This afternoon Fo, Clifford and I had a gorgeous 4 mile walk around Richmond in Swaledale. In the car on the way over we could see a low 100m or so thick mist in the Vale of Mowbray and deepening down into the Vale of York and the North Yorkshire Moors were prominently sticking out on the opposite side of the valley 20 miles away . That put the route on the walk which was to start at Quakers Lane in Richmond and then walk up to the race course on a very slippy back path which fortunately had plenty to hold onto because it was quite steep.I jogged the first section but it got to steep and slippy. At the racecourse we had a magnificent 60 mile view down the Vale of York and right over to Redcar on the NE coast. We also saw an unidentified flock of birds which I thought were Ouzels but according to the RSPB bird identifier can't be because they aren't here in the winter but we cut down to Gallowfield Road , named for obvious reasons, and saw what I thought was a thrush with a deep reddy brown streak but have just identified as a Redwing. Mega exciting because I've never seen them before and after going back down another very slippy back path with a very convenient handrail (life saver!) and down to St. Mary's Churchyard we saw the same birds again. Very exciting the best bit being anticipating getting home and identifying the little beasties.

Because Fo enjoyed the kebab in York yesterday but not the venue , a bit grotty , but I like that sort of thing , I made sure that we walked past Richmond Old Station where there is a super cafe , reasonably priced and it was large cappuccinos and curd tart all around . She glowed! If you're ever in Richmond visit the Station Cafe and Business area all within the Old Station . You get to see local foods and crafts , they even have a Cinema there ( must take Fo sometime! are we to old for necking : nope because she wrings mine several times a year !) it just goes from the erotic to the garrotic a necessary behavior from any self respecting middle aged female with a marriage partner of 22 years but unfortunately who still thinks he is 22 years old. I've been brought to heel boys but I like it ! "Choke chains' my middle name !" Been listening to to much Bob Dylan recently ! We then went to Richmond Falls, well frozen over, around the Castle Walk which was treacherous and back to Quaker Lane and home . Star Trek finale to the day and a grand winters afternoon out .

Yesterday with the whole family we had a nice 8 mile walk around York. It was similar to the one I did last year on my own except there were a lot more people around yesterday. We started at Clifton Green then The District Hospital, Gillygate and then arrived at Foss Islands Road via the Foss River path because its one of the places ie flats I'd like to live in if or when? we move back to York but there is no chance because the Green Fingered Goddess I'm married to wants a garden! There was a convenient bench at the Walmgate Bar end of Foss Islands road notable because whilst we sat all chatty and chirpy munching our favorite cookies people were staring at us as they drove by. Probably thought we were a homeless family . It was a pretty cosy bench and right next to where I munched fish n chips parked up in the car over 15 years ago at two in the afternoon after Fo had given birth to our second doggy . Sacred spot as far as I am concerned!

The sun was just setting blood red as we went past York Uni library and there were a few students about all foreign students of course and its nice to know that British Universities preoccupation with their profit margins continues on . The world education system is so rational that eventually all UK students will study in China! Barely a duck in sight on the Uni lake so the "food aid " handed out by the groundsmen doesn't seem to have the desired effect! But seriously I hope they are not all dead but quite sensibly and in line with their genetic programming they've all flown off . You see they know its "on yer bike time" if you've got a problem in the UK economy so it stands to reason that they've got " take to a wing" or even better a pair of them to earn their crust in the New UK order of Tory land . Possibly they have realized that if they fly away abroad and come back the Uni will see them as foreign ducks, charge them in the only way you can charge a duck which to call for volunteers for the Vice Chancellors dinner plate and be allowed to charm the two legged students and visitors like me with there heads down in the water study methods . I never realized that caddis fly larvae and pond weed were so interesting but then again idiot I may be , plenty of evidence for that, but bird brain I am not !

We headed off for Rowntrees Park via the Millennium foot bridge which was all lit up with multi colored lights giving me a flash back experience to the early 80's when I saw exactly the same bridge and all lit up even though it didn't exist . Strong ale in York! Surprisingly Miles started to get cold which was the first time in his life that has ever happened to him on a walk and is proof that he has still got a bug or is suffering from the after effects of one . The kebab shop cheered him up and we got back to the car and back home in just over an hour to settle into double Star Trek. Family Trek - Star Trek : we are so consistent ! A nice afternoon out.