There is a chill in the air with some days clear and bright, but rain remains illusive. Normally this would be of no consequence, however, the roads nearby remain covered in a layer of muck and salt such that any outings on a bike, once again result in hours spent cleaning.
It was just the second game of golf this year on Tuesday followed by a long ride out on the GS to Anthorn in Cumbria on Thursday – 117 miles, the longest this year. By contrast, in 2021, I didn’t get out until 17th February – maybe it was the weather or lockdowns or a combination of both – I forget.
It feels like the year is tilting towards spring with almost no days of winter. There is time yet, I guess.
The view from Struthers, Allendale. A brief detour on the way home from an enjoyable 18 holes at Allendale Golf Club – Home of Golf in the Wild.
Looking east along the channel of the River Wampool Anthorn.
A return to Anthorn (home of the pips) on the GS. Finally bit the bullet and increased the insured miles – expecting a hefty admin fee, the total charge was £2.46 :D!
Storm Malik was blowing a hoolie on Saturday
Another sunrise at Beaufront Woodhead – today – Sunday 30th January
The racecourse from east of Blackhill Farm – today – Sunday 30th January.
More sheep – near the racecourse
Towards Hexham, looking northeast from the racecourse road
northumbrian : light 
Oh, I love to follow your adventures on the motorbike by way of your blog
It’s good to know you are there on the pillion.
Love your sweeping vistas, Robin. And the sheep (good on texture!) As to the not-quite winter, here in Shropshire our January has been bone-biting winds and quite a lot of frost, but even so, the campanula is flowering. Feb. is also good at tricking us into thinking it’s nearly spring – cue John Clare poem. And back the 70s I remember a February sun-bathing day up in Aberdeen, and university lectures cancelled in consequence.
Thanks Tish – it has been odd up here – certainly plenty of chill winds, but virtually no frosts. It can be very deceptive – I have just returned from a ride into the wilds of Northumberland (Throcklington). The roads were dry but I was surprised to realise the roadside puddles were frozen solid. From then on, I took things more slowly. Sunbathing in Aberdeen at any time seems an unlikely pursuit, but especially in February! It paints an attractive picture ;-). All the best, R.
I could feel the bite in the air, Robin, and wondered how I would have felt about the longish ride: would I have felt like a walk in the cold afterwards :-). And I learned a new word – “illusive” – which, to my shame, I assumed was a mistake.
It’s all quite cosy on the GS, CB. Plenty of wind protection, over-sized handguards and heated grips.
I am consistent with the aims of Public Service Broadcasting – Inform, Educate & Entertain 😀
Always – informing, educating and entertaining. Without a doubt! cb