Out on the hills again. This week we’re on the North York Moors between Hutton le Hole and Lastingham. This is sheep country and to prove it here’s a ewe and her lambs at Spaunton where we’ve stopped for coffee ( from the flask).
Spaunton Village Signpost
This is familiar country for me. The roads north of York are mainly quiet, flat and pass through pleasant villages. Today I’m cycling to Easingwold. It’s only ten miles on the main road but this route winds along 18 miles of country roads. This shot came after leaving Strensall about 9 miles into the ride.
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Where do you find six pound coins to pay for parking?
This is the standard charge to leave a car for a day in the Lake District. So where do you find this much change in the middle of nowhere?
Even in Ambleside, where there are dozens of shops, there are signs that warn, No change given for the car park.” So dear Ambleside trader, how am I supposed to park to become a customer in your shop?
I bought sandwiches – offered a £10 note and asked for pound coins for the Pay and Display machine. “Sorry sir, we need our change.”
What’s the matter with you people. Go to the bank. Get a stash of change. Smile. Write a new sign – Change given here for the Car Park. Offer a service and watch the footfall increase. More footfall – more sales. It’s not rocket science. And anyway I only want to park a car – not a rocket.
Richard George: Plans ignore cyclists | Health and wellbeing | Life and Health
My local supermarket was designed by a driver, for drivers. This, despite the fact I live in Hackney, London, where less than half the population drives and 70% of shopping trips in the borough are made on foot. Nine buses stop outside the supermarket and most of the customers live in nearby flats, but my supermarket would rather everyone drove – and they have designed everything to try and ensure we do.
Richard George is right – planners are making it impossible to use a bike for shopping or commuting. It’s time they brought their green ambitions into line with their aspirations.
Natalie Shell: think talk walk
Last year (’07) I was visiting my hometown Sydney, and I found myself quite proudly part of a little experiment by the city of Sydney “Earth Hour”.The concept was simple: have the whole city turn off their lights for 1 single hour to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Well this year Earth Hour has gone GLOBAL!
I like this idea posted on the blog of my friend Natalie. Next weekend we all turn off our lights for an hour in the name of the environment, and find some way to celebrate it with an alternative lighting event. Our own Earth Hour.
Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.