The weatherman said it would be cooler with cloud until Midday when temperatures would shoot up..again. Ha! I was out on Sparky the electric bike early but the Sun had other ideas and by 10.30 the land was shimmering in the heat so I tried to ride the shady back lanes only to find even the hollows were like Turkish Baths...
Started well on the main road, rode the short distance to the cliff tops where was a nice breeze.
I've spent a fair part of my life in the Mediterranean and the Tropics and I love the sunshine, but age takes it's toll. No longer the bronzed skin fit youngster sailing the Australian Coast, now, after a period in direct sun I look like a badly crumpled brown paper bag..
.. Not quite, but you get my drift..So I took to the back lanes.
Stopped to chat to a man re-building a stone wall, a trade that mixed with Quarry work men in his family have been doing since 1898. The local walls are not layered flint as in Sussex and Kent, or Dry Stone as in the Dales, but local Grit Stone or Granite bonded with a rough Mortar mix. Nothing decorative, just very strong and functional.
A green oven, closer to 30 than 20 in the enclosed lane..
Further along where a bank holds moisture the Foxgloves are in bloom.
Finally back to the high ground and a little breeze with a nice view of the distant Estuary in the sunshine.
24 miles and home before 3 pm. One thing about this old cottage, it's got thick stone walls and stays relatively cool on hot days. Kettle on...
Started well on the main road, rode the short distance to the cliff tops where was a nice breeze.
I've spent a fair part of my life in the Mediterranean and the Tropics and I love the sunshine, but age takes it's toll. No longer the bronzed skin fit youngster sailing the Australian Coast, now, after a period in direct sun I look like a badly crumpled brown paper bag..
.. Not quite, but you get my drift..So I took to the back lanes.Stopped to chat to a man re-building a stone wall, a trade that mixed with Quarry work men in his family have been doing since 1898. The local walls are not layered flint as in Sussex and Kent, or Dry Stone as in the Dales, but local Grit Stone or Granite bonded with a rough Mortar mix. Nothing decorative, just very strong and functional.
A green oven, closer to 30 than 20 in the enclosed lane..
Further along where a bank holds moisture the Foxgloves are in bloom.
Finally back to the high ground and a little breeze with a nice view of the distant Estuary in the sunshine.
24 miles and home before 3 pm. One thing about this old cottage, it's got thick stone walls and stays relatively cool on hot days. Kettle on...
It's possible that he had just been to collect that mug of tea on the wall, from the lady in the house. Hot sun as well, you can see my shadow with the camera.
