I spent the morning outside today around Nidd Gorge, between Harrogate and Knaresborough. I was looking for a geocache – failed on that score (hunted for it for over an hour, to no avail) but as a bi-product of a few hours of woodland immersion, away from The Race, I felt connected with nature again.

It was above freezing by a comfortable few degrees and a very light rain from low cloud was set in. I like a bit of rain. As the Big Yin once said “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.”. I agree. There’s something that feels like a closeness, a blanket, a surrounding wall when it rains. I’m not keen on rain + strong wind combo, for the record, and I typically avoid going out in the rain if I can help it, but when I do head out into it (if I’ve got the right clobber on) I like it.

I decked myself out in hiking boots, gaiters and a Barbor wax jacket, which when combined are like a shield of steel against the elements (and the thorny things). I pretty much had the place to myself (myself and Elsie dog, that is) – rain makes mud which, combined with the precipitation itself, keeps folk at home. Next time it’s raining, think of it as an opportunity to find peace in the great outdoors without having to go deep into the wilderness. The erstwhile busy on a Sunday morning Nidd Gorge was a place of near solitude this morning.

After our walk, I popped into The Gardeners Arms for a thirst quencher. It’s a great little pub – and one that time forgot. Apart from the electric lights, and the odd bit of wet sales branding in the bar area, you could easily think it was frozen in time. I couldn’t put my finger on when it was frozen – there’s nothing particularly ‘of an era’ about it – simple wooden furniture, plainly painted walls, wooden paneling here and there and real fires. Tiny little rooms. A rural backwater feel. It’s got a cracking beer garden for the summer months (or days, depending on how your summer shapes up). Time certainly forgot to put the prices up – just 1.80 GBP a pint. Sam Smiths Best. Acceptable session ale.

Home, bath, snooze, beef, Yorkshire puds and onion gravy.

All this on the back of a smashing little house party Eirene and I went to last night. Radio Station Controller, Record Label Owner, Entrepreneur, muso, creative and all round nice chap Andy – who’s birthday it is today – threw a do. Met some nice new folk, had good chinwags. (Happy Birthday Andy, if you’re reading this.)

Quite glad I declined the extended invite to go to someones night in town.

Wrapping up this blog now, that I thought was going to be a tiddler, which has actually turned into one of those rambling jobbers.. sorry about that. Until next time, stay frosty.