A little further....

My plan for last Sunday was to run a little further, to get strength back into my legs, but we'd been celebrating Burn's Night so things got a bit out of hand.  A horrible pain in my nether regions caused something of a delay at the start of our six mile jaunt to Appletreewick but after a brief stop we were soon on our way. 

Well wrapped up against a cold wind by Hebden Suspension Bridge. 
(Click to enlarge)

It's nearly six months since we ran this route and I was really looking forward to running the riverbank again. 

River Wharfe near Loup Scar

A dipper bobbed around on a stone at Loup Scar but by the time I got the camera out, it had gone,

Passing the Red Lion at Burnsall Bridge

It was early morning and I can only remember passing four people and none of them had dogs.  Quite an unusual occurrence!

On the bridge at Woodhouse Farm

We pressed on, following the river past the Red Lion in Burnsall  (it was shut, not that I'm ever allowed in such places) and through Daggett's car parking field to Woodhouse Farm.

Running the short road loop

Here, we normally leave the river for a short loop onto the road, hence the name - the Appletreewick lollipop.

Passing the campsite

In half a mile or so we cut back to rejoin the river at the campsite.

Flat, easy running

We'd run three miles and were now at the half way mark and turning for home with a cool wind in our faces.  

Peering into the River Dibb at Woodhouse Farm

There were no hills until the last ¼ mile, it was all delightful running, through Burnsall, over the River Dibb that flows into the Wharfe, past Loup Scar again and on to the Suspension Bridge.

Passing Loup Scar again

After another mile we'd got into our stride.  Breakfast was calling.

A cormorant drying his wings

We'd never seen a cormorant on the river before so were surprised to see one perched on a rock mid stream, wings outstretched.

Full steam ahead

We tried to take a decent picture of him but he flew away. We ran on.

Towards the Suspension Bridge seen in the distance

It's a lovely stretch of river to the Suspension Bridge and we never tire of running this, especially when we have it to ourselves!

Crossing the bridge again 

Pretty soon we reached the Suspension Bridge and out onto the tarmac again. It was steep tarmac and shhhh,, never let it be said, we walked up it....   It was only 150 yards or so.  Pretty soon we were home enjoying porridge and coffee, crumpets and honey.
Well, I was.....