Bus to Malton, then up and away on the folding bike to Settrington — lost my nerve at the ford with small wheels and a gravel bottom — then up onto the Wold to Settrington Beacon — almost 300 degrees view to the far distance — what a well chosen site. Then South to Duggleby and on to Thixendale via the glorious descent into Fairy Dale and the long, winding Water Dale. A pint of Jennings Cumberland Bitter in the Cross Keys at Thixendale went down a treat — smooth and thick. The Cross Keys is still quite eccentric — less so than 30 years ago when it wasn’t sure if it served beer to strangers, let alone food. Kids still have to eat in the garden though.
Then off to Millington, skirting Huggate. Had to push the folder up the long hill out of Thixendale but then what a delight the long dry (almost –there’s a spring part way down) valley to Millington is — a first for me. Didn’t have time for the excellent tea-shop in Millington, alas.
And all the way from Settrington to Millington, on the wolds, on the chalk, cowslips in such abundance as you have never seen. And larks, and the last of the bluebells.
And so to Pocklington, and the bus.
