Afternoon walked to the Lucas Green anti-aircraft gun base to say good bye to the the excavators as this is their last week on site. They are Scott and Aaron.

Another pillbox exists in the area. This is on the edge of the Buckshaw development in Euxton. It was previously part of the Royal Ordnance Factory.

The site on Sun 27 Jan 2013

The site this afternoon after more excavation had been done

Arriving in Preston.
I thought I'd take a photo of the bus station
as they're planning to pull it down!

Delegates arriving

Preston Masonic Hall

Mounted on a wall is this copper marker. The plate reads:
Tip of Small Finger on
Old Town Hall Clock
Burnt down March 15th 1947

The original Preston Town Hall.
It was designed by Gilbert Scott and built between 1862 and 1866

The left panel shows
Lady Anne as a girl of about 15

I have been a huge fan of Lady Anne Clifford (1590 – 1676) for ages. She commissioned an amazing painting generally called ‘The Great Picture’ which dates from around 1646. It is a triptych depicting Lady Anne and her family. Being so big it has not been displayed all together in one place until recently being assembled at the Abbot Hall Art Gallery in Kendal, Cumbria. I called this morning and after asking permission was allowed to take some photos. The light levels were so low I’m glad I took my tripod.

The Great Picture

Walkers approaching Skiddaw summit

Wide view on the approach to Skiddaw

The Humber Bridge.

When opened in 1981 the bridge held the record for the world's longest single-span suspension bridge. It is now the sixth longest  but remains the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world that one can cross on foot or by bicycle.

Selby Railway Station. Thanks to the coach driver I didn't have to cycle here from Hull

Wide view of Roche Abbey near Maltby.
The grounds were closed but a public footpath goes round half of the perimeter.
 

I cycled through Harworth which was the home of Tommy Simpson before he left the UK in 1959 to become a professional cyclist on the continent. He died in July 1967 while riding the Tour de France cycle race. He collapsed and died while riding up Mont Ventoux on stage 13.

Tommy Simpson museum in the Harworth Sports Club

Wide view of the distinctive deep valley of High Cup Nick in Cumbria

Climbing higher and getting a battering from the cold wind
I took this photo of the south west rim of High Cup Nick

I can't resist photographing this view of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Whittle Springs.
 

Rain most of morning but got out on bike later.
Cycling from Horwich to Belmont I stopped to photograph the monument opposite Springs and Dingle Reservoirs. The monument was erected by Bolton Corporation Waterworks and is dated 1824. As I parked my bike a cyclist came along and slowed down to check that me and bike OK. I told him I was just taking a photo and all was well. Whenever I get a puncture and a cyclist comes along they always check to see if things are OK.

Morning cycle ride via Rivington and Belmont. The roads were clear when I left but by Rivington there was localised snow on the road and it got worse on the ride over to Belmont. Near the top of the climb I lost all grip from by back wheel and had to walk the last bit. The descent into Belmont was very uncomfortable due to compacted snow.
 

The icy climb from Rivington

The worst combination of road conditions when on 2 wheels: snow, water, ice and slush.

Drove to the J.38 Transport Café just off the M6 Tebay for my birthday meal. The food is always good and reasonably priced. The other bonus for me is no cooking or washing up.

Chicken curry and chips.
It tasted much better than it looks.

J.38 cafe

Cycled to Chorley Railway Station to catch the 06:31am Edinburgh train as far as Oxenholme with the plan to cycle home via Kirkby Lonsdale and over the Bowland Fells. It was still dark when I arrived so I needed my lights for the first few miles. It was a good clear morning and ice patches on the road were my only problem. I reached the caravan café at Devils Bridge near Kirkby Lonsdale but it wasn’t open so continued to Clapham Station then the long climb to the summit of Bowland Knotts.

Oxenholme Railway Station

The climb was worth it as the views to Whernside, Ingleborough and Pendle Hill were amazing. I’d hardly seen a car and no bikes so far but on my descent to Stocks Reservoir there were cyclists coming up. Riding through Blackburn I stopped at an Asian shop to buy some chillies and they’re better than those in any supermarket.

Kirkby Lonsdale

No Jumping

By Devils Bridge
The inscription reads:
'Fear God, Honor the King, 1673'

Ooops, a 1930s traffic accident

Closed!

Devils Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale

Devils Bridge in 1802

Bronte Schoolhouse, Cowan bridge.

From near Clapham - Whernside to Ingleborough

After the descent and near to Stocks Reservoir is the re-built Church (in 1938) of St James. The original Church was demolished after the construction of Stocks Reservoir. The graveyard was exhumed and the bodies moved here. This chapel was also known as the 'Mortuary Chapel'

Plan of the route

Elevation profile