DC5

We saw Danielle's brother Ben and nephew Liam on the last day of our trip. Last time we saw Liam he was a young 12  year old, this time he is turning 16. Quite a difference. 

DC4

Further on down the canal, derelict by this point, I came to these locks; completely covered by the Interstate highway above it.

 

DC3

I was cycling on the cycle track, to my right and above me is a concentrated urban environment of concrete, steel and glass. I have rendered that in black and white. To my left is a beautiful, untamed creek running down to the river. I have left that in colour. I was amazed to see such a juxtaposition and pleased to catch it to some degree. The image is not manipulated, so part of me is thinking it would be best to leave it all in colour. But I am not so sure. Time will tell. 
 

DC 2

Whilst Danielle was working in DC, I hired a Capital Bikeshare bike (via an app obviously) and took to the city's cycleways. It was a great thing to do, my first ride took in this disused canal (it used to run from DC to Pittsburgh). It was a beautiful way to get round the city as well. 

 

DC 1

Danielle went out of the country, and on a plane for the first time since before the pandemic when we visited Washington DC, where Danielle had some work. It is a great place to visit, and the weather was great too. 

North End News

Preston are still top of the table, which is somewhat amazing. Could this be the year that they make it to the top flight for the first time in my memory? Probably not, but still an interesting time. This screen grab from the official PNE website shows that the manager, whilst doing really well, is relying on stating the obvious for motivation.

Bench

I decided against doing a Bench series of photographs; it seemed a little too twee. But I do like this one from Cleveland Ohio, taken when we visited in 2019.

Tunnel

I have shown the top photo a few times, now named Brighter Later (thank you Andy). The bottom one was taken on my ride to Hull, at Feriby. Quite a contrast in mood. I prefer the top one. 

Bridge over the river Wharfe.

A bridge for just bikes, peds and horses over the river Wharfe at Collingham. A very pleasing route that I took last week.

Voodoo

The chilli plant upstairs this year is a Scotch Bonnet one. Here are the innocent looking red devils. I am drying the first crop, and will use the later ones to make Voodoo Chilli - chilli jelly made to the Palmour recipe. 

Rowan Runs

Rowan ran in a relay competition organised by Bloomberg in the city. One lap of one mile for each runner. She was in the mixed BlackRock team and they won, she was also 4th fastest woman in the whole event (over a thousand runners I think). She was very pleased but not keen to get back on the track.

Chasing down the competition.

Saturday Night

Saturday Danielle got back from a Quaker committee in London in time for this feta and tomato tart that I made using the tomato crop. We shared it with Sue and Eddy, who brought chocolate cake for pudding, and watched a film - The Big Combo, a film noir classic. 
 

Allerthorpe

The same route took me through Allerthorpe Common, another remnant of the wetlands in the vale of York. When dry it is a perfect place to cycle through en route to the Wolds.

Manna from Heaven

Cycling through the village of Burnby on the way to the Wolds, I was looking for somewhere to stop for lunch (samosa etc). I came across this amazing use for an old bus shelter (the bus service devastated by Tory cuts). It is a cycle centre with maps, information, tools, a pump and a bench for me to have my lunch on. Brilliant.

Tour of Britain

I rode out to see the Tour of Britain passing through the Wolds just north of Market Weighton. A beautiful day for it.

Follow the Dog

It is rare to have a picture of Layla and I in action on the moors; so thanks to Rowan for this shot.

 

Railway Cottage

I walked past this former railway workers cottage near where we live. A dwelling that is obviously loved.

Hatfield 2

And here is a very happy pair, on the wonderful Hatfield Moors. Layla had just been bog-snorkling, hence the bedraggled look.

Hatfield 1

I finally got to show Rowan Hatfield Moors at the weekend. Here is our usual intrepid three photo, as we head south.

The Moldovan Connection

Knowing that we like red wine, Nataliia arranged to send these bottles over from Moldova when she was there for her work. This involved not the postal service, but a Moldovan bloke in a van who dropped them off at another Ukranian person in east London. Rowan collected them from there and brought them up to us. Complex. Great wine too!

Anniversary

We had a nice surprise for our wedding anniversary (27 years), Rowan was up for the weekend. She Layla sats whilst we went to Meltons restaurant in York. The last time we went was 20 years ago, so the food has moved on a bit. We had a really great meal, loved every bite, washed down with some good Yorkshire white wine (honest). Back home we had a meal together with Rowan. 
 

Get Your Kicks

I cycled to Hull in the week on Sustrans Route 65. This bit of road always reminds me of the Netherlands, with the trees lining the route, and the wind turbines in the distance. 

Everyone Happy

Danielle on the moors. Layla is rolling around in the heather on the right.