I was looking forward to walking round a chunk of the Eccup Reservoir at the beginning of my day's walk, however most of it is blocked by trees and shrubs.
A small section is open on the North West side - a grey expanse of water under a grey sky.
Then through the landscaped grounds (by Capability Brown) of Harewood House.
Then I join the River Wharf and I'm officially in North Yorkshire.
By the time I'm walking into the village of Kirkby Overblow the weather, the landscape and my mood have all perked up.
After short stretches of A-road, bridleway and footpath (through an oilseed rape field) I arrive on the edge of Harrogate.
Harrogate: where even Sainsburys and Weatherspoons are genteel.
