Finite ablutions.

Day 23: one of our shortest days, along the moor from Menston to Ilkley - a gentle 7-mile stroll with fine views. This tempted out a quintet of human companions: Francesca and David, Anne and Richard (who, for FOMO, had rejoined the expedition early), and Nigel from Hebden Bridge. F&D and Nigel brought dogs Poppy and Twm respectively, so 11 pairs of legs set out together - very social. I’m glad to report that Paul’s knee is much better, although still bruised.

After negotiating the scary temporary bridge at Menston station, admiring various crochet items in gardens and avoiding getting ensnared by coffee shops, we made it onto the moor and eventually along to the Cow and Calf rocks. These are not very bovine - think calving glaciers rather than anything that looks remotely like an animal - but certainly provide a good vantage point for looking at Ilkley. We descended past an old bathhouse (still in use but now open only on New Year’s Day) signposted with a very definite full stop. Baths, and that’s your lot. Don’t think you’re getting owt else.

Twm obviously didn’t think much of this, and went for a puddle paddle instead. Poppy preferred to stay dry, perhaps in hope of unrestrained grooming later.

We reached Ilkley in time for lunch and returned to Menston by train, whereupon Paul leapt into the bath, presumably in fear of not being allowed another until New Year.

Today’s track of the day is Brahms’s Piano Quintet, one of my favourite pieces of chamber music, in celebration of our quintet of human companions today and also in honour

of David and Francesca, our lovely hosts and themselves excellent musicians.