Drove down the edge of the rest of the lakes southward, stopping several times for a bit of a wander, then we headed off into Geoffrey Boycott country - the Yorkshire Dales. We were on minor roads for most of the way, but the going was generally OK as it was a Saturday and, outside of the towns, the traffic was lighter.
Along the Wensleydale Valley through lovely countryside and picturesque towns, often over little single lane stone bridges. Stopped at Hawkes for petrol and morning tea at a little stone cafe - it felt a bit like having coffee in somebody's lounge room. Through Leyburn and Ripon to Knaresborough where we were going to have lunch. However, the entire centre of town was cordoned off, and thousands of people were streaming down the road on foot. Turned out that it was the annual town bed racing championships and, fun though it may be, we decided to keep going rather than drive back out of town and join the scrum.
Arrived at York OK, checked in, then walked the half mile to the city wall and gate. Basically we did the perimeter of the town, leaving the centre for tomorrow. Wandered down the Ouse River in the lovely sunshine, then walked along half the city wall back to where we started. Along the way we saw York Castle, Clifford's Tower and the outside of the York Minster. Wandered through the city market to find that it was the same market that we saw in Belfast - the same foods, the same stalls and the same people. It must be a traveling circus.
At home the boys are away at State Youth Games, but in this part of the world the real sport is just beginning. Tonight England plays their World Cup opener, and as I write this we are watching them play the USA, and the roads outside are virtually deserted. All week most cars and houses have been sporting English flags, and shops are festooned with bunting, shirts and every conceivable type of merchandise. All the pubs are overflowing, but it can only end in tears.
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