Barley News

The barley is looking good ahead of harvest on the outskirts of York.

Bad Bunny

Rowan went with her friend Grace to see Bad Bunny at Tottenham Stadium. He is a Puerto Rican artist singer who has more streams than anyone else world wide. Sounded like a great gig.

 

Going to Meet The Man

In our Music Book Group we discussed the James Baldwin short story collection, Going To Meet The Man. Brilliant writing, harrowing subject matter, worth the effort.

Another shot from the Peak Forest canal.

 

Stroll 70 Marple to Chinley

 

The last day before the heat wave, I got a great walk in, along the Peak Forest canal up to Chinley. This shot shows the Dark Peak behind the village of New Mills. There was a lot of boating activity on the canal, a positive vibe all round.

Stroll 69 Settle to Gargrave

 

A dales walk above the air valley. Varied and quiet with Pendle Hill looming in the background.

Stroll 68 Prudhoe to Hexham

 

Another day, another country. Followed the Tyne path from Prudhoe (pronounced Pruder) to Hexham. A glorious path, this collapsing cliff was a bit of a challenge for me and the dog; we both relished it.

Stroll 67 Colne to Burnley

In Lancashire for today's stroll. The canal passes Turf Moor football ground, and also provided this mosque and canal combo.

 

Stroll 66 Ilkely to Skipton

 Quite a lot of strolling to catch up on. This was a great high level route over the moors. Lovely day, dog off the lead. 

Going on a Bear Hunt

Long ago Liam was introduced to the Bear. This trip he asked "can we go see the bear?" I was delighted to comply

 

Cousin Liam

Nephew Liam has just finished high school. He has been with us for a week, tow days with Rowan, the rest in York. Been good to have him. This shot of him proudly wearing a charity shop leather jacket he found in Brick Lane, was taken by Rowan in her flat.

 

Tandem Trip Last Day

 We left the tandem at Ro and Pete's, took the train home via Preston, then I came back the next day in the car to collect the bike.

Preston was looking a bit more spruced up than in recent years. This is the arcade by the Harris. There were even pavement cafes on Fishergate, including Brucciani's which appears to be going strong.

Tandem Ride 7

We had a day in Kendal, saw the really good art gallery, then in the afternoon Pete took us to the boat museum on Windermere. A really good place to visit.

 

Tandem Ride 6

 

The last day on the bike took us up the west bank of Windermere, across by the ferry, then to Kendal where we stayed for two nights with Ro & Pete. Always good to catch up with them. As is tradition we went to the local pub and had a pint.

Tandem Trip 5

 A great route along the Lancaster Canal to Carnforth, then through the Yealand limestone hills and the plain to Grange. Next came a swoop along the tandem friendly flat road to Backbarrow. Here we stayed in the converted Dolly Blue factory - I remember as a child when we came to Ulverston we always looked out for the blue men who worked here. 

Wonderful Morecambe Bay

Tandem Trip 4

 

There was rain today, but it was not cold. We cycled along quite happily to reach the Midland hotel in Morecambe. This is an art deco classic building that has recently moved from dereliction to renovation. Set right on the shore we had our meal watching the changing Morecambe bay landscape respond to the weather.

Tandem Trip 3

 Day Two we cycled along the Leeds Liverpool Canal to Gargrave in the Pennines; it is a beautiful creation and I am always glad to see it. We then left the canal and headed to Clitheroe for our next hotel.

Tandem Trip 2

 It then got pretty hot as we cycled along the river Aire to Leeds, and then the Leeds Liverpool canal as far as Saltaire. A great start to the trip. We even had ice cream from a van on the canal - a rare occurence for me.

Tandem Tour 1

 Danielle and I set off on a warm and sunny Saturday for our first tandem tour together. Emilie and Alfie were looking after house and dog, so were all set. We rode to Garforth on back roads and tracks before following an old railway line to St Aidans. This was Europe's biggest slagheap, but is now a beautiful RSPB reserve which serves teas and cake as well.

The view across St Aidans RSPB reserve

Stroll 65 Wakefield to Barnsley pt3

 

My route into Barnsley took me past Oakwell, the football ground. Hard to believe Barnsley were in the Premier League in 1997.

Stroll 65 Wakefield to Barnsley pt2

Once upon a time this was an industrial railway line. Now it is a perfect way to walk.

 

Stroll 65 Wakefield to Barnsley pt1

 This was a walk that connected two bits of the network of routes I have been developing during the two years of The Stroll. A route that visited old pits, now turned into country parks, old railway lines that I walked on, and the semi-derelict Barnsley Canal that formed the majority of my route. I also passed through the Waterton Wall where Charles Waterton founded the first nature reserve in 1826. Wikipedia it if you are interested.

The Waterton Wall

In The City

The view from our hotel in Finsbury Square.

 

Ballet

 Rowan went to see Ballet Black at the Hackney Empire. Glad she is enjoying the arts.