18/06/26. Weather promised sunny spells. I didn't need to be asked twice if I fancied a motorsickle ride out. Let's make it another of Uncle Alb's mystery trips into 'The Dales of the Shireshireshire.' I'd heard that a cafe located at what I considered a 'tourist spot' (and have avoided for almost a lifetime) was worth a look Wouldn't be too difficult to swing by for a visit then stop nearby for the picnic. A bonus being that 'en route' to said cafe is one of my favourite butchers. To call Kendalls Butchers in Pateley Bridge 'Pie Heaven' is an understatement.

Mrs C packed the tucker bag with the picnic of her choice and off we set. Familiar roads for the 550. Over the River Wharfe, turn left, climb over Norwood and Fewston. Past Menwith Hill an RAF/USAF listening station. phufff I bet they listen to some reet shiiite. Summerbridge and then Pateley Bridge. Easy parking for motorsickles in the village car park....just how it should be

Choosing 2 x 'Pateley Pasties' for tea...and a couple of Kendalls finest Growlers to freeze for a Pie and Pea night some other time.

Next stop coffees at the 'tourist trap' ...A.K.A. Howe Steen Gorge Cafe. Yep, never been before. Howe Steen is now an adventure centre (or maybe it always was) and there were quite a number of kids deep down in the gorge shrieking with laughter and enjoying the abseiling. Nice to see. A bunch of off road motorsickle chaps were enjoying coffees and teas outside the cafe. Here's where I revealed the surprise.....the cafe has glass flooring that hangs out over the gorge...Holy moly.....that glass didn't look particularly thick....but a careful walk out on it had to be done... 26mtrs to the water and rocks below..

Usual order .Americano with cold milk and a cappacino. Well deserved after that high altitude experience.

I did have a chat with the off road guys and the route leader was eager to tell me he uses an 'old fashioned map' Brill!!! No digital on his ride outs. Ordnance Survey through and through. The routes were marked in highlight pen, I was surprised how many legal off lanes there were in a national park...even more brill!! Took a picture of his map for possible future reference.

Onwards to the picnic then...did we stumble on a crackin' spot. Just through the village of Lofthouse on the climb up Trapping Hill towards Masham was the biggest pic-a-nic table in the whole of 'Shireshireshire' Gotta be a 36ft'...now that's a proper farmhouse table.

Views of Middlemoor village high on the hill to the left or looking back down Nidderdale behind us.

Let's unpack and plate up the tucker.... Loose leaf and spam salad, a large on the vine tommyato, bulgar tabbouleh with a fresh lemon and mint dressing. A side of hand made crisps and a most excellent ciabatta olive roll............ Follow that with M&S cheese cake slice and fresh berries.

Note- No damage to tucker in transport.. Perfectly presented. Top marks all round.