UK Bimbling

Above Reeth - amongst the debris from lead mining

We had only been back in the UK a few days when we decided a trip away would be a nice idea so we booked a mobile home above Reeth in Swaledale for week. We had a few reservations about the area, up amongst the old lead mines, and the accommodation, but in the event it was great up there, cool and so quiet. Then it was back to Sheffield and the second heat wave of the year with temperatures up to 35C which is pretty outrageous for the UK. On the way back, we called in at a garage near Barnoldswick and bought a new car, the XV has been okay but we fancied a bit more space and they had a rather smart, one year old Forester Touring - Sherri did some top class negotiating.

Then away again, to Wales, as it was forecast to me markedly cooler over there, another very smart and quiet pad near the Nantle Valley.

Alpacas - we got a bit lost on a walk!

A smart new Forester 2025

There and Back Again

The Gorgeous Maurienne

 From Argentiere we headed over and through the mountains (Frejus Tunnel = €56) as the Galibier Pass was still closed with snow, to Aussois for a couple of weeks, stopping in a pad we have used a couple of times before. While most of Europe - and the UK - suffered an early heatwave, it was spot on up at 4,900' - pleasantly warm days and lovely cold nights. I climbed nine days out of twelve and tallied up 80 routes for the month May - not something that happens very often these days. All in all, a great choice of a venue to spend our last couple of weeks in France.

Tippler Buttress the scene of epics long ago

And then it was onwards - via a couple of nights near Dijon, three longish drives, a very bumpy ferry crossing and the loop was closed - nine and a half months gone just like that.

 On day one back home we had a ride out to Stanage - visiting old haunts, with vague memories of great days on the Grit - it all seem so long ago now - I guess that's because it is!