well okay, maybe not but today is distinctly cooler and damper!
I guess that shouldn't be a surprise, this is UK after all!
It might not be so good today but Monday was quite pleasant so i got togged up, made a flask of coffee and set off for a semi urban hike. And so I took myself to Crew's Hole down on the Avon where I found a bench and spent half an hour drinking coffee, reading and watching the murky waters roll by. Yeah, the clear waters upstream take on a very murky tone @ Bath, i wouldn't want to fall into these lower reaches!
The next leg was along the foot/cycle path heading downstream to where the canal into the cities harbour leaves the river. You can follow the water all the way into the city but today I headed up through the reclaimed tar works, now a park, to St George, stopping for more coffee in the park. Then the last leg back to Bev's to complete a little over 10km for the day.
Exercise didn't end there, oh no, more gardening, breaking sod this time, nearly ready to sow the lawn!
The latest round of restriction lifting allows us to travel and with quite strict rules, even take breaks away from home. Not that its much use to me, tent camping is 'difficult' (no showers or even toilets and still charging full price!) and I can only visit the family out of doors - however it does mean that I can now openly go into Wales for a ride or two rather than just the quick transit through Chepstow. And so I decided Tuesday, with a more westerly wind, was the day to do my first Welsh ride of 2021 - nothing too ambitious, just a little loop along the coast and back.
Whilst I'm reasonably familiar with the roads along towards Newport, they haven't been ridden to death like some on this side of the water, it was nice to rediscover the lanes and indeed, find others I'd not previously used. I didn't go as far as Newport, instead I turned inland to the low hills of south Monmouthshire to stop for lunch at Llandevaud even cold, sausage sandwiches go down well! St Brides, Carrow Hill, Caerwent and back to Caldicot before more lanes across to Chepstow and the bridge back to England. Despite being a cooler, greyer day than of late, there were only a few spots of wet in Wales and I returned to base with a few km over 120 under the belt.
We've had some damp today, early doors and more is forecast through the day - I shan't be venturing very far today!
Today's Gaby chapter is Boyfriend!, part 26 of The Visitors. Of course, you knew Gaby wouldn't be forgotten for long and so despite a valliant attempt, she makes an appearance at the inaugural meeting of the school's new cheer team!
Well thats me for today, the washing's stopped so i guess i better get that sorted before lunch!
Tschuss,
Madeline Anafrid
Comments
If you are heading into Wales...
and in the direction of Newport then here is a challenge for you.
Near Magor there is a big brewery. Just to the west of that there is an old hillfort (covered by trees now. If you take the next left and head towards the railway, there is a bridge under the tracks. It is a low bridge and I mean low. I challenge you to ride under it without stopping.
If you look on the map there is a Level Crossing marked but it is closed. Using the underbridge is the only way to get from one side to the other.
Over to you Maddy.
Samantha
Bishton Road, behind the Steel works?
I was about 1km away yesterday at the bottom of that road.
Of course you've thrown down the gauntlet now
I stand 1.78m in my stocking feet so i'd have to duck to walk under but i reckon i can ride through.
The sign seems to indicate that the crossing is open during the day but that was taken in 2012, my OS dated 2016 still shows the LC - guess we'll find out when i go but that may not be for a couple of weeks looking at the weather!
Madeline Anafrid Bell
Wow!
You have found it. I rode my Triumph under the bridge in 2018.
I look forward to your report on the crossing.
Samantha
If your get the chance
check out youtube cruising the cut. There is a side of uk most dont see. Its very interesting, and may give you ideas to check out.
was this
aimed at Sam?
Madeline Anafrid Bell
I think it was.
Oh well, you can't get it right all the time.
Samantha