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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Sunday 30 May 2021

Absolutely Bongers

 Not a cock a doodle do did we hear until 7 am! That Cockerel stayed silent, but I'm sure it wasn't because he wanted too. No, it was because the farmer didn't let it out of the Coop until then.

Glorious sunshine today, and just in time for the Bank Holiday. A lazy day for us too, no visiting ruins or houses with gardens, no, we decided to try those single track roads with hairpin bends on the Yorkshire Moors. Absolutely bongers in a large vehicle but a lot of fun! The views would have been stunning if it hadn't been so hazy but spying a large concrete structure in the distance, and with a convenient layby to stop at, pulled over for a walk.


 

Nothing to be seen at the cross, no information as to why it was there, a bit of a wasted walk really, but I did see some fascinating wildlife on the way back so all was not lost. A large sign on the road got us intrigued, and before we set off, walked to have a look at what we were about to face. 


 
The start of Chimney Hill

And as we started the walk back to MB, spied this!


 

Amazing what one finds when ones not looking.

That incline, wow really steep and even with MB in first gear, Ian had to keep his foot on the brakes. I do hope MB's brakes are man enough for tomorrow's trip to Thirsk because there is a notorious part of the A170 at Sutton Bank which we will be going along.

  This excerpt found on the web, Caravans are prohibited from going up or down Sutton Bank, near Thirsk due to its steep gradient and hairpin bend. An alternative route is clearly signposted through Coxwold and Ampleforth

Motorhome's apparently are not banned, so it will be an interesting drive to Thirsk.






And wildlife seen on the walk,

It could be a Mottled beauty or Latticed Heath. I have no idea really as this was all I could find on the web,


A Small Copper on a daisy chain flower



Could be a Meadow Pipit



Green Tiger Beetle

Black ribbed golden ground beetle

4 comments:

Dave Ward said...

Be thankful it's not winter when you "Do" Sutton Bank, or you could meet this bus driver coming the other way, and he ain't stoppin' for no one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pcdg9m7Dao

Anonymous said...

Glad you didn't drive off the edge of the earth!
We've been around Cumbria recently and experienced similar twisty inclines at Hartside Summit altitude of 1903 feet.
All good fun in a hired motorhome!
Lovely pics Irene.
Ann Makemson,

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Hi Dave, l watched the video, but I think you have the wrong place. The video shows the bus going up Saltburn Bank not Sutton Bank.

Dave Ward said...

Yes, I know - but I thought it was a remarkable bit of driving!

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