tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-158995862024-03-13T12:45:45.941+00:00What's He Up To Now!Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.comBlogger425125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-41339117608409706722013-09-22T22:00:00.000+01:002014-04-07T21:32:59.206+01:00High Peak MTB ride...<div style="text-align: justify;">
For a while now I've had an idea going around in my head for a longer distance mountain bike ride. Something that would not only test my stamina a little but also take me to areas that I don't normally ride. What I came up with was a 73 mile loop made up of country lanes, cycle paths and off-road sections. It would take me from Derby to a point just north of Hartington, in the Peak District, before turning south and heading back for home. I'd take in Carsington Water, the High Peak Trail and Tissington Trail on route.</div>
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The weather could not have been better for the ride. Plenty of sunshine, very little cloud, not too hot and only a steady breeze. There was even a low lying early morning mist to add a little effect to the whole thing! The only problem with that was I wanted to keep stopping to take photos and didn't really have enough time!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxwlCPMtf8o/U0HFjNtaFMI/AAAAAAAADzM/Lz7qUaE9h4A/s1600/100_2029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxwlCPMtf8o/U0HFjNtaFMI/AAAAAAAADzM/Lz7qUaE9h4A/s1600/100_2029.jpg" height="240" title="Sunrise at Alvaston Park." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just 2 miles from home and the first photo stop.<br />
Sunrise at Alvaston Park.</td></tr>
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The first 18 miles or so of the ride were some of the toughest as it was almost all on-road. The tyres on the mountain bike made for a hard ride, the road was climbing for just about every mile and all I could think about was the off-road sections that lay ahead. I wanted to see the back of tarmac! Having said that, this is Derbyshire and there is always something to lighten the mood. The view from near Kedleston Park made me pause for a drink and a quick photo before pressing on.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C8Om5kItKd8/U0HI6b4nq8I/AAAAAAAADzY/xVpf3mKBvTk/s1600/100_2031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C8Om5kItKd8/U0HI6b4nq8I/AAAAAAAADzY/xVpf3mKBvTk/s1600/100_2031.jpg" height="240" title="View near Kedleston Park." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View near Kedleston Park.</td></tr>
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The first off-road section of the ride was a great little 4 miles or so alongside the eastern edge of Carsington Water, from Millfields car park to Hopton village. The trail was undulating but rode well. It was dry and grippy but the surface had just enough loose to keep you on your toes. The camera had to come out a couple of times too.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wFEeAx1FMVw/U0HK0pp-vHI/AAAAAAAADzs/smnC18IqUk8/s1600/100_2036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wFEeAx1FMVw/U0HK0pp-vHI/AAAAAAAADzs/smnC18IqUk8/s1600/100_2036.jpg" height="240" title="Arriving at Carsington Water." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at Carsington Water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5kIK9ckwVw/U0HKzZUCnnI/AAAAAAAADzk/QZURAIoxTKM/s1600/100_2037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C5kIK9ckwVw/U0HKzZUCnnI/AAAAAAAADzk/QZURAIoxTKM/s1600/100_2037.jpg" height="240" title="View over Carsington Water." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View over Carsington Water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D97RRsUYxVc/U0HK00VAtmI/AAAAAAAADzw/mkp4BDzCqT8/s1600/100_2038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D97RRsUYxVc/U0HK00VAtmI/AAAAAAAADzw/mkp4BDzCqT8/s1600/100_2038.jpg" height="240" title="About to leave Carsington Water." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to leave Carsington Water.</td></tr>
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After Hopton village came the toughest climb of the ride so far, the drag out of the village up to the High Peak Trail. The road climbs around 300 feet in just over a mile. Nothing to hard on a road bike but I knew about it on a mountain bike, with a rucksack on my back. The climb had its reward though, I was now at the start of the main part of the ride - almost 25 miles of off-road cycle trails.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQqhb500bp8/U0HNh5wFybI/AAAAAAAAD0A/vA3mE4TX-tU/s1600/100_2039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQqhb500bp8/U0HNh5wFybI/AAAAAAAAD0A/vA3mE4TX-tU/s1600/100_2039.jpg" height="240" title="High Peak Trail - let the fun begin." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Peak Trail - let the fun begin.</td></tr>
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I'd never cycled the High Peak Trail before but had walked it a number of times, so I knew what the views would be like. It's still a real pleasure to be out in the open though, no matter how many times you travel along the trail. And with the weather as it was, it was even more stunning! I managed to resist stopping too often for photos, but every now and again I used the excuse of having to stop for food or drink as the reason for a quick snap shot!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xYVUahNk6D8/U0HO84GQ0LI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/0tIBU-NbJvw/s1600/100_2040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xYVUahNk6D8/U0HO84GQ0LI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/0tIBU-NbJvw/s1600/100_2040.jpg" height="240" title="Taking in the view." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking in the view...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBv6-41cJTY/U0HO8jpmroI/AAAAAAAAD0U/74PUuTJOqQc/s1600/100_2041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBv6-41cJTY/U0HO8jpmroI/AAAAAAAAD0U/74PUuTJOqQc/s1600/100_2041.jpg" height="240" title="The view over the wall!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...view over the wall!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-11TH6WT-Tz4/U0HO8G8lVCI/AAAAAAAAD0I/49lh3hmRwwM/s1600/100_2042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-11TH6WT-Tz4/U0HO8G8lVCI/AAAAAAAAD0I/49lh3hmRwwM/s1600/100_2042.jpg" height="240" title="View from the trail." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T_gpiThtH8I/U0HO_aR6KII/AAAAAAAAD0g/FgPlionoet8/s1600/100_2043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T_gpiThtH8I/U0HO_aR6KII/AAAAAAAAD0g/FgPlionoet8/s1600/100_2043.jpg" height="240" title="View from the trail." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the trail.</td></tr>
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The point at which I would start and turn for home was where the High Peak Trail joined the Tissington Trail. Again, I had to stop for food and to mix another bottle of energy drink. And take a few more photos! Well, you need something as a reminder of rides like this.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAao9X0lLpE/U0HQ0wmXL9I/AAAAAAAAD08/mZs0gW9DQps/s1600/100_2045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAao9X0lLpE/U0HQ0wmXL9I/AAAAAAAAD08/mZs0gW9DQps/s1600/100_2045.jpg" height="240" title="The bike is ready for the Tissington Trail..." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bike is ready for the Tissington Trail...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9XLmkk2MLk/U0HQ08RvhAI/AAAAAAAAD1A/LtEjs3Qt_RM/s1600/100_2046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9XLmkk2MLk/U0HQ08RvhAI/AAAAAAAAD1A/LtEjs3Qt_RM/s1600/100_2046.jpg" height="240" title="... all the signs point back where we came from!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... all the signs point back where we came from!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1m0CxRq_5rQ/U0HQ0D1_MaI/AAAAAAAAD0w/hz3SseV2W1s/s1600/100_2047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1m0CxRq_5rQ/U0HQ0D1_MaI/AAAAAAAAD0w/hz3SseV2W1s/s1600/100_2047.jpg" height="240" title="Enjoying yet another great view." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying yet another great view.</td></tr>
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Once back on the bike it was a fun 14 miles or so of easy riding down into Ashbourne. The Tissington Trail drops, almost unnoticeable at times, down to the town, losing around 700 feet in elevation. The legs enjoyed this section of the ride - I was able to hold a good turn of speed without any real effort. Save some energy for later in the day! It was also the last time I stopped for photos...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CViZ_6ogipg/U0MAdJexHVI/AAAAAAAAD1M/zqKpbAmlbsE/s1600/100_2049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CViZ_6ogipg/U0MAdJexHVI/AAAAAAAAD1M/zqKpbAmlbsE/s1600/100_2049.jpg" height="320" title="The old signal box at Hartington station." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old signal box at Hartington station.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PEGwS3Gbx3k/U0MBVb9p35I/AAAAAAAAD1U/88llNGtb4Os/s1600/100_2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PEGwS3Gbx3k/U0MBVb9p35I/AAAAAAAAD1U/88llNGtb4Os/s1600/100_2051.jpg" height="240" title="The view near Hartington." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view near Hartington.</td></tr>
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From Ashbourne onwards the ride returned to tarmac roads, and the drag of knobbly tyres on a surface they are not best suited to. It was a pretty tough 25 miles or so. The bike felt heavy, I was tiring, the breeze had picked up and was now a head wind. I enjoyed the challenge, but it certainly wasn't as much fun as the two off-road trails had been!</div>
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By the time I arrived back at home I'd been out for 6 hours 37 mins. The bike had been moving for a total of 5 hours 11 mins. The total mileage was 72.9 miles and I'd averaged 14.1mph. Not my quickest ride by a long way, but it was one of the more enjoyable ones.... so far!</div>
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The Strava details for the ride are <b><i><a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/84129328" target="_blank">HERE.</a></i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4mQYySCaN8/U0MG34QxN0I/AAAAAAAAD1k/lkovpQVwKi8/s1600/mtb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4mQYySCaN8/U0MG34QxN0I/AAAAAAAAD1k/lkovpQVwKi8/s1600/mtb.jpg" height="243" title="The route map." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The route map.</td></tr>
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Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Derby, UK52.921593094549571 -1.475229951562482752.844974594549569 -1.6365914515624826 52.998211594549574 -1.3138684515624828tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-56048582326540997422013-08-22T22:00:00.000+01:002014-04-06T21:53:21.101+01:00Donington track evening...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Donington may well call be known as "<i>The heart of British motorsport</i>" but this evening it was a rather slower form of wheeled sport that took to the track, cyclists! And I was one of them. The circuit has been opened up to bikes a number of times this summer but this was the first time I'd been able to go and have a play.</div>
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It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening but, with hindsight, maybe I would have been better taking the bike there and back in the car rather than riding it. I had ridden to work and back today, then swapped to the road bike and rushed over to Donington to be there in time for the track opening. I put in seven reasonably paced <i>(for me</i>) laps of the circuit before then riding home before it dropped dark. I was wrecked by the time I got home for my supper!</div>
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My best three laps of the 2.5 mile circuit were, according to Strava...</div>
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7min 15secs @ an average of 20.3mph.</div>
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7min 16secs @ an average of 20.3mph.</div>
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7min 27secs @ an average of 19.8mph.</div>
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My maximum recorded speed was 36.9mph - which I guess must have been down Craner Curves. If it wasn't then I'd love to know where I could have managed to go quicker!</div>
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So, overall, a great experience. It's certainly something that I'd love to do again as I'm sure I could reduce by overall lap time and maybe push my fastest speed up a little, if I really gave it a go heading into Craner. Not riding so many miles before the event may go a long way towards helping my speed too!</div>
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The Strava ride details are <b><i><a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/76750595" target="_blank">HERE!</a></i></b><br />
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It may well look rather empty in the photos above but these were taken very early on in the session. Over 900 riders took to the track in the end!</div>
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<b><br /></b>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Castle Donington, Leicestershire, UK52.829865219428044 -1.379083850097686152.82506821942804 -1.389168850097686 52.834662219428047 -1.3689988500976862tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-14304976101696198212013-07-14T22:00:00.000+01:002014-04-06T18:31:43.039+01:00Pickering summer break...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our summer holiday this year is another return trip, this time to Pickering, North Yorkshire. We first visited this area just over a year ago, in April 2012. We had a good holiday then but the weather wasn't great. There was plenty of rain, some hail, sleet and even snow. But, we liked the area and had decided that we would give it a try at a warmer time of year. Little did we know that we'd be coming back during the heatwave of 2013! It was hot and dry for the full week - almost too hot!</div>
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Our base for this holiday was a lovely cottage at Southholme Lodges, just on the outskirts of town. It was far enough from the town centre, down a little country lane, to be very peaceful but close enough that we could enjoy an easy walk there for breakfast each day or to look around the shops etc. Ideal!</div>
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Our cottage and the gardens...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XqdaK_Wj6Yo/U0FiRQsw7xI/AAAAAAAADuE/gYpXdkSwmHs/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XqdaK_Wj6Yo/U0FiRQsw7xI/AAAAAAAADuE/gYpXdkSwmHs/s1600/001.JPG" height="240" title="Our holiday cottage." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our holiday cottage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a small part of the gardens.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DYGFPPjEv2Q/U0FiNc6tS1I/AAAAAAAADt4/3D57oKP9DCs/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DYGFPPjEv2Q/U0FiNc6tS1I/AAAAAAAADt4/3D57oKP9DCs/s1600/003.jpg" height="320" title="A little bit of shade. We spent a lot of time here!" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little bit of shade.<br />
We spent a lot of time here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The stroll into town was not only nice and easy, and almost traffic free, it was rather scenic too. A lovely old mill building and a stream too. We often paused to watch the ducks and the fish!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vp0yZNhUOg/U0FkbEVa62I/AAAAAAAADuU/fRh88dcKx0M/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vp0yZNhUOg/U0FkbEVa62I/AAAAAAAADuU/fRh88dcKx0M/s1600/004.JPG" height="240" title="Vivers Mill. The old water mill." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivers Mill. The old water mill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1N5lTqNsWYI/U0FkqsDgCFI/AAAAAAAADus/f-Pwp5tv2SQ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1N5lTqNsWYI/U0FkqsDgCFI/AAAAAAAADus/f-Pwp5tv2SQ/s1600/005.JPG" height="240" title="Vivers Mill. The old water mill." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivers Mill. The old water mill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIrGScBYt1g/U0FkcRV0MvI/AAAAAAAADuc/vOxVBd_vdSY/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIrGScBYt1g/U0FkcRV0MvI/AAAAAAAADuc/vOxVBd_vdSY/s1600/006.JPG" height="240" title="Vivers Mill. The old water mill." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivers Mill. The old water mill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OeuvWk3kk_4/U0Fkpz2GMkI/AAAAAAAADuk/GpWw3ezNSlY/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OeuvWk3kk_4/U0Fkpz2GMkI/AAAAAAAADuk/GpWw3ezNSlY/s1600/007.JPG" height="240" title="The old mill stream." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old mill stream.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When we arrived in the town centre the traffic was still very light, the buildings rather nice and, much more importantly, the breakfast superb! Finding a good spot for breakfast is always a priority for us when on holiday! This time it was the <a href="http://www.feastpickering.co.uk/" target="_blank">Feast Deli & Cafe</a>. We can highly recommend this place! They had a great range of local real ale for sale too!</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--JTdT4FsTbI/U0FtiacjvlI/AAAAAAAADu8/kML4fYbgmOI/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--JTdT4FsTbI/U0FtiacjvlI/AAAAAAAADu8/kML4fYbgmOI/s1600/008.JPG" height="320" title="St Peter's and St Paul's Church, Pickering." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Peter's and St Paul's Church, Pickering.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lbrBWgMoJ0/U0FtkJWcurI/AAAAAAAADvE/0oJeQgKyM4I/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lbrBWgMoJ0/U0FtkJWcurI/AAAAAAAADvE/0oJeQgKyM4I/s1600/009.JPG" height="240" title="Looking down Market Place, Pickering." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down Market Place, Pickering.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LnRb-TxHq28/U0FtlUruItI/AAAAAAAADvM/8HCFlQqJP00/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LnRb-TxHq28/U0FtlUruItI/AAAAAAAADvM/8HCFlQqJP00/s1600/010.JPG" height="240" title="One of the cottages in the town." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the cottages in the town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
On our last visit to Pickering we travelled on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Whitby and back. This time we only went as far as the village of Goathland - better known as Aidensfield in the TV series Heartbeat and as Hogsmeade Station in the Harry Potter films. As such, it is a tourist hot spot but even with all the crowds it was still a pleasant trip. Lunch, with beer, in the local pub was rather nice too!</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kx3q6FMn7I/U0F434HwmRI/AAAAAAAADvc/33s_h2noakM/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kx3q6FMn7I/U0F434HwmRI/AAAAAAAADvc/33s_h2noakM/s1600/011.JPG" height="240" title="Stanier Black Five 45428. Our loco on the day." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stanier Black Five 45428. Our loco on the day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0t0zUl1i8Z4/U0F48qRy8CI/AAAAAAAADvk/KcKyd-fKngc/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0t0zUl1i8Z4/U0F48qRy8CI/AAAAAAAADvk/KcKyd-fKngc/s1600/012.JPG" height="240" title="Goathland village." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goathland village.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FR3QuypviDI/U0F5A-LJr7I/AAAAAAAADvs/3x_uehvmneg/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FR3QuypviDI/U0F5A-LJr7I/AAAAAAAADvs/3x_uehvmneg/s1600/013.JPG" height="240" title="Rush hour in Goathland village." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rush hour in Goathland village.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5zMWbA-osko/U0F5FKNGqyI/AAAAAAAADv0/mIDWp-PgJCA/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5zMWbA-osko/U0F5FKNGqyI/AAAAAAAADv0/mIDWp-PgJCA/s1600/014.JPG" height="240" title="Lynda, being a tourist!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynda, being a tourist!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y54TV6PFR2Y/U0F5UzcycYI/AAAAAAAADwE/8taBj5bfEfs/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y54TV6PFR2Y/U0F5UzcycYI/AAAAAAAADwE/8taBj5bfEfs/s1600/015.JPG" height="240" title="The local garage!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The local garage!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOmyUTL1-tQ/U0F5Q_TVR_I/AAAAAAAADv8/cr6CItZU-Vw/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOmyUTL1-tQ/U0F5Q_TVR_I/AAAAAAAADv8/cr6CItZU-Vw/s1600/016.JPG" height="240" title="Enjoying an ice cream." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying an ice cream.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just up the road from Pickering we came across the pretty little village of Thornton-le-Dale. This was only a brief visit but it was a very nice village. There was also a great garage here specialising in the sale of classic/vintage cars. I could have spent a lot of money there!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DR00crcXNik/U0F_R-xI15I/AAAAAAAADwg/Q_6yKji-81I/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DR00crcXNik/U0F_R-xI15I/AAAAAAAADwg/Q_6yKji-81I/s1600/017.JPG" height="240" title="Thornton-le-Dale cottage." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thornton-le-Dale cottage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVRkvUdKo7w/U0F_RGqEX2I/AAAAAAAADwU/7Av-cVCNTJQ/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVRkvUdKo7w/U0F_RGqEX2I/AAAAAAAADwU/7Av-cVCNTJQ/s1600/018.JPG" height="240" title="Lynda and a Thornton-le-Dale cottage." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynda and a Thornton-le-Dale cottage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOR9HZJ2IRE/U0F_RlWhH0I/AAAAAAAADwY/zS7QsuXfGOM/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOR9HZJ2IRE/U0F_RlWhH0I/AAAAAAAADwY/zS7QsuXfGOM/s1600/019.JPG" height="240" title="A rather nice little place, Thornton-le-Dale." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rather nice little place, Thornton-le-Dale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tj53wbap3vo/U0F_ZfggHqI/AAAAAAAADws/c4Sf3-P5ej4/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tj53wbap3vo/U0F_ZfggHqI/AAAAAAAADws/c4Sf3-P5ej4/s1600/020.JPG" height="240" title="Thornton-le-Dale cottages." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thornton-le-Dale cottages.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMpXqSmUKIQ/U0F_Z9tSUDI/AAAAAAAADww/X6xBnM57VYo/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMpXqSmUKIQ/U0F_Z9tSUDI/AAAAAAAADww/X6xBnM57VYo/s1600/021.JPG" height="240" title="Mum and the kids enjoying the sun." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum and the kids enjoying the sun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The weather on our last visit to Pickering meant that when we took a drive up onto the moors we returned slightly disappointed. The only view we got was of low cloud, mist and rain. It certainly gave us a feel for how hard life could be living up there but it wasn't quiet what we had hoped for. This time we had no such problem! The weather was gorgeous, the views stunning. And the cotton grass was in full flower too - result!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjPYUNE8GWE/U0GFDT1UlKI/AAAAAAAADxI/pMPk8oCrf3o/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjPYUNE8GWE/U0GFDT1UlKI/AAAAAAAADxI/pMPk8oCrf3o/s1600/022.JPG" height="240" title="In the middle of nowhere - Levisham Station." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the middle of nowhere - Levisham Station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0t_OCS_FLl4/U0GFDOwBdeI/AAAAAAAADxE/qUWvmQQOFKk/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0t_OCS_FLl4/U0GFDOwBdeI/AAAAAAAADxE/qUWvmQQOFKk/s1600/023.JPG" height="240" title="Cotton Grass, up on the moors." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cotton Grass, up on the moors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BZk27TcF4bg/U0GFEPJXc-I/AAAAAAAADxM/Khy_CBNYmYY/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BZk27TcF4bg/U0GFEPJXc-I/AAAAAAAADxM/Khy_CBNYmYY/s1600/024.JPG" height="240" title="Cotton Grass, up on the moors." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cotton Grass, up on the moors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PV_nzNBCYc/U0GFQA5q2aI/AAAAAAAADxk/7JHi1oCL2z0/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PV_nzNBCYc/U0GFQA5q2aI/AAAAAAAADxk/7JHi1oCL2z0/s1600/025.JPG" height="240" title="Moorland view." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moorland view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdVYvW46opk/U0GFOsVNeEI/AAAAAAAADxc/WKgwB8twnwQ/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdVYvW46opk/U0GFOsVNeEI/AAAAAAAADxc/WKgwB8twnwQ/s1600/026.JPG" height="240" title="Moorland view." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moorland view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaeVLl3IZEc/U0GFSC8xpTI/AAAAAAAADxs/gu9-08iZYUU/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaeVLl3IZEc/U0GFSC8xpTI/AAAAAAAADxs/gu9-08iZYUU/s1600/027.JPG" height="240" title="Heather up on the moors." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather up on the moors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We enjoyed some great days out and about during this holiday but, with such great weather, we kept on returning to one favourite spot... the garden back at the cottage! The picnic table and its umbrella were used day after day. We sat and read, we ate out there, we drank plenty. There was often a Little Owl hunting the fields close by and rabbits running around. We played Boules most evenings. We were even treated to a low-level helicopter flypast! </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QvmMwR8oMdg/U0GLRD0VGrI/AAAAAAAADyU/eRxS46Wxeqc/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QvmMwR8oMdg/U0GLRD0VGrI/AAAAAAAADyU/eRxS46Wxeqc/s1600/028.JPG" height="240" title="Lynda enjoying a bit of shade." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynda enjoying a bit of shade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-R7c4Rasjk/U0GLMzN62CI/AAAAAAAADyE/Q-JhcKlKzfs/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-R7c4Rasjk/U0GLMzN62CI/AAAAAAAADyE/Q-JhcKlKzfs/s1600/029.JPG" height="240" title="Low level flypast." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low level flypast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NF5NrO7Ynu4/U0GLK8eXBzI/AAAAAAAADx8/tGO6HIxgy2g/s1600/031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NF5NrO7Ynu4/U0GLK8eXBzI/AAAAAAAADx8/tGO6HIxgy2g/s1600/031.jpg" height="240" title="Ready for another game." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for another game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jaQil2VxLB8/U0GLPS6Nk9I/AAAAAAAADyM/hOwgcCEWo7M/s1600/032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jaQil2VxLB8/U0GLPS6Nk9I/AAAAAAAADyM/hOwgcCEWo7M/s1600/032.jpg" height="240" title="Game over... time for a drink!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game over... time for a drink!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DynrhMW5ZFY/U0GLRIkoD7I/AAAAAAAADyY/Qr-HCRjOisw/s1600/033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DynrhMW5ZFY/U0GLRIkoD7I/AAAAAAAADyY/Qr-HCRjOisw/s1600/033.jpg" height="240" title="A last night treat!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A last night treat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Thank you, Pickering. We will be back... please order some more great weather for us!<br />
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Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Pickering, North Yorkshire YO18, UK54.243925 -0.7775530000000117154.225368499999995 -0.81789350000001171 54.2624815 -0.73721250000001171tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-6919591048126228152013-05-31T22:00:00.000+01:002014-04-06T13:20:12.597+01:00Going large in May - cycling...<div style="text-align: justify;">
For 2013 I decided not to set myself any mileage target for the year. The plan was to just enjoy my cycling, riding as and when I wanted, for as far as I wanted. Well, that plan lasted until the beginning of May. I felt as though I was getting a little lazy. So, instead of a 12 month challenge I decided on a one month attack. 1,000 miles in the month of May!</div>
<br />
This is how it played out...<br />
<br />
May 1 - 5.<br />
167.08 miles for the week. Longest ride 70.28 miles.<br />
<br />
May 6 - 12.<br />
146.00 miles for the week. Longest ride 27.51 miles.<br />
<br />
May 13 - 19.<br />
268.20 miles for the week. Longest ride 58.50 miles.<br />
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May 20 - 26.<br />
262.42 miles for the week. Longest ride 41.71 miles.<br />
<br />
May 27 - 31.<br />
157.76 miles for the week. Longest ride 37.23 miles.<br />
<br />
TOTAL MILES FOR THE MONTH... <b><span style="font-size: large;">1001.46</span></b>.<br />
<br />
With all that cycling there wasn't much time spent on photos but I did manage one or two....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmvpqBAVKHc/U0E52XazqcI/AAAAAAAADtA/yESgIZcCrXo/s1600/941205_10151429770102194_37312867_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YmvpqBAVKHc/U0E52XazqcI/AAAAAAAADtA/yESgIZcCrXo/s1600/941205_10151429770102194_37312867_n.jpg" height="240" title="My CAAD8 in the foreground; Virgin balloon in the background." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My CAAD8 in the foreground; <br />
Virgin balloon in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZB4b1dF38Y/U0E630N7yJI/AAAAAAAADtM/FKGemH_16QQ/s1600/942005_10151457654082194_841296470_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZB4b1dF38Y/U0E630N7yJI/AAAAAAAADtM/FKGemH_16QQ/s1600/942005_10151457654082194_841296470_n.jpg" height="120" title="Rudy Project Windmax helmet." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rudy Project Windmax helmet.<br />
My new lid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Nb9LMs51Zo/U0E8aJMfqJI/AAAAAAAADtU/2_ENQ8KJz6w/s1600/579413_10151462097162194_771983908_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Nb9LMs51Zo/U0E8aJMfqJI/AAAAAAAADtU/2_ENQ8KJz6w/s1600/579413_10151462097162194_771983908_n.jpg" height="240" title="Ready for the off, with the road bike." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for the off, with the road bike.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AwPmRrumtAg/U0E844hR3KI/AAAAAAAADtc/iVLyBB8g2ko/s1600/945430_10151462100872194_510933368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AwPmRrumtAg/U0E844hR3KI/AAAAAAAADtc/iVLyBB8g2ko/s1600/945430_10151462100872194_510933368_n.jpg" height="240" title="Starbucks Frappuccino break, with the mountain bike." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starbucks Frappuccino break, with the mountain bike.<br />
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</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJjBWw8E8ZU/U0E-G7DVeGI/AAAAAAAADto/CUY9eEWwHR8/s1600/983854_10151469986507194_552606540_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJjBWw8E8ZU/U0E-G7DVeGI/AAAAAAAADto/CUY9eEWwHR8/s1600/983854_10151469986507194_552606540_n.jpg" height="221" title="The final scores for May." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final scores for May.</td></tr>
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Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Derby, UK52.921593094549472 -1.474543306054670252.883290094549473 -1.5552243060546702 52.959896094549471 -1.3938623060546702tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-56047784984342313862013-05-27T22:00:00.000+01:002014-04-06T13:12:24.481+01:00Plane crazy...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Planes, I like planes. Not in a fanatical, anorak kind of way but I do like them. They're big, with big engines, and make lots of noise. My kind of engineering! So, with little else of importance to do, Lynda and I took ourselves off to East Midlands Areopark today.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First we spent a while walking around the exhibits on the ground before settling down, with a picnic lunch, on one of the picnic tables that overlook the runway at East Midlands Airport. As I said earlier, I'm not a plane spotter so just enjoy the photos for what they are as I have very little information to give!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cu3VIRBYxVs/U0EoEns4HNI/AAAAAAAADrM/qdZY5HiokE4/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cu3VIRBYxVs/U0EoEns4HNI/AAAAAAAADrM/qdZY5HiokE4/s1600/a.jpg" height="240" title="Blackburn Buccaneer S2B - XV350" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackburn Buccaneer S2B - XV350</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QNXQmoresgQ/U0EoEoDqUrI/AAAAAAAADqw/M8zvckKJCpU/s1600/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QNXQmoresgQ/U0EoEoDqUrI/AAAAAAAADqw/M8zvckKJCpU/s1600/b.jpg" height="240" title="Armstrong Whitworth A.W.660 Argosy 101 - G-BEOZ" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armstrong Whitworth A.W.660 Argosy 101 - G-BEOZ</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9etrGlrWzuA/U0EoEm4CkPI/AAAAAAAADq0/jB3_Q6FV3nk/s1600/c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9etrGlrWzuA/U0EoEm4CkPI/AAAAAAAADq0/jB3_Q6FV3nk/s1600/c.jpg" height="240" title="Armstrong Whitworth A.W.660 Argosy 101 - G-BEOZ" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armstrong Whitworth A.W.660 Argosy 101 - G-BEOZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kOhSyoeLpxo/U0EoFQTK5HI/AAAAAAAADrA/TAqgzt7In1U/s1600/d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kOhSyoeLpxo/U0EoFQTK5HI/AAAAAAAADrA/TAqgzt7In1U/s1600/d.jpg" height="240" title="Armstrong Whitworth A.W.660 Argosy 101 - G-BEOZ" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armstrong Whitworth A.W.660 Argosy 101 - G-BEOZ</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fql8DL6YOBE/U0EoFg70t4I/AAAAAAAADrE/dx4NEk99sTg/s1600/e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fql8DL6YOBE/U0EoFg70t4I/AAAAAAAADrE/dx4NEk99sTg/s1600/e.jpg" height="240" title="Westland Wessex" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Westland Wessex</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daqXuKA0WA0/U0EoHL-N_ZI/AAAAAAAADrg/sUH-RteVnX0/s1600/f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daqXuKA0WA0/U0EoHL-N_ZI/AAAAAAAADrg/sUH-RteVnX0/s1600/f.jpg" height="240" title="The Avro Vulcan B2 XM575 (G-BLMC)" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Avro Vulcan B2 XM575 (G-BLMC)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tu20pwWBZ5c/U0EoGipncWI/AAAAAAAADrQ/-deg0Y3jVGA/s1600/g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tu20pwWBZ5c/U0EoGipncWI/AAAAAAAADrQ/-deg0Y3jVGA/s1600/g.jpg" height="240" title="The BAe Nimrod R1 XW664" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The BAe Nimrod R1 XW664</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xv9CRbN8QiU/U0EoHFicu1I/AAAAAAAADrk/JCh2p4YB_1Q/s1600/h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xv9CRbN8QiU/U0EoHFicu1I/AAAAAAAADrk/JCh2p4YB_1Q/s1600/h.jpg" height="240" title="English Electric Lightning F.Mk53 - ZF588" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Electric Lightning F.Mk53 - ZF588</td></tr>
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A few from the airport...<br />
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Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Castle Donington, Leicestershire, UK52.832613580799894 -1.345524050903350152.827817080799896 -1.35560905090335 52.837410080799891 -1.3354390509033502tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-35194489321403991992013-04-22T22:00:00.000+01:002014-04-06T18:36:08.812+01:00Watchet, re-visited...<div style="text-align: justify;">
We first visited Watchet back in October of last year. Before that, I have to admit, I'd never even heard of the place! But now it's a firm favourite with me! Nice and quiet, plenty of great food - and drink! - steam trains, boats and always something new to see and do close by. Oh, and did I mention great food <i>AND</i> drink!</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, onto this our second visit. It's now April and the weather is warming up, the spring flowers are starting to break through and even the skies are, mostly, blue. Lets get going! But first.... we have a table booked at The Star Inn for Saturday evening. And they serve Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild too! Result!</div>
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A walk around Watchet on a Sunday morning, after enjoying a full English breakfast first....</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RU1jlE-QfcM/U0AkMSyOLAI/AAAAAAAADgI/v-4D9a2oCJc/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RU1jlE-QfcM/U0AkMSyOLAI/AAAAAAAADgI/v-4D9a2oCJc/s1600/002.jpg" height="240" title="Watchet street view." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet street view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhjGYRxUkuQ/U0AkMYIIE-I/AAAAAAAADgE/W79mrWTcLJI/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhjGYRxUkuQ/U0AkMYIIE-I/AAAAAAAADgE/W79mrWTcLJI/s1600/003.jpg" height="240" title="Corner House cafe, Watchet." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corner House cafe, Watchet.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FaW43p4KOvE/U0AkOpSpPvI/AAAAAAAADgQ/rjHnlSwgBh0/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FaW43p4KOvE/U0AkOpSpPvI/AAAAAAAADgQ/rjHnlSwgBh0/s1600/004.JPG" height="320" title="Watchet street view." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet street view.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhVv6tonJKs/U0AkUAvws-I/AAAAAAAADgo/gXNtHPzftjE/s1600/004a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhVv6tonJKs/U0AkUAvws-I/AAAAAAAADgo/gXNtHPzftjE/s1600/004a.JPG" height="320" title="Watchet Methodist Church." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet Methodist church.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sObd3AHFtg4/U0AkUQPemQI/AAAAAAAADgk/8A04Z0LBOig/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sObd3AHFtg4/U0AkUQPemQI/AAAAAAAADgk/8A04Z0LBOig/s1600/005.JPG" height="320" title="Watchet Esplanade." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet Esplanade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rc6R_ZTFuqY/U0AkUO8fPWI/AAAAAAAADgc/YocPDk988eA/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rc6R_ZTFuqY/U0AkUO8fPWI/AAAAAAAADgc/YocPDk988eA/s1600/006.jpg" height="240" title="Rainbow over Watchet harbour." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow over Watchet harbour.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o9Bg9kcfbBE/U0AkYhH4QHI/AAAAAAAADg0/sLzfFIzletw/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o9Bg9kcfbBE/U0AkYhH4QHI/AAAAAAAADg0/sLzfFIzletw/s1600/007.JPG" height="240" title="Watchet harbour." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet harbour.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-UhAR4Inog/U0AkY7LPRAI/AAAAAAAADg4/Cu_AORHdwV8/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-UhAR4Inog/U0AkY7LPRAI/AAAAAAAADg4/Cu_AORHdwV8/s1600/008.JPG" height="240" title="Awaiting work in the boat yard." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awaiting work in the boat yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0vDbqGud0o/U0Al3hLlx_I/AAAAAAAADhA/9xIWEN-UqSw/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0vDbqGud0o/U0Al3hLlx_I/AAAAAAAADhA/9xIWEN-UqSw/s1600/009.JPG" height="240" title="Looking across the outer harbour." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across the outer harbour.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkKsC7jOJK4/U0Al3_kMZzI/AAAAAAAADhE/V5gfjbqEKtg/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bkKsC7jOJK4/U0Al3_kMZzI/AAAAAAAADhE/V5gfjbqEKtg/s1600/010.JPG" height="240" title="Looking over West Beach, towards Minehead." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking over West Beach, towards Minehead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With Watchet, and the surrounding area, having one of the highest tidal ranges in the world (<i>approaching 50 feet!</i>) it means there is always quite a lot of beach to explore at low tide. So that is where we head next...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qR_xoIzhIN8/U0Ao1DJTM4I/AAAAAAAADhU/FQU9--MsSus/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qR_xoIzhIN8/U0Ao1DJTM4I/AAAAAAAADhU/FQU9--MsSus/s1600/011.JPG" height="240" title="Rocks on the beach." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocks on the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5JpCtAn2-R4/U0Ao4mi2zvI/AAAAAAAADhk/thWT8YGVizA/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5JpCtAn2-R4/U0Ao4mi2zvI/AAAAAAAADhk/thWT8YGVizA/s1600/012.JPG" height="240" title="Looking back towards Watchet." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards Watchet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9KKrGVLfCDw/U0Ao3HXG4oI/AAAAAAAADhc/MQZr5UhdJRo/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9KKrGVLfCDw/U0Ao3HXG4oI/AAAAAAAADhc/MQZr5UhdJRo/s1600/014.JPG" height="240" title="Rocks on the beach." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocks on the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YPCDWwwGH-Q/U0Ao-HfTOkI/AAAAAAAADhs/-TUCShkIVOU/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YPCDWwwGH-Q/U0Ao-HfTOkI/AAAAAAAADhs/-TUCShkIVOU/s1600/015.JPG" height="240" title="Limpets.... you can eat these?????" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limpets.... you can eat these?????</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fjxujkd8_IY/U0Ao_CiJ3tI/AAAAAAAADh0/gfbSrC76Pik/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fjxujkd8_IY/U0Ao_CiJ3tI/AAAAAAAADh0/gfbSrC76Pik/s1600/016.JPG" height="320" title="Seaweed... but don't ask me which type!" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaweed... but don't ask me which type!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVrVp7qJ7g0/U0Ao_W9tjJI/AAAAAAAADh4/MYLv_xibpxs/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DVrVp7qJ7g0/U0Ao_W9tjJI/AAAAAAAADh4/MYLv_xibpxs/s1600/017.JPG" height="240" title="A VERY small lighthouse!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A VERY small lighthouse!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My rock tower building skills still leave a lot to be desired though...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udZ32QVopcs/U0Ap8lpBouI/AAAAAAAADiE/x-PkOiPBb6s/s1600/013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udZ32QVopcs/U0Ap8lpBouI/AAAAAAAADiE/x-PkOiPBb6s/s1600/013.jpg" height="240" title="My rock tower." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My rock tower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Monday was spent looking around the nearby town of Taunton. It was a rather pleasant little trip.... if you take the choice of transport out of the equation! We chose to leave the car behind and use the bus - all a lot less hassle, or so we thought! Just a few miles down the road from Watchet and the bus started to sound a little "<i>strange</i>". Then it started to smell, err, "<i>strange</i>". Then it stopped in a cloud of it's own steam and smoke! Judging by the large pool of oil it dropped on the road, it was terminally ill! We had to wait for a replacement!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the plus side, Taunton has a good choice of food and drink options and a very nice park to walk around too.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XYOlq1pkuaA/U0Aylcu0Z1I/AAAAAAAADik/ZzvXb41V0S8/s1600/018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XYOlq1pkuaA/U0Aylcu0Z1I/AAAAAAAADik/ZzvXb41V0S8/s1600/018.jpg" height="240" title="Taunton Castle - now a museum." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taunton Castle - now a museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-14m1qdf_Uzc/U0Aykt89SUI/AAAAAAAADiY/eneCwXLQA0A/s1600/019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-14m1qdf_Uzc/U0Aykt89SUI/AAAAAAAADiY/eneCwXLQA0A/s1600/019.jpg" height="240" title="The Municipal Buildings - built in 1522." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Municipal Buildings - built in 1522.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xt3yw97lDNQ/U0AykmBvoqI/AAAAAAAADiU/xkH8L5rcbIU/s1600/020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xt3yw97lDNQ/U0AykmBvoqI/AAAAAAAADiU/xkH8L5rcbIU/s1600/020.jpg" height="320" title="Vivary Park War Memorial, Taunton." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivary Park War Memorial, Taunton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x1OttCAb_SI/U0Ayr3sWOCI/AAAAAAAADis/xBCULgXoAyE/s1600/021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x1OttCAb_SI/U0Ayr3sWOCI/AAAAAAAADis/xBCULgXoAyE/s1600/021.jpg" height="240" title="Vivary Park, Taunton." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivary Park, Taunton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6RdoQr4ViY/U0AysvStv8I/AAAAAAAADi4/neibaIsiozs/s1600/022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6RdoQr4ViY/U0AysvStv8I/AAAAAAAADi4/neibaIsiozs/s1600/022.jpg" height="240" title="Vivary Park, Taunton." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivary Park, Taunton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEOrS4LNvOo/U0Ays8Be8gI/AAAAAAAADi0/T3LeDjRHN6U/s1600/023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEOrS4LNvOo/U0Ays8Be8gI/AAAAAAAADi0/T3LeDjRHN6U/s1600/023.jpg" height="240" title="Vivary Park, Taunton." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivary Park, Taunton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPiV2lBtZDI/U0AyvI4cDhI/AAAAAAAADjE/Nu0Pw10AQN0/s1600/024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPiV2lBtZDI/U0AyvI4cDhI/AAAAAAAADjE/Nu0Pw10AQN0/s1600/024.jpg" height="240" title="Vivary Park, Taunton." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivary Park, Taunton.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our next little adventure was just 24 hours later when we took advantage of the fact that the West Somerset Railway uses the station in Watchet, just a few short minutes walk from our holiday home. We rode the steam hauled train from Watchet to Bishops Lydeard, then all the way back down the line to Minehead. After a couple of hours in Minehead it was back on the train again for the return to Watchet. Plenty of time, on each part of the trip for a bottle of real ale, without having to worry about driving. All very "<i>holiday like</i>"!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOii_tQRfsg/U0BlqJZgCgI/AAAAAAAADjg/qbhWEK21wKQ/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GOii_tQRfsg/U0BlqJZgCgI/AAAAAAAADjg/qbhWEK21wKQ/s1600/025.JPG" height="240" title="Watchet station." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViyEPT2t0bY/U0BlpMQU1ZI/AAAAAAAADjU/bs0fjqchEec/s1600/026a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViyEPT2t0bY/U0BlpMQU1ZI/AAAAAAAADjU/bs0fjqchEec/s1600/026a.JPG" height="240" title="9351 about to take on water." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9351 about to take on water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PkxMRi2gzhg/U0BlpydCVhI/AAAAAAAADjY/4zCdO2dWYes/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PkxMRi2gzhg/U0BlpydCVhI/AAAAAAAADjY/4zCdO2dWYes/s1600/027.JPG" height="240" title="9351 ready for the off." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9351 ready for the off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6q9XPD0M0A/U0Blu-Gi88I/AAAAAAAADjs/FruiKiS6yOg/s1600/028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X6q9XPD0M0A/U0Blu-Gi88I/AAAAAAAADjs/FruiKiS6yOg/s1600/028.jpg" height="240" title="Crowcombe Heathfield Station." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowcombe Heathfield Station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tePgOdYaWqA/U0Blwgg73JI/AAAAAAAADj0/sqFlRq6mqWg/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tePgOdYaWqA/U0Blwgg73JI/AAAAAAAADj0/sqFlRq6mqWg/s1600/029.JPG" height="240" title="Minehead, end of the line." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minehead, end of the line.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJVPEpstBfE/U0Blwxj5ijI/AAAAAAAADj4/z6nrtcrK_ro/s1600/030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hJVPEpstBfE/U0Blwxj5ijI/AAAAAAAADj4/z6nrtcrK_ro/s1600/030.jpg" height="240" title="88, about to return to Bishops Lydeard." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">88, about to return to Bishops Lydeard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wednesday was a lazy day spent in Watchet. Breakfast in one of the cafes, which we do almost every day, then a walk around the town and the harbour, with a large latte! The days when over a thousand shipping movements a year were recorded from the harbour may be long gone but there is always something going on to pass a little time.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou8EpnIuYeQ/U0Br-gf5jsI/AAAAAAAADkU/e4m68gVG0oY/s1600/031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou8EpnIuYeQ/U0Br-gf5jsI/AAAAAAAADkU/e4m68gVG0oY/s1600/031.jpg" height="240" title="Taking time out on the harbour wall." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking time out on the harbour wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ddKIWzgBlU/U0Br_zDrFsI/AAAAAAAADkc/MEHbW3THZz4/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ddKIWzgBlU/U0Br_zDrFsI/AAAAAAAADkc/MEHbW3THZz4/s1600/033.JPG" height="320" title="Lynda, and a rather small lighthouse." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynda, and a rather small lighthouse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c7noPvrg_hM/U0Br9rFKKgI/AAAAAAAADkM/trIbzHQKY-k/s1600/034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c7noPvrg_hM/U0Br9rFKKgI/AAAAAAAADkM/trIbzHQKY-k/s1600/034.jpg" height="320" title="Getting ready to lift one of the boats." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to lift one of the boats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WqRGJDMiVbg/U0BsDMjbsjI/AAAAAAAADko/mmI4Ednr1Y8/s1600/035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WqRGJDMiVbg/U0BsDMjbsjI/AAAAAAAADko/mmI4Ednr1Y8/s1600/035.jpg" height="320" title="Lifting gear in place." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lifting gear in place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRfN4KYW-lU/U0BsC5aLkvI/AAAAAAAADkk/3wntD4RVKI0/s1600/036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRfN4KYW-lU/U0BsC5aLkvI/AAAAAAAADkk/3wntD4RVKI0/s1600/036.jpg" height="320" title="Moving into open water." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving into open water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNq1E3XzcQA/U0BsDl12_fI/AAAAAAAADk0/bRzEvjCdFCc/s1600/037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNq1E3XzcQA/U0BsDl12_fI/AAAAAAAADk0/bRzEvjCdFCc/s1600/037.jpg" height="320" title="Half way there." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half way there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8TEPPSp8jA/U0BsGCQgFqI/AAAAAAAADlA/mGwp_C-kiko/s1600/038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8TEPPSp8jA/U0BsGCQgFqI/AAAAAAAADlA/mGwp_C-kiko/s1600/038.jpg" height="320" title="Mind the wall." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mind the wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXT4MKgFAjo/U0BsGpgf_CI/AAAAAAAADk8/RO0cIvxifFI/s1600/039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXT4MKgFAjo/U0BsGpgf_CI/AAAAAAAADk8/RO0cIvxifFI/s1600/039.jpg" height="320" title="In she comes." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In she comes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On to Thursday and it was a short drive up the coast to Kilve, for a walk along the beach and to go looking for fossils. We weren't to be disappointed. The weather was kind to us, if a little breezy, and we came across a number of great fossils.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1KLJJAmfkNw/U0BwLp3nD1I/AAAAAAAADlQ/_wlUj8yLuk8/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1KLJJAmfkNw/U0BwLp3nD1I/AAAAAAAADlQ/_wlUj8yLuk8/s1600/040.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach view." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UVphnm9LYrM/U0BwMUoPWYI/AAAAAAAADlU/YoOKHkFvJM0/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UVphnm9LYrM/U0BwMUoPWYI/AAAAAAAADlU/YoOKHkFvJM0/s1600/041.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach view." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMWYRnu19-Y/U0BwOph2WnI/AAAAAAAADlg/LSQ8mztGZKI/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMWYRnu19-Y/U0BwOph2WnI/AAAAAAAADlg/LSQ8mztGZKI/s1600/042.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach view." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rzh-GD-3UGA/U0BwQlf9KdI/AAAAAAAADlo/nk6yiAjXDgY/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rzh-GD-3UGA/U0BwQlf9KdI/AAAAAAAADlo/nk6yiAjXDgY/s1600/043.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach view." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EDANHZDu5iA/U0BwSk7h8jI/AAAAAAAADlw/WFs-4csYp0k/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EDANHZDu5iA/U0BwSk7h8jI/AAAAAAAADlw/WFs-4csYp0k/s1600/044.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach view." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xn05_W1Ge9I/U0BwYwtKGRI/AAAAAAAADl4/GLBlwdA4jvE/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xn05_W1Ge9I/U0BwYwtKGRI/AAAAAAAADl4/GLBlwdA4jvE/s1600/045.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach view." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NOiY3JlEzM8/U0BwcNYYuuI/AAAAAAAADmA/Jkqt4u6QPtI/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NOiY3JlEzM8/U0BwcNYYuuI/AAAAAAAADmA/Jkqt4u6QPtI/s1600/046.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GD6VNwaV3c8/U0BwnOmn-lI/AAAAAAAADmQ/dqZctbdzzto/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GD6VNwaV3c8/U0BwnOmn-lI/AAAAAAAADmQ/dqZctbdzzto/s1600/047.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zeFQDcItnEc/U0BwlvOD4TI/AAAAAAAADmI/fa4ORrrRmJI/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zeFQDcItnEc/U0BwlvOD4TI/AAAAAAAADmI/fa4ORrrRmJI/s1600/048.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach fossil." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach fossil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMiAVX7g5JY/U0Bwr6HEtgI/AAAAAAAADmY/HeIcX0O4SE8/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMiAVX7g5JY/U0Bwr6HEtgI/AAAAAAAADmY/HeIcX0O4SE8/s1600/049.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach fossil." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach fossil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LKXPVET_u0/U0BwyYaZKpI/AAAAAAAADmo/pRlKyeB2guw/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LKXPVET_u0/U0BwyYaZKpI/AAAAAAAADmo/pRlKyeB2guw/s1600/050.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach fossil." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach fossil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8mFy4ivzXrI/U0BwxY4Hy8I/AAAAAAAADmg/PdX8GS3SI6s/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8mFy4ivzXrI/U0BwxY4Hy8I/AAAAAAAADmg/PdX8GS3SI6s/s1600/051.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach fossil." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach fossil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFgpqdkoSpA/U0Bwz8RRAdI/AAAAAAAADmw/RX8O09HuYRo/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFgpqdkoSpA/U0Bwz8RRAdI/AAAAAAAADmw/RX8O09HuYRo/s1600/052.JPG" height="240" title="Kilve beach fossil." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilve beach fossil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All too soon the week was coming to an end, with Friday arriving much too quickly for my liking. But, it was also one of the best days of the week. The weather was great and our day out very enjoyable too. We visited the village of Selworthy, part of the National Trust's Holnicote Estate. There really does need to be more places like this in the country! Gorgeous cottages, a beautiful church, some great woodland and moorland walks and stunning views.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbvK7KWu0A4/U0B0aAiCAsI/AAAAAAAADm8/6_-0L5Dhd4w/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbvK7KWu0A4/U0B0aAiCAsI/AAAAAAAADm8/6_-0L5Dhd4w/s1600/053.JPG" height="124" title="View from Selworthy church." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Selworthy church.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COaSmFUFAEs/U0B0gOfkeCI/AAAAAAAADnE/f8PPeS21OYY/s1600/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COaSmFUFAEs/U0B0gOfkeCI/AAAAAAAADnE/f8PPeS21OYY/s1600/054.JPG" height="240" title="Selworthy church." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selworthy church.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqjVvgI1OoA/U0B0gfzXXOI/AAAAAAAADnI/5y51cypU2Og/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqjVvgI1OoA/U0B0gfzXXOI/AAAAAAAADnI/5y51cypU2Og/s1600/055.JPG" height="240" title="Selworthy churchyard." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selworthy churchyard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YL6ZjhGed9A/U0B0m6yD7GI/AAAAAAAADnU/e0c4bJd8xZY/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YL6ZjhGed9A/U0B0m6yD7GI/AAAAAAAADnU/e0c4bJd8xZY/s1600/056.JPG" height="240" title="Cottage in Selworthy." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottage in Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMjE3FGeuWI/U0B0qA-JAqI/AAAAAAAADnc/1POH9OF5_Kc/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMjE3FGeuWI/U0B0qA-JAqI/AAAAAAAADnc/1POH9OF5_Kc/s1600/057.JPG" height="240" title="Cottage in Selworthy." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottage in Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-68S8GR4-2EE/U0B0tMeT-9I/AAAAAAAADnk/tQ3ToUFTDlE/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-68S8GR4-2EE/U0B0tMeT-9I/AAAAAAAADnk/tQ3ToUFTDlE/s1600/058.JPG" height="240" title="Cottage in Selworthy." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottage in Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0eFLKyssOdQ/U0B0yl6s8AI/AAAAAAAADns/_6yUFiBDkBo/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0eFLKyssOdQ/U0B0yl6s8AI/AAAAAAAADns/_6yUFiBDkBo/s1600/059.JPG" height="240" title="Cottage in Selworthy." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottage in Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKNOPYJCpic/U0B005NcC6I/AAAAAAAADn0/09Sy5LS4WAg/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKNOPYJCpic/U0B005NcC6I/AAAAAAAADn0/09Sy5LS4WAg/s1600/060.JPG" height="320" title="Cottage in Selworthy." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottage in Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ew7nhJpWjxw/U0B02SdT7UI/AAAAAAAADn8/3gPzNJQdWwk/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ew7nhJpWjxw/U0B02SdT7UI/AAAAAAAADn8/3gPzNJQdWwk/s1600/061.JPG" height="240" title="Cottages in Selworthy." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottages in Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VngZQ8rRa4w/U0B1BzFk_MI/AAAAAAAADoM/l5yFSMZSlcY/s1600/062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VngZQ8rRa4w/U0B1BzFk_MI/AAAAAAAADoM/l5yFSMZSlcY/s1600/062.JPG" height="240" title="Garden in Selworthy." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden in Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z4ffMlusco8/U0B1CCjoqQI/AAAAAAAADoQ/CQ33IgjbqoQ/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z4ffMlusco8/U0B1CCjoqQI/AAAAAAAADoQ/CQ33IgjbqoQ/s1600/063.JPG" height="240" title="Garden in Selworthy." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden in Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YBDmUHKHo4c/U0B0_OZvLsI/AAAAAAAADoE/CujAOh4RfiM/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YBDmUHKHo4c/U0B0_OZvLsI/AAAAAAAADoE/CujAOh4RfiM/s1600/064.JPG" height="240" title="Garden in Selworthy." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden in Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZMB2bQRaqE/U0B1NYk6JYI/AAAAAAAADog/5zWFwnyN-bw/s1600/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZMB2bQRaqE/U0B1NYk6JYI/AAAAAAAADog/5zWFwnyN-bw/s1600/065.JPG" height="320" title="Woodland walk in Selworthy." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodland walk in Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FiAqF6Ujcc/U0B1NdCR5sI/AAAAAAAADoc/Uyth4Sy47HI/s1600/066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FiAqF6Ujcc/U0B1NdCR5sI/AAAAAAAADoc/Uyth4Sy47HI/s1600/066.JPG" height="240" title="Moorland above Selworthy." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moorland above Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YC_8uBxsLzw/U0B1PUwOgkI/AAAAAAAADos/VCH2rtzQgqE/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YC_8uBxsLzw/U0B1PUwOgkI/AAAAAAAADos/VCH2rtzQgqE/s1600/067.JPG" height="240" title="Moorland above Selworthy." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moorland above Selworthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SoSdorAm_1s/U0B1T4C1G8I/AAAAAAAADo4/YIW6zH6RGbM/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SoSdorAm_1s/U0B1T4C1G8I/AAAAAAAADo4/YIW6zH6RGbM/s1600/068.JPG" height="240" title="Selworthy Beacon (1,010ft), one of the highest points on Exmoor." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selworthy Beacon (1,010ft), one<br />
of the highest points on Exmoor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIYZUvTSV4s/U0B1TSp3I-I/AAAAAAAADo0/Fii5J52BtfQ/s1600/069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIYZUvTSV4s/U0B1TSp3I-I/AAAAAAAADo0/Fii5J52BtfQ/s1600/069.jpg" height="240" title="Selworthy Beacon (1,010ft), one of the highest points on Exmoor." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selworthy Beacon (1,010ft), one<br />
of the highest points on Exmoor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the way back to Watchet, we called in at Blue Anchor beach... so I could fly my kite! Something I'd not done since I was a kid. Which is probably what I still am... a big kid! :-)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIUgCA_ol80/U0B47cJ-8FI/AAAAAAAADpQ/rSAxaZOK6s0/s1600/070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIUgCA_ol80/U0B47cJ-8FI/AAAAAAAADpQ/rSAxaZOK6s0/s1600/070.jpg" height="320" title="Kite flying at Blue Anchor." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kite flying at Blue Anchor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uAwdPIjMexo/U0B46n3Z-RI/AAAAAAAADpI/HiHrt9ENU4g/s1600/071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uAwdPIjMexo/U0B46n3Z-RI/AAAAAAAADpI/HiHrt9ENU4g/s1600/071.jpg" height="240" title="Kite flying at Blue Anchor." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kite flying at Blue Anchor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The sun goes down on a great week in Watchet...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWkyDVAPRvw/U0B5t5WR0GI/AAAAAAAADpo/y14VubguqIA/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWkyDVAPRvw/U0B5t5WR0GI/AAAAAAAADpo/y14VubguqIA/s1600/073.JPG" height="320" title="Watchet, at sunset." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet, at sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4c-XCV6tis/U0B5t9mJl-I/AAAAAAAADpY/LYB6BJvb8uM/s1600/074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4c-XCV6tis/U0B5t9mJl-I/AAAAAAAADpY/LYB6BJvb8uM/s1600/074.jpg" height="320" title="Watchet, at sunset." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet, at sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FTKs29isEw/U0B5tw3QRMI/AAAAAAAADpc/paOrHRO-Wl8/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FTKs29isEw/U0B5tw3QRMI/AAAAAAAADpc/paOrHRO-Wl8/s1600/075.JPG" height="320" title="Watchet, at sunset." width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet, at sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XI8Ra99mzzs/U0B5yPtBc6I/AAAAAAAADpw/IJE81ky3pqo/s1600/079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XI8Ra99mzzs/U0B5yPtBc6I/AAAAAAAADpw/IJE81ky3pqo/s1600/079.JPG" height="240" title="Lynda taking a photo of the sunset." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynda taking a photo of the sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8G3uafLXzNI/U0B5yZwiahI/AAAAAAAADp0/-CX54k5U7JY/s1600/080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8G3uafLXzNI/U0B5yZwiahI/AAAAAAAADp0/-CX54k5U7JY/s1600/080.jpg" height="240" title="Me, and the Watchet sunset." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, and the Watchet sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u7wGyZr5xzM/U0B5zjEoTXI/AAAAAAAADqA/X0KzozWGmMY/s1600/082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u7wGyZr5xzM/U0B5zjEoTXI/AAAAAAAADqA/X0KzozWGmMY/s1600/082.JPG" height="240" title="Gulls coming home to roost." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gulls coming home to roost.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D0YfdkumG8A/U0B52qMKm0I/AAAAAAAADqI/AAQAy0HxLy4/s1600/083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D0YfdkumG8A/U0B52qMKm0I/AAAAAAAADqI/AAQAy0HxLy4/s1600/083.JPG" height="240" title="Watchet, at sunset." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet, at sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QB3g_klHqaU/U0B53M3fGPI/AAAAAAAADqQ/o385fke_4PM/s1600/084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QB3g_klHqaU/U0B53M3fGPI/AAAAAAAADqQ/o385fke_4PM/s1600/084.JPG" height="240" title="Watchet, at sunset." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet, at sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwvYi5JzyOs/U0B54mXc9AI/AAAAAAAADqY/BH6XLAgkve0/s1600/085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UwvYi5JzyOs/U0B54mXc9AI/AAAAAAAADqY/BH6XLAgkve0/s1600/085.JPG" height="240" title="Watchet, at sunset." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet, at sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FO0af2xWxvA/U0B55yN4QHI/AAAAAAAADqg/XDKGKymb6Ig/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FO0af2xWxvA/U0B55yN4QHI/AAAAAAAADqg/XDKGKymb6Ig/s1600/086.JPG" height="240" title="Watchet, at sunset." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchet, at sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Thank you for a great week, Watchet. Our next visit is already booked!Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Watchet, Somerset, UK51.181769 -3.329176999999958851.161859500000006 -3.3695174999999589 51.2016785 -3.2888364999999586tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-31328123502168742522013-04-06T20:50:00.000+01:002013-04-06T20:50:01.717+01:00A day out with the camera, by bike...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Easter Tuesday and, once again, my work rota meant I was off work whilst Lynda wasn't. I could either make the most of the day or waste it in front of the TV whilst eating Easter Eggs! I chose to make the most of the day and get out with the camera... I could eat chocolate later!</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Monday evening I plotted out a GPS route that would take me around South East Derbyshire and parts of North West Leicestershire, stopping off at a number of churches (<i>not that I'm religious</i>), country houses and even a ruined priory. I'd be covering around 41 miles and using the mountain bike, so that I wouldn't be restricted to just riding on-road. The mountain bike is also a lot more comfortable when riding with a loaded rucksack on your back too!</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, Tuesday morning arrived and just as I was getting out of bed so did the snow! Within just a few minutes there was a light covering of the white stuff once again - I went back to bed for an extra hour-and-a-half! By just after 9:15AM the snow was gone, the sun was out and I was on my way. The day went like this...</div>
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Just 2.5 miles from home and I'm in <a href="http://www.elvastoncastle.org.uk/" target="_blank">Elvaston Castle Country Park</a>. The "<i>castle</i>" is actually a large country house dating back (<i>in it's present form</i>) to the early 1800's although the Elvaston Estate can be traced back past the 11th century.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JbjXnIK_MCI/UVyKxkLRoBI/AAAAAAAADUo/3Uu9l-b7OiA/s1600/DSCF1566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JbjXnIK_MCI/UVyKxkLRoBI/AAAAAAAADUo/3Uu9l-b7OiA/s320/DSCF1566.JPG" title="Elvaston Castle - viewed along East Avenue." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Elvaston Castle - viewed along East Avenue.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qMlUKsKO7es/UVyLXozFHII/AAAAAAAADUw/F1s0MQTY3mo/s1600/DSCF1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qMlUKsKO7es/UVyLXozFHII/AAAAAAAADUw/F1s0MQTY3mo/s320/DSCF1561.JPG" title="Elvaston Castle - viewed across the main lake." width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: red;">Elvaston Castle - viewed across the main lake.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCJGfUH2_2g/UVyLtopoh8I/AAAAAAAADU4/ZzWnwcQu-nw/s1600/DSCF1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCJGfUH2_2g/UVyLtopoh8I/AAAAAAAADU4/ZzWnwcQu-nw/s320/DSCF1564.JPG" title="The Boat House on Elvaston Park Lake." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">The Boat House on Elvaston Park Lake.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From Elvaston I took to the back roads and headed out through Shardlow to Aston-on-Trent, passing an ever increasing herd of Alpaca on the edge of the village in the process. The Alpaca have been in the fields near Aston for a few years now but I still can't get used to seeing these strange, but cute looking, animals here in Derbyshire. Large bodied sheep with extra long legs and neck! I digress... At 7.5 miles I pause in Aston-on-Trent for one quick photo - <a href="http://www.astonontrenthistory.org.uk/40-aston_anglican_parish_church.htm" target="_blank">All Saints' Parish Church.</a> </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AewYwhs7kFM/UVyP5TxzV0I/AAAAAAAADVA/3E7cjf3ik0U/s1600/DSCF1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AewYwhs7kFM/UVyP5TxzV0I/AAAAAAAADVA/3E7cjf3ik0U/s320/DSCF1567.JPG" title="All Saints' Church - Aston-on-Trent." width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: red;">All Saints' Church - Aston-on-Trent.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></i></div>
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Just up the road from Aston-on-Trent is Weston-on-Trent and another stop off for a church. This time it's <a href="http://www.trentderwentchurches.org.uk/weston.aspx" target="_blank">St. Mary the Virgin</a>, a great little church with views over the Trent Valley and the church where Lynda and I got married. Well, I had to plan this one into the ride I guess!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q6W8QIEdvPI/UVyTLaDGGlI/AAAAAAAADVI/DUoaVbRdWOI/s1600/DSCF1569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q6W8QIEdvPI/UVyTLaDGGlI/AAAAAAAADVI/DUoaVbRdWOI/s320/DSCF1569.JPG" title="St. Mary the Virgin - Weston-on-Trent." width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: red;">St. Mary the Virgin - Weston-on-Trent.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6RlpQGmijEc/UVyTiDRGMiI/AAAAAAAADVQ/aOafwPhZlTQ/s1600/DSCF1573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6RlpQGmijEc/UVyTiDRGMiI/AAAAAAAADVQ/aOafwPhZlTQ/s320/DSCF1573.JPG" title="A door into St. Mary the Virgin, Weston-on-Trent." width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: red;">A door into St. Mary the Virgin, Weston-on-Trent.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From Weston I left the roads for a while and took to the canal and old railway paths and headed off towards Melbourne. For a while the clouds rolled back in again and so I chose to move on, only pausing for 3 quick photos during the next 3 miles.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFDtfc_R-Y0/UVyVlS5lIpI/AAAAAAAADVY/0ActkVPBseQ/s1600/DSCF1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sFDtfc_R-Y0/UVyVlS5lIpI/AAAAAAAADVY/0ActkVPBseQ/s320/DSCF1576.JPG" title="A bridge over the canal, near Weston-on-Trent." width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i>A bridge over the canal, near Weston-on-Trent.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUDmZKwta90/UVyV5ASHe2I/AAAAAAAADVg/djfSVx8rS0Q/s1600/DSCF1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUDmZKwta90/UVyV5ASHe2I/AAAAAAAADVg/djfSVx8rS0Q/s320/DSCF1577.JPG" title="Old railway bridge, at the start of the Cloud Trail, near Weston-on-Trent." width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i>Old railway bridge, at the start of the Cloud Trail,</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i> near Weston-on-Trent.</i></span></div>
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I often ride along this road (<i><a href="http://derbyshire-peakdistrict-co-uk.leia.parcomweb.net/kingsnewton.htm" target="_blank">in Kings Newton</a></i>) and wonder at just how it got its name...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8euRIXKf_Y/UVyWvnzuDkI/AAAAAAAADVo/Yt_C46IiGXM/s1600/DSCF1578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8euRIXKf_Y/UVyWvnzuDkI/AAAAAAAADVo/Yt_C46IiGXM/s320/DSCF1578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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... a quick search of the 'tinternet and it turns out that there used to be a whale bone arch here. The original bones are long gone but, apparently, a replacement pair still exist close by. Something to look out for in the future.</div>
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Once in Melbourne I had to climb off the bike for a time and walk - a "<i>STRICTLY NO CYCLING</i>" sign welcomed me at the entrance to Melbourne Pool. I did as I was told and enjoyed a pleasant stroll around the lake in the sunshine to view <a href="http://www.melbourneparishchurch.co.uk/images/documents/the_history_of_the_church.pdf" target="_blank">St. Michael with St. Mary Church</a> across the lake.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_iTuQ2TBBo/UV3NZhZ8o1I/AAAAAAAADV4/P3hYFwpcDVw/s1600/DSCF1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_iTuQ2TBBo/UV3NZhZ8o1I/AAAAAAAADV4/P3hYFwpcDVw/s320/DSCF1579.JPG" title="St. Michael with St. Mary Church, Melbourne - viewed across Melbourne Pool." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">St. Michael with St. Mary Church, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Melbourne - viewed across Melbourne Pool.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AOI9yONrwuU/UV3OYed567I/AAAAAAAADWA/Ikh8-UDgfbk/s1600/DSCF1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AOI9yONrwuU/UV3OYed567I/AAAAAAAADWA/Ikh8-UDgfbk/s320/DSCF1582.JPG" title="Boundary wall for Melbourne Hall." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Boundary wall for Melbourne Hall.</span></i></div>
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Back on the bike and it's time to cross the border into Leicestershire, I'm now heading for <a href="http://www.benefice.org.uk/breedon_church/index.php" target="_blank">The Priory Church of Breedon on the Hill</a>. And, when riding a heavy mountain bike with off-road tyres, it is certainly on top of a hill. The road up to the top climbs over 110 feet in under half-a-mile with the gradient reaching around 20% in places. I was more than ready for a drink once I reached the car park!</div>
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The climb proved worthwhile though when I was greeted by the familiar sound of a Raven calling and moments later the bird came into view, closely followed by a Common Buzzard <i>AND</i> a Peregrine! For a short time all three birds engaged in an aerial battle over who had territorial rights to the Breedon airspace. In the end, I think a truce was called and the birds went their separate ways.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3WeyxueQ0Y/UV3XssHVZ5I/AAAAAAAADWQ/MFF2g1pdOqY/s1600/DSCF1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3WeyxueQ0Y/UV3XssHVZ5I/AAAAAAAADWQ/MFF2g1pdOqY/s320/DSCF1584.JPG" title="The Priory Church, Breedon on the Hill." width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i>The Priory Church, Breedon on the Hill.</i></span></div>
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Back down in the village of Breedon on the Hill I paused once again to retrieve my camera from my rucksack. Firstly it was for the <a href="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-509672-war-memorial-breedon-on-the-hill-leicest" target="_blank">war memorial on the village green</a>. The memorial, built in 1926, lists the names of the men that lost their lives in the 1st and then 2nd World Wars.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9VEkQJpONNM/UV3aRxik8YI/AAAAAAAADWY/s5-qP_73178/s1600/DSCF1585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9VEkQJpONNM/UV3aRxik8YI/AAAAAAAADWY/s5-qP_73178/s320/DSCF1585.JPG" title="War Memorial, Breedon on the Hill." width="239" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">War Memorial, Breedon on the Hill.</span></i></div>
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Just a short distance further on and I came across a small building that I must have ridden past on a number of occasions in the past but never spotted before, the old village Lock Up, or Roundhouse. Built in the late 1700's it was used to detain "<i>human offenders against the law</i>" until they could be dealt with at the local prison!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FkzMC8IiTRE/UV3cnGaOa7I/AAAAAAAADWg/iAzGF8QAFXQ/s1600/DSCF1587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FkzMC8IiTRE/UV3cnGaOa7I/AAAAAAAADWg/iAzGF8QAFXQ/s320/DSCF1587.JPG" title="Lock Up or Roundhouse - Breedon on the Hill." width="239" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Lock Up or Roundhouse - Breedon on the Hill.</span></i></div>
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Moving further into Leicestershire I come to Cloud Hill Quarry near the village of Worthington. Materials for road making and also lime for agricultural use are produced at this huge blot on the landscape that I found strangely attractive in the bright Spring sunshine. To get an idea of the size of the quarry click on the photo to open it in a larger size and the small white dot in the centre is a large truck!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3cQI7Xbv3JU/UV3gCICdQ6I/AAAAAAAADWo/AYtEeVYKJJM/s1600/DSCF1592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3cQI7Xbv3JU/UV3gCICdQ6I/AAAAAAAADWo/AYtEeVYKJJM/s320/DSCF1592.JPG" title="Cloud Hill Quarry, Worthington." width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i>Cloud Hill Quarry, Worthington.</i></span></div>
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Close to the quarry I also spotted these two rather evil looking bird sculptures - made from old rock drills. It may have been the Easter holiday but I wasn't about to risk taking that egg!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_dm4_ih5jo/UV3irxfzoxI/AAAAAAAADW4/f7bARiMMNhs/s1600/DSCF1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_dm4_ih5jo/UV3irxfzoxI/AAAAAAAADW4/f7bARiMMNhs/s320/DSCF1596.JPG" title="Bird sculptures - Cloud Hill Quarry." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbXt6uNWOIQ/UV3jLyHXMCI/AAAAAAAADXA/bKijAm6aPkU/s1600/DSCF1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbXt6uNWOIQ/UV3jLyHXMCI/AAAAAAAADXA/bKijAm6aPkU/s320/DSCF1599.JPG" title="Bird sculpture - Cloud Hill Quarry." width="239" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Bird sculptures - Cloud Hill Quarry.</span></i></div>
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My next planned stop would be the furthest from home and the one that would take up the most of my time. I'd covered 21 miles and arrived at Grace Dieu Priory. This was the place that had set the idea of doing the photo ride in my mind. I had passed close to the site last year on a previous ride, caught a glimpse of the ruins and then looked the place up on the web when I returned home. I could easily do a "<i>cut an' paste</i>" job from the web giving a history of the site but it is far better to read it all on the official page, <b><i><a href="http://www.gracedieupriory.co.uk/" target="_blank">HERE!</a></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4NgG1e1K4xE/UV3mbDtcQXI/AAAAAAAADXI/BtNNdZ1y8fY/s1600/DSCF1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4NgG1e1K4xE/UV3mbDtcQXI/AAAAAAAADXI/BtNNdZ1y8fY/s320/DSCF1600.JPG" title="Grace Dieu Priory, Leicestershire." width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw9sC_e-vZY/UV3mbbL679I/AAAAAAAADXM/EJ0bBhpbxyI/s1600/DSCF1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw9sC_e-vZY/UV3mbbL679I/AAAAAAAADXM/EJ0bBhpbxyI/s320/DSCF1606.JPG" title="Grace Dieu Priory, Leicestershire." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dmKgRFrylEY/UV3mb3jsDeI/AAAAAAAADXU/FUCvAEUD1rc/s1600/DSCF1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dmKgRFrylEY/UV3mb3jsDeI/AAAAAAAADXU/FUCvAEUD1rc/s320/DSCF1608.JPG" title="Grace Dieu Priory, Leicestershire." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTaiES-QJ44/UV3mcyv0ZGI/AAAAAAAADXg/ZK901FG2Aac/s1600/DSCF1611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTaiES-QJ44/UV3mcyv0ZGI/AAAAAAAADXg/ZK901FG2Aac/s320/DSCF1611.JPG" title="Grace Dieu Priory, Leicestershire." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LiQ4v4CFqHU/UV3mdDsk5PI/AAAAAAAADXo/MqURIes-H8Y/s1600/DSCF1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LiQ4v4CFqHU/UV3mdDsk5PI/AAAAAAAADXo/MqURIes-H8Y/s320/DSCF1613.JPG" title="Grace Dieu Priory, Leicestershire." width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33RZsM3yKLM/UV3meXjazVI/AAAAAAAADXw/6JJMKXw49E4/s1600/DSCF1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33RZsM3yKLM/UV3meXjazVI/AAAAAAAADXw/6JJMKXw49E4/s320/DSCF1621.JPG" title="Grace Dieu Priory, Leicestershire." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCrofhku_d4/UV3megpb2-I/AAAAAAAADX0/gfQwHLZYuXU/s1600/DSCF1623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCrofhku_d4/UV3megpb2-I/AAAAAAAADX0/gfQwHLZYuXU/s320/DSCF1623.JPG" title="Grace Dieu Priory, Leicestershire." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4dJz3hn-As/UV3me7PXrfI/AAAAAAAADYA/HRolvT9mKrg/s1600/DSCF1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4dJz3hn-As/UV3me7PXrfI/AAAAAAAADYA/HRolvT9mKrg/s320/DSCF1624.JPG" title="Grace Dieu Priory, Leicestershire." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cphg6Z9U-vA/UV3mffaYo2I/AAAAAAAADYI/T6E0W_Crv-s/s1600/DSCF1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cphg6Z9U-vA/UV3mffaYo2I/AAAAAAAADYI/T6E0W_Crv-s/s320/DSCF1626.JPG" title="Grace Dieu Priory, Leicestershire." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Grace Dieu Priory, Leicestershire.</span></i></div>
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The time now was just after 1:00PM and I still had two or three places in mind that I could fit in on the way back home. The first was <a href="http://www.stauntonharoldestate.co.uk/#" target="_blank">Staunton Harold Hall</a> which, conveniently, sits alongside <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/staunton-harold-church/" target="_blank">Staunton Harold Church</a>. They also sit on a grassy bank that leads down to a lake - all very well placed for a quick photo! Both the church and the hall have very good web sites that explain their rich history - just click on the two highlighted links above.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZjeXWkYHME/UV3qZ4-2zPI/AAAAAAAADYQ/qYwDtNyMU7Y/s1600/DSCF1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="123" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZjeXWkYHME/UV3qZ4-2zPI/AAAAAAAADYQ/qYwDtNyMU7Y/s320/DSCF1631.JPG" title="Staunton Harold Church and Hall." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vzTP7jMQUU/UV3qaYBXPBI/AAAAAAAADYY/CDHnWd0KpOo/s1600/DSCF1632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vzTP7jMQUU/UV3qaYBXPBI/AAAAAAAADYY/CDHnWd0KpOo/s320/DSCF1632.JPG" title="Staunton Harold Church and Hall." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx5uXgIVP_g/UV3qae8ww-I/AAAAAAAADYc/ZEWXq_V3m54/s1600/DSCF1630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx5uXgIVP_g/UV3qae8ww-I/AAAAAAAADYc/ZEWXq_V3m54/s320/DSCF1630.JPG" title="Staunton Harold Church and Hall." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5goaZcOwQAk/UV3qbBpNE9I/AAAAAAAADYo/ZYBHxr3n3oo/s1600/DSCF1636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5goaZcOwQAk/UV3qbBpNE9I/AAAAAAAADYo/ZYBHxr3n3oo/s320/DSCF1636.JPG" title="Entrance gates to Staunton Harold Hall." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwEN3PG4NDk/UV3qbkutsHI/AAAAAAAADYw/ht1_gcPwSKU/s1600/DSCF1637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwEN3PG4NDk/UV3qbkutsHI/AAAAAAAADYw/ht1_gcPwSKU/s320/DSCF1637.JPG" title="Staunton Harold Church." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Views of Staunton Harold Church and Hall.</span></i></div>
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Whilst passing through the Staunton Harold Estate I had to do a quick U-turn back into a small courtyard when two sculptures caught my eye.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9QQIz5LeqM/UV3r1UMKZ6I/AAAAAAAADY4/qwNN6UowL_g/s1600/DSCF1638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9QQIz5LeqM/UV3r1UMKZ6I/AAAAAAAADY4/qwNN6UowL_g/s320/DSCF1638.JPG" title="Staunton Harold sculpture." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYiA1z6CucI/UV3r1xdcSlI/AAAAAAAADY8/S8m0b2Lo6tY/s1600/DSCF1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYiA1z6CucI/UV3r1xdcSlI/AAAAAAAADY8/S8m0b2Lo6tY/s320/DSCF1639.JPG" title="Staunton Harold sculpture." width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i>Staunton Harold sculptures.</i></span></div>
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Onwards and upwards again, quite literally, and I headed to Calke Park. By now my legs were starting to feel the miles a little and an ever increasing head wind wasn't helping either. On any other day the hills around here wouldn't have been much of a challenge but today, on a mountain bike and carrying a rucksack, they were starting to take their toll. With 28 miles covered I was in Calke Park and enjoying a break from the pedaling. </div>
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My two targets here were St. Giles Church and then Calke Abbey itself. Further details of both can be found on the <b><a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-abbey/" target="_blank">National Trust website.</a></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSJCpwJafIY/UV3vw5i89gI/AAAAAAAADZg/RuZeYHJW3A0/s1600/DSCF1644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSJCpwJafIY/UV3vw5i89gI/AAAAAAAADZg/RuZeYHJW3A0/s320/DSCF1644.JPG" title="St. Giles Church, Calke Abbey." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSfqL6W8H40/UV3vv-XF1fI/AAAAAAAADZQ/zYyWSofl-gc/s1600/DSCF1643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSfqL6W8H40/UV3vv-XF1fI/AAAAAAAADZQ/zYyWSofl-gc/s320/DSCF1643.JPG" title="St. Giles Church, Calke Abbey." width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IktXsyKU0nI/UV3vwd8Z-JI/AAAAAAAADZY/DX6oxyDrgfY/s1600/DSCF1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IktXsyKU0nI/UV3vwd8Z-JI/AAAAAAAADZY/DX6oxyDrgfY/s320/DSCF1640.JPG" title="St. Giles Church, Calke Abbey." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iNGrbVE9ns/UV3vvou7hfI/AAAAAAAADZI/t2pg-rgjDsg/s1600/DSCF1641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iNGrbVE9ns/UV3vvou7hfI/AAAAAAAADZI/t2pg-rgjDsg/s320/DSCF1641.JPG" title="St. Giles Church, Calke Abbey." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">St. Giles Church, Calke Abbey.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9XdXm10rl6E/UV3w7L8ClsI/AAAAAAAADZo/dQfaj75Cyt8/s1600/DSCF1648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9XdXm10rl6E/UV3w7L8ClsI/AAAAAAAADZo/dQfaj75Cyt8/s320/DSCF1648.JPG" title="Calke Abbey." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Calke Abbey.</span></i></div>
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Another six miles of windy and at times hilly cycling from Calke and I arrived in the village of Ticknall. Now, if you know the area, that may not add up to you - "<i>six miles from Calke to Ticknall</i>?" Well, I went the long way! Back out of the park to Calke village, then the hard climb up through Spring Wood alongside Staunton Reservoir, along the road towards Melbourne before riding the trail by the reservoir back into Ticknall. Hey, I'm a cyclist, I don't do the easy option!</div>
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Anyway, Ticknall. My final photo stop was <a href="http://www.derbyshirechurches.org/church/ticknall-st-george" target="_blank">St. George's Church</a>, in the heart of the village. I'd never seen the church before and only found it when it appeared on my GPS mapping software whilst planning the ride route. I'm pleased I included this one last site as it turned out to be rather photogenic. As well as the current church there are also a couple of ruined walls still standing from an earlier building.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iPFhHX2cysg/UWB0a3-yeBI/AAAAAAAADZ4/DZv2F59aiiM/s1600/DSCF1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iPFhHX2cysg/UWB0a3-yeBI/AAAAAAAADZ4/DZv2F59aiiM/s320/DSCF1649.JPG" title="St. George's Church, Ticknall." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryltHiAcuAI/UWB0bR_dfaI/AAAAAAAADaA/iDHZQbdVnHM/s1600/DSCF1654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ryltHiAcuAI/UWB0bR_dfaI/AAAAAAAADaA/iDHZQbdVnHM/s320/DSCF1654.JPG" title="St. George's Church, Ticknall." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0UXXf0a61jM/UWB0bhT_UfI/AAAAAAAADaI/hTY-MzFNYac/s1600/DSCF1653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0UXXf0a61jM/UWB0bhT_UfI/AAAAAAAADaI/hTY-MzFNYac/s320/DSCF1653.JPG" title="St. George's Church, Ticknall." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">St. George's Church, Ticknall.</span></i></div>
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All that was now left was to pack the camera into my bag one last time and head for home, just 7 miles of country lanes and cycle paths. The weather had turned out to be much better that it had threatened to be, the mountain bike had proved to be a great choice of transport and I had all the photos I'd hoped for. All in all, a great day out!</div>
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But.... half way home the bike just had to have the final say! As we reached the Crewe & Harpur pub, by the historic Swarkestone Bridge, it suddenly swerved to the left, down a set of steps into the beer garden and refused to go any further until I'd treated myself to a gorgeous pint of Sneck Lifter and a Chicken & Bacon Club Sandwich! Happy days!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_sCZBXSaXQ/UWB4E-eFObI/AAAAAAAADaU/t2xX64PB-KY/s1600/2013-04-02+15.16.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_sCZBXSaXQ/UWB4E-eFObI/AAAAAAAADaU/t2xX64PB-KY/s320/2013-04-02+15.16.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i>Lunch is served!</i></span></div>
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Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-45662397120985599402013-03-24T23:11:00.000+00:002013-03-24T23:11:22.857+00:00Spring rolls into... Winter!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Spring arrives and the weather just gets worse! The return of snow was not what I had in mind for mid-March but that's what we got and that's what we had to make the most of! </div>
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But before we get to the snow I'll step back a couple of weeks first. My cycle ride home from work on Monday March 11 took me all the way down the River Derwent cycle path from Derby to Borrowash, not a journey I do too often on my commute. And I'm rather pleased that I did - I was lucky enough to be able to watch a Barn Owl hunting near the river, just as the sun was setting! It wasn't the closest view I've ever had of a Barn Owl but any view is always a privilege. I repeated the same route on the following two evenings and on both occasions was treated to the joys of the owl. All good stuff!</div>
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Tuesday March 19 and, for me, the first real sign that Spring is here. On the ride to work I heard a Chiffchaff singing along the cycle path by the River Derwent, my first of the year. Interestingly, this is the exact same date and almost the same location as the first Chiffchaff I came across last year. A returning bird maybe? On March 22 2012 I saw my first Sand Martins of the year - I wonder if they will be waiting for me tomorrow morning? With this weather, I very much doubt it!</div>
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On Thursday, March 21, I reached the first cycling milestone of the year when the ride home from work took my mileage for the year past the 1,000 mile mark. I may not have set myself any cycling targets this year but getting the first 1k under my belt did feel rather good, especially with the weather we've had so far this year. </div>
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So, back to the snow. The forecast on Wednesday evening of this week was for snow to hit the region late on Thursday evening and that's just what it did. By the time I set off for work on Friday morning the roads were covered with wet, slushy, snow and the cycle paths weren't much better. Using the mountain bike meant I had no problem with grip but the lack of full mudguards resulted in a rather wet ride! Further snow and also a bit of a thaw later in the day saw me arrive home in the evening soaked to the skin and with a bike that looked like it had been to hell and back. Some serious cleaning was needed - both for the bike and myself!</div>
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As if to rub salt into the wound, the Derby Telegraph printed another of my photos in that very day's edition... a photo that showed just what Spring should be like! It was taken on March 5 and shows Crocuses flowering in Alvaston Park.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tiEcTozg_X8/UU9dtmuniNI/AAAAAAAADSQ/2UeMEf2O66E/s1600/Crocuses+in+Alvaston+Park+-+05+March+2013..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tiEcTozg_X8/UU9dtmuniNI/AAAAAAAADSQ/2UeMEf2O66E/s1600/Crocuses+in+Alvaston+Park+-+05+March+2013..jpg" height="320" title="Crocuses in Alvaston Park - 05 March 2013." width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: red;">Crocuses in Alvaston Park - 05 March 2013.</span></i></span></div>
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And that, dear reader, brings us back to this weekend... and yet more snow! Luckily, I wasn't at work yesterday so I was able to stay in the warmth of the house and watch the snow continue to fall, all day. The only time I ventured outside was to top up the bird feeders, which took quite a hammering yesterday. The birds were certainly very hungry.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8LlyqZxTZg/UU9hN4wO3EI/AAAAAAAADSY/F9pOS0yMdFc/s1600/Woodpigeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8LlyqZxTZg/UU9hN4wO3EI/AAAAAAAADSY/F9pOS0yMdFc/s1600/Woodpigeon.jpg" height="240" title="Woodpigeon in the garden." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Woodpigeon waiting for yet more food.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FB5-M4PqHDo/UU9ijvduUPI/AAAAAAAADSg/Jh1Fys74q-8/s1600/Goldfinch+in+the+snow..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FB5-M4PqHDo/UU9ijvduUPI/AAAAAAAADSg/Jh1Fys74q-8/s1600/Goldfinch+in+the+snow..jpg" height="320" title="Goldfinch in the snow." width="229" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tOEyMTpuc80/UU9i1hkuehI/AAAAAAAADSo/42jHJk582bc/s1600/Goldfinches+in+the+snow..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tOEyMTpuc80/UU9i1hkuehI/AAAAAAAADSo/42jHJk582bc/s1600/Goldfinches+in+the+snow..JPG" height="320" title="Goldfinches in the snow." width="213" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Goldfinches in the snow.</span></i></div>
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This morning the snow had eased a little and so we decided to get out for a little fresh air, and breakfast! The result was a walk of just over 5miles taking in part of Alvaston, the Blue Jay pub for breakfast, the River Derwent and then back to home. Although the snow had more or less stopped for much of the walk the sky remained very grey and dull, not ideal conditions for the camera but I did at least try. Some of the results are below...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DO8M6rNRqW4/UU9tmE4F51I/AAAAAAAADSw/Lf49iE_2wWE/s1600/DSCF1534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DO8M6rNRqW4/UU9tmE4F51I/AAAAAAAADSw/Lf49iE_2wWE/s1600/DSCF1534.JPG" height="239" title="Alvaston in the snow." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhPSmwHzO8U/UU9tsRIyxbI/AAAAAAAADS4/jD1kNmQlUTY/s1600/DSCF1535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhPSmwHzO8U/UU9tsRIyxbI/AAAAAAAADS4/jD1kNmQlUTY/s1600/DSCF1535.JPG" height="320" title="Alvaston in the snow." width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKLQXur3b54/UU9tyeXLkmI/AAAAAAAADTA/22CzlivTH1E/s1600/DSCF1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKLQXur3b54/UU9tyeXLkmI/AAAAAAAADTA/22CzlivTH1E/s1600/DSCF1536.JPG" height="239" title="A splash of colour in the snow." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jaWGfFXCFY/UU9t36AxAEI/AAAAAAAADTI/Z4vb9Vbi9F4/s1600/DSCF1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jaWGfFXCFY/UU9t36AxAEI/AAAAAAAADTI/Z4vb9Vbi9F4/s1600/DSCF1538.JPG" height="320" title="St Michael and all Angels’ Church, Alvaston." width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3He-4rYhd3I/UU9uCDm82ZI/AAAAAAAADTQ/USBNB4_5b5k/s1600/DSCF1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3He-4rYhd3I/UU9uCDm82ZI/AAAAAAAADTQ/USBNB4_5b5k/s1600/DSCF1539.JPG" height="239" title="The Blue Jay - for breakfast!" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmSxr1lqeZM/UU9uKM-gw1I/AAAAAAAADTY/JDtT8ccTV9M/s1600/DSCF1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmSxr1lqeZM/UU9uKM-gw1I/AAAAAAAADTY/JDtT8ccTV9M/s1600/DSCF1541.JPG" height="239" title="River Derwent." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kT2W4zLqKVQ/UU9uSh9d-pI/AAAAAAAADTg/e8JlGloh30Q/s1600/DSCF1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kT2W4zLqKVQ/UU9uSh9d-pI/AAAAAAAADTg/e8JlGloh30Q/s1600/DSCF1543.JPG" height="239" title="River Derwent." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0V2Z4mdFWlQ/UU9uYh-48NI/AAAAAAAADTo/ymR-uxNJIfg/s1600/DSCF1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0V2Z4mdFWlQ/UU9uYh-48NI/AAAAAAAADTo/ymR-uxNJIfg/s1600/DSCF1545.JPG" height="239" title="Snow covered fence." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-waqoB1cxHcM/UU9ufM_tAXI/AAAAAAAADTw/ggV27ApnoKU/s1600/DSCF1550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-waqoB1cxHcM/UU9ufM_tAXI/AAAAAAAADTw/ggV27ApnoKU/s1600/DSCF1550.JPG" height="239" title="River Derwent." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vM8VsGYNlus/UU9ulov6KmI/AAAAAAAADT4/docSa-P9vPA/s1600/DSCF1551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vM8VsGYNlus/UU9ulov6KmI/AAAAAAAADT4/docSa-P9vPA/s1600/DSCF1551.JPG" height="239" title="Signs of Spring?" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VudssYM1Cn4/UU9ur3KL3bI/AAAAAAAADUA/xgA_FjjLDQc/s1600/DSCF1553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VudssYM1Cn4/UU9ur3KL3bI/AAAAAAAADUA/xgA_FjjLDQc/s1600/DSCF1553.JPG" height="239" title="Signs of Spring?" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rXVt_HYA_wM/UU9uw7kvLII/AAAAAAAADUI/nN6KpPL0vIM/s1600/DSCF1556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rXVt_HYA_wM/UU9uw7kvLII/AAAAAAAADUI/nN6KpPL0vIM/s1600/DSCF1556.JPG" height="320" title="Signs of Spring?" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2CiEVAcMpo/UU9u2WLWNPI/AAAAAAAADUQ/8YjNW2mC73k/s1600/DSCF1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2CiEVAcMpo/UU9u2WLWNPI/AAAAAAAADUQ/8YjNW2mC73k/s1600/DSCF1557.JPG" height="320" title="Snow covered woodland." width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaaYB7s23OA/UU9u7yt_12I/AAAAAAAADUY/z0Ka-MmRPO0/s1600/DSCF1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaaYB7s23OA/UU9u7yt_12I/AAAAAAAADUY/z0Ka-MmRPO0/s1600/DSCF1559.JPG" height="320" title="Green Lane footbridge, Alvaston." width="239" /></a></div>
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Next weekend we change the clocks, it's Easter and we'll probably be flooded! It can only get better, can't it?</div>
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Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Derbyshire, UK52.923503256516824 -1.475150585174560552.922904756516822 -1.4764110851745607 52.924101756516826 -1.4738900851745604tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-58450521292561664052013-03-10T23:13:00.004+00:002013-03-10T23:13:53.755+00:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>February...</i></b></span> I managed to raise the cycling mileage a little during the month with a total of 375 miles covered. I also logged my longest ride of the year so far, a rather feeble 26.23 miles on the mountain bike! Still, the year isn't supposed to be about clocking up a large number of miles by the year end, it's all about just enjoying being out on the bike. With that in mind, I'm happy with how it's all going so far.</div>
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One ride that I did put a bit of extra effort into was the commute to work on the morning of February 28. It had been very cold and frosty overnight and this had left the unmade cycle paths dry and firm - ideal conditions for a fast ride on the mountain bike. So, I left home at 7:00AM and headed off towards Elvaston Castle for an attempt at getting the "<i>lap record</i>" on the <a href="http://www.strava.com/" target="_blank">Strava</a> web site for a 2 mile ride around the park! </div>
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The best time logged on Strava had been 7mins 27secs, an average speed of 16mph. By the time I'd completed my loop it was down to 7mins 01sec! Not bad for an old 'un that, even after all these years riding bikes, still can't bunny hop the speed bumps I encountered on one part of the ride though!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTnTEkA8hsw/UTzpErmc8UI/AAAAAAAADRo/i9932p0np6Q/s1600/Castle+Loop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTnTEkA8hsw/UTzpErmc8UI/AAAAAAAADRo/i9932p0np6Q/s1600/Castle+Loop.jpg" height="120" title="Elvaston Castle Strava loop." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">A hot lap of the castle.</span></i></div>
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My aim of getting out with the camera more during this year isn't going quite as well as I'd hoped so far. The weather hasn't been good enough, I've been short of time and, well, I've just been plain old lazy! But, some encouragement to keep at it has come my way in the form of our local paper, the Derby Telegraph. They have printed two of my photos in recent weeks.</div>
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The first was the photo of Alvaston Lake I took back in January...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynpFi4AviJI/UTzz4XokdLI/AAAAAAAADRw/bTDXt8BXFuI/s1600/A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynpFi4AviJI/UTzz4XokdLI/AAAAAAAADRw/bTDXt8BXFuI/s1600/A.JPG" height="239" title="Alvaston Park lake." width="320" /></a></div>
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...the second was also taken in Alvaston Park, on one of the few sunny days we've had so far this year!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--phmMSPL-5g/UTz02dmlfKI/AAAAAAAADR4/hcmQ_oVvjGY/s1600/B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--phmMSPL-5g/UTz02dmlfKI/AAAAAAAADR4/hcmQ_oVvjGY/s1600/B.jpg" height="320" title="Shadows in the park." width="240" /></a></div>
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Hopefully as the year progresses I'll be able to post more photos here - if the weather allows that is! Right now... it's snowing once again!</div>
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And finally... we, or should I say Lynda, have changed our car again. I don't drive enough now to have too much of a say in what we have or when we change our cars! This one is, once again, another Ford Fiesta. It's a Titanium model, metallic silver, and just a few months old. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WwmfxwRrAGQ/UT0FlvOme6I/AAAAAAAADSA/ChSB-_v1L2o/s1600/2013-03-03+12.46.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WwmfxwRrAGQ/UT0FlvOme6I/AAAAAAAADSA/ChSB-_v1L2o/s1600/2013-03-03+12.46.11.jpg" height="240" title="Ford Fiesta Titanium" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">The new car.</span></i></div>
Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Derbyshire, UK52.916625006001453 -1.469736787499982752.84005750600145 -1.6310982874999826 52.993192506001456 -1.3083752874999828tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-33131463000887731562013-02-03T22:49:00.003+00:002013-02-03T22:49:56.924+00:00A little too easy?<span style="text-align: justify;">One month into 2013 and the plan to take things a little easier with the cycling this year is coming along nicely. A combination of dark mornings and evenings, rain, snow, ice, wind and a mindset of actually wanting to do less miles has seen me ride just 298.44 miles in January. This is my lowest monthly total since December 2010 when I covered just 139.26 miles. </span><br />
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And do I feel good about this? No, not really. If I’m honest, I’m actually finding it harder to do the shorter rides than I would if I was racking up double the distance. I’m already noticing a drop off in my fitness and my average speed is lower than I’d like. Okay, riding in the dark doesn’t help, and the strong winds certainly don’t, but I’m sure the biggest issue is the lack of riding time. Time for a re-think maybe!</div>
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Having said all that, the week of proper snow we had mid-month (before a slight melt turned it to ice) was great fun to ride in and the GT Avalanche 1 mountain bike that I purchased back in November proved to be ideal for the conditions. As well as the mountain bike allowing me to carry on riding when the snow arrived there were two or three evenings when I actually added a few miles onto the journey home, just so I could play in the snow for a little longer!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYXSl5YWiYA/UQ7YeCzFfxI/AAAAAAAADRE/g89KBkmkcx0/s1600/2013-01-21+17.41.54a.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYXSl5YWiYA/UQ7YeCzFfxI/AAAAAAAADRE/g89KBkmkcx0/s320/2013-01-21+17.41.54a.jpg" title="GT Avalanche 1 in the snow." width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IhYB81AGsH4/UQ7YayUieHI/AAAAAAAADQ8/Ko12_nQTFfE/s1600/2013-01-21+17.43.48a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IhYB81AGsH4/UQ7YayUieHI/AAAAAAAADQ8/Ko12_nQTFfE/s320/2013-01-21+17.43.48a.jpg" title="GT Avalanche 1 in the snow." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Taking time out from playing in</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">the </span></i><i><span style="color: red;">snow </span></i><i><span style="color: red;">at Alvaston Park!</span></i></div>
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Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Derbyshire, UK52.922265812721911 -1.476860734643537452.917479312721909 -1.4869457346435373 52.927052312721912 -1.4667757346435375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-49507971905216555472013-02-03T13:47:00.000+00:002013-02-03T13:47:46.491+00:00Help protect the Stone Curlew!<br />
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Yet again, one of the UK’s endangered bird species is under threat. This time it is the nesting grounds of the Stone Curlew, a bird already on the amber list of conservation species.</div>
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Please take a moment to visit the follow web site, read the petition and add your name. This needs to be stopped before it is too late! </div>
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<span style="color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"><script src="http://dingo.care2.com/petitions/embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div adsize="460x375" buttoncolor="#ac1a1f" class="care2PetitionEmbed" flags="#000000" grabbed="1" html="1" publisherid="1249" rsspath="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/xml/petitions/558/428/166/feed.rss">
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Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-20053710809446311542013-01-01T21:25:00.001+00:002013-01-01T21:25:51.893+00:00Starting 2013...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, here we go once again. A new year and a new start. <b><i>If</i></b> I can find the time/the enthusiasm/the subject matter, and if the weather allows, then I'd like to post a lot more updates here this year. And, <b><i>if</i></b> all goes well many of them will be based around photos that I take.</div>
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Photography is something that I have enjoyed for many many years, I even studied it at school back in the dark ages of my youth. But, like many things in life, trying to find the time to really give it a go has always been a problem - most of the shots I take are either when away on holiday or on the occasional local walk. In 2013 I want to try and change that by taking more photos and in the process improve my, very mediocre, skills.</div>
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Today may not have been the best day to pick up the camera - beer, Buck's Fizz (<i>the drink, not the '80s pop group!</i>) and whisky last night - but the weather was fine and so Lynda and I headed off for a walk and then a pub lunch this morning. The camera came along too...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsyOmLpq5AA/UONI9b2D5GI/AAAAAAAADOw/GuxDka80w1w/s1600/A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsyOmLpq5AA/UONI9b2D5GI/AAAAAAAADOw/GuxDka80w1w/s320/A.JPG" title="Alvaston Park lake." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Alvaston Park lake.</span></i> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HFzYgSxxyxU/UONI-jnMGZI/AAAAAAAADO4/_TU9-Zs-mZw/s1600/B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HFzYgSxxyxU/UONI-jnMGZI/AAAAAAAADO4/_TU9-Zs-mZw/s320/B.JPG" title="Alvaston Park lake." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Lynda and friends.</span></i> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SITBoIaExHY/UONI__drLGI/AAAAAAAADPA/fQI9nyZPzck/s1600/C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SITBoIaExHY/UONI__drLGI/AAAAAAAADPA/fQI9nyZPzck/s320/C.JPG" title="Mute Swan and Coot." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Mute Swan and Coot.</span></i> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6J3AsbuUoE/UONJBPZH7NI/AAAAAAAADPE/79MxcTjsUcY/s1600/D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6J3AsbuUoE/UONJBPZH7NI/AAAAAAAADPE/79MxcTjsUcY/s320/D.JPG" title="Teasel heads." width="239" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Teasel heads.</span></i> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IgwRY4Tjk4M/UONJC9L7NZI/AAAAAAAADPQ/9AEjHLTieYY/s1600/E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IgwRY4Tjk4M/UONJC9L7NZI/AAAAAAAADPQ/9AEjHLTieYY/s320/E.JPG" title="Winter trees in Alvaston Park." width="243" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Winter trees.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dk6rBiILeL4/UONJEYM8QBI/AAAAAAAADPY/KWtlyE8CkeU/s1600/F.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dk6rBiILeL4/UONJEYM8QBI/AAAAAAAADPY/KWtlyE8CkeU/s320/F.JPG" title="Tree bark in close up." width="239" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Tree bark.</span></i> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mmn-Wz-5R5c/UONJFW2dGxI/AAAAAAAADPg/KTy5Q4ylffs/s1600/G.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mmn-Wz-5R5c/UONJFW2dGxI/AAAAAAAADPg/KTy5Q4ylffs/s320/G.JPG" title="Fungi." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Fungi - around 15 feet up a tree!</span></i> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBBBR80g6Xs/UONJHNXHMiI/AAAAAAAADPo/kDYVbHAKxh4/s1600/H.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBBBR80g6Xs/UONJHNXHMiI/AAAAAAAADPo/kDYVbHAKxh4/s320/H.JPG" title="Fungi." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Fungi - around 15 feet up a tree!</span></i> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YYYT4oEtQiY/UONJISHwsZI/AAAAAAAADPw/v_nH7UA9aSw/s1600/I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YYYT4oEtQiY/UONJISHwsZI/AAAAAAAADPw/v_nH7UA9aSw/s320/I.jpg" title="Flooded football pitch, Alvaston Park." width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">No football this week!</span></i></div>
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There, I've taken the first step. Not the most awe inspiring set of photos but having just the local park to work with did at least make me look around a little more in the hope of finding things to point the camera at. </div>
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Now, where to go next time...</div>
Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Alvaston Park, Derby, UK52.907989687832639 -1.440016712719739252.903201687832642 -1.4501017127197391 52.912777687832637 -1.4299317127197393tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-87022357926483532792012-12-31T18:47:00.000+00:002012-12-31T18:47:03.697+00:00The 6000 mile year...<span style="text-align: justify;">Once again I’m sat, with a beer, looking back on another year of cycling. My own cycling that is, not the amazing year of pro-cycling we’ve had the pleasure of seeing in 2012! Well done Team Sky, Team GB, Sir Bradley Wiggins, and everyone else that helped make it such a great year!</span><br />
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So, back to my own year. Since I started recording the mileage I ride, back in 2008, I’ve tried to set myself a goal for each year. Between the middle of June and the end of the year in 2008 I managed to cover 1089 miles. In 2009, I logged a total of 3573 miles. The following year and the mileage was up to 4211 miles by the end of December. Last year, 2011, I upped my game a little and took the mileage to 5364 miles. </div>
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For 2012 I wanted to try and push myself further still. I set the target at 6000 miles. As most of my cycling mileage is made up of commuting to and from work it meant I’d have to put in plenty of extra miles on top of the basic route to and from work - I live less than 2 miles from work as the crow flies and only around 2.5 miles by bike! Time to get peddling!</div>
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This is how the year went...<br />
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<b><i>January</i></b><br />
46 rides<br />
376.66 miles covered<br />
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<b><i>February</i></b><br />
47 rides<br />
452.63 miles covered<br />
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<b><i>March</i></b><br />
53 rides<br />
701.92 miles covered<br />
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<b><i>April</i></b><br />
33 rides<br />
313.39 miles covered<br />
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<b><i>May</i></b><br />
51 rides<br />
620.66 miles covered<br />
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<b><i>June</i></b><br />
44 rides<br />
471.16 miles covered<br />
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<b><i>July</i></b><br />
39 rides<br />
427.09 miles covered<br />
<span style="color: red;">*</span>Longest single ride of the year 101.37 miles<span style="color: red;">*</span><br />
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<b><i>August</i></b><br />
53 rides<br />
549.08 miles covered<br />
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<b><i>September</i></b><br />
46 rides<br />
609.44 miles covered<br />
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<b><i>October</i></b><br />
40 rides<br />
441.23 miles covered<br />
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<b><i>November</i></b><br />
47 rides<br />
480.80 miles covered<br />
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<b><i>December</i></b><br />
46 rides<br />
570.51 miles covered<br />
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All that little lot adds up to a total of 6014.57 miles - 14.57 miles over my target for the year!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jw7TewHl8NA/UOC6AFfT9mI/AAAAAAAADOQ/NXyrpZPEV44/s1600/2012-12-30+10.26.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jw7TewHl8NA/UOC6AFfT9mI/AAAAAAAADOQ/NXyrpZPEV44/s320/2012-12-30+10.26.25.jpg" title="Reaching 6000 miles. Alvaston Park 30/12/2012." width="255" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Using GPS, I was able to plan where I'd reach 6000 miles.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">The cafe at Alvaston Park - for a bacon sandwich & a latte!</span></i></div>
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As for 2013... I think it may be time to have a year without any set targets and just enjoy cycling for the sake of it! Maybe....</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>HAPPY NEW YEAR!</i></b></span></div>
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Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Derbyshire, UK52.917453060342268 -1.491709443749982752.307586560342266 -2.7826029437499828 53.527319560342271 -0.20081594374998279tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-83460229239116174372012-12-27T23:00:00.000+00:002012-12-29T21:29:47.935+00:00Because two is never enough...<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's taken me almost six months but I've had to admit defeat. Running just two bikes was not going to work! I need three! Not <i>want</i> - <i><b>NEED!</b></i> And so, in the middle of November I put things to rights and took delivery of a new mountain bike, a 2012 model GT Avalanche 1.</div>
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Ever since I killed off my very old Claud Butler back in the summer I've been aware that my other two bikes would be of no use what so ever as and when the snow and ice arrives. I don't mind a bit of a challenge but there is no way I'd get the road bike out if there was even the slightest chance of ice within 50 miles of where I would be riding! The hybrid is not much better - it may have slightly wider tyres but they still don't have any tread worth mentioning. The only other option would be to stop riding in the bad weather and go to work in the car. That "<i>option</i>" was never really an option at all! I'd rather walk!</div>
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So, I was back to the three bike option and, thanks to a very good internet deal, I now have suitable transport ready for the snow. Of course, the snow we often see before the year end has failed to appear, so far, and I could, possibly, have saved my cash. When the weather does turn, I'm ready... and if it doesn't, I still have a new toy to play with! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ph7lugsme1I/UNzBZvpnbHI/AAAAAAAADMw/sPBXMl_48Yk/s1600/A.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ph7lugsme1I/UNzBZvpnbHI/AAAAAAAADMw/sPBXMl_48Yk/s320/A.jpg" title="GT AVALANCHE 1" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Fresh out of the delivery box.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmRFPhk1pek/UNzBaZUgMRI/AAAAAAAADM0/fkHtrm-5JZc/s1600/B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmRFPhk1pek/UNzBaZUgMRI/AAAAAAAADM0/fkHtrm-5JZc/s320/B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">A box of extra little bits ready to be fitted.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">(And a free bag of sweets from the supplier!)</span></i> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mnya91Qwheg/UNzBbjs4v_I/AAAAAAAADNA/iDUfIY7WsKI/s1600/C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mnya91Qwheg/UNzBbjs4v_I/AAAAAAAADNA/iDUfIY7WsKI/s320/C.jpg" title="GT AVALANCHE 1" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">A gorgeous morning for the first ride. A 22 mile loop</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">around the lanes and off road trails of South Derbyshire.</span></i> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esYcpXgl3rM/UNzBc9DZ7EI/AAAAAAAADNE/OCjxluWCmNc/s1600/D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esYcpXgl3rM/UNzBc9DZ7EI/AAAAAAAADNE/OCjxluWCmNc/s320/D.jpg" title="GT AVALANCHE 1" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">A Mucky Nutz fender - cheap but effective.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehh-N3Jk-CY/UNzBd8LZkeI/AAAAAAAADNQ/twr9HfBYrnI/s1600/E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehh-N3Jk-CY/UNzBd8LZkeI/AAAAAAAADNQ/twr9HfBYrnI/s320/E.jpg" title="GT AVALANCHE 1" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Disc brakes - a lot more stopping power than my other bikes!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">30 gears to choose from - too many maybe?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Posing in the Winter sun.</span></i> </div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">Almost home - a misty River Trent.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">First time out and muddy already! Get used to it!</span></i></div>
Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0Derbyshire, UK52.916625006001453 -1.473856660546857752.840028506001453 -1.6352181605468576 52.993221506001454 -1.3124951605468578tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-76074571651965480012012-12-23T23:05:00.001+00:002012-12-23T23:05:54.374+00:00Watchet...<br />
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Yet again, I return here after too many months away. Back in January I started to post updates again, with the full intention of keeping on top of things. All went well, in a fashion, up until July when I slipped back into my old ways - I kept on putting things off!</div>
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So, as a way of easing back into things I have a bunch of photos from our last little holiday, a very nice week spent in Watchet, Somerset. We were there in the middle of October, probably the last time the sun shone properly this year!</div>
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Our holiday accommodation - Oak Barn...</div>
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Views from around the harbour at Watchet...<br />
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High tide...<br />
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Low tide...<br />
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A little rock tower I built...<br />
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Me, and the boats...<br />
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Sunset...<br />
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An evening walk...<br />
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A selection of photos taken in Dunster, just a short drive from where we were staying...<br />
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Dunster Castle...<br />
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<br />Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com1Watchet, Somerset, UK51.181769 -3.329176999999958851.161859500000006 -3.3695174999999589 51.2016785 -3.2888364999999586tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-50069604570184776642012-07-29T23:20:00.000+01:002012-07-29T23:22:44.804+01:00A second century ride...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN">Maybe it was an alignment of the planets, maybe it was the inspiration drawn from watching the opening ceremony of the London Olympics the night before, but yesterday I managed my second ever 100mile cycle ride. To be precise, 101.4miles! Who knows... it may even have been as a result of the huge amount of Chinese food (<em>and a bottle of beer!</em>) that I consumed whilst watching the Olympics! Whatever it was, after a summer that has been more or less washed out by the weather, it felt great to be able to do this ride.</span></div>
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I’ll not go into the full details of the route (<em>too long and too boring to list every place name</em>) but, briefly, it took me east from Derby into the country lanes and villages of South Nottinghamshire, skirted around Loughborough, as I crossed through Leicestershire, on the way back into South Derbyshire before heading out onto more familiar roads around Melbourne, Hartshorne, Repton, Hilton and Longford. From there, I turned back towards Derby for the final 20mile run in to home and a well earned recovery milkshake!</div>
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The Garmin GPS stats for the ride are...<br />
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Total distance - 101.4 miles. <br />
Total time - 5hrs 37 mins. <br />
Max speed - 32.8 mph. <br />
Average speed - 18 mph. <br />
Calories burnt - approx 3,500. <br />
Average heart rate - 151 bpm. <br />
Max heart rate - 180 bpm.<br />
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The Strava map and elevation profile for the ride are <strong><em><a href="http://www.strava.com/runs/derby-derby-united-kingdom-15035981?sref=1MT1yaWRlX3NoYXJlOzI9ZmFjZWJvb2s7ND0yOTk0NjU%3D" target="_blank">HERE.</a></em></strong>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-65835097382091394302012-07-02T22:31:00.000+01:002012-07-02T22:31:27.529+01:00We're half way there...<span lang="EN">Well, June has come and gone and with it half the year is now behind us. Somehow, I’ve managed to ride a total of 2936.42 miles in the last six months which puts me very close to reaching the half way point of my goal of riding at least 6,000 miles this year.
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The weather has, once again, been more of a challenge than the actual cycling over the past month with the rain and strong winds putting paid to any chance of me getting any big rides in. The longest ride I did was the <a href="http://www.richardcrooks391.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/climb-every-mountain.html" target="_blank">ride up to Alport Heights</a>, a distance of just 40 miles. As a result, the total mileage for the month of June was 471.16 miles - around 200 miles less than I would have liked!<br />
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This past weekend has seen the passing of a long-time friend. After many years of faithful service my old mountain bike has come to the end of the line and been killed off. For the last couple of years I’ve faced a constant battle to keep it roadworthy but this time the costs involved didn’t make this worth doing any more. Quite how many miles the bike had covered I’ll never know (<em>I didn’t log its mileage for many years</em>) but I'd ridden it for over 11,000 miles in the past three years alone! I’d owned the bike for over 16 years so it certainly didn’t owe me anything!<br />
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The bike was stripped of it’s tyres, mudguards, lights and rear gear mechanism (<em>the only usable parts!</em>) and handed over to the scrap-man on Saturday. Farewell old friend, I’ll miss you!</div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Alvaston Park. A regular </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">haunt of the mountain bike.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">All set to raise money for the </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Sherwood Forest - November 2008.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">36 miles of thick mud and heavy rain!</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">The end of a very grim ride!</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">The end of the road! June 2012.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">Removing anything of use.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">A sad old sight!</span></em></div>
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</div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-46758903771311432702012-06-17T22:53:00.001+01:002012-06-17T23:07:36.049+01:00How does your garden grow...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><em><strong>Mary Mary quite contrary,<br />How
does your garden grow?<br />With silver bells and cockle shells<br />And pretty
maids all in a row.</strong></em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Oh, the things they teach you in school! Here’s me thinking that the above was a nice little rhyme about growing pretty little flowers in your garden, when all along it’s about graveyards, torture, murder and executions! </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.rhymes.org.uk/mary_mary_quite_contrary.htm" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">http://www.rhymes.org.uk/mary_mary_quite_contrary.htm</a><span style="text-align: center;"></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Any way... our little garden is trying its best to hold its head up and keep on fighting against all that the weather keeps throwing at it. Strong winds, heavy rain and cool temperatures are all trying to make a mess of things but the plants keep on coming back for more! Roll on summer... </span><em style="text-align: justify;">even if it is 2013 when it arrives!</em><br />
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<span lang="EN"><em>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-77974841764413938852012-06-10T22:50:00.000+01:002012-06-10T22:50:08.163+01:00Climb every mountain...<span lang="EN"><div style="text-align: justify;">
Okay, so it wasn’t really a mountain, but at the time it felt like one! Today, I took a ride out to Alport Heights, the first hill over 1,000 feet you come to when you head out of Derby. And, when you take the route I did, it’s damn hard work! Were the views from the top worth it? The jury is still out on that one!</div>
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So, back to the start. I set off at just before 7:30am and heading through the outskirts of Derby the weather was dry, but cloudy, with little or no wind to speak of. The traffic was more or less nonexistent - as you’d expect for a Sunday morning - and I soon found myself in open countryside to the north of Allestree and heading for Cowers Lane. From there I carried on to Idridgehay before turning off the Wirksworth road and taking to single track lanes that headed up to Alport. </div>
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It was at this point that I started to think that it may have been a good idea to have checked the GPS data a little more closely for the route I’d plotted, the road in front of me was ramping up at a rather alarming rate! In the final mile to the car park at Alport I climbed over 450 feet, at an average gradient of 7.6%. At one point, my Garmin 800 registered the gradient at 22%! I don’t mind admitting it, I left my legs and my lungs on that climb today! When you add the rough surface of the road, the amount of grit, the grass/moss growing down the middle of the road and the water running down the hill it makes for a killer of a climb!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FxtdvBunMU/T9UQEMbvuoI/AAAAAAAADCA/OxvzQsUM3DU/s1600/JUNE+10(A).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--FxtdvBunMU/T9UQEMbvuoI/AAAAAAAADCA/OxvzQsUM3DU/s1600/JUNE+10(A).jpg" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Garmin screen capture.</span></em></div>
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If anyone reading this fancies having a go at the route I chose to reach Alport, you need to travel towards Wirksworth on the B5023. Around 1.2 miles after passing through Idridgehay take the right turn into Barnsley Lane. Enjoy the short bit of downhill road before Storer Lane, Taylor’s Lane and then Malinscommon Lane remove first your legs and then, a short time later, your lungs. Enjoy!</div>
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On a more positive note, the view from the top was rather nice and having a number of Curlew displaying, and calling, overhead just added to the atmosphere.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8eX49QwaSA/T9UQsEpGdbI/AAAAAAAADCI/4fSCEY_COLc/s1600/Bad+Boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8eX49QwaSA/T9UQsEpGdbI/AAAAAAAADCI/4fSCEY_COLc/s320/Bad+Boy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">The Cannondale Bad Boy </span></em><em><span style="color: red;">takes a well earned break!</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-98gcMZ3TeZo/T9URQYrdB7I/AAAAAAAADCY/V6Nlx2ZwTBw/s1600/Alport+view+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-98gcMZ3TeZo/T9URQYrdB7I/AAAAAAAADCY/V6Nlx2ZwTBw/s320/Alport+view+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">The view from Alport Heights.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_Tk-3p3OVI/T9URn8_VM9I/AAAAAAAADCg/Amlt-W-qDnk/s1600/Alport+masts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_Tk-3p3OVI/T9URn8_VM9I/AAAAAAAADCg/Amlt-W-qDnk/s320/Alport+masts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Radio masts at Alport Heights.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L03V46O-Cno/T9USWTgyLJI/AAAAAAAADCs/6pwAh6ZjpA4/s1600/Alport+Stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L03V46O-Cno/T9USWTgyLJI/AAAAAAAADCs/6pwAh6ZjpA4/s320/Alport+Stone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">The Alport Stone.</span></em></div>
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From Alport it was a quick, and easy, run back down into Belper (<em>top speed of 33.7mph</em>) before following the A6 all the way back to the edge of Derby. A mix of cycle paths, parks and river paths got me around the city centre before picking up one of my routes from work back home. In all, I covered 40.48miles at an average speed of 16.3mph and climbed just over 1,830 feet in total. Not my quickest ride, but not all rides have such a killer hill on the route.</div>
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Stats from the Alport ride...</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Total distance - 40.48 miles. </span></div>
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Total time - 2hrs 28mins 56secs. </div>
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Max speed - 33.7 mph. </div>
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Average speed - 16.3 mph. </div>
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Calories burnt - 1752. </div>
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Average heart rate - 156 bpm. </div>
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Max heart rate - 186 bpm.</div>
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</span>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-35084245240136726222012-06-05T21:45:00.000+01:002012-06-05T21:45:00.429+01:00We need the rain, right?<span lang="EN"><div style="text-align: justify;">
Another month goes by and I’m still trying, without success, to get in some regular long-distance bike rides. Every time I have the hours free that are needed to ride for more than 50 or 60 miles, it rains. Still, it’s good for the garden I guess!</div>
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May did at least turn out to be a little drier than April and, as a result, I managed to notch up a total of 620.66 miles. Almost all of that was made up of commuting mileage with just 114 miles being ridden whilst not on the way to or from work. The longest of the rides was a 57.73 mile trip over the border into Nottinghamshire, to test out the GPS routing on my new Garmin 800.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8haA9gmwxM/T85oQVsUl9I/AAAAAAAAC_8/KIdY98HISqg/s1600/CAAD+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8haA9gmwxM/T85oQVsUl9I/AAAAAAAAC_8/KIdY98HISqg/s320/CAAD+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Taking a break for food and drink.</span></em></div>
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Stats from the Nottinghamshire ride...</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Total distance - 57.73 miles. </span></div>
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Total time - 3hrs 57secs. </div>
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Max speed - 33.1 mph. </div>
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Average speed - 19.1 mph. </div>
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Calories burnt - 2058. </div>
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Average heart rate - 156 bpm. </div>
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Max heart rate - 179 bpm.</div>
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<span lang="EN"><em><span style="color: red;">Garmin details.</span></em></span></div>
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Having only used the Garmin to log the distance of my rides up until this point I decided it was time to jump in at the deep end and see just how good the guidance feature of it really was. The evening before the ride I plotted a route that included as many roads and junctions that I’d never ridden before as possible to give me a route that would fit in with the free time I had. If it all went wrong I’d be left high and dry as I’d have no idea where I was! Need I have worried? Not a chance! The Edge 800 performed faultlessly. Over the next few weeks (<em>weather permitting</em>) I’ll post a Blog update devoted to my experiences of living with a Garmin. I’m still learning just what this clever little bit of kit is capable of but so far so good.</div>
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So, after five months of mixed weather, and a shortage of ride time, my mileage at the end of May had reached 2465.26 miles. I’m a little behind were I’d like to be but at least I’m over 270 miles ahead of this time last year. The 6,000 mile target for the year is still on!</div>
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This past weekend I had hoped to make the most of the quiet roads, whilst most people enjoyed the Jubilee celebrations, and attempt another 100 mile ride. The weather put paid to that idea and, in the end, the only chance I had to get out was for a very easy 17 mile loop around Derby and Alvaston this morning. Not a great start to June but at least I have all summer to look forward to! <em>Maybe!</em></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><em><span style="color: red;">Beauty & the beast... nature fighting back against</span></em></span></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><em><span style="color: red;">industry on my ride this morning.</span></em></span></div>
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The plus side to all of this changeable weather is that the garden is doing rather well out of it. Pretty much all the summer bedding is doing well and many of the perennial plants are coming into flower too. All we need now is for the temperature to pick up a little and we may be able to sit outside and enjoy it all - <em>after I’ve been out and ridden one of my bikes that is!</em></div>
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<br /></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-33611954163336251412012-05-13T21:10:00.001+01:002012-05-13T21:10:18.428+01:00Thirty second photo blog...Very little to report this week. The weather still isn't very Spring-like but we've decided that it's time to take the plunge and kick-start the garden. <br />
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The summer bedding plants have started to go in!<br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">The first car load of plants...</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">...awaiting Lynda and her green fingers.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Now, GROW!</span></em></div>
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My home-grown Aquilegia are, once again, coming into flower too.</div>
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</div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-66281501494839615942012-05-07T19:19:00.000+01:002012-05-07T19:19:54.833+01:00A mixed bag...It's a typical Bank Holiday Monday once again - cold, grey damp and breezy - so I'm left with updating the Blog once again. Well, you can't spend all your time in the pub,can you? It'll be a mixed bag of "<em>news</em>" today but, with very little going on, it will all be over before you know it and we can get back to important things... such as beer.<br />
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<a href="http://richardcrooks391.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/two-great-results.html" target="_blank">Just over a month ago</a> we were pleased to see one of our Camellias finally come into flower, and were equally disappointed that the other had failed yet again. Well, ye of little faith, at last we have red flowers too! I just hope we don't have to wait another two-and-a-half years for the next ones!<br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">At last, red Camellia flowers!</span></em></div>
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As I expected, April turned out to be a big let down for me and my cycling. A combination of all the wet weather and a weeks holiday meant I covered a total of just 313 miles, my worst mileage since last December. My mileage for the year (<em>up to the end of April</em>) now stands at 1,844 miles. At the end of March I was 246 miles ahead of last years figures, I'm now just over 40 miles <strong><em>behind</em></strong>! May needs to dry up and warm up, I need to knuckle down and up the mileage!</div>
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For a number of months I've been toying with the idea of treating myself to a GPS bike computer, the Garmin Edge 800 being the one that really took my fancy. But, and it was a big but, the price kept on turning me away from parting with my cash. Until last week that is. A special offer price from one of the big on-line cycling stores, that saved me around £90, was too much to resist and I took the plunge! Just two days later I was the owner of the all singing, all dancing Garmin 800. </div>
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So far I've used the Garmin for a couple of short rides, one of 30 miles and one of 26 miles, and everything is working a treat. I now have more information from my rides than I know what to do with... distance; speed; average speed; heart rate; max. heart rate; altitude; ascent and descent percentages; temperature. The list goes on. Then there is the mapping, route planning, GPS tracking and more. By the end of the summer (<em>if we have one</em>) I should just about have everything worked out! Maybe!</div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">The Garmin Edge 800.</span></em></div>
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Once I've got a few more miles logged with the Garmin, and also used the route guidance on some unfamilliar roads, I'll post a full review on here. </div>
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Stats from this weekends rides were...</div>
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<strong><em>Saturday.</em></strong></div>
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Total distance - 30 miles.</div>
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Total time - 1hr 45 mins.</div>
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Max speed - 25.6 mph.</div>
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Average speed - 17.1 mph.</div>
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Calories burnt - 1197.</div>
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Average heart rate - 155 bpm.</div>
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Max heart rate - 181 bpm.</div>
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<strong><em>Sunday.</em></strong></div>
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Total distance - 26.36 miles.</div>
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Total time - 1hr 27mins.</div>
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Max speed - 27.8 mph.</div>
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Average speed - 18.1 mph.</div>
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Calories burnt - 1167.</div>
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Average heart rate - 168 bpm.</div>
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Max heart rate - 182 bpm.</div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-10310244569424078042012-04-24T20:50:00.000+01:002012-04-24T20:50:52.178+01:00Yorkshire holiday...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN">It already feels like a long time ago but last week we spent a very relaxing few days in North Yorkshire, at Keldy Cabins near Pickering. The weather wasn’t great but, then again, it could have been a lot worse! We had rain, sleet, hail, snow and even clear blue skies with sunshine. All in the space of just a few hours too!
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Actually, looking back, it wasn’t quite as bad as I make it sound and we did manage to fit in most of the things we had wanted to do - but there is a lot more left on the "<em>to do list"</em> for the next time we are there.</div>
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Our cabin in the forest...</div>
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We had a few sitting tenants...</div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">...carved snails on the living room wall!</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJW1tO0KBLU/T5RajTeKMVI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/XNac3HBXcRM/s1600/Keldy+cabin+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJW1tO0KBLU/T5RajTeKMVI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/XNac3HBXcRM/s320/Keldy+cabin+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">...and "Penny Bear" who had</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">hitched a lift from home!</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Being in the forest meant that the birds soon find any food that is put out for them...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMsH3v1DpM8/T5RcNM11dhI/AAAAAAAAC3g/MtgxfsGkiTU/s1600/Chaffinch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMsH3v1DpM8/T5RcNM11dhI/AAAAAAAAC3g/MtgxfsGkiTU/s320/Chaffinch.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and we were visited by a number of species including Pheasant, Wood Pigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Crow, Starling and Chaffinch. </div>
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Whilst out and about around the site we also came across Mallard, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Curlew, Collared Dove, Wren, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow and Siskin.</div>
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Best bird of the week is a close call between the group of around 40 Crossbill we watched feeding high up in the treetops on the day we arrived or the Woodcock that flew over our cabin one evening whilst we were sat outside in the hot tub! Sat in a hot tub, drinking beer, watching the birds fly over... my kind of birding!</div>
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Although the weather wasn't great I did manage to get a few photos from a walk around the forest, including a few of a Roe Deer that I managed to "<em>stalk</em>"...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xrp_9-2ic9c/T5RllvhqaYI/AAAAAAAAC3o/Q1RynO8p_iY/s1600/Roe+Deer+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xrp_9-2ic9c/T5RllvhqaYI/AAAAAAAAC3o/Q1RynO8p_iY/s320/Roe+Deer+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">The deer appears in the distance.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QgcXvhGdGfA/T5RmMB_cXSI/AAAAAAAAC3w/Ktx_SD2OJR0/s1600/Roe+Deer+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QgcXvhGdGfA/T5RmMB_cXSI/AAAAAAAAC3w/Ktx_SD2OJR0/s320/Roe+Deer+2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Getting much closer,</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">before being spotted.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GA4_ETiTJ3Q/T5Rm8sBJcuI/AAAAAAAAC34/4JmdYWMYNGM/s1600/Roe+Deer+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GA4_ETiTJ3Q/T5Rm8sBJcuI/AAAAAAAAC34/4JmdYWMYNGM/s320/Roe+Deer+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">And off it goes.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_ykvm7mXTg/T5Rnu8KyTaI/AAAAAAAAC4A/UoaoQSEcdik/s1600/Forest+stream.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_ykvm7mXTg/T5Rnu8KyTaI/AAAAAAAAC4A/UoaoQSEcdik/s320/Forest+stream.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F_cQqld3z5U/T5Rn5Lex8II/AAAAAAAAC4I/aeTNVOQQ7W4/s1600/Forest+walk+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F_cQqld3z5U/T5Rn5Lex8II/AAAAAAAAC4I/aeTNVOQQ7W4/s320/Forest+walk+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fmZiz2VEOf8/T5RoBlLBY-I/AAAAAAAAC4Q/cYY6NcPXAHs/s1600/Forest+walk+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fmZiz2VEOf8/T5RoBlLBY-I/AAAAAAAAC4Q/cYY6NcPXAHs/s320/Forest+walk+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the one day we had planned a full day out, Tuesday, we woke up to the worst of the weather - it was cold, windy and snowing. Not ideal for a trip to the coast on a steam train. But, we set off for Pickering station determined to enjoy the day no matter what. In the end, it turned out to be the best day of the whole week. The snow stopped, the wind eased and by the time we arrived in Whitby the sun was starting to break through the clouds. By early afternoon it felt (<em>almost</em>) like spring!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uCt0PFw8-ig/T5RrW-FaqOI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/hj2-8tE1vxM/s1600/Pickering+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uCt0PFw8-ig/T5RrW-FaqOI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/hj2-8tE1vxM/s320/Pickering+sign.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJwmB_CQF_Y/T5RreAAOCSI/AAAAAAAAC4g/WIXkiL7-eaA/s1600/Pickering+station.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJwmB_CQF_Y/T5RreAAOCSI/AAAAAAAAC4g/WIXkiL7-eaA/s320/Pickering+station.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Pickering station.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NwI0MkEIWGc/T5Rs2fBTpVI/AAAAAAAAC4o/gXL-TIOG1to/s1600/The+Green+Knight+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NwI0MkEIWGc/T5Rs2fBTpVI/AAAAAAAAC4o/gXL-TIOG1to/s320/The+Green+Knight+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDHE9-WcUoU/T5Rs-xAYPvI/AAAAAAAAC4w/3paELUQOig4/s1600/The+Green+Knight+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDHE9-WcUoU/T5Rs-xAYPvI/AAAAAAAAC4w/3paELUQOig4/s320/The+Green+Knight+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Our steam loco - 75029 The Green Knight.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXoWEGRieSM/T5RuGMorcCI/AAAAAAAAC44/WqV3XjEUa_g/s1600/Moorland+snow+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXoWEGRieSM/T5RuGMorcCI/AAAAAAAAC44/WqV3XjEUa_g/s320/Moorland+snow+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-khvTnQxruuc/T5RuOV8sSNI/AAAAAAAAC5A/kJ6a96pNeOk/s1600/Moorland+snow+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-khvTnQxruuc/T5RuOV8sSNI/AAAAAAAAC5A/kJ6a96pNeOk/s320/Moorland+snow+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AavilO60Vp0/T5RuWNVzYEI/AAAAAAAAC5I/9CWhY3svSOE/s1600/Moorland+snow+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AavilO60Vp0/T5RuWNVzYEI/AAAAAAAAC5I/9CWhY3svSOE/s320/Moorland+snow+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Snow up on the moors, from the train.</span></em></div>
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This was the first time that both Lynda and I had visited Whitby and, I have to say, it's a rather nice place. From the limited time we had to look around we got the feeling that it has, mostly, escaped the usual seaside town transformation into an amusement arcade and has retained much of its fishing port feel. Maybe a return trip in the middle of summer would change our minds on that though! Still, in the middle of April it looked pretty good to us.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lplnh63r4QE/T5RyPKadaEI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/6emy8YQom6U/s1600/Whitby+town.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lplnh63r4QE/T5RyPKadaEI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/6emy8YQom6U/s320/Whitby+town.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Part of Whitby old town.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ59F6W49VU/T5RymEk5HFI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/2oPlKIHWOvc/s1600/Whitby+harbour+entrance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ59F6W49VU/T5RymEk5HFI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/2oPlKIHWOvc/s320/Whitby+harbour+entrance.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Whitby harbour entrance.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8vIJOrT1czY/T5Ry50oNTII/AAAAAAAAC5g/cNgA3xMbu2g/s1600/Whitby+Pier+boards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8vIJOrT1czY/T5Ry50oNTII/AAAAAAAAC5g/cNgA3xMbu2g/s320/Whitby+Pier+boards.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Whitby Pier.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGyLnGiAhEU/T5R4QxpNBPI/AAAAAAAAC5o/0rWE_bHag4Y/s1600/Whitby+view+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGyLnGiAhEU/T5R4QxpNBPI/AAAAAAAAC5o/0rWE_bHag4Y/s320/Whitby+view+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Looking towards Whitby old town.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h2-53UePn2A/T5R43t8VhaI/AAAAAAAAC5w/GmzoTm3iY9E/s1600/Whitby+view+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h2-53UePn2A/T5R43t8VhaI/AAAAAAAAC5w/GmzoTm3iY9E/s320/Whitby+view+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">The whale bone arch, Whitby.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDrUzCcNcsY/T5R5wIVuiDI/AAAAAAAAC54/3H7fwJZ-fHk/s1600/Whitby+view+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDrUzCcNcsY/T5R5wIVuiDI/AAAAAAAAC54/3H7fwJZ-fHk/s320/Whitby+view+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Looking across the harbour towards Whitby Abbey.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0NRZIoKxU4/T5R6CqwWeNI/AAAAAAAAC6A/W3QjYSYUxAc/s1600/Whitby+view+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="121" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0NRZIoKxU4/T5R6CqwWeNI/AAAAAAAAC6A/W3QjYSYUxAc/s320/Whitby+view+4.JPG" width="320" /></em></a></div>
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<em>Whitby panorama.</em></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bP8OrT9bTa4/T5R7L1oFWII/AAAAAAAAC6I/kGAD7C8UeFk/s1600/Lynda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bP8OrT9bTa4/T5R7L1oFWII/AAAAAAAAC6I/kGAD7C8UeFk/s320/Lynda.JPG" width="320" /></em></a></div>
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<em>Sunny, but not too warm.</em></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Food. Those that know me will testify to the fact that I like my food. In fact, <strong><em>love</em></strong> my food would be more accurate! I blame the amount of cycling I do for the amount of food I can put away - calories in, miles out and all that. Having said that, one thing I've never been a fan of is seafood, other than a plate of fish, chips and mushy peas that is, but in Whitby I decided to brave a first for me, dressed crab!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SCFQ-G79ZDM/T5W6e9TTWXI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/JaAOg3rJFCM/s1600/Crab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SCFQ-G79ZDM/T5W6e9TTWXI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/JaAOg3rJFCM/s320/Crab.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Whitby crab.</em></div>
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I can't see me going to the trouble of buying fresh crab to cook and prepare at home but, I have to admit, it was pretty damn good and is something that I will now be happy to have again. Who knows, I could well be on the verge of becoming a seafood lover. Hmm, one step at a time, Richard!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9-kWSrif5c/T5W-ZGT5e3I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/mlcbxHLSXJM/s1600/Crab+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9-kWSrif5c/T5W-ZGT5e3I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/mlcbxHLSXJM/s320/Crab+view.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Just to prove it WAS me!</span></em></div>
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And if I hadn't have liked my food then I'm sure the birds would have been more than happy to help out. The Herring Gulls were never very far away and even a couple of Turnstone were running around on the harbour wall looking for an easy meal.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RANlMKW6m4I/T5XAAovdlNI/AAAAAAAAC6g/sgJ8mZuquNU/s1600/Herring+Gull+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RANlMKW6m4I/T5XAAovdlNI/AAAAAAAAC6g/sgJ8mZuquNU/s320/Herring+Gull+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCBoV851Zm8/T5XAGCt70oI/AAAAAAAAC6o/yE9pH8ylL30/s1600/Herring+Gull+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCBoV851Zm8/T5XAGCt70oI/AAAAAAAAC6o/yE9pH8ylL30/s320/Herring+Gull+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Herring Gull.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zy3PKkAlw8/T5XAXcNOKdI/AAAAAAAAC6w/nuDu244GyTY/s1600/Turnstone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zy3PKkAlw8/T5XAXcNOKdI/AAAAAAAAC6w/nuDu244GyTY/s320/Turnstone.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Turnstone.</span></em></div>
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One of our plans that the weather did put a bit of a dampener on was a visit to the village of Hutton-le-Hole. It was dull, cold, very cloudy and raining whilst we were there and so we didn't spend too much time walking around outside, instead choosing the warm and dry of the craft shops. We also stocked up on some very nice hand made chocolates too! This is another place we have put back on the "<em>to do list</em>" for when we return in the future.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARULcPDqnsE/T5XD0x_VoaI/AAAAAAAAC64/Q6mo9VFpL1I/s1600/Hutton-le-Hole+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARULcPDqnsE/T5XD0x_VoaI/AAAAAAAAC64/Q6mo9VFpL1I/s320/Hutton-le-Hole+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">The village green, Hutton-le-Hole.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TO5dVq0aYO0/T5XEP_k3EXI/AAAAAAAAC7A/AzSoSTIfuao/s1600/Hutton-le-Hole+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TO5dVq0aYO0/T5XEP_k3EXI/AAAAAAAAC7A/AzSoSTIfuao/s320/Hutton-le-Hole+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Hutton-le-Hole view.</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hh04FJoJpuM/T5XE8OPYXXI/AAAAAAAAC7I/unmFZo372rg/s1600/Hutton-le-Hole+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hh04FJoJpuM/T5XE8OPYXXI/AAAAAAAAC7I/unmFZo372rg/s320/Hutton-le-Hole+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">Lynda, braving the rain.</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: black;">On the way to Hutton-le-Hole we took the long route, over the top of the moors, and paused briefly at one of the view points...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0liDKdJJg4/T5XGD0XU6OI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/bjcAcBydCfc/s1600/View+point.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0liDKdJJg4/T5XGD0XU6OI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/bjcAcBydCfc/s320/View+point.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...something we need to do again when the cloud cover isn't down to ground level! And when the snow isn't still on the ground! And when the wind isn't blowing a gale! And when the sun is out!</div>
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But, at the end of the day, no matter what the weather, there was always the hot tub and a bottle of beer to return to at the end of the day!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtVtY2Vg3mg/T5b7dBpsqiI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/1-JUJSzuDXk/s1600/Hot+tub.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtVtY2Vg3mg/T5b7dBpsqiI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/1-JUJSzuDXk/s320/Hot+tub.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3x5tXrFtwI/T5b7pQQ_uhI/AAAAAAAAC7g/vBcEwIzeRkk/s1600/Cropton+beer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3x5tXrFtwI/T5b7pQQ_uhI/AAAAAAAAC7g/vBcEwIzeRkk/s320/Cropton+beer.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-16349926898003911952012-04-15T21:00:00.003+01:002012-04-15T21:00:00.158+01:00It’s raining. Birds and cash...<span lang="EN"><div style="text-align: justify;">The last time I was here I was rather happy about the way my cycling had been going. I also mentioned how I expected it all to fall apart over the Easter weekend. And fall apart it did. Apart from Good Friday, it rained and rained and rained some more. Needless to say, I didn’t get out on the bike at all that weekend! Between Tuesday and yesterday, I tried to rescue something from the week by riding longer routes to and from work and managed a total of 110 miles.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Extra cash in the back pocket is always rather nice isn’t it? And the past couple of Saturdays have been rather productive on that front with two lottery wins for me! Last Saturday I picked up £60 from the Irish Lottery and last night I managed another £49 on the UK Lottery! Next week I’m going for the full six numbers and so this will be my last post here, as I will be going into hiding to avoid any unwanted publicity! Oh, how I wish!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, a rare bit of birding news. Rare for me to post birding stuff nowadays and also a rather rare sighting too. A Glossy Ibis almost right over the garden was a <em>HUGE</em> surprise on Friday evening! After a rather hard ride home from work, I was sat on the doorstep looking out over the garden when I saw a rather large bird, some way off, slowly heading my way. At first I thought it was just a Cormorant - dark coloured bird, broad wings, long neck.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then things started to set the alarm bells ringing. The bird was getting a little closer and just did not look quite right somehow! It was too small for Cormorant, the head and neck were all wrong and what the heck was that bill all about! Having quickly grabbed my ’bins and returned to the garden things started to fall into place, it was a Glossy Ibis. Hell, it’s almost enough to make me quit my cycling and get back out birding again full time! Things can, and do, turn up at the most unexpected times and that part of birding will always give me a buzz.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh, and I’ve also seen my first Willow Warblers and Swallows of the year too. Maybe I should start some sort of bird list? LOL!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next week we’re off to Yorkshire for a few days so I hope to have a few photos to post, if the rain doesn’t wreck all of our plans that is.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you, and good night.</div></span>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15899586.post-14003852628337959882012-04-01T22:32:00.000+01:002012-04-01T22:32:11.851+01:00Two great results...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN">Wednesday October 7 2009, Lynda and I went to a garden centre and purchased a couple of Camellias. Lynda was delighted to have found the plants, even more so as they were a “<em>two-for-one</em>” deal. We planted them and waited for them to flower. And we waited, and waited and waited. Not a thing! Until now that is. At last, we have flowers - even if it is only on one of the shrubs! Now, if only the red Camellia would join in...</span></div>
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<em><span style="color: red;">The Camellia.</span></em></div>
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March 2012, and my best ever month of cycling. During the past month I’ve covered a total of 701.92 miles, over 100 miles more than my previous best months of March and April last year, when I rode 600 miles in each. In achieving that mileage I’ve burnt around 30,700 calories and spent a total of 41 hours in the saddle.</div>
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My total mileage for the year now stands at 1531.21 miles, 246 more than the first three months of last year. The coming month will probably see much of that advantage wiped out as we have a week's holiday coming up and so I’ll not be able to ride for at least 5 days. Another deciding factor may well be the weather - we’re heading towards the Bank Holiday weekend, so the rain is bound to return!</div>
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Good night all!</div>
</span>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07233196956385248901noreply@blogger.com0