Yesterday, Storm Eunice hit the UK, and with gusts over 80mph locally, it was pretty scary. Definitely a day for staying indoors. A record speed of 122mph was recorded on the Isle of Wight, and the countries transport system came to a standstill, with schools also closed. Although a few planes did land, the video footage was horrendous!
We got off lightly at home, although some concrete from a neighbours roof was in our front garden this morning, next to our cars, with no apparent damage done. Our Clematis Montana which had mostly been growing over the fence to be enjoyed by passers by, seems to have been blown back into our garden, so that was a bonus. 😅
With rain and strong winds for the next two days forecast once more, a chance to dash out this morning in relatively normal winds, to see what the roads were looking like. Rain was due at 10am, so no tea stop today, hoping to get back before we got wet, since the last 3 rides have ended wet.
We noticed straight away the amount of debris on any pathways or narrow lanes with small branches and twigs all over the place. We rode on Edneys Hill, and then to School Road Arborfield, where this property had lost its fence due to a huge tree falling.
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| School Road, Arborfield. |
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| Across the road, and the larger pieces piled up to clear the road. |
All the way down Swallowfield Road, then to Swallowfield and into Part Lane.
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| Part Lane looking to Beech Hill |
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| Further along Part Lane. This one being supported by a power cable. |
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| Trowes Lane, where we will turn left to follow the hedgeline then into Barge Lane. |
From Barge Lane, we kept right to cross the green bridge, and as soon as we turned right up the hill, this chainsaw gang were out in force. A huge Oak tree from the garden on the left, had blocked the road completely, so we timed it well..... we could not get through.
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| Lambs Lane, Beech Hill |
We rode through Beech Hill village, and the to Bull Lane, Riseley and back down Part Lane. Over Farley Hill, where the lanes were covered in debis and also spotted a few trees which were being held up either by power cables, or another tree. They will at some point fall down.
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| Greenway, but easy enough to climb over. |
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| A few yards further along and not so easy, with the branches. We spoke to a lady in an electric wheelchair. No way through for her. |
The rain came on pretty heavy, as we got to Nashgrove Lane, where we were forced to get off and duck under the next blockage.
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| Nashgrove Lane. Not sure what was holding this up! |
Chucking it down, we arrived home in 4 degrees, and soaked on yet another ride. Brrr. And now indoors for the next couple of days. And on the news, all Nato countries hoping that Russia does not invade the Ukraine. Reports say that it could happen any day. 😡