So today Julia went to work and I went driving.

Last night there were reports of quite a bit of flooding around greater Manchester so was a bit concerned about what that might mean for today. But woke to no rain and no reported road closures that would impact me. Walked the suitable to the station for the 10:00 a.m. Car collect.

So having to learn a few new tricks. Car does have a hand brake – it has a switch to flick. Manages to hold itself quite well on slopes though what it means on a real hill start I can only wait to fin out. Rear passenger doors open in opposite direction to normal. Of course its time to readjust to a manual. Not to mention the fact that the indicators and window wiper controls are reversed. Just the one roundabout where I got tooted at because I was using my wipers t=rather than my indicators!

Heaed over the Pennines on towards Holmfirth (where Last of the Summer Wine was filmed). Still a bit of snow around (photos to come). One stop I stopped at the field was full of phesants (a phlock?). Some great views.

Didn’t stop in Holmfirth – rather pressed on to near Wakefield to visit Sandal Castle. A minimal ruin now but still shows it was a classic motte and bailey construction, Unfortunately the fragility of the site means you now can’t walk on it. In nearby field the Battle of Wakefield was fought in 1460 – York vs Lancaster. In this instance the Duke of York was killed (and his second son) and his head (and his son’s) were place on the spikes above the Micklegate iin York.

From here over to marsden where I’m staying with my aunt (Mum’s sister) and uncle for the next few days. Spent the afternoon with my cousin Jonathan and two of his kids, Megan and Jasper.

About to hit the hay as the catches up with me. Tomorrow we’re off for a trip to Baverley.