"Guess we'll stay another day then eh Tanya".
Well why would'nt we!
A large crane was going to be blocking any exit from the very adequate front driveway of my Sister in Law's new house in charming 'Oxenhope,' Yorkshire Dales. Plus; I was informed, her sister and husband were coming round for dinner and I was invited. The menu was; pork sausage and sweet potato mash accompanied by Yorkshire puddings followed by fruit crumble and custard. It did not take long for my one remaining brain cell to decide option one, stay put, was the correct one.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in 'Oxenhope' and were well orientated after some lovely walks into the hills above the village, ably led, I have to add, by my Sis in Law and pint sized Vita the doggy. I think Tanya enjoyed the company.
When finally I did leave 'Oxenhope' my plan to head straight to East Kilbride got hijacked as well but this time not by a crane. 'Aysgarth Falls' which were still in the Yorkshire Dales, plus the beautiful weather fetched me down off the main road for a break which included a pleasant walk to the waterfalls. Well worth it too. Over millenia the tumbling waters have carved the alternate layers of soft and hard rock into approximately half a mile of stepped falls. There are good viewpoints at the most spectacular places.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park tourist office also informed me of a five pound a night park up in the village which was very nice, very quiet and overlooking the attractive and substantial 'Aysgarth church'. We did not leave until later the next day as, taking advantage of the continuing good weather, we set off for an early morning hike to the remarkably well preserved 'Castle Bolton'. I could not verify the 'well preserved' label as far as the interior went as once again we were confronted with my favourite sign: 'No Dogs'. Once again annoying but in this case merely a minor irritation compared to the wonderfully sensual experience of walking barefoot in warm sunshine through Yorkshires gloriously silky soft green grass 'Wennslydale' meadows.
After all that strenuous hiking and sole of the feet sensuality I decided there was still enough day left for a couple hours of travelling.
Hmmmm! Guess I was more tired than I thought. I quickly developed an irritating headache which fortunately was quickly relieved as we unexpectedly dropped onto a quiet but popular picnic/parking spot. I was really grateful and quietly voiced my thanks to 'them wot grants such benevolence'. Kettle was soon whistling away merrily ready to make a much needed cuppa.
The parking/picnic spot turned out to be on the 'Waskerly Way', an old railway serving the local, and long gone, lead mines and now a designated cycle/pedestrian path. It starts in 'Consett' then traverses high moorland before dropping steeply down to 'Stanhope'. I believe it is also part of the coast to coast High North Pennine Way.
I know it drops steeply down to Stanhope as bike came out early the next morning, just like the sun. Off Tanya and I pedalled for a proposed one hour 'before breakfast' bike ride.
Hah!
When presented with such gently upward sloping bike track where you almost salivate with anticipation of the return downhill reward. Well, you just keep on going do you not? This was high moorland bathed in bright warm sunshine with no wind and views to die for. In Northern England or Scotland such days are counted on less than one hand. They are days to be treasured and enjoyed to the full.
There was a cafe at the top where along with my buttered toast (shared with Tanya) and cup of tea I was informed.
"Stanhope. Yes, just two minutes down the hill mate".
Wow! What a two minutes that was. Whizzing down the main roadway on the steepest of steep hills at incredible speed and very quickly arriving in pretty little Stanhope with its fossilized tree, shady riverside walk and pretty ford.
Ahh! yes, I see what you're thinking and you're quite right!
I have to get back up that steepest of steep hill don't I!!
The enjoyable bit, the luxury if you like, was I was in no hurry. I had time, an abundance of time if you like. The day was warm and sunny with the weather forecast indicating no change and I was feeling good too. One and a half hours it took of pushing the bike with Tanya walking alongside sniffing out the dozens of Rabbit holes. But you know it was not too bad. We whizzed down the main road at incredible speed but walked our way slowly and pleasurably back up the old railway line. A rather pleasant ninety minutes with frequent stops to admire the views and delve into the goodies I'd bought at the Stanhope Co-op.
Oh! And don't forget. Once at the top we had that long delicious downward sloping return track all the way back to Sadie. This was by now mid afternoon and a stiff breeze was blowing in our favour. The pleasure was enhanced indeed as we whizzed effortlessly by droves of upward slogging cyclists now having to fight the wind as well as the slope.
An absolute WOW of a day.
As I write this from tonight's perch overlooking a dull, damp, grey and cloud covered 'Meggets resevoir' here in the Scottish borders I am just soooo glad we took full advantage of the outstandingly beautiful weather. We called into 'Samye Ling' Buddhist Centre earlier for some meditative reflection upon my good fortune and good health during this last year. Hopefully I thought the right thoughts and maybe, just maybe there will be a couple more sunny days to come for my stay in beautiful and vibrant Scotland.
I do hope so.
