Today, I decided to stray from my cyclistic 'Feierabendschleife' (German, means 'after-work-loop')and go into some new terrain, mainly Sockburn Hall, which is a wonderful Victorian hall that has fallen into disrepair. Unfortunately, the owners are not keen on visitors, adn tehre is no public right of way (boo!). I hadn;t brought the drugged steak for the dogs, either, and the Tees was a bit high to wade from teh other side... so I made a little detour to Girsby - cycling across some lovely muddy tracks from Sockburn, which can be seen in the distance, over Girby Bridge, also seen in the distance, to the tiny and semi-abandoned hamlet of Girsby.

I HAD planned to try Roseberry Topping, but I hate taking the car to go cycling amd I might not quite cut the ascents and rocks there just yet.

It was well worth the strenuous pdeal! Among other things, I found two Trabant 601, lovely stubborn Highland Cattle who would not smile for a picture, and bought some free-range eggs - the chickens were running around among the cows, and there was a hen with little chicks... perhaps the best free-range advertisement there can be!

After this ride, my next milesotne is the 35 mile roundtrip to Northallerton - wonder if they;d let me into Betty's, all muddy and helmet haired?