Ooh, back in the Saddle…. Worth More than you know
Yep, punsters, I was knocking around Saddleworth Moor today (geddit?!)… hey, it’s been a long day and as my guide book (regrettably accurately) stated ‘start with a steep climb … fork right (insert your own Spike Milligan joke here) … then steep climb again’ you might guess I’ve had time to ponder on life the universe and not very much. The word ‘steep’ appeared 4 more times … along with ‘on this part of the moor it is not well marked, usually wet and best just to set a compass heading’. All true if somewhat underplayed.
and this is what I looked like before I started
I’ll spare you the ‘after’ shot. But it was good to be putting the countryside equivalent of pedal to the metal (pied to the meadow?) again and whilst very blustery and overcast the views were special. Andy my co-host of last night being a true Lancastrian had briefed me on how to speak Yorkshire-ese (I.e, “How much??”). Seems to be appreciated.
So of course at the end of a 16 mile ‘warm up’ there’s nothing better than arriving at a great BnB (tick) with a great hostess (tick) that remembers you (tick) and who has your room ready, unoccupied (ahhhhh….) … you gotta laugh right? Oh and how we, sorry she, did. Luckily her man came to rescue and no need to sleep under the Hebden Bridge (just as well, didn’t bring any cardboard in the rucksack).
milestones of the day : frankly, just re-starting and being fine of fettle and fetlock to go again tomoorow
steps today: ca. 25,000 (pedometer malfunction)
joe le Strava is now accurate in its readings and (thanks Doc) the plug-in (whatever that is) is working so ‘where I’ve been’ is updated.
And Unexpected Highlight Du Jour : meeting an old school friend after 35 years, having a great blether and him being inspired to come play on some future LEJOG leg (well, that’s what he said as he left, Shane he couldn’t stay longer than 12 minutes).
Stroll on ?
Scotland awaits you! Looking forward to beer, drams and the rest…
12 minutes eh, did he buy a round, or just say “how much” and leave?
Never mind soon be in Lancashire again
Ee ecky thump lad, y’ar in fur reet hard time. Make sure they northerners don’t have you working in t’ mill or down t’ pit, but maybe not, you’re over 14. Gird thy loins, don a cloth cap and ” sparking” clogs and you might just manage to pass yourself off as a local. Up hill and down t’ dale mate, and inbibe some of those nice northern beers, Thaekstons, Thwaites, Black Sheep etc. Chok dee.