The epic adventure: The Dales, Moors and access over land.

People have live here for more than 6000 years and as estates, houses and villages have developed so to have pathways evolved for people to walk, and ride between these entities. While that land is private, the right of access has remained. All over this country there are walking tracks, bridleways and old roads that wander through snickets, farmers yards, and across paddocks.

Farmers cannot put aggressive animals, in the same paddock as a public access way. Grouse hunters cannot shoot over this area and the path cannot be ploughed.

The paths have a natural logic to their location. Beside fences, alongside a stone water race and the shortest convenient distance from the houses to the old manor, or from manor to manor.

The net work is quite extensive and as I gaze across the valley at a farm of approximately 75 ha it has one track right across the top of it beside an old water race and at least two tracks through the middle of it. There are always people walking or riding along these areas all the time.

It feels weird. I feel as if I’m trespassing as I ride through the farmers yard, past his workshop and right by the kitchen window. To me I’m evading their personal space.

Personal space is an interesting study in itself and is usually inversely proportional to the population density; influenced by the culture of that population.

So here we have a conservative, private, often shy culture, in a low density population having people walk right by the kitchen window any time of the day or night.

In NZ it’s a great way to get eaten by a dog, or blow away with a shotgun.

Farm security must be a nightmare. What about food safety, global gap accreditation and health and safety matters.

We have now been in Yorkshire for 1 week and got wet once riding home from the restaurant. The week has gone fast. A summary of events

· Started learning the food service trade. (can feel a blog coming on this some day)

· Had a 35ml bike ride to via Shipley, Keighley and back to toughen the backside

· Met Richard (martins Brother) and Jillian ( as Claire would say. She’s fonnnnnny)

· Colin and Raeline Walker (my sister) stayed 2 nights. They had a car so drove to Menston on Sunday to church then tried driving across to Scarborough to check out an English beach but hit very heavy traffic just outside of York. Decided to detour to the North York moores instead.

· Went with Martin to Manchester to stock with supplies.

· Caught up with John Richardson, his wife Mary and son John Jr.

· Off to the lakes district today for a hike in the hills. Restaurant closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.