Mow Cop Castle.

I had planned on going cycling today, but it dawned wet and miserable so we went out for a coffee instead. On the way we stopped off at Mrs TD's niece, the house was empty except for Molly, the guard dog, and we stole some cakes to take with us (the sole purpose for our visit). Molly didn't mind as we bribed her with one of them. It seems to be standard practice to skulk in the corner of the coffee shop drinking their coffee but eating your own cake. It reminds me of the story about a couple of my cycling friends, they were sat in a pub eating their sandwiches when the barmaid came over and told them they weren't allowed to eat their own food there. They looked at one another and, without a word, swapped lunches.

By the time we came out the sun was shining, so I did have a shortened ride after all. My route lay up a local hill, I should say "the" local hill, upon which stands the folly, Mow Cop Castle, built in 1754 by Randle Wilbraham but now owned by the National Trust. The site has been used for quarrying high quality querns (millstones) since the Iron Age.

I’ve just posted “Newbattle Bridge” from 29th July.