Monday 26 March 2018

Leeds to Monk Fryston. Day 5.

Hello. I didn't quite make the distance I wanted to do today, it took a while to get through the centre of Leeds. I was aiming for Selby, but I only made it as far as Monk Fryston, so I have got to work harder over the next two days to make it up. Thinking about it, perhaps Selby was a bit too optimistic, I finished on 17 miles, and Selby is seven miles away. It would have been doable if I had got through and out of Leeds a bit quicker. 
I was trying to follow the National Cycle network signs, but lost them at one point as they don't put them on every junction. Then I followed the road signs for Selby, and picked up the cycle route again. Part of the route was missing as it went close to a massive construction site, so I was back on the road signs again. 
The hotel I left this morning. Brilliant sunshine again. 
 A few pics of walking through Leeds. Everyone was busy, going to work, going to meetings, dragging wheelie bags and cases, walking about with their phones pressed to their ears and juggling a cup of coffee.


This building was gorgeous so I stuck my nose inside. The Corn Exchange houses a lot of small specialist shops and coffee chops, and eateries.

It's very ornate, a lovely atmosphere. Very quiet at ten o clock on a Monday morning, the shops opening up for the days trading.



The building next door has an interesting mural on the side.

As with a lot of these period buildings the best part is the upper floors, lots of interesting architecture.

Aha, that's where I am heading, Garforth. I roamed around the back streets for a while trying to get my bearings. The mobile library man was helpful with some suggestions.

Time for lunch at Garforth. I found a bench in a pretty memorial garden. I needed to change my socks, for the second time. I thought two pairs of fresh socks would be more comfortable, wrong, the first pair were better so I changed back again.

I went under railway lines and over them, under motorways and over them, trying to keep off the major routes with no footpaths. From Garforth I went to Micklefield, then Newthorne, This is Steeton Hall gatehouse, zoomed in from the road.

I stopped in South Milford to ask some people sitting on a bench if there was anywhere I could get a bed. The only suggestion they made was Monk Fryston Hall, but it would be expensive. I decided to carry on anyway because there was a pub marked on the map, maybe they had beds. No, they didn't do rooms, but the bar lady told me to ask at the Post Office because they did B & B. I looked at the long driveway opposite, to the Hall, and thought that would be a last resort if I couldn't get anywhere else. Bingo, it was my lucky day, they had a room in the barn next to the Post Office, and it's blooming lovely.

The people were ever so nice, large assortment of drinks and biscuits, and they made me a pot of tea  with a cake, on a tray. I don't very often drink tea, but I was thirsty.

Look at the fabulous bed, it's massive. The room is newly decorated, the bathroom is gorgeous. Lucky me. It's costs a bit more than the Holiday Inn, but hey, I'm worth it, ha ha.

The Barn at Monk Fryston.

Now it's time to study maps, to find a bed somewhere at the halfway stage of the rest of the trip. I had a couple of places in mind, but that might not work now because of the extra miles I have to do. Running total is 95 miles, about another 35 left to do.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

16 comments:

  1. What wonderful architecture!
    I hope you make it to where you want but don't exhaust yourself! I'm just curious do you set the number of days that you will walk in stone or can you be flexible by a day or two longer if things don't work out? I know you have to make arrangements to have someone cat sit so perhaps that is the deciding factor?

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    1. I can be flexible with what time I get back. I prefer to do a walk of this length in seven days, to stretch it to eight would mean another night out to add extra cost. Also I like to walk full days, I get bored if I only walk half a day.

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  2. The Corn Exchange building is gorgeous inside and out.

    Your room looks lovely and comfortable.

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  3. Oh Ilona, you're very close to my hometown, say hello to Pontefract for me, if you get any closer :)

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  4. Walking through a city doesn't sound much fun but I guess if you can avoid traffic and look up at the interesting buildings it's not so bad.
    Have a good day - wet here hope it's dryer 'up north'

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    1. Hi. I am a people watcher and like to see what others are doing.

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  5. I really admire what you are doing Ilona, your energy must know no bounds! I have never had a very good sense of direction so would probably have gotten lost on the first leg. Your adventures (and blog) are very interesting to read, please keep us up to date :)

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  6. How do you manage to take such beautiful pictures, and not a soul in site. Keep you a goin gal. Col

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    1. I don't like people messing up my pictures, I wait until they have moved out of the way. Taking them from a distance is sometimes ok, when faces would be hard to identify, but if you pointed your camera directly at someone they might get a bit stroppy.

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  7. Beautiful photos Ilona, thanks for sharing.

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  8. I wanted to ask re the national cycle network trails - are they trails you can walk on as well as bike? I'm always impressed by how well you navigate your routes. Also I wanted to ask have you ever got stuck and not been able to find accommodation when ou have not had a reservation. Jean/ Winnipeg

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    1. Hi. Yes the cycle trails can be used by walkers as well. I have always found accommodation, sometimes it is late when I eventually get a bed, 9.30pm one night. I am a bit more organised now and do some research on the internet before I go, and check out places when I am in a room, for the following night. Write down phone numbers, so I can ring ahead.

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  9. I love following your adventures. Beautiful pictures too!

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  10. hi Ilona, jammy devil.The barn is lovely and yes you are worth it, haha. Just shows it pays to ask around. Not commented for a long time but still read the blog. Hope the weather is kind for the rest of the journey. Best wishes, Caz ( Derby).

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  11. My goodness, the Corn Exchange is spectacular. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

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