Day 2. Pateley Bridge to Malham

Hello. I've walked a long way today, 19.5 miles. I've got my feet up, they need a rest. It was a shorts day, nice and warm, a bit overcast at times, but also a lot of sun. So where am I tonight? I set off with Malham in mind, and I made it. A cheapo night at the Youth Hostel, £17 for B & B. There is another lady in my room, who also likes to walk on her own. We've had a natter, now she is doing the crossword in her newspaper. We are sitting in the lounge area near the reception desk. We were in the large lounge but there was a lot of noisy people in there. so we moved out. 

This is the B & B I stayed in last night. I left after a hearty breakfast, at 9.15am. The owners two black labradors were waiting patiently to be taken out for a walk. 

A couple of shots of Pateley Bridge before I leave. This little seating area is in the High Street.

I went over the river bridge and climbed the hill past the pub. Then I took a track which went uphill for ages. Boy was it steep, in fact I have been up and down hills all day. It's hard work carrying a heavy rucksack.

This was a very quiet tarmac track, only people who live at the houses dotted along the way come up here. 

The bins are all placed at the top of this road and people have to bring their rubbish up because the refuse lorries don't go down the lane.

As you can see by the church clock, it was 11.20am when I got to Greenhow.

I wanted to cover some miles today so I got back on the road, the most direct route. This pretty scene is when I was just coming into Hebden.

Just up the road is a hotel, and next to that is a haulage company. I saw this in the yard, and couldn't resist sneaking in to take a picture. These lorries are often seen at the truck shows as the drivers like to show them off.  Oh boy was I drooling. This is a Volvo FH, the same model as I used to drive for B & Q.  

 Made it to Grassington. I sat down for a break, didn't stay too long. I have been here before, it was an overnight stop on a previous long walk. I was hoping for a bus to come along, but there wasn't any going in my direction. They seem to go up and down, but not across. Nothing for it but to carry on walking, as it's too early to stop.

I stayed on the road to Threshfield, then took a path towards Threshfield Moor. This is where I come off the track.

Over the moor, some lovely views. It's a little bit hazy in the distance. There was a couple of these upright stones, not sure if they mean anything other than marking the route. 

Just me on my own, not a soul in sight. Fantastic.

I made a bit of a cock up with the last part of the route. At one point I lost the path over a particularly boggy stretch of moor. It is very difficult to follow footprints over this type of terrain because everyone makes it up as they go along. At one point I became completely disorientated, I really should learn how to use a compass. I found myself back at a farm I had passed through half an hour earlier, I don't know how I did it. The farmer sent me off on the right track. 

I arrived at Malham Youth Hostel at 6.45pm, and booked myself in, 

They have these two camping pods if you wish to sleep in one. Several hostels have these now. 

Tomorrow I'm going to walk to Settle. I have walked the route before so shouldn't get lost. In Settle I shall be looking for a bus to get me further on, Maybe Kendal would be good. At this rate by the time I get to the Lakes it will be time to come back. Mind you I could probably do the whole trip back on buses if I go a bit further south through the bigger towns.

My room mate has gone to the room so I'd better sign off now. Don't want to disturb her by being late back.
Toodlepip.

Day 1. Five buses to Pateley Bridge

Hello there. Reporting in on day 1 of my bus pass trip. It was a sunny start to the day. I haven't done any walking today, just sat on my bum on five different buses. My goodness, the state of some of the roads is awful, shakes the buses to bits. It's so uncomfortable. I shouldn't moan because it's free travel, but at what price, a bad back or feeling sick maybe. I was glad to get off the last one.

So, the first bus was a 55, it took me a few miles to the next village. It was a little sixteen seater and quite nice. 

Then I picked up the Fastcat service number 350, to Hull, arriving at 11.15am.

At the bus station I went to the information centre to check the bus times to York. It's a massive bus station so it was easier to ask someone behind a counter for information. There was a choice of two, they take different routes, so I chose the service X4 which was slightly quicker, leaving Hull at 11.45am.

 I arrived in York at 1.40pm. and got off at the railway station. There isn't a bus station in York, there are several different places where buses arrive and leave from. Finding the next bus is a nightmare, there are stands outside the train station which I studied the timetables but everything seemed to be in code. I wanted to go to Harrogate, but the stand for that was 20 mins walk away in another street. I decided to go there, and then I changed my mind and went back to the station to get the bus to Wetherby instead. I took a few pics along the way.

York was so busy with tourists I didn't want to stay too long, so it suited me to get a bus quickly and get the hell out of there. I've seen it all before anyway. Must have been my fastest trip around York ever.

Back to the railway station and along comes the Wetherby bus. Low and behold it goes on to Harrogate as well. That's lucky. The young whippersnapper of a driver was scooting along. We left at 2.25pm, was in and out of Wetherby at 3.05pm, and landed in Harrogate at 3.30pm.

Now I was thinking I might only have time for one more bus ride, I walked along the 13 stands in the bus station to see where the buses were all heading and thought Pateley Bridge would be a good place to get to for the night. I had just missed one and the next one was in an hour, so I had a little walkabout and took a few pics. Lots of interesting architecture like this.

There are masses of flowers out everywhere. 

There are a few yellow bicycles still about after the Tour de France. This one is at the front of the library.

And here we have the world famous Betty's Tea Rooms. I have never been in there, bet it's pricey,  haven't time today.

Lovely flower displays.

I got back to the bus station and there was some confusion as to which stand the bus would come in at. Apparently they pinch each others parking spaces, this is normal, so you have to look for your bus. We left at 4.45pm.

Arriving in Pateley Bridge at 5.40pm, I popped into a Spar shop to get some food for a picnic in my room,, when I find one. I had a walk around and asked a couple of people where I should look. One place wanted £75, far too much. A couple of places said £55, so I guessed that was normal for this area. I have a cosy room at Talbot House, in the High Street.

Tomorrow will be a walking day, as there are no buses going in my direction, so I'm about to get the maps out and plot a route. Breakfast is at eight. Now I'll make myself a mug of hot chocolate. This is the life eh!
Toodle pip.

What a hoot ;o))

xxx

Look and listen for the Lancaster's

Hello. It was a misty morning and I wondered if it would clear in time for the Lancaster Flypast. I went to the village green at 9am where a few people had started to gather. The grey skies were turning blue and the sun came out.

A few more people arriving, the grass was covered in dew, wish I had put some sturdy boots on.

The bungalow to the left just beyond the hedge is where Mr Robinson lives. He was told that they would fly right over the top of it.

A few more people are arriving, the atmosphere is good, very exciting. 

Mr Robinson has come outside to join us, with his family.

Now we are all waiting quietly, gazing up at the sky, and listening. The sun is behind us and we expect the Lancasters to come from that direction, and go straight over us and over the church.

At 9.25am we heard the first roar of the mighty engines. I turned to face the sun, pointed my camera in the direction of the deep throaty growl, pressed the shutter, and hoped that I had something. Yes :o)

In seconds they had passed over, and I got one more shot of them on their way. Two photographs and they were gone. I felt quite emotional.

People stood around talking for a while, it was a nice atmosphere. We weren't the only ones to turn out for this memorable event. There were people at several vantage points around the village. High on the hills overlooking the river would have been a good place to see them flying off into the distance. People gathered at the playing fields, they would have been the first to see them. I only had to walk across the road.

Here is a short film of them,



Toodle pip.

The plan is, erm, now what was it?

Hello campers, Hi de Hi.  I've been thinking I ought to make a plan for my forthcoming holiday. I look at the map and think, I could go that way, or I could go the other way. I'm calling it the Bus Pass holiday, hopping on and off buses with some walking in between. Stop and have a look around, see places, chat to people, who knows where I'll be passing through, I don't. Should be quite exciting,

I haven't got anything ready for it yet, been too busy. I ought to start collecting my bits and bobs together, won't need much, try and keep the weight of the rucksack as low as I can.

House is clean, stocked up with cat food and cat litter, everything in place for Janet to come and look after kitties. Fridge is bare, all food eaten, I will fill it with bottled tap water, because apparently it works more efficiently if it is full. The freezer part is full so don't need to put anything in there.

Not much else to do really, except throw a few things in a bag, which will take me all day tomorrow, ha ha.

The Lancasters fly past didn't happen today, the weather was too bad, low cloud and lots of rain. There were lots of people out waiting for it. They were due to fly over Mr Robinson's house, and we were stood outside on the village green waiting. Someone came out of the house with the news, sorry not coming today. But, they are coming tomorrow morning at 9.20am. I shall be out there again, the weather forecast is much better for tomorrow so we keep our fingers crossed that this time it might happen.

Janet is back home from her trip, my last visit to her house tonight, kitties all happy and well. I've been sitting with them to keep them company, and watching a bit of tele.  I don't know why anyone bothers with it, not a lot to watch. Cooking and more flippin cooking. Buying houses at auction and renovating them, building new houses, extending houses, people wanting to move to the countryside, and house makeovers. Cops chasing criminals. Tons of crappy soaps, I have even given up on Coronation Street now, the storylines are  just so ridiculous. I flicked around the channels searching for something interesting tonight. There was people attempting to do gymnastics, about as interesting as watching paint dry. Harry Hill showing film clips of hapless people falling, tripping, or getting a leg stuck in a trampoline, hilarious, not. When the X Factor came on I'd had enough and came home. That is so boring.

Anyway, less of my moaning, I'm going to chill. Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.  

De cluttering - in reverse

When is all this going to end! More stuff in the skip, this time all toys. I've given myself a massive job here, I'm going to be like Santa Claus dishing this lot out. Another car load, my three bed semi is fast filling up, and all because I hate to see useful stuff thrown out. The man said, 'I'm glad you've come, there are a lot of good things here.' I think I ought to set up a house clearing business, I could call it Robin Hood Recycling, taking from the rich to give to the poor :o))

It's a good job I took some empty boxes with me, I had to climb into the skip to retrieve lots of small dinky toys, which had been put in loose. Some of the plastic toys are for very young children and come with batteries, they played a tune automatically as I picked them up. 

Everything is going to take a while to sort out, lots of bits of coloured plastics from different toys, all mixed up. I hope to get it all sorted by Christmas, then some kids can have some extra toys. A lot of it will go to charity shops. 

It's been a busy days today, what with cleaning the house, doing some washing, feeding cats, skip diving, loading and unloading the car. I still had time to make a dinner though. Three dinners in fact, enough for two more days. I had some straight pasta that I wanted to use up, it wasn't enough so I mixed it with curly pasta. The topping is the usual, potatoes, runner beans, courgettes from the garden, plus some frozen peas and Quorn mince, and a couple of cooking apples which my neighbour gave me. Curry powder and garlic powder to flavour it.

Someone asked about the Tesco Veggie burgers I get. I buy the Value ones, four in a packet, usually about £1. I don't buy them very often, they are there just to add a bit of variation to the mounds of steamed veg I eat.

Kitties all tucked up in bed tonight, at my house and Janet's. Think I'll get off up the wooden hill as well. Goodnight.

I do look after me teef

Hello me hearties. My nice lady dentist Emma has had a good prod around and given me a clean bill of health, me gnashers are good for another year. She asked me lots of questions about my lifestyle, drinking, smoking, how often do I brush my teeth, how often do I floss, and which toothpaste am I using. I have very low risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. I have scored a zero, meaning I have healthy gums. Whooopeeee. My teeth are not perfect by any means, with two crowns, a four teeth bridge, and several fillings this is as good as it's going to get, and I am hanging on to what I have. If anyone overseas is interested in how much a dental check up costs here, it's £18.50. My practice has both private and national health options. For most things I pay the cheaper national health rate, mind you, I haven't had anything done for ages. I went private for the bridge, opted to pay more for a better colour match, and shorter waiting times. They offer the services of a hygienist at £35 a time. I have never been to a hygienist in my life, I have never needed to. 

So, what's for dinner tonight. The usual steamed veg, all out of the garden except the spinach which was on a yellow sticker. I thought I would give these Tesco chicken style strips a try, they are the size of potato chips. I'm not very impressed by them, not much taste and a bit rubbery. I much prefer their veggie burgers. 

I thought you might like some kitty photo's. These are Janets cats, I'm feeding them for her while she is away, a sort of favour swap if you like, she will be feeding mine next week. There are seven cats,  I've got five of them here. This is Teddy, Janet raised him from a tiny kitten when he came into rescue, then she kept him.

Mr Beasley or Mr B as we call him, wouldn't stay with his owners when they moved home he kept wandering off. After picking him up and taking him back several times they had to admit defeat and he was put up for adoption. You can see where he ended up. We are not supposed to keep our rescue cats, but sometimes we do, ha ha.

I can't remember the names of the others, they are written down on a menu plan, each one has their favourite food.

I sat and watched the tele with them tonight, they are all lovely.

Because I was at the dentist this morning I missed what they put into the skip. By the time I got back, some traveling people in a van had stopped to ask if there was any metal. The owner said they could take it. But, they not only took the metal they took a load of other stuff as well, cheeky beggars. Anyway, after they had gone, the owner put a large box in the skip, and it was full of soft toys and dolls, so I nabbed it quick. These will be ideal for selling on the stall at the Christmas market.

I put some of the bulky items in my car this morning and after I had finished at the dentist I went to Lindsey Lodge Hospice shop with it. They were chuffed to receive it.

It's late so I am off to bed, it's been a busy day. Sewing has been put on hold for the moment, I must start getting a few things together for my adventure. Catch you tomorrow.
Have a laugh with Pam

Toodle pip

Saved from the tip, a new lease of life

Hello. I bet you are wondering if I got anything else out of the skip. I surely did. I had a chat with the owner of the house, they are downsizing and moving to a small bungalow. The skip has cost them £200, I think they could have saved that by getting a charity to come in and take the bulk of it, and then taking the rest to the tip in their car.

There is too much stuff for me to take, so I am pleased that other people are taking things as well. As long as it can be used by someone it doesn't matter who gets it. Here are some things which I had. 

A nice coffee table, will keep it for a while and might find a use for it, but might give it away. 

Fancy a game of footie. Charity shop for this I think.

Children's toys. Charity shop for the big ones, cat stall for the small ones.

Dyson, didn't know if this would work, plugged it in, and it does. Amazing. Needs cleaning, it's filthy. Will keep this as a spare, but will give it to a family member if anyone needs one.

Small items can be sold on our cat stall.

Two bags of plastic balls, too bulky to take to a show in the car, will give them away.

This can be folded up and sold on our stall. Child size.

A double sleeping bag, washed and in good condition. I don't need it so I will look for someone who does. It could be made into dog beds.

There was a mucky pair of boots in the skip, I didn't want them but I said to the man, I always wear boots because I have bunions. He went in the house and came out with three pairs of trainers, in my size, and they fit a treat, so I will keep them.

Puzzles and games for the cat stall.

Set of curtains with a pelmet, and matching double duvet cover and pillowcases. The curtains are new and now hang in my front window. The bedding is washed and will be sold on the cat stall.

Anything not sold will go to a charity shop. We don't sell at any events over the winter, except a Christmas Market in November. We don't like to keep stuff for too long and will pass it on. People always give us more stuff in the spring when we start again.

I've got to go to the dentist in the morning, but I will be checking the skip when I come back.

There is great excitement in the village, talk of the two Lancaster Bombers flying right over us on Saturday. It has been arranged because one of our residents played a big part in it's operations during the war. Oooh can't wait. I will be there with my camera.

Toodle pip.

Depends where the buses go.

Hello and welcome to new bloggy people. I see some of you have recently started a blog, well done, it wasn't that difficult was it. I have been having a nosy round, keeping a check on you, ha ha. Lets have a look at the new blogs on the block.

Linda is a newish blogger, started in May. Her blog is called Senior Adventures, she writes about crochet, writing, and volunteering, she lives in central Texas. Her latest entry is about her holiday in California. Why not drop by there and have a look.

Happy Homemaker has just started a blog, it's about flowers, quilting and food. Let's give her our support and pay a visit. I'm sure she will be chuffed if you leave her a comment  Welcome to Blogland HH.

Janice C is another new blogger, she calls her blog Travels with Mimi. It's all about travelling and house sitting. The places she gets to stay in are fabulous and her photo's are lovely. I'm looking forward to reading more about your travels, Janice.

Zana has previously had blogs, but closed them, now she is up and running with a crafting blog. Zana's Homemade is about crochet, cooking, gardening and painting. She lives in New Zealand. Her photo's are gorgeous. Worth a look if you are blog browsing.

Vintage Gingham is another new blogger. She has a vegetarian and frugal blog, and an art journal blog. Both are full of inspiring ideas. I can see that her blogs have great promise. Keep at it VG.

This blog is less than a year old, a mum with kids getting by on a small income. Shoestring Cottage is chatty and fun, with lots of money saving ideas.

There's a few to be going on with, let's rally round and support new bloggers. Good luck, stick at it.

So, why do I spend so much time writing a blog? Easy answer is it's my hobby and it's a fun thing to do. But, it also it encourages me to get off my backside and do something, so I have something to write about. I could easily become a slob, I could easily sit here and procrastinate and never get anything done. Because I have sat for many hours behind the wheel of a lorry in a zombie like state, I now feel the urgency to make the most of the life I have left, and writing about it helps me to do just that. I am a natural talker, will stop and chat when I am out and about, writing here is just an extension of that.

It won't be long before I'm off on another holiday, it won't be all walking this time, there will be some bus rides. I'm going to head off across the country to the Lake District. With my rucksack on my back I will walk out of my door, get the bus too Hull, then a bus to York, and maybe head towards Helmsley, if there is a bus going that way. If not then I will go somewhere else. No route planned, no timetables to check, walk if the weather is nice, bus if it's raining. Stop if I want to look around an interesting place, push on if I want to get further on. Find a bed if I am running out of daylight hours, make a diversion to a town if I have to. No rush, plenty of time to chat and look around. I would like to get to Grasmere to buy some of their lovely gingerbread. Boy is it scrumptious. That's the plan, well there is no plan actually, depends where the buses go.
Toodle pip.