Earning my stripes

Before I saw the deer strolling across the road in front of me and stopping to stare before wandering off, it was already a good day.  I'd seen a nuthatch on a flyby and enjoyed seeing several herons on the back roads to Bolton Abbey.

I had an unexpected bonus this morning when I discovered Rich was working from home.  Big bike ride!

It was an easy decision to head over to Malham; I'd enjoyed it so much last year, I couldn't resist another explore.  Heading up the hill out of Littondale, I decided I was going to resist the excuse of stopping for photos and made it up without stopping, meeting a lovely Argos van that stopped for me on the final stretch.  He opened the window and gave me encouragement as I passed by.

The last time I headed over the middle of the moor, there was drizzle over the tops so it was lovely today to get the full view and this is it.  I headed down the road here and then you can just make out the diagonal line from the right heading back up towards Malham - it's a splendid road! Instead of heading the same way down I chose the far side for a bit of a change and think I actually preferred the views.

I remember being starving heading into Malham but today, I concluded that I could carry on despite pulling up outside the cafe, tempted by a coffee.  I continued. Seven Nakd bars later (with a higher proportion being after Malham!), I was on the home straight.  

The sun was shining from start to finish.  I'd kept my winter trousers and bootees on but it was fingerless gloves and a short sleeved top from Littondale.  

I've got the first signs of a 2016 suntan stripe on my arms.  And now, it does rather feel like I earned them!

I'm dog-tired.  CJ is less so!