Healaugh, Askham Richard and other nearby villages are included in my book Chocolate and Chicory: York and beyond, by bicycle >
Cycling has been much enjoyed in recent years as a way of getting further afield, away from the centre of York. One of my early journeys was to Healaugh, via Askham Richard. Part of the journey was on the Wetherby Road, which isn't pleasant on a bike. But the tedious road and the worries about passing lorries were all forgotten once I arrived here in Askham Richard, in the late afternoon sun, and sat on a bench for a while by the village pond. I took the photo of the pondside grass verge because this is where, about 35 years ago, I remember standing with my parents throwing bread to the ducks. I guess going to Askham Richard from Acomb to feed the ducks was a big trip out for a small person.
This is more like it, after Wetherby Road and its traffic. I'm heading for Healaugh on Mill Lane, the narrow road that begins near the Askham Richard duck pond. This seems like a road more suited to cycling, and at last I feel like I'm escaping townie things. It's a while since I've travelled on a road that has grass growing in the middle of it.
Sadly Mill Lane with its complete lack of cars lasted only a short distance, then it was back onto more conventional roads, with a better class of tarmac, and traffic to consider again. I was feeling rather jaded as the ride progressed, as it didn't seem to be progressing as quickly as I would have liked, and felt like hard work.
This was, I realised, from a combination of things - a wind that seemed a bit brisk and needed some battling against, and bike tyres that felt they needed blowing up a bit. The first I could do nothing about, the second was a result of being a bit of a novice still, and forgetting to check before I set off. Or bring a pump with me.
But it didn't matter once I arrived at Healaugh, and saw this church in the sunshine on its hill. I've visited a lot of churches over the years, at first only if I was passing one while walking. It's progressed to the point where I'll cycle miles to see one. This one in particular has a handsome Norman doorway. Realising it was in such a picturesque setting was a bonus. I sat here for a while in the sunshine, looking out on the view from the hill, before heading back to York.
Healaugh, Askham Richard and other nearby villages are included in my book Chocolate and Chicory: York and beyond, by bicycle >