Our decorator arrived at 08.00 this morning. We have never employed a decorator. It's 5 years... 5 years.... since our extension was built. (where did that go?!). It was a sizable job to do last time, and we just can't be bothered, so decided to "get someone in". He comes highly recommended. We confessed that we had a done a terrible job of the painting last time, wrecking the fresh new smooth plaster. Depending on the time of year/day/sunlight, the walls have looked terrible for 5 years. Anyway, we left him to it, and went out on our bikes with Dave. (my buddies all on holiday). We were to get some good news when we got back. 😏
John had cycled 60 miles yesterday, cycling home from Bicester, fighting against the wind, whilst I did a local Bicester ride with Breeze champs. So, he was a little weary today and opted for a "short" 30 mile loop.
Route
We set off down Chestnut Avenue, where John announced that he forgotten his phone. He was determined to go home to get it, so Dave and I poodled along, getting to Cantley roundabout before we thought we had better give him a chance to catch up. "No good for our average speed", said Dave. Mine was 8.4 mph. John finally appeared and we picked up to normal speed heading to Binfield and to Ryehurst Lane. As we arrived at the junction, we spotted this beautiful horse blocking our path, so halted a moment.
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| Ryehurst Lane. |
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| Ryehurst Lane Willow tree just budding up. |
From Bottle Lane, we did the loop to Westley Mill, and enjoyed the newly tarmaced lanes. At last! Its been pretty awful for years now. Back onto Howe Lane, and then passing Waltham Place to White Waltham. I noticed just before we dropped down to pass the church, that my average speed had not changed from 8.4mph. Then I realised I had only done 4.5miles which was rubbish. I reset my Garmin, and so my route has a straight line from Binfield to White Waltham. Why, oh why?
We crossed Breadcroft Lane, where I had never before noticed these giant decorations hanging from a tree. Can't decide if they are meant to look like giant apples, or just decorations?
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| Breadcroft Lane, White Waltham |
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| Next to the giant baubles on Breadcroft Lane |
Next, crossing the crop fields on Knowl Hill circuit, it was a bit disappointing to see loads of cabbages planted this year. Not the prettiest of crops. A right turn then, into the other Bottle Lane, to cross the A4. Just before we reached the A4, two cyclists turned into the lane. It was Karan and Lucy! Not seen them for ages, so stopped for a chat. Karan recovering after knee problems and Covid, and Lucy also had a bad back. They were just doing a gentle local loop today. Nice to see them.
Onward now to climb to Warren Row, and Crazies Hill to drop down into Wargrave.
We cut through Beggars Hill Road, Sandford Lane, Colemansmoor Road to Dinton. I stopped for a photo at the lake, but my camera was having a mad moment, and the screen kept going black.
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Something weird was happening to my camera, and the screen went
black, so I thought nothing was taken. Turned out it was taking 8 photos..... |
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| .. this was the last shot it took. Not in focus since I want holding it steady, thinking that it wasn't doing anything! I like the grasses on the distant bank. |
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Lovely display of yellow as we left Dinton. The camera is working again. 😕
We left Dave at Morrisons. (on the wrong side of the road apparently to the boys usual "goodbye" stop.
We got home to the decorator filling and sanding, and with the news that it wasn't our terrible decorating skills that was the problem, but bad work on the part of the plasterer. Does this mean we will do more decorating ourselves in future? 😕 |
