Roseberry Topping

We drove up to see friends Alison and Graham in Great Ayton for lunch. We had time to nip up Roseberry Topping http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-roseberrytopping as well which is always worth it. The views across the moors and Teeside are great.

Halifax 3

I promise this is the last from Halifax. It is one of the entrances to the Piece Hall - hence the sheep.

Rowan has had a busy sports week with a swimming match yesterday and netball on Tuesday; she is loving it.

Piece Hall

Another glory of Halifax is the Piece Hall http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Piece_Hall which if it was in Italy would be world famous. As it is it has a slightly sad air; the council desperately tries to promote it as a trendy shopping destination but it is, after all, Halifax.

Halifax 2

A second shot from the bridges of Halifax

"Hell, Hull and Halifax."

"Omsk, Tomsk and Vladisvostok"

Halifax

Sunday we all went to Halifax. Rowan was in a Sportshall competition http://www.uka.org.uk/grassroots/getting-started/aviva-sportshall/ 

It wasn't the greatest event but she seemed pretty happy chatting with her mates. I escaped a couple of times to get some photos of Halifax. It really is an amazing geography: a very steep valley with buildings packed in and stacked up.

This photo shows the old Victorian road bridge leap-frogged by the pointless 70s ringroad.

Velodrome 2

Another photo from the velodrome. Rowan took this one of two riders in the madison 1k timetrial. The great thing about watching cycling is that you can get right to the edge of the track and just about touch the riders as they go round and 40 to 50 mph.

Bikes & Cakes

Danielle was busy yesterday at a Betty's Cookery Course with friend Helen. She came back bearing gifts of apple cake and risotto that she had made - very impressive.

Rowan and I went to watch the cycling at the Manchester Velodrome. Great fun as ever, with Bradley Wiggins being a real crowd-pleaser.

Snape Snape

We went to Snape Maltings on Wednesday. The RSPB had a tent there and we looked at a Redshank through the fancy telescope. The Maltings is like a mall for very nice stuff that you don't need - it will be interesting to see if it survives the recession.

Tornado

When we arrived back at York station yesterday there was hyper-security for the visit of Prince Charles to name the Tornado new-build steam engine. We were glad to see the engine, we gave the bloke a miss.

Planning Ahead

We went to Aldebrough to book the hotel for the summer visit with mother. Rowan was delighted to be on the beach again as you can see.

Library

Norwich library famously burnt down and has been replaced by a typical millennium-style building; lots of glass, steel and access. This shot is taken looking up at the [inevitable] cafe with the church behind.

Norwich

The photo is from the mean streets and urban decay of ... Norwich. We went today to visit Tom, Catherine, Edward and Iona there. Good to see them, fish and chips for lunch, a stroll into the city.

Suffolk

Rowan and I arrived at Great Glemham to visit my mother and sister and family. We took the train which was a real pleasure compared with the tedium of the 5 hour drive. Mother seems well; well enough to walk with us up to the church where the photo was taken.

Marmalade

Danielle made the annual batch of Marmalade using my mother's recipe. All the more laudable as she does not eat it herself and was on a brown rice diet at the time ... That's dedication.

The bullfinches made a re-appearance today.

West

I got another ride in today. Heading west towards Leeds then south to Cawood and back up to York - 53 miles. It is interesting to go towards the West Riding of Yorkshire. The hills begin, the building stone turns to familiar dark Yorkshire stone, the 4x4's are driven with less consideration and more money, and the Red Kites circle in the sky.

Cross Country

It was the latest round of the York cross country league. Rowan won her race; here she is coming into the finish.

After that we all went into town for Rowan's scholarship reward lunch at the Tapas bar. It was a great place, a good vibe and very busy.

Morning Routine

Saturday mornings have settled down to a routine now; bizarre but enjoyable.

6.00am alarm goes, Rowan and I get up and have a cup of Barleycup. 

6.25 set off to Yearsley Swimming Pool

6.45 Rowan swims. I do a 4 mile run.

8.00 Back home for pancakes made by Danielle.

Spend rest of day feeling good and a bit smug.

The photo is of the Knavesmire under snow.

Winterreise

One of the problems of living in York if you are a cyclist is that there are no hills for 12 miles or so. So any ride that includes hills usually involves 24 miles of flat as well. Sunday I took a spin to some of the nearest hilly country at Collingham. It was great to get up there with some snow still around. Fittingly I was listening to Schubert's Winterreise on the mp3, but I did get home alive.

Tapas

Rowan writes:
On wednesday 11th of February Spanish club from years 3-6 went to La Tasca. We sat down on soft, colourful cusions. I ordered chicken and paella,they were delicious I also tried some deep fried squid and fried potatoes which were also very nice. I then ordered some vanilla ice cream which was really creamy and nice.
http://www.latasca.co.uk/

It's Back

I have had a bit of blog problem, having to prove that it is not spam, so apologies for its disappearance. Should be sorted now. I had a lot of e-mails saying "where's the blog?" so it is good to know it is missed!

We went to the Wolds to look at wood burning stoves. There was quite a bit of snow up there. We saw both a Little Owl and a Barn Owl, maybe the snow is forcing them to hunt in the daytime more.

Rowan passed her entrance exam to her secondary school, the Mount, and got a scholarship which is both great and useful.

The photo is of the Wolds.

York

There was an article about York in the FT this week http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/0229f4ac-ed9d-11dd-bd60-0000779fd2ac.html . The photo is of the Kings Manor in the city centre.

Snowman

Neighbour David took this photo of a giant snowman on the moor on Monday. The snow has completely gone now.

Whisky

Another photo from the Arctic wastes of Hob Moor yesterday. Most of the snow has gone now. 

At Eddie's Burns Night we tried a few malt whiskys and treated ourselves to a bottle of Dalwhinnie, it is a great whisky, really sharp. This is the place we had a family holiday long ago when I was about 11 I think.

Snow Event

We had quite a lot of snow [for the UK] this morning. It made crossing the moor feel a bit of an adventure. Normally it would all be gone by lunchtime, but maybe this year it will stick around with it being so cold ... all the time.

Three Old Blokes

Dave, Ted and I headed out on the snow threatened roads to the north. We got a good 60 miler in that included White Horse Bank and a cafe stop at Sutton Bank. The snow did come for a while but it soon blew over.

The photo is the same shot from yesterday but in black and white. I think I like it better.