Day 10 - From Cheshire to Lancashire

 

I enjoyed a fabulous cycle across country lanes today; no HGVs trying to run me over; the only risk was that the Spring lambs are really distracting and I might fall off whilst laughing at them gambling about!

I enjoyed an alfresco lunch in Longridge, where my mother and I looked particuarly ridiculus wearing wooly hats & down jackets, singing along to the music playing on the terrace, it would have been normal in a ski resort, but I'm not sure Longridge's residents knew quite what to make of two ladies singing along to Diana Ross!



I have also really enjoyed the road names I have cycled along today, Birdy Brow, Twitter Lane; as you can imagine there are a fair few birds about here in Lancashire's Forest of Bowland, I think I may have even heard a curlew!!

I can definitely tell I am cycling Northwards, it is freezing! And Spring seems a little farther behind here, lambs are younger, and the spring flowers and leaves are like they were down in Dorset a month ago; so I am profiting again from Spring which is lovely! I am also very glad I packed winter cycling gear! I did wonder whether I was being pessimistic packing waterproof jacket, trousers, overshoes, socks & gloves, but all have been used today! Woohoo for the right clothing at the right time!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pedalling Poole to Provence for Parkinson's

As someone diagnosed with Parkinson’s’ Disease aged 37, I was rather desperate to find any silver linings possible, and at the very least rays of hope to help me weather the storm that accompanies receiving a diagnosis of a progressive degenerative incurable neurological condition. Within weeks of receiving my diagnosis I discovered Cure Parkinson’s and subsequently attended their seminar on research they have funded.  There began my journey of equipping myself with the maximal knowledge I could on cutting edge research, to hopefully minimize the burden of this disease upon my future life. The research funded by Cure Parkinson’s is literally working to save lives, and selfishly I am rather keen that they do this apace! Having cycled Lands End to John O’Groats last year, I made a rather delightful discovery for myself; that if I cycled at least 50 miles a day I no longer felt that I had Parkinson’s. I was able to write a letter again, something I have not done for many years. And s...
Read more

Day 7 Montargis to Chablis

Image
Given the temperature was due to hit 41C today, and that the French Government had banned outdoor events, I rose at dawn to start cycling before sunrise, with the intent to finish by 1pm or 35C whichever arose sooner! I was optimistic my early starting temperature of 17C would be sufficient! The route followed the canal; how glad was I for water seems to hold the temperature a little cooler, as do trees; never have I been so aware of verdant trees, or more the absence there of! For the most part the waterway was a kind route, particularly with a constant supply of wildlife to distract me; Herons, butterflies, swallows, woodpeckers. After 30Km I was forced to bid farewell to the canal and start the journey over a variety of hills towards Burgundy; home to delicious wines, an incentive to keep pedaling! I descended to the charming village of Charny replete with bunting across the river; a red squirrel hopped along! Beatrix Potter would be delighted! I was very happy to find a pati...
Read more

Day 4 - Toquettes to Courville Sur Eure

Image
Today marks leaving Normandy as I head Southeast across France; after a few rolling hills to warm up my legs I reached l'Aigle, alive and bustling on market day. And what a market! Rows of stalls selling delicious looking produce, not just fresh fruit and vegetables, but live produce!!! Chickens, geese, quail and rabbits! I am uncertain whether the latter are destined for life as domestic pets, or the domestic pot! I can just imagine Keith Floyd having a field day in this place, complete with his ever-suffering producer Clive! In l’Aigle I discover a great bike shop; I am suffering a common complaint of the cycle tourist, numbness and pain in my hands, unsurprising when they are under pressure for over seven hours a day! My gloves are insufficiently padded for the task, fortunately the shop stock Castelli mitts and my hands are given a reprieve! The route continues its way across undulating terrain, little copses of trees proffering shade from the ever-warmer sun! A heat wave i...
Read more