Well , the forecast wasn’t too bad on Thursday but wanted to get back before 2pm when rain was forecast.

We decided to head across to Paddock Farm , the garden centre with cafe near Dalyon Gates.

Paddock Farm tea room

We took the same route across through Croft and then turned off towards Scorton.

We got a lovely reception from Emma , who is so helpful, so I could eat a nice tuna sandwich without any fats. She was telling us that some cyclists are so rude and demanding, one even clicking his fingers at her as he was in a hurry!! There is never any room for unkindness in my book.

After enjoying our stop we rode on towards Scorton but the turned down at the crossroads and got ourselves home via East Cowton, Great Stainton and Yarm. The last bit there was the start of rain so in Appleton Wiske I donned my waterproof pants. So glad I did as I didn’t get a soaking and it was only light rain – until we got into the house.

On Friday, I went off to the Spring Quilt show which has transferred venue to Wetherby racecourse. DH was going to ride down and get a lift home with me but as it was the weather was wet and windy so he didn’t bother.

I enjoyed the show but the venue was in two buildings and on three floors which was a bit confusing. I did enjoy seeing other people’s work and getting some more fabric and at template from Crafty-UK who custom made it for me. I didn’t take too many photos but a man sitting demonstrating lucet making really struck me. Look at his shoe laces.

Lucet made shoe laces

On Saturday, I had purchased some embroidery scissors for an elderly lady I know well. So our ride was up to Eston under the hills and then along to Kirkleatham to see a fashion through the 20th century exhibition. I will share the photos from it. Just look at how things changed in 100 years

1900

1910

1920

Look just how much the skirt length shortened

1930

1940 – the war years

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

I felt like I was looking at my early life seeing these sewing machines.

Early sewing machines

So I enjoyed the exhibition which DH sat and waited. We then returned via Redcar and the Trunk Road.

So 68 miles this week. Hope we do get better weather soon

Well , when will summer start? I know it was a degree or two warmer on a couple of days but the winds were strong and so the wind chill meant it was still chilly.

Anyhow, no cycling on Thursday as I was meeting up with my old volunteer lifeguard buddies from the 1960’s. We had a lovely time reminiscing and catching up with each other. I really do think all those hours of swim drill and boat handling has helped with my ability to to keep going. Our team won the national championships three years in a row and then represented GB at an international competition in 1968.

I am on the far right

As one of the ‘girls’ said , we were Baywatch babes before Baywatch.

After that , I called to see my brother who had returned home from his place in Tenerife. Pleased to say he looked a bit better than the last time I saw him in November.

On Friday, we did get out cycling and started off in a similar direction to last week. I took a photo of the same spot where the neck had burst its banks.

Flooded beck the previous week

Same beck as last week

Now that’s not to say there was no flooding but we avoided most of it.

We had a nice stop at the Mustard Tree in Hurworth and I had a jacket potato with beans to sustain me.

We then rode to Croft, and then turned up and rode along towards Eppleby but turned off through a flood and down to Cleasby before returning through Darlington.

On Saturday, we had an early start to get in a short ride because we had an eightieth birthday lunch to go to. It was a bit on the drizzly side but still I wanted to do some more miles . It was windy too as you can see by the steam from the cooling towers.

Windy weather

We came back through the dinosaur park which is under threat of development

Mammoth

So 62 miles this week. Hoping for more next week. Thanks for reading and commenting

I don’t think I remember a time when we have had such discouraging weather. If it’s bucketing down , there’s not much fun in cycling longer distances. If it’s dry , then it’s often blowing a hoolie.

Monday, was a washout so I was glad that I got out camping for an overnighter last week.

Tuesday , was at least dry, so we had a short ride. It’s was grey when we set off and decided to go up through Eston and along to Marske. The Kirkleatham museum was showing an event for the weekend with Anglo Saxon reenactment. As it was , it’s been postponed due to the inclement weather. As we got to Redcar, we saw this new sign on the route to Marske by the Sea.

Although , not officially North Yorkshire but Cleveland and Redcar

Then it was along the track and along to Redcar. We had a stop for a scone and hot chocolate at the Stray Cafe before riding along the prom past the fishing cobbles.

As you can see the sun showed its face for a little while. We rode home and got in just before it rained again.

Our second ride of the week was on Friday, as it was my quilt group meeting on Thursday.

The forecast wasn’t brilliant and it was very stormy on Wednesday as well as overnight Thursday.

We headed across through Stocktonand in Hartburn , the neck was overflowing.

Onwards to Elton and Long Newton and then onto the track to the A66. Although this track has been much improved, we still had some floods to ride through. No other option unless we turned back.

Storm puddle

Fortunately, didn’t get wet feet as I followed DH up the middle.

We got along to the A66 track expecting the underpass to be flooded but it wasn’t. Woohoo!

We went to the community cafe in Sadberge and then again on the way home , came across a bigger flood. I walked on the verge but DH rode it without problems.

Bigger flood

On Saturday, it was again so very windy but DH wanted to get out. First of all , we rode across to get shopping and when we got back headed south and when we got up to Coulby Newham, we split up. DH went off to Stokesley and I headed off to Hemlington lake and then the curly whirly bridge. It’s actually called that on Google maps.

I then crossed the main road but decided to follow a walking track and found a number of wood carvings

Then I got home and was surprised to find I had managed to cycle 70 miles in the week. Still more storms are forecast for the coming week so will see how it goes.

DH hasn’t been too well again as his cold/ virus plus awful weather restricted riding in the past couple of weeks.

I had worked out a route from Jedburgh to the coast near Holy Island( Lindisfarne) and then down the coast to Warkworth, inland to Rothbury and then on to Hexham. DS1 had said he would drive us up there but the wind and rain put us off , so that trip will wait for later in the year.

I have been pretty keen to try out that Durston tent and on Friday the weather wasn’t too bad. Well it was windy but mostly dry.

DH said no way was he camping but would ride with me if I was determined to go. I contacted the local Camping and Caravanning district association who were going to be at the race course in Catterick. Now that’s only about 30 miles away do I decided to go for it and just do an overnight camp.

Tern Vektron S10 fully loaded.

DH is in the background as he decided he would do an out and back to make sure I got there safely!!! What about him on his own going back?

It’s nearly all the same routes we know but a slightly different way to how we normally go. On the first part we came across new lambs were there weren’t any 2 or 3 weeks ago.

Spring lambs near Long Newton

I was pleased as we’ve found a new cafe as the route went from Croft to Dalton on Tees.

Paddock Farm Tea Rooms

Outside seating. DH rode DS1’s bike

Delicious warm home made scones and hot chocolate were just the thing after about 20 miles.

We carried on to Catterick Bridge where the race course is and I soon had the tent up.

Durston mid-x 2

It was very windy but 4 pegs and two poles had it up in a very short time. It was the only tent on the site amazing g caravans and camper vans. One chap remarked I was really hard core . I told him , I think you mean bonkers!! He laughed.

Tiny tent

DH said he would take my used battery away but he didn’t. Then realised he hadn’t so returned adding 4 miles to his journey. To be honest , I didn’t need it but it was so good of him.

After I was settled, I went for a walk. I had got some down filled pants off t’ internet and I have to say they were really warm.

The fishing lake in the centre of the racecourse

Then I went off the site and crossed the road.

Old railway bridge

This is a path for walking and I think cycling but not sure where it starts or finishes. The way I accessed the path was up a flight of stairs.

Catterick Bridge over the Swale

This sculpture is of soldiers through the eras from Romans to modern day

Back on site, the rain started to lash down just as I was going to start cooking. I waited until it fared up and then went across to a covered area and cooked fish cake and beans. While doing so , heavy rain came down again and poured through the roof , feet from me. Didn’t matter through as I was dry.

In the evening , I was invited to join the group meeting in a hall on site. They played Bingo which wasn’t for me but at least it was warm and I had a chance to meet new people.

The tent is roomy and I placed panniers on the side of my sleep mat to stop me rolling off it. Despite more rain I stayed warm and dry.

On Saturday DH got up at the crack of doom and started across to get with me by 7.45am. This time he rode his Vektron. Things were going well until I discovered I had locked the bike but didn’t have the key for it. Duh!!

The CCC is also called the friendly club and it didn’t disappoint. A number of people came to help. Eventually, one lovely chap drove up to a garage and borrowed a cutter to get the lock off. It took some doing but we finally got away about 9.30 am. It was so lovely to have such help.

On the return journey , we took the same route back and again stopped at Paddock Farm

I had beans on toast and DH had a fruit scone. I explained no butter or margarine because of my gall bladder. Speaking of which , I am now on the list where I can be called at short notice for my op and have had the pre- med checks done. Here’s hoping it won’t be too long so I don’t miss out on a summer of riding.

Stopped to see these black lambs in the same field

It was a beautiful ride home. At the cafe , I overheard a little girl ask her mother if summer had come at last. Bless her, looking at the forecast , winter will be on us again this coming week.

So there’s another 95 miles cycled in the past 2 weeks.

I didn’t post last week as both DH and DS2 were down with some sort of viral infection resulting in sore throats, hacking coughs especially at night and feeling rotten. As a result not much cycling done.

However, this week saw a return to a bit better health and as a result we did get in a couple decent of rides as well as a few pootles.

Friday , saw some dry but cool weather and after I had done the weekly shop, we decided to have a ride to Sadberge. We didn’t want to do the same shortest route so went via Stockton and Bishopton to enjoy a scone and hot chocolate at the community cafe. It’s lovely to be greeted as a regular. We made our way back alongside and under the A66 to pick up the track back through Middleton St George and then along the old road that we always refer to as ‘the manky pheasant’. That’s because there was once a dead pheasant there. Do you have places that you give names , that you know exactly what the other means but no one else does.

Although, it wasn’t the best of days, at least we didn’t get rained on as we returned home.

Saturday was a much better day and even slightly warm.

We started out by going to Gt Ayton before going a “detour” to Little Ayton. Once back in Gt Ayton we took the minor road along to cross the main road and across to Stokesley.

Captain Cooks monument on the ridgeline

Then we ride up through Kirby and along to the crossroads in Gt Broughton. It was here I had to strip off a layer as I had begun to sweat. Riding on we passed through Battersby to Ingelby Greenhow where we stopped and I fired some turkey rashers for sandwiches.

View across to the Cleveland Hills

Feeling refreshed, we carried on along through Kildale as DH had the idea to go across the moors to Hutton Village near Guisborough. We haven’t been that way for a long time and the path has really deteriorated. People riding e-assist full suspension mountain bikes did ok but for us it was more of a hike and bike as it was very rocky and lots of loose gravel. However, the views made up for it.

Start of the moor road

We could see the North Sea

Looking south

Hutton village at bottom of forest road

Once , we had got onto the road in the forest, it wasn’t so bad with a swift decent into Hutton. DH then suggested doing into Guisborough and going down Wilton bank another 1in5 decent. It has changed though as there used to be a z bend under an old railway bridge and it’s been taken down.

Once there, we got on to the track towards Eston but turned and road down to pick up the track through South Bank and on to Middlesbrough. It was then we realised that Middlesbrough football club were playing at home and the cycle track was full of parked cars. So we aborted riding further along and took the shorted route through town and Albert Park. A super day.

109 miles ridden in the past two weeks

Still more rain came down this week so only got in a couple of short rides.

I’m sure most people have rides that they do regularly but I woke up thinking of a short ride with a bit of a twist. Instead of riding up one side of a road we crossed over and I noticed this piece of sculpture.

Near Dixons Bank , Marton

This gave us a different ride through Nunthorpe and back home.

On Saturday, again the weather forecast was poor so when we woke up early, there was a glimmer of sun. So it was out early despite the frost.

Down by the river, it was still and so I took this photo of the flat calm river basin.

The Middlesbrough transporter bridge on the far right

The good weather didn’t last so we took the opportunity to head north and do some of the shopping we do every couple of months for bulk buys.

My son finished knitting his jumper which is quite an accomplishment for him. I had to make up the pattern as none was available so it’s a little baggy but he did it. I stitched it up for him.

Good news as he is doing well and later this week starts an eight week healthy eating and cookery course thanks to our wonderful mental health team.

I also finished a small quilt I began in the slack period between Christmas and New Year. I thoroughly enjoyed the free machine quilting and was quite adventurous in using contrasting threads in some areas.

Whole quilt

Some of the quilting

I do this on a Janome 8200 and all the quilting relies on me moving the quilt under the moving needle.

So 25 miles ridden this past week

Well , we’ve had a couple of days of better weather for getting out riding. The first couple of days weren’t brilliant but I was working so only a couple of short rides.

We decided that to head across to Elton and Long Newton. The crossing of the A66 has been really improved so no more dodging fast moving cars.

For years we have ridden past a sign for a no through road and decided to explore as we weren’t too sure where we were going. It was a bit of an up and down ride until we got to where we could go no further. We had a chat with a farm labourer who said he used to cycle but not now because traffic. We saw some black sheep and I asked if they were Soay sheep but he didn’t know. On our return along the road, we met an old chap who was going to set up a camera to take photos of a a foxes lair now that the breeding season will be starting.

Back on our usual route we went up to Sadberge then onwards to Gt Stainton and up towards Sedgefield but turned off on an unmarked road. Then onwards through Stillington and into Redmarshall.

I was ready to eat by then so we went to the little seat we have picnicked at before. The usual cheese toasties.

The seat was sheltered and there were tubs with miniature daffodils and beautiful pansies.

DH making the hot chocolate

Spring flowers

We then returned home through Thorp Thewles and Stockton.

Saturday was less windy but again frosty first thing so again it was a 10am start. DH suggested keeping off some of the paths we know keep the ice longer. So it was across Teesside park and then on paths we don’t usually use to get up to Yarm.

Of course, being that bit later, the traffic was heavy in this lovely market town. We know a way, off the main road and instead of heading up to Kirklevington , we went via Worsall village then through to Appleton Wiske.

Then we went up through Hornby to Gt Smeaton and turned off to East Cowton. By now, it was about noon and having to keep to a very low fat diet I was hungry. There was still ice in roadside puddles but a short sit to have a low fat biscuit and a drink revived me.

We carried on across to North Cowton where there’s a lovely sheltered sitting spot. So out came the stove and frying pan and I fried turkey rashers and made sandwiches. Locals with dogs were intrigued by the smell.

After refreshment, we rode onto Moulton and Middleton Tyas where we turned to head off towards Barton and Newton Morrell. Just after we saw an NCN165 sign. We didn’t think we had used it previously, well not in that direction so rode blithely on.

Flooding

We came across this and DH said he would ride through it. All was ok for him but I didn’t want to do it. So I walked down the field edge to a place he had found to get out. He said it was a bit difficult.

DH getting down

First I slithered down and then we manhandled my bike down and finally he got down. All unscathed if a bit muddy.

DH walking back for his bike

When we got to the bottom of the hill, I recognised we were in Cleasby so it was back home through Darlington.

We had another delay as there had been a serious car crash but the police waved us through. I did see this post box topper

Cupid post box topper

It was probably made for recent Valentine’s Day.

So a super week managing 113 miles of cycling

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to post last weekend as I was unwell and had been for most of the week.

I am on the waiting list for gallbladder removal and it appears last weekend I passed another stone. It was a relief, when the pain stopped as suddenly as it started. I have had myself on a low fat diet for months so the consultant was pleased about that. With all the unrest the NHS is suffering , I have no idea how long I will wait.

So we managed to fit in a couple of short rides earlier in the week despite the on and off rain.

The forecast for Friday was good, so I packed up the lunch on Thursday night so we could get an early start.

The road works in Hartburn Stockton have finished and as well as a good cycle crossing they have installed a couple of benches with support for bicycles . It’s just off the A19.

New cycle friendly seating

We headed off to Darlington and tried a different route through only to get involved in a traffic hold up due to roadworks. Then we popped out onto one of the main roads with traffic heading to the A1M. Not nice with Lorrie’s thundering past. I was pleased when we got to the turn off for Cleasby.

In Manfield we came across this nice postbox topper. I love to see the randomness of these that people knit or crochet.

Manfield postbox topper

We had Eppleby in mind but knew that the daffodils won’t be at the height of their glory on the village square. I suggested instead , we just go down to Piercebridge to our usual picnic site in the Roman fort remains.

The river Tees was running very high which wasn’t a surprise with all the rain we’ve had.

River Tees

View from the bridge

We got to the picnic site and I pulled everything out of the panniers. Disaster, no food. Oh no! One of us didn’t pick up the lunch. Nothing for it but to carry on.

So we headed off , crossing the A67 and up towards Heighington. On the way, we were fortunate to find that the cafe at Ulnaby, is open on Fridays- not on Sundays though.

So choosing very carefully, I managed to get a tuna sandwich without any oil. We sat in the sunshine in a little booth outside the cafe.

The we carried on enjoying the sunshine seeing blossom on trees, gorse in bloom and daffodils peeping out whole snowdrops were in abundance.

We rode home through Newton Aycliffe, Great Stainton and Bishopton. That was a super 55 miles. I was a little achy but not in pain.

On Saturday morning , as I was waking up , I had the idea that as the grass on the coast wouldn’t be as waterlogged because it grows on sand. We checked the forecast – no rain – so I told DH we would go there and had a practice pitch if the Durston Mid x2. I was so pleased with how it pitched in a stiff breeze. DH stood back to let me see how easy it would be for me alone. I was good.

DH with bikes and tent

Durston Mid x2 with waterproof zip.

It pitched really well

So after taking it down we ride along to Marske and then to Kirkleatham museum.

I did pick up the lunch from Friday so made the cheese toasties.

Cheese toasties on my Alpkit stove

Can I just say this Alpkit stove is much more controllable than my little MSR gas stove , so it makes it easier to not burn the toast. I am not paid by Alpkit to promote this and bought it with my own money.

So I am feeling so much better and really pleased that I managed 113 miles this week. Hopefully, I can get more miles in and my fitness level up. DS2 is much better

It’s been a very mixed weather week. Some times we had very high winds and on one day the rain was more like a monsoon !!! The temperatures were above average for year too.

On the high wind daus, I chose to get out walking in our local neighbourhood. We have a cemetery that was first used for burials in the 17th century but didn’t become a real cemetery until the 1850’s. To be honest , I haven’t really walked around it too much , so encouraged by Al Humphries book Local that I talked about a couple of weeks ago, I discovered some new parts.

Lots of snowdrops

The cemetery has also been divided into into a part that is a nature reserve , so it was lovely to to see so many snowdrops blooming.

Children graves

It was about also heartening to see how many of these loved children’s graves are so well tended.

On Thursday, we drove across to Penrith to attend the funeral of a good friend who we spent many years kayaking throughout the country and especially the North West coast of Scotland. It was so sad that he developed dementia in later life and the last time we visited 2 years ago, he had no recollection of at all. He was also very active in hiking the fells so it was good to know that we could contribute to Patterdale Mountain rescue in his name.

More high winds curtailed cycling on Friday so it was a relief that the weather was mild and less windy on Saturday.

We chose to visit a friend on our way out. Her home had no lights and it turned out that the fuse box had tripped out . So an easy fix.

We carried on through Hilton and Hutton Rudby along to East Rounton. On all sides, fields were flooded, so we headed up high through East Harlsey and then turned up towards West Harlsey. With the run shining, the view east showed us Roseberry Topping on the horizon.

The little blip is Roseberry Topping

We dropped down through West Harlsey but on our usual route to Brompton, we knew it would be flooded so headed into Deighton. It was there , I spied these daffodils.

Near the church

There wasn’t anywhere to sit here so we rode on to Appleton Wiske and sat on a bench near the tiny post office. I had prepared cheese sandwiches , so on went the Alpkit stove, and a few minutes later we had cheese toasties. While I did that, DH used the flask to make hot chocolate. I was glad for the rest and food.

I haven’t ridden over 40 miles in a while and can’t have eggs these days which I used to find good for breakfast. I did see the hospital consultant this week and I am not on a waiting list for a removal of my gall bladder. Funny I am ok with cheese but not eggs.

We decided to return through Yarm and the traffic was horrendous. Drivers were turning around to go another way so we got up onto the pavement. We chose to avoid the main road as much as possible and decided to go across six fields nature reserve rather than try to get across, into Preston Park.

So we had a ride of 45 miles which left me tired but feeling accomplished.

I am also waiting for some of the ground to dry up , as I have a new tent to try.

Durston Mid X2

Roll on better weather

Not the sort where you go out drinking but a night in the tent. Am I crazy?

As my regular readers know , one of my sons has been ill as have I. I always get ‘cabin fever’ at this time of year so a couple of weeks ago, I asked my friend C , if she wanted a camp out.

The weather has been anything but good , with rain and storms piling in one after the other , but we thought that the full moon would be a good time.

Well , although it was sunny ish, the winds were howling but I packed up my camping gear on my bike. Both DH and DS1 offered to drive me over but I refused. So DH said he would ride over with me and then return home to bed!!

When I got there , no sign of C but I have the key code so let myself into the field and squelched up to the top. Fortunately, in the wood, there was a drier patch under the trees, so I pitched the tent there and let myself into her ‘summer house’. It’s actually just a wooden hut with a big window. Still no sign of C but I got a message to say she would be late.

Well, I had taken some beef stew(frozen) that had not defrosted, so lit my Alpkit stove on the floor, with protection under it, and slowly melted my dinner. It was delicious. Then C arrived. Poor lass had broken a tooth and needed care and the plumber she was waiting for never turned up.

By now , it was about 6.00pm so we got the stove on for hot chocolate and ginger cake I had made. We had the loveliest evening catching up and talking about travel plans for later in the year. We are not your typical OAP’s but did talk about bus pass and bike trips. Don’t you just love it.

C said she wasn’t sleeping in the tent , but in the hut so at 11pm off I went to bed.

I did get a photo of the full moon.

The full moon not sure what the other white light is though

The summer house. We didn’t use the heater

I bought a tiny inflation device that is also a light to blow up my cause sleeping mat. It worked really well for both inflation and deflation as well as being a good little light.

Tent ready for occupation

I had a really good sleep and got up at 7 am to back up my stuff. It was still dark so the light was very useful.

The reflective strip shoes up too well

So DH cycled over and arrived just after 9am when I was taking the tent down. He helped me take out poles as they were difficult to get out.

We then had a ride to Sadberge to the community cafe for hot chocolate and scones, before riding home. It was beautiful and sunny.

I took a photo of my loaded bike when I got home.

Heavy laden to keep warm

Got out again to ride on Saturday but kept the mileage low as I wanted to walk to the local community cafe with DS2. He is doing so well and has started volunteering in the coffee shop at the local hospital.

So low mileage of 34 miles but also getting out walking too.