I’ve had to use an old cycling helmet of daughter’s that was hanging around in the garage, given a robin is busy raising a brood in mine.
Once we cross the formerly busy dual carriageway, we’re just cycling in country lanes. The traffic has increased of late, as has the speeding! I’ve noticed a sharp increase in road kill when the opposite should be the case. I had such high hopes for the hedgehogs.
There’s a little bridge here, all the streams we pass lead into the river Alt.
To the right of this bridge is where Peanut, the peahen that moved into our garden for a year, now lives. She’s still around, still living wild and has successfully raised two chicks, both male I think. I keep a sharp eye out for her!
The fields are ready for planting.
It’s hard going cycling here, as it’s so exposed, especially when the wind is against you. The road we cycle on is a good six foot higher than the fields, land erosion has been a thing for so long now, here, and worldwide, we have to get back to something more sustainable.
Heading towards the river.
Once you no longer have to battle the elements, cycling is just so liberating.
I think it was about here, when I began thinking about a solitary bee that had been in my greenhouse, earlier in the day.
Just as I was about to close the greenhouse doors, I saw a bee buzzing about. Nothing unusual there. I grabbed the usual kit to put it out….and there is a lot of kit by the way, but I have it down to a fine art.
The bee conveniently landed on a large pot of newly sown cabbages, and as I was about to pounce, it disappeared into a newly burrowed hole. Sighs. I ended up putting the pot outside, as it won’t survive in a greenhouse and thankfully the cabbage white butterfly isn’t out yet to devour those seedlings!
I’ve also noticed lots of acorns sprouting in my veggie patch. Obviously the squirrels have been busy and forgetful. I felt awful tossing them all into the green bin, so I planted one in a pot as I do love an oak tree.
Rolling, rolling, rolling down the River
Hubs and I crack a cider open here, and share it as we sit on the bridge, these days, trying not to touch anything.
There has been such an increase in cyclists lately, all powering around in the full kit. It’s good to see so many people exercising, although I’ve never seen so many people walking and cycling in the thirty years I’ve lived here. The UK, and other Western countries may end up healthier.
It occurred to me, while scanning the horizon in my scruffs, that this was the best year, ever… to make a New Year’s resolution not to buy any new clothes.
High five myself!!!
Last year, while cycling/walking the dogs along this track I spotted several eating apple trees, I know that as I sampled the apples. I also clocked lots of potatoes that had escaped the farmers’ fields. Hubs added that there were also plenty of pheasant to go with the apple sauce which didn’t go down well with me….AT ALL! It’s interesting seeing how much you can actually forage if you had to.
I was surprised to see flocks of birds I’ve never seen in these fields before. I think they may be curlews. I wonder why they are now in the fields in such large numbers? Wildlife are certainly venturing into territories new.
And Finally…
Just as hubs and I rounded a corner to head for the dual carriageway we came upon an accident scene. A cyclist had hurtled into a man, woman and child. The poor chap ended up with a broken shoulder while just out for a walk.
Apparently all the A&E departments are empty….I wonder why???
Until next time, stay safe guys.
Oh, it’s exactly the same here! Yup! With you on the lycra lot, there is an abundance of them suddenly powering around. We’ve reduced our cycling lately and are sticking to walking as there are so many cyclists! Thanks Chloris.xxx
We hardly ever used to meet people out on our bikes but now the lanes have loads of walkers and cyclists. I suppose we can’t expect to keep them for our own exclusive use. It’s the lycra brigade that terrify me, they never have bells and they puff and pant out droplets. Joggers are a menace too. But walking is easier, people seem to keep to the lanes and the footpaths are empty.
The photos are beautiful. It’s such a pretty area for a bike trip. The bike accident you came across sounds awful. Thank goodness the injuries weren’t any worse than they were.
Thanks Sheryl, it’s always a lovely bike ride, especially if the wind is behind you, which it is, either on the way there, or on the way back. I’m just glad that cyclist didn’t hit the kid! xxx
I admire how you are staying physically active. The countryside in your region is wonderful. Interesting that there is so much food available for forage.
Thanks Jason. I wouldn’t go for mushrooms, but everything else is up for grabs, if necessary! It’s surprising how many crops escape fields, and even end up in my garden. xxx
Oh how lovely, I enjoyed tagging along on your travels.
Amalia
xo
Thanks Amalia, I do love a cycle, when the wind is behind me! xxx
The freedom of cycling through those
quiet lanes must have felt good. How
wonderful to see more birds than usual in the fields, including curlews, but upsetting to see animal casualties. Stopping for a break and a drink sounds great. Our local grandson goes out cycling or running as he needs to keep up his fitness routine since he’s not able to be in football academy. Whatever you’re doing have a good weekend and week ahead.
Cycling with the wind behind you is always a pleasure! I’m really surprised re wildlife venturing into new territories, and now the traffic is picking up, I fear for them. Oh… I do hope your grandson manages to keep up with his regime! This must be a nightmare for our youth! Thanks Linda, look after you and Mr P!xxx
Beautiful countryside
It would be lovely if it was less crowded, but then I’m part of those who add to the numbers. It’s odd seeing so many folk on our normal walks and bike rides.xxx
OMG ! what a way to end your walk .. that poor man !
I laughed about your resolution not to buy new clothes .. I think that is great (I’m a bit red faced here with that notion .. but you have straightened me out ? LOL) .. love the conversation as you were taking your ride .. I haven’t been on a bike in so many years I won’t say .. but you are never supposed to forget , right ? .. I worry for your hedgehogs too .. what is up with all that traffic ? people getting stir crazy going out for rides .. ironically they should be walking, much better for them.
We seem to be relatively safe here .. no new cases in ages .. Canada seems to be treating this as well as possible. I won’t go on about our southern neighbors and that idiot.
Great pictures and conversation 😉
I did feel for that poor guy with the broken shoulder, thank god the cyclist didn’t plough into the child. You never forget how to ride a bike, I learnt that after a hip replacement! Oh, everyone is out doing everything around here. The cars are speeding, and wildlife that got used to quieter roads are now paying the price. Absolutely wonderful hearing how well Canada is doing. Long may that continue! Oh…that orange thing…. thanks Joy.xxx
A lovely ride. I guess -people are avoiding A & E for fear of picking up infections. Apparently hospitals are worried people who should be presenting aren’t doing so. I hope you aren’t being tempted to forage the roadkill.
Oh yes, people are terrified of going to A&E, the government are now advising that people go as there is a concern re being swamped when this is over…if it ever is! Goodness…me? roadkill? I haven’t eaten meat since I was five years old, that would kill me!!! And…it’s wildlife….lol…that’s how this started! Thanks Sue.xxx
Lovely post and pictures. It’s a long time since I last enjoyed a cycle ride like that. xx
Thanks Flighty, you can’t beat a bike ride….when the wind is behind you.xxx
A lovely bike ride, and glad you didn’t have to turf the robins out to get your helmet. Yes, the hospitals are empty at the moment. Mick’s had to take my dad a couple of times over the last two weeks and you could count the number of cars in the visitors car park on one hand. He said it’s like a ghost town inside the hospital.
Oh, your poor dad! I’m so glad the A&E have been empty, that must have made it so much easier for Mick and your dad. The robin fledglings have now fledged! Yay…I didn’t even have to release them.xxx
We have the same problem with little boy racers using the lanes round here as a race track, the problem is that dog walkers are now walking in the middle of the lanes with their dogs off the lead as there is hardly any traffic, it is just an accident waiting to happen! I also decided not to buy any new summer clothes as there isn’t anyone to see them and goodness knows when I will get out of lockdow and I’m in gardening clothes every day anyway!
Your cycle ride looks lovely, all that fresh air must be doing you good. Stay safe and well Dina.
Oh goodness, your lane sounds like a nightmare!!! Kids are razzing around in cars here and cycling in large groups and hanging out everywhere, especially parks, beaches and the pinewoods. They’re even lighting fires and leaving glowing embers! Good decision not buying summer clothes, funny how what we wear doesn’t really matter now. I’m sure all the reporters only dress the top half of their body for TV interviews! You take care. xxx
I was tickled to get the Peanut update, and I loved seeing your countryside. Too bad for that fellow who suffered at the hands (the wheels?) of the bicyclist, but those things happen. One thing I’ve noticed here is the temptation to speed, as fewer cars have been on the road. That’s changing now, though, as things are beginning to open up, and at least some people are able to return to work.
I have a neighbor who works in a dental office, and she went back yesterday, happy as a clam. It seems to me that for all their grousing, people who have a chance to actually begin re-engaging with life are being more careful than they’ve been asked to be. No one wants to go back to the beginning of this misery!
Thanks Linda, our countryside seems so different from yours, you have far more open spaces. Cars are even racing each other here!!! Why anyone would risk a crash and ending up in hospital is beyond me. Good to know people are being more careful, everything is up in the air and we all need to be vigilant, and make our own decisions, rather than just do as we are told!xxx
I keep thinking that we should try going for a bike ride instead of our usual walk. The problem is I have past experience of this: R cycles to work (well, the station at each end when life is normal) and always leaves me miles behind. Then he stops to let me catch up (having a breather at the same time) and sets off again as soon as I reach him. It doesn’t make for marital harmony! Your ride looks idyllic though – especially the cider on the bridge! xx
Oh….I see your point! I wouldn’t cycle with hubs if he did that. He always cycles behind me, especially when on the roads as I struggle to look behind me to see what’s coming. Maybe pull that one!!! Cracking a can by the river is lovely. Thanks Veggiemummy.xxx
Thanks for taking us on this. fabulous ride….I thoroughly enjoyed.
Who needs new clothes? I think we can all save a lot of money through this. period:)
Sending love XXX
Thanks Janet. Oh, we must all be saving a small fortune, although a lot of people still seem to be shopping online. Even before this pandemic I realized I had enough clothes to easily last me a year. Now I’m wearing the same comfy things and just repeatedly washing them. Love and hugs, always.xxx
I did enjoy seeing your photographs but all but one were sideways, however, it didn’t detract from the lovely views etc that you’d shared.
Yes, the number of cyclists out and about does seem more, it will be interesting to see if these numbers are maintained once things get back to normal … or whatever the new normal will be.
Stay safe and well.
All the best Jan
Goodness….another sideways photos! So sorry, I have no clue why that has happened!!! Seems to be a glitch in the machine! Yes, I wondered if the numbers of people exercising will drop when this is over, and goodness knows what the new normal will look like! Thanks Jan.xxx
Lovely photos of your ride down the river Dina …& so nice to share a bottle of cider on the bridge. There are some plus points in experiencing this lockdown period …& not having to buy or worry about clothes is one of them!
Thanks Gerrie. It is a lovely peaceful ride, apart from the cyclists racing past us. Oh….I soooo called the year not to buy clothes!!!xxx
Hi,
Gilly has mentioned it so I won’t. There is one photo that didn’t require acrobatics. I know what you mean about winds. We’re experiencing no end of varieties. Cycling does give you a sense of freedom, which I used to enjoy a lot. More power to your legs and feet I say!
I hope your nesting visitor leave their lodgings in the manner in which they found them.
With big quiet open spaces we are used to seeing bird life, the kind that likes the region. One of the delights is hearing a lark or two when the wind isn’t roaring.
Road kill was a regular feature on our roads, but, and I don’t know why, it substantially reduced a number of years ago.
I hope you have all the great benefits of a super break. xxxx
Oh….another sideways pictures! Yikes….what is that all about??? It’s been really windy here, well, certainly while cycling, but when on a bike winds are so much more obvious, lovely when behind you though. The robin chicks have fledged and released themselves, so I can now re-claim my helmet. I’ve heard that the lark is always the last bird singing, no so around here, it’s always the robin. How odd about the road kill!!! Thanks Menhir. xxx
For some weird reason, and for the first time, all your photos are sideways!! Not sure what that’s about … good practice for the neck muscles.
Yes, I’ve noticed too there are huge numbers of cyclists and runners about. Some of us may end up healthier but I rather fear that people who live in tower blocks may take to comfort eating, and who can blame them?
Stay safe, lovely Dina – and may your robin give you much joy.
Oh goodness me! Sideways pics are not good, I have no idea why that has happened. Daughter went on and the pics were normal for her. I do feel for people without gardens….Thanks Gill. Take care. Hugs.xxx
Ah, what a glorious journey it looks to be! And I loved seeing where Peanut lives, where you shared a cider, and where you recalled you bee encounter…what a lovely ride, Dina!
We’re having way more cycling going by on our narrow trail and are giving up walking on it on sunny days, as cyclists and runners are like crop-dusters of virus if they’re asymptomatic and, because of our lousy testing, no one knows, so in the yard we stay. I’m glad you were able to get out safely and enjoy the sights, but very sorry to hear of the accident you saw. Our niece suffered a hit and run collision one early evening a couple weeks ago. Very thankful for bike helmets!
I really laughed at your New Year’s resolution: perfect timing! I am thankful for yoga pants and t-shirts…and slippers. I even weeded in slippers yesterday. Wasn’t thinking. So many things make me say, “Who cares?” But we do try to maintain routines so we don’t devolve too much. 🙂
Thank you for a wonderful post. Be safe and well, dear one! xoxo
Oh, it’s the same here, runners, walkers and cyclists everywhere, throwing caution to the wind. Lots of groups of cyclists too! I let Curly out into the garden yesterday and wandered around pulling the odd weed. I totally forgot I was unwashed and in my PJ’s! I do hope the test seeing if you’ve had the virus becomes available soon, that would certainly be a game changer.Thanks Kitty. Love and hugs to all.xxx
Those views! Those views!! I don’t have to battle the winds, so appreciate your taking these marvelous photos. And am glad to hear more and more people getting out and appreciating the views too!
That robin probably looked at your helmet and thought, “Ah, a fixer-upper!” and settled in. You stay safe, too, as you venture out on your walks and rides.
Thanks Anne, taking pics is a great excuse to get your breath back! The cycling helmet is empty now, and the fledglings released themselves. xxx