Bolton Abbey and back via Storriths

So this is a 26.6 mile round from home round trip but I go picked up in Ilkley. I think I can safely say that this has been my favourite ride so far. The route it quiet most of the way and the scenery is stunning.

From Holt Park along Otley Old Rd, past High Trees garden centre to the traffic lights, straight across Harrogate Rd, pass the Chevin Forest Park on the right and down a massive downhill where you hit speeds of 40/50 mph easily. I needed to use the brakes on and off. At the T junction with Gay Lane turn left and follow the road through Otley to the traffic lights at the cross roads and go straight on. Continue over the bridge which crosses the Wharfe, up the hill turning left into Weeton Lane. You follow this road all the way to Ilkley.

Through Weston and Askwith, eventually riding alongside the River Wharfe into Ilkley. When you reach the cross roads after you’ve passed the Lido on your right and the rugby club on your left, cross straight over onto Denton Road, alongside the park. You will come to a small island in the road, carry straight on, bearing next left along Nestfield Road. You will pass the golf course. Keep straight on. At a T junction keep right (West Hall Lane), eventually reaching Beamsley. Carry on and you will eventually meet the A59. Here turn left. You can bear off left onto a cycle way if you ride a hybrid or mountain bike which eventually takes you under the road and over the old bridge into Bolton Abbey. Otherwise go to the roundabout and take a right. Here is a cafe with some nice butties. However my next stop for refreshment was a bit further along in Bolton Abbey itself. Where I parked my bike and sat in the sun.

If you have never been to Bolton Abbey it is a beautiful place and certainly worth pushing your bike to have a gander.

Bolton Abbey Map

From Bolton Abbey continue along the road to Barden Tower and just after bear right signposted Appletreewick. You will pass over a narrow old bridge and start to ascend a steep hill and you will need to take a sharp right onto a single track road signposted Storriths and Hazelwood. This is a fantastic ride although there are some mega steep climbs. The road basically runs alongside the Wharfe on the other side of the valley. With stunning views and a ford to whizz through. You will eventually meet the A59 again turn right and retrace your steps back to Ilkley, where I got picked up.

https://www.bradford.gov.uk/sport-and-activities/sports-centres-and-pools/ilkley-pool-and-lido/

BLACK AND BRITISH

This book is brilliant and should be compulsory reading for everyone, but if not at least on the GCSE syllabus. I learnt so much about the way black people have been mistreated and still it goes on. In my humble opinion, it is at least as bad as the way Jewish people have been mistreated. At least the Jews got some recompense. Whereas when Britain abolished slave trade, it was the slave owners that were compensated! It certainly wasn’t just abolished and every slave was now free. Other countries continued and the slaves in British colonies still continued with their miserable existence. I also hadn’t realised how black africans had communities in England way back in Roman times and there was no racism then, as far as skin colour was concerned.

The language that some politicians and others used was horrifying, especially when eugenics reared its ugly head. I always thought that we had invited the Windrush immigrants to help after the war when we were so short of manpower but actually the government in power, actually tried to stop it docking because they were “negroes”. They wanted white people and invited many europeans to come to Britain (and they did come). But the Windrush did eventually dock and those people all got jobs bar two. But even then they experienced racism.

All commonwealth citizens were entitled to British passports at one time but the government put a stop to this. Families were split up and they wanted to repatriate a lot of the black people. Is this ringing any bells?

There is no doubt that there is institutional racism within the police force – a remnant from special teams that were created at one time to target the blacks.

My country has many things not to be proud of but in my opinion this is one of the biggest stains on it. We have not made amends.

There is a BBC programme that accompanies this book.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0499smp

GETTING INTO CYCLING

Last year I bought myself an electric, pedal assist, bicycle. I pre-empted lockdown and boy, was I glad I had. I could still get out and about, exercise and enjoy the freedom of the great Yorkshire countryside. At the time, I fancied a classic dutch style bike and fell in love with the Volt Kensington bike pictured below.

 I try not to use the battery unless I have to but its great when struggling up hills and gives you the confidence that you’ll be able to make it home.  I really enjoyed getting around on this, but after a while when I started to try to go off on bridle ways or along the canal, I found it a little bit of a bone shaker.  So I started looking at mountain and hybrid bikes.  I thought a full suspension mountain bike was going a bit far, so I did loads of research on hybrids and plumped for a Cube Kathmandu Pro.  There are so many bike manufacturers now, but again the Kathmandu had very good reviews.  So here it is.

The battery is supposed to last for 60miles, which i presume is on the low setting.  There are five different levels and are pretty good, obviously you still have to pedal, which is why its actually called “pedal assist”.  The motor is in the mid section of the bike, as this is more effective than on the rear hub.   The motor kicks in at each power mode, when the three sensors measure the rider’s pedal power, cadence and speed over 1,000 times per second. This facilitates an organic interplay between you and your eBike. 

I’ve been going out regularly, about every other day, unless the weather is foul.  To start with I was doing 10mile each time, then upped it to 15ish then 20.  I then managed to do 44 miles, but its averaged out at about 20 to 30 miles.  Ive explored loads of areas around Bramhope, the Chevin, Otley,Ilkley, Bolton Abbey, Wetherby, Harrogate and had a great time on a ride in the Dalby Forest.

It wasn’t winter that halted the progress but a broken ankle.  The occurred coming down off Ilkley Moor not riding but pushing my bike!!  Just when I was getting really into it.  So I’m now using the time to relive it all on my blog.

ALMSCLIFFE CRAG CIRCULAR

So this one goes from Adel church , Eccup Lane, past the New Inn, down to Weardly and hit the A659 to Harewood, on meeting the A61 to Harrogate turn left, over the River Wharfe and next left towards Dunkeswick.  Lovely quiet country roads to Weeton.  Arrive at the junction of Harrogate Road and cross almost straight over onto Gravelly Hill Lane.  Again lovely quiet country lanes.  Turn right onto the Sleights, at Crag Lane turn left onto Merrybank Lane.  Along here you will come across Almscliffe Crag.  Here is a good mid way stopping point.  Continue along the road to Stainburn and onwards to Leathley.  By the church hall turn right along this road until the left turning onto Cinder Lane.  Going down this lane you will see the farmhouse, ahead and on right, that was used for many years as Emmerdale farm.  Cross over the River Washburn and eventually meet the B6451 at Farnley by All Saints church.  Turn left onto Farnley Lane towards Pool in Wharefdale.  Turn right after crossing the bridge. At Harrogate road turn right onto the main Harrogate road until the roundabout at Pool.  Here take a left through Arthington.  Turn right after going under the railway bridge onto Creskeld Lane.  There is a big hill here and I have to admit I needed my pedal assist on the highest setting.  At the top turn left to Bramhope, which meets the A660 and home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/my_routes

BERLIN

Mike and I had a few days in Berlin, somewhere I’d always wanted to explore. It didn’t disappoint.

The bear is on the flag of Berlin city which took me a while to realise. The Trebant car can be hired but I passed on that. Checkpoint Charlie is a bit of a disappointment .

Remember you can click on the photos to see enlargements .

The Wall museum just further along from here is really interesting and I love the way  that the Germans don’t shy away from the horrors of the past.

I learnt so much about the second world war in Germany, Hitler and the Nazi Party, the Holocaust and how things came to be the way they were.  It was so sobering and in Hitler Bunker, I found myself crying at the images I beheld.

A place steeped in history: the Deutscher Dom graces Gendarmenmarkt. But you ought to visit the exhibition inside – it’s definitely worth it.                       For many locals and visitors, the neo-classical Konzerthaus hall is Berlin’s most attractive venue for top-flight classical music. Here, right at the heart of the stunning Gendarmenmarkt square, you can enjoy an unforgettable classical concert experience.

The Brandenburg Gate is one of the most iconic sights in today’s vibrant Berlin. More than just Berlin’s only surviving historical city gate, this site came to symbolise Berlin’s Cold War division into East and West – and, since the fall of the Wall, a reunified Germany. Architecturally, the sandstone Brandenburg Gate also represents one of the earliest and most attractive examples of a neo-classical building in Germany.

When the decision was made to move the Federal Government to Berlin, it was time to reawaken the Reichstag building from its long years of slumber on the Mauerstreifen, the military zone between the two sides of the Wall. The building has since been completely modernised, and today’s visitors to the Reichstag can look out from the building’s glass dome to get a bird’s eye view of the hustle and bustle in the city.

The River Spree runs through Berlin and it is a lovely stroll alongside.

The Holocaust Memorial consists of an undulating field of 2711 concrete steles, which can be passed through from all sides. While walking between the columns of different heights and the labyrinthine corridors, visitors may experience a brief moment of disorientation, which should open up space for discussion. Beneath the memorial is the Information Centre, which documents the crimes of the Nazi era in themed rooms.

The memorial at first seemed a bit weird, but it is very effective.  I have to admit I found the accounts of survivors of the holocaust rather overwhelming and didn’t spend long in the information centre.  

At night Berlin was bustling.  We found some good craft beer bars.

The people were friendly, the atmosphere open and the public transport was cheap and regular.  Definitely recommend a visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading during lockdown

Lockdown has given me time to do things that I have got out of the habit of doing regularly.  Thankfully the weather has been lovely and I got back into the habit of reading every day.  In fact Ive spent many happy hours , in the garden, with my head stuck in a book, like I used to do when I was younger.  Some of the books that have kept me ut of mischief are pictured above.

Who Owns England was a real eye opener.  William the Konk handed out land like sweeties to reward his loyal nobles and this hereditary land is still in the landed gentries hands.  Next came : 

The British Enclosure Acts removed the prior rights of local people to rural land they had often used for generations. As compensation, the displaced people were commonly offered alternative land of smaller scope and inferior quality, sometimes with no access to water or wood. The lands seized by the acts were then consolidated into individual and privately owned farms, with large, politically connected farmers receiving the best land. Often, small landowners could not afford the legal and other associated costs of enclosure and so were forced out.

A typical round of enclosure began when several, or even a single, prominent landholder initiated it … by petition to Parliament.… [T]he commissioners were invariably of the same class and outlook as the major landholders who had petitioned in the first place, [so] it was not surprising that the great landholders awarded themselves the best land and the most of it, thereby making England a classic land of great, well-kept estates with a small marginal peasantry and a large class of rural wage labourers.

Then of course theres the land commandeered for the forces.  A great many areas of England were compulsory purchased and some whole villages emptied for use for army training during the second world war – never to be given back.

Lists of landowners are amount of land they own are in the book.  These were gained by the freedom of information act but some areas are hard to obtain information for.

A great website for this topic = https://whoownsengland.org

 

The Idea of the Brain is a look at how the brain has been studied and what we have so far learnt, which is not a great deal. It details the “advances” we have made so far.  A lot of it was over my head but its very informative and made me realise what an interconnected, complicated organ it is and that my generation will never know how it works.

Permanent Record was eye opening.  I know that governments can now keep tabs on us, but to read what Edward Snowdon found and how he has suffered for blowing the whistle, is scary.  Its autobiographical and because of that very readable.

Outgrowing God is another brilliant book by Richard Dawkins.  Ive read many of his books and find them all very logical, scientific and readable.  Plenty of scientific logical thoroughly well thought out explanations why there cannot be a god.  This along with a history of religion and how it has been used.  ( twisted, turned and mainly made up)!

The Cedar Cage was a weird one for me but I bought it because its based on the Norfolk coast near Wells on Sea, which is an area Im familiar with and love.  A bit of a ghost story.

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds is a lovely relaxing read all about a village in the Somerset Levels – its countryside and wildlife.

The Salt Path is another great read.  This is about a couple who loose their lovely farm home, through no fault of their own.  The husband has a incurable disease but they decide, as they are homeless, they may as well pack rucksack and go and walk the South Coast Path, from North Devon, through Cornwall and finish in Dorset.  The story is about how they survive, who they meet and how they cope. 

Next book 

Covid 19/Lockdown

So here we are at the end of week 7 of lockdown.   I have quite enjoyed it in a funny sort of way, but Im one of the lucky ones with a house and a front and back garden, a husband who is my best friend and a dog who is also my best friend!  Its been lovely and quiet.  The airport is silent, even though it’s not normally intrusive for us, it is noticeable that there are no flights in or out of Leeds Bradford airport.  So I’ve done loads of gardening and loads of online shopping!  I’ve walked, cycled, read, cleaned and completed lots of jobs that needed doing but i just never got around to them.

Above are some of the most peaceful scenes I’ve come across whilst out on my bike.  The top one is looking over to the airport which is just full of parked up planes.  The second is of a deer I saw whilst cycling through the Harewood estate.  Next looking across newly ploughed fields where the Red Kites circled above. A mother with her foal, more horses and beyond the silent airport.  Ending with a map of my ride that day.  

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE.

Theres so much beauty all around from the bluebells in Adel church, to the deer beyond my bike and on the path at Harewood to the gorgeous blossom on the trees.  The lock down has given me more “down” time to appreciate these things.

It could just be something as simple as a blackbird taking a dip on my patio or the thousands of tadpoles we get in our pond every year.  (Where do they all go?)



Or the mighty beautiful awe inspiring trees that I pass under on my local walks.

And then theres the wildlife – mainly birds…..but that’s for another post.

Daffodils in memory of Hilda Mary Gibson Nee Fishwick 7/1/1924 – 3/1/2015

Spring is on its way and every March when the daffodils start to raise their sunny heads, I get a lump in my throat because they remind me so much of my Mum.  I don’t know if other cities are the same, but all over North Leeds where I live, there appear thousands upon thousand of daffodils – everywhere.  At the side of the ring road and other major roads, on roundabouts, in church yards, on verges, open areas of grass and in patches in the most unlikely places.  Mum and Dad used to travel over to see us, from Southport, a town known for its flowers but Mum \used to wax lyrical about our daffodil displays.  I can hear here now!

Below are photos of Adel church – a beautiful area to sit and just contemplate.

I once had a boss who said she hated yellow and daffodils – would never dream of wearing yellow or buying any yellow flowers!  It has to be said she was a massive snob, so probably thought they were cheap, bright, bold and in  your face.  Could be me that!!! haha.  Probably why we always clashed.  I was always being called a “bold child” by a nun at my convent boarding school because I was always questioning things.  As I sit and type this, I have a T shirt on with big bold, bright yellow daisies.

 

And here are photos of daffodils by the side of the road and on verges next to pavements.  Happy days MUM. XXXX

 

Brimham Rocks

Its been a long time since I visited Brimham Rocks.  The area is owned by the National Trust.

A large mountain range stood nearby over 400  million years ago – erosion eventually created a huge river delta, the sands of which eventually created the rocks we see today.  Ice, rain and wind have created some wonderful weird and wonderful shapes.  The area also covers woods and moorland, with plenty of wildlife to spot with a bit of patience.

Theres a hut seeing drinks, cakes, snacks and sandwiches – hot and cold.  Theres also and information centre.

Beware the cost of parking though!  Unless you’re a National Trust member, you will pay £6 for four hours.

Here are some photos I just snapped.  Click on each photo to enlarge – they look much better.

 

Good Craft Beer Places in Leed

So, Mike and I are always on the lookout for some nice places to go for craft beer.  I suppose all beer is actually “crafted”, but in this instance I mean Keg beer as opposed to Cask Ale.  Cask Ale is generally referred to as Real Ale, although I’d argue all ale is “Real”.  Cask Ale or Real Ale is live, meaning it’s still fermenting and unpasteurised.  It needs careful looking after and doesn’t last as long as Keg.  Its supposed to be served at a temperature of around 11 -13C.  Its pulled through the hand pump from the cask by gravity, so its flat.  in the North of England, people generally like a “head” on their beer. It’s generally a clear liquid and you will hear people complaining when its cloudy.  You can often get a bad pint of “Real Ale”.

Craft beer as Keg beer is generally referred too, is colder, often cloudy and pasteurised, so no bad pint!  Its easier to keep and the quality is more uniform.  It is served from a “tap” and comes from the keg with the help of CO2.  I find it really tasty compared to Real Ale and I also find it more refreshing.  There has been a massive boom in the craft beer industry, with hundreds of small breweries popping up all over the country.  

In Leeds, Northern Monk and North Breweries are two of the bigger ones.  North, have several bars and a Tap Room and Northern Monk has a lovely Refectory in Holbeck and one in Manchester.  Find links at the bottom of this post.

Recently, we went to town to try out a few of the places that have a good selection of craft beer.  

The Assembly Underground is where Carpe Dieum used to be.  The place has had a make over and there are several street food outlets along with a veritable plethora of keg beers and a few real ales.  Its a really lively place, great atmosphere and the burgers are to die for.  Theres also a little cocktail room if that’s your thing.

There’s also Tapped on Boar Lane that brew their own beer and have loads of others too.  They serve rather nice pizzas.

We found a rather nice pub called the Bankers Cat also on Boar Lane.  Not so many keg beers but a nice atmosphere.  Loads of gorgeous mahogany on show.

These are just a few of the lovely drinking hole in Leeds.  Below are links to other fabulous places we’ve frequented.

https://northernmonk.com                                                                                                                   

https://www.northbrewing.com/

https://www.thehopshack.co.uk/

http://kirkstallbridge.co.uk/?LMCL=u3bhAB

https://www.assemblyunderground.com/

http://tappedleeds.co.uk