to be involved in this mad dash but with the added handicap of driving with a mobile phone clamped to an ear and a copy of The Sun open on the dashboard, much as I admire the ability to multi-task I don't think it should be attempted while driving a one ton van at 50 mph along narrow roads.

Now I know dogs have suffered from human's attempts to turn them into mindless slaves but why do they have to act like they are really fierce and charge at innocent cyclists snarling and barking only to to turn tail and flee when said cyclist stops (just at the bottom of a steep bit) and looks them in the eye. Stupid creatures.

Why do sheep on seeing an approaching cyclist wander out into the road and then instead of continuing across the road then stop in the middle causing the said cyclist to have to take evasive action. Stupid creatures.

How come one can get out into the wilds of the Forest of Bowland a 1000 feet above sea level with stunning views of snow covered hills in every direction only to discover discarded lager cans and cigarette packets apparently thrown from passing vehicles every few yards. Is it so hard to just take litter home, not even sheep and dogs behave so poorly. Humans, stupid creatures.

OK that is my grumpy old man bit for this week, tomorrow I have a rest from cycling with a bargain break to Edinburgh for a couple of days.

Look,I can put photos on now thanks to help from James. This is my bike but I hope to put more interesting pics on once I get to take some good ones. 

It was very cold today so only a light ride round the locality. My new windproof bright yellow jacket came today so I will really look the part now.

Good night.

What a foul day, unrelenting, cold driving sleet, if you think I'm going out cycling in this you are wrong. I have the Wii Fit to keep me in the peak of condition and while it might not be ideal preparation for real cycling at least it is warm and dry. At this point anyone thinking I am a wimp is entirely correct but I did play Hockey this morning which was great fun, on my way home I passed a couple of blokes out on their bikes and they looked profoundly miserable so feel justified in staying in.

I went round by my old place of work (Greenfoot Elderly Persons Home) this afternoon, demolition has commenced and it looks very sad reduced to rubble, however it does mean progress is being made towards the new Extra Care scheme that should be completed in the summer or autumn of 2014.

Tomorrow I will ride out.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that after two hours on the road a cyclist is in need of a good meal. So it was for me today as I took a southerly route via Rathmell, Wigglesworth, Paythorne, Bank Newton and Gargrave. The Anchor Inn at Gargrave tempted me in for Fish and Chips (it is Friday) then putting my life at the mercy of the various lorries, vans and cars on the A65 made it to Hellifield where I had intended to purchase some of the excellent potted meat made at the butchers there. Alas the shop was closed so I continued my journey off the main road returning via Wigglesworth and Rathmell again.

I had further contact with the loan company who spotted someone pretending to be me and it seems this fraudster knows rather more about me than is comfortable, time to beef (or horse) up my security. If the person responisible is someone I know and is reading this, not only am I disappointed in you, I will find out who you are and I will express my disappontment in ways I might later regret.

Tomorrow I deserve a rest from heavy cycling, some light dusting I think.

Great day for a bike ride round by the great centres of population of north craven, Eldroth, Newby, Clapham, Austwick and Helwith Bridge.
It was very cold though, icy sheets across the road in places although the gritters had been out and my ride was accompanied by the the sound of salt pinging off the spokes and mudguards.
Two pairs of gloves and still my fingers were stiff with cold, downhill bits were exciting with a bracing icy blast freezing my ears and making my eyes water.
Spent some time this afternoon on the phone regarding a fraudulent application for a pay day loan made in my name by some dishonest scoundrel, fortunately the loan company suspected it was bogus so I don't have the hassle of recovering any money but it is worrying that someone is pretending to be me (they must be desperate) and annoying to have to spend time sorting it out.
Bought tickets to go and see Moishes Bagel later this month, a great band that play wonderful music infused with all sorts of influences such as klesmer, jazz and folk look them up on youtube and google, better still see them live at Settle Victoria Hall Sunday 24th February.

Today is beautifully sunny so having now got my hybrid bike I went for a ride. Headed south and flew along like a proper cyclist. it wasn't until I turned round that I realised my rapid outward journey was not a result of increased muscle power but the wind at my back. Felt a right fool struggling to pedal along the flat into the teeth of an icy wind, my return journey took more than twice as long as the outward. Clearly lots more work to do.

I have now got a rather flash smart phone device that will enable me to update my blog wherever I have a mobile signal, it has a camera, maps and weather applications but best of all Angry Birds (is it legal or safe to play games on a phone whilst cycling ?). This thing is so clever and I am so dim it will take me some time and alot of patient instruction from my son to figure out how to get a picture from the phone onto the blog page, I am working on it.

So there I was happily imagining training for my ride in beautiful early spring sunshine, birds singing, buds forming and snow drops blooming as I bowl along country lanes waving to friendly farmers and stopping for refreshment at a wayside inn. Wake up today to cold north wind and snow. I hope I am not a fair weather cyclist but wind is not a friend to two wheeled transport.
I have looked at the monthly outlook on the BBC weather page, looks like winter is with us into March and I shall have to man up and get out there regardless.
Today I will seek out the device necessary to blog on the road (that sounds disgusting but you know what I mean).

Today I start 23 weeks of leave from work and am both excited and apprehensive.
There is so much about work I will miss, e.g. the people I work with and the money. There is so much about work I won't miss, e.g. the awful building and the tyranny of computer systems.

For a long time I have believed it would do most people good to take a portion of retirement at a time of their choosing (after say 20 years of work) to go off and do things while still fit and well enough. I won't be able to retire until I am 67 and whilst I am confident that I will still be relatively fit then I am not sure I will be up to cycling 3000 miles (I might not be already!), so I decided to do it now and my employer (bless them) have allowed me the leave.

Having announced to everyone that I am going to do this bike ride I guess I had better get on with it. My work colleagues have given me a generous voucher to spend at the local bike shop so I think some padded cycling shorts and a good windproof, waterproof, lightweight hi-vis jacket are top of the shopping list. Oh and a bike of course.