Day three.

It was raining when we set off, still heading north to Holmfirth, well known of course as home of 'Last of the summer wine'. It was mostly closed when we got there except for the CO-OP. After lunch Bert went to visit a friend in Huddersfield. Calum and I tried to find our way through the smaller roads over the hills of Meltham. I thought this was pretty bad, not exactly Strines Road material but very tiring but then we tackled the climb from Slaithwaite to the A640. No serious gradients are implied on the map but this is energy sapping stuff. The road which is supposed to pass under the motorway is signposted as 'No through route'. In fact it is a perfectly good road for cyclists. In due course we reached Sowerby Bridge and opted for the off road route along the canal. Although the surface was extremely poor for cycling we did not have far to go and enjoyed being away from the traffic. The only trouble is, how do you know when to turn off. We tried a couple of exits when the canal was near the road but there was nothing to tell us where we were.

So at last I have found a use for satellite navigation. We did eventually find the correct exit, since it involved carrying heavy pannier laden bikes up a steep narrow stone stair case it was not one we would have found without asking for directions. Mankinholes Youth Hostel was right up on the hillside of the southern valley slope. A big old stone house with the best drying room I have seen for many a year. Alan was there and Bert arrived soon after and Calum's brother Euan came to join us for dinner. The warden was at a party over the road and since the hostel was supposed to be closed it was quite quiet. We walked across the field at night to the only pub and had a quiet couple of pints.