We had been planning for the Tour de France visit since we arrived in England as our friends Linda and Pete were coming over to see us and spend two days out viewing the spectacle.
Kathie and I toured the area through which the race would be held looking for good vantage points with good facilities. Because of the very terrain, access to the route was extremely restricted and most of the points we found were good for parking but we would have been stuck in place for about eight hours and the facilities were basic at best. So we agreed on Skipton for the Saturday and Silsden for the Sunday.
We were taken into Skipton by our neighbour and found a good vantage point from which to watch the race. Afterwards we took the train back to Hellifield and walked home from there. A long day, standing for most of the time but a lovely meal and drinks in the evening made us better.
Sunday dawned bright and sunny so we drove to Silsden where we knew one of the pubs was opening at 8:00am to serve breakfast. We took advantage of that and then found a good roadside spot where we had a good time chatting with other fans and the local police.
Two great days where everybody was in good humour and the organization was superb.
CATHERINE
We managed to persuade Catherine that she would not be too bored by coming to stay with Grannie Kath and Granddad Joe Cool. Well we tried hard and had some success.
Kite flying came first on the agenda and we did this at the top of the hill in our Holiday Park.
Taking advantage of the glorious summer weather we went to the local village of Gargrave. Here they have designed a superb meadow alongside the River Aire where one can picnic, play football, paddle in the river, in fact everything a small child should want to do. Catherine had a great time doing all of the above and even tried a little fishing with a net on the end of a stick.
She liked it so much that we returned for another visit later and were lucky enough to see a Heron fishing for its supper.
Close to our Holiday Park is a farm which breeds Highland and other cattle and we were able to see their latest calves in the meadow.
And Finally for July, on July 11th Kathie and I celebrated our 44th Wedding Anniversary. The picture here was taken by Kathleen Garratt at a wedding we attended earlier in the year.
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