25th August

Every August Bank Holiday the Craven Potholing Club organise an open day in Gaping Gill which, for a couple of years I have wanted to visit. Well, today I did it. Gaping Gill is one of the most dramatic pot holes in the UK. It has one of the longest waterfalls in the country and one of the biggest chambers. I sat in a chair and was winched down about 350 ft into the blackness, and if I hadn't been wearing my waterproofs the spray from the waterfall would have soaked me. At the bottom of the shaft we were gathered together in groups of four or five peope and were given a guided tour of the chamber. The tour must have lasted for just over an hour and was rivetting. (Sorry about the photos, they are not as good as I would have wanted them to be but give an idea of what it was like.) From there I continued to walk up Ingleborough, one of the great Three Peaks of Yorkshire. I had travelled to the starting point, Clapham, on my motorbike so managed to have a day when did at least three of the things that I enjoy most of all, biking, walking and a bit of adventure. There were lots of bikes on the roads today and the route I took, from Clapham to Hawes and on to Ripon via Leyburn, is a favourite one with bikers. The roads have lots of twists and turns but with good visibility and occasional straight bits. My riding was a bit mixed. Sometimes I felt as though I was moving smoothly and quickly and on other occasions it felt rather lumpy, but the bike ran beautifully and sounds brilliant. I finished the day off with a pork pie and ice cream from the shop in Ripley.

Owen and Kim's Wedding

Owen & Kim's wedding seems to have introduced a spell of warm, dry summer weather at last. The day itself was what dreams are made of, beautiful weather, beautiful bride, handsome groom and everything else was just about perfect. It was lovely to have so many friends, family and others gathered together in one place for five or six hours. The ceremony, conducted by Stephen Matthew from Abundant Life Church in Bradford was friendly. informal but very professional and there was lots of very good feedback. The worship was, as usual, extraordinarily powerful and I wish it had gone on longer. The reception, the music and disco and the general socialising throughout the warm summer evening was one big magic moment. The Scandinavian teepe was stunning and caused a lot of interesting conversation. The young people who served the tables and generally made things happen were superb and could not have been bettered by professional staff. Certainly this was a day that we will never forget and a day which gives Owen and Kim an excellent start to their married life together.

For more photos please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/13615080@N00/