Going down to Rosedale (but no rider by my side)

I finally had the van door lock looked at, and a new piece fitted, so decided to take it up Sutton Bank for a test - thankfully I had no problems at all (although I had fixed a bungee to the door just in case).

It was a lovely sunny day up on the North York Moors, and after a short mooch about I went down the 1:3 Chimney Bank to the Howard site in Rosedale Abbey for the night.

Sadly I had packed liver instead of steak - yuk. The site was ok as it wasn't full and I managed to get a place with no neighbours, but was one of those awful linear ones that look like a car park.

It was good to be out on the tops in the sun and I think Dad would have approved.

A break in travel notes to remember Dad

Sadly Dad died on 11th May, so travels suspended. I did spend a few nights in the van on the drive - a handy extra bed in extremis.

Lovely Leek and a good walk

I went to Leek for 1 night - it is a nice little town. I went to Buxton too – I am not sure why, it is a spa town with gardens, pavilions, and a theatre...hmmmm, I could have saved myself a trip there! I could have spent a fortune in Leek, it has lots of vintage shops and a lovely gallery. However it would have just been more clutter so I resisted.

I walked along a ridge called The Roaches on the Sunday; a long series of ridges in an area called the Staffordshire Moorlands, which I had never heard of before. It was 6.75 miles and 550m up! 

Along the way was a place called Lud’s Church which is a crevasse where Sir Gawain lopped the head of the Green Knight, if you believe in King Arthur etc. I just did some silly Monty Python voices.  Lots of lovely people about and an ice cream to boot. 

There was also a tree trunk studded with coins, but I don't know why. Then a few miles through woodland that was deafening with bird song!

I was accompanied at one point by this dog who was with the mountain rescue people, who were having a rehearsal. Much as I would have enjoyed being carried down by those lovely chaps, I was a bit put out that the dog assumed it was me who needed rescuing!

At the top!

On the down sides - the campsite was next to the A53, which is a lovely road to drive on but blummin' noisy to sleep next to, and the sodding van rear door won't stay shut! I had to lash it closed with some clothes line, as it was flying open after 20 mins on the road. Sigh. Let's hope it can be repaired easily - I really don't want to get rid of it :-(