Buscot Park

Had a pleasant day out today, which included a pub lunch. A bit of a miracle here when you go out with DH!! We went to two National Trust properties near Faringdon in Oxfordshire - Great Coxwell Barn and then Buscot Park.

It could leave you feeling like this when the person you go with is in the habit of spending his time taking over 200 photographs.  Very boring.

However Buscot Park was very interesting, with lots of lovely walking and arty things in the house and the gardens. A very wide range of paintings in the house including Burne Jones, Ravillious and Rembrandt.

Oh My Poor Knees

Been away for a couple of nights in Yorkshire so not been able to get out on my bike.  Decided to do a longer ride this morning from Malvern, via Diglis Bridge in Worcester, through Wadborough with a stop for a spot of lunch at Croome Park.  Met some nice cyclists whilst I was out and about, also quite a few very considerate motorists. Makes a change.

Rode through Upton on Severn, Guarlford and Sharrards Green on the way back. Guess I will know about it tomorrow as I did 37.5 miles. Will never understand Strava.  It said I did 9.5 mph average when my little bike computer said I did 11.7 mph average!  Think Strava does not take account of when I am not moving and the other one only works when the front wheel goes round.

Took the picture of the sweetcorn after I have passed Clive's Fruit Farm.  It was very tempting there and I nearly stopped for a cup of coffee.

Out and About

Managed to find time today to visit Hereford Archive and Records Office to see the current exhibition .… '60 Years in a Box'.  Some fascinating exhibits,

Marriete Vokes

Plus I have been to Yorkshire too and took some photographs of beach pebbles on a windowsill which I have since been playing with in Photoshop ….

Made a new pal too ….

Festival of Quilts

Need to swap my proper bike for this one.  It would certainly give me a softer landing. Had two days at the NEC this week and caught up with some friends too.  Lovely break.

Loved these small hexagons wrapped around what seemed to be old dress patterns. It reminded me of caddis fly larvae. I believe they attach small bits of stones and debris they find in streams to themselves to protect them.

Cycling Madness

No photo I am afraid, but yesterday I went out with one of the ladies from the 'Couch to 50k' group, as she is training for a London to Paris ride starting on 15 August. I take my hat off to her as she is doing something I would not even contemplate attempting. I cycle for my health, fitness and because I enjoy it. I do not want to achieve any goals or win medals. I also want to ride safely and uninjured.

I had an idea the ride would be difficult, as she had mentioned Hollybush hill, but it was even worse than I had anticipated with several other very challenging hills for me (Evendine Lane), dreadful road surfaces (Eastnor) on the Herefordshire side of the Malverns, but some fantastic views if you dared to look (West Malvern). We did just over 25 miles. So this week I have now already done over 46 miles as on Monday I rode to Croome Park via Worcester on my own. Do not know how I have done it as I am still very tired from TSG Summer School last week?

Needless to say I do not think I will be doing yesterday's ride again in a hurry!!