Wild Flower Hunt and Meals Out.

With the weather continuing to stay very hot and dry I have been cutting back a bit on my mileage and choosing to ride when it has been a little cooler.  My focus has been on seeing what wildflowers I could identify and taking pictures to check later.

Here is a link to my photo album I created on Wednesday.

Hedgerow Flowers

Wednesday, July 4th.

 LotSW Meander.

Met with Ian and David at the Little Bistro. Asked for a coke but changed my mind and opted for coffee instead when she wanted to charge me £2.40 for it. Did she think I wanted a fix of cocaine? 

We decided to head for the Leckford Estate Farm Shop and on the way were lucky to see a large number (20?) of marbled white butterflies feeding on blackberry flowers. They were mixed with a number of cabbage white butterflies. 

When we got near to the Cafe we realised it was still early so we continued down the Test Valley to Poppies for lunch. The route from Houghton to Mottisfont was supposed to be closed but we managed to get through with absolutely no problem.

 After lunch, we climbed via Braishfield over the ridge past the charming hamlet of Upper Eldon. 
In Kings Soimborne we stopped for ice creams at the little Corner Shop, before returning to The Little Bistro. Here Ian left us and David and I enjoyed a cup of tea before parting. I pleasant trundle home from there on my own.

Thursday 5th July.

HCMF Meet at The Plough, Itchen Abbas. 

I am glad to say that on Friday I was able to replace the flat tube. It was not a puncture as such,  but a patch which had been on the tube for over 5 weeks which had lifted a tiny bit, no doubt due to the heat. I also cleaned and adjusted my chain and gears.

Saturday 7th July.

Dinner in Kings Worthy.

Just a gentle evening ride to enjoy a family meal. As I rode home in the twilight it was pleasantly cool after the very hot day. 

Alresford Groupetta news: -

This week has been a good one for three of us with PinkPal pinching the TUK  medal. Well done PinkPal & Paddy too for a very good performance.

Andrew also clocked up some 47 miles while Simon, unfortunately, has been quite unwell. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Hoping for some more sunshine but with lower temperatures this coming week. The gardens do need some rain but "Be careful what you wish for"!

Gridironman