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Journey journal
Yorkshire Tea to start the day at The Bay Horse, Green Hammerton, then a quick glance in at the Lewis Carol inspiring Quire carvings at Ripon, before I was running again. I was just past Ripon Racecourse when BBC Radio York called in and between Georgie and I we delivered a great snippet of radio. She was a fab host.
At Kirkby there was a sign for an ‘Ancient Church’ which turned out to be All Saints, a mini marvel.
Then another church in the next village, St Mary’s and Katya and Rosie popped out at exactly the right moment having been cleaning it ahead of a wedding Rosie’s husband David at done Marathon des Sables. Result – a £50 donation.
Another major win was Carl, a toll gatherer on the River Ouse, who called me ‘our kid’ and handed over £10 whilst hearing about Brathay. I’ve never collected money at a toll booth before.
Whilst I was doing that Charis was stone-bothering. She found The Devil’s Arrows, a load of big stones plonked in a field. She called them monoliths though and has just looked at me witheringly when I read this line out… “They are estimated to be 5000 years old.”
En route to Beningborough I hit some overgrown trails, and was rewarded with a meeting with Elsa, today’s dog of the day. She was described by her owners as ‘a miseryguts’ and though she looked a little disappointed by her walk she perked up and smiled for the camera.
Then Beningborough National Trust, where I ran past whilst Charis enjoyed the Georgian stateliness and the newly refurbished art gallery. One intriguing story from the hosue, a long overlooked seal, ironically sealed away, turned out to be the one used on Charles I death warrant. The seal that sealed his fate.
Then it was on to York with its outstanding Minster and leany Shambles. And a graden with riuns en route. York is such a buzzy place, it lived up to expectations.
I finished the Day in Copmanthorpe. If someone asked you to imagine a typical English village then it would probably be a chocolate box Cotswoldy one. In truth though for ‘typical’ it is more likely Copmanthorpe, a red brick tidy looking set of houses set on pleasing roads and closes, with decent folk inside them.
‘Where I live’
David Betteridge met me for the last 7 miles into York and duly extended the route by improving on my own traffic heavy plan. So, we arrived at York by river trail benefitting from the subterfuge of local knowledge. These 2 bonus miles were duly added to the 3 extra I have gifted myself earlier on through inattention.
Quiz
For our quiz, David asked “Which famous historical figure went to St Peter’s School, York?”
Fuel
Yourkshire Tea and Rowntreees Randoms. According to the packet: “Rowtrees has been a firm family favourite since Joseph Rowntree launched the original fruit pastille 1881.”
Overnight stay:
The Camponile Wakefield. Inexpensive rather than cheap. Suffolk cider and ‘Spanish’ lager the two choices on draft – seemed and unlikely pairing. We had cider. It was Aspall and they spelt in Cyder, and have done since 1728. As Rowntree is to Nestle so is Aspall to Molson Coors.
Shopkeeping
York’s Chocolate Story was one of many treats and delights shops in York.
The Natural World
These wild meadow flowers wedged between two howling A roads out of York were home to rabbits, and of course many treasured polinators.
Media
Radio York FTW. Yesterday I had played along with a gamified segment for Radio Lincs and that had been a bit of a waste for the charity.
Also today a recording for Bauer that was syndicated to numerous stations.
Friends old and new
I met David Betteridge when he aced the appaling challenge The Line 330, a self-supported sleep rough 5 day challenge along the Meridien Line from Hull to Brighton. It was too much for me, my pack destroyed the skin on my back.
Heroes and Villains
York’s Jacob Rowntree, a quaker, has a very successful Foundation in his memory. He also brought us the Kit Kat.
Dog of the Day
Elsa, A miseryguts.
Photo of the day
A tired Viking looks at cake
Events and Festivals
Wimbledon was full of oohs and aahs.
Inspiration
Let’s go with with try try again, Mark Cavendish, who this day won a record breaking 35th Stage of the Tour de France.
