Spring Mini Tour of East Anglia

My first time camping in TeeTee. Quite a modest trip with only two nights spent sleeping in the 'van. The other four I was spoilt by my friends. Two nights in Cambridge and two near to Norwich.

I drove to Cambridge on the Monday and indulged in reminiscing with my friend of some 60 years, Liz. I had brought three albums of photos for us to enjoy.

I left Cambridge on Wednesday driving past Bury St. Edmunds to my first campsite at Polstead. It was a smallish site but there were plenty of spaces. In fact, I think on my first night there, there was only one other active pitch. The warden told me that several bookings had been cancelled or postponed due to the stormy weather.

I was connected up and established on my pitch by 5 o'clock so decided to explore. Walked to the nearby hamlet of Polstead Heath hoping for a pint. Discovered the pub marked on my map had been closed some years ago. It was getting dark as I walked back and a kind van driver stopped and offered me a lift. That saved a walk of half a mile. 

The next morning was wet and windy so I chose to wait until the heavy rain had cleared and then walked to the main village of Polstead.

Two views of the village lake.

The Cock Inn.

 Had a nice lunch in the pub before walking back to TeeTee, it had dried enough for me to be able to walk through a field & some woods.

After a short rest, I unloaded Posh and set off to Flatford Mill. Here is my ride report.

The following morning I set off for Little Melton near Norwich. Took the scenic route and enjoyed the countryside.

I arrived at my destination so early that we had the opportunity to go for an afternoon ride. 

Saturday was extremely windy and we chose to go into the city of Norwich by Park and Ride. £2 return fare with a bus pass. I thought it would be free.

It was well worth it. Chris showed me around the very interesting city. First, we went into the cathedral and then for a walk along the river. Wandered around the old part of the city. Had lunch in a very good pub with a wide choice of beers then visited two of the four bike shops they have there before tea in the castle restaurant. (Too expensive to go inside.)  We had also managed to fit in a morning coffee at the cathedral refectory. 

We went to The Village Pub for a carvery or fish and chips for dinner. Surprisingly I've lost weight over the week.

Chris

Sunday we went for a morning ride before I left my generous hosts around 2.40 p.m. 

The Old Mill near Marlingford.

The River Yare.

The journey home was a good one. I covered the 180 odd miles in around 3.4 hours with very minor delays on the M25. The weather was extremely changeable. Heavy showers of hail, heavy rain and lots of sunshine it was dry in Hampshire! I did pass a car on the interchange between the M11 and the M25 which was at right angles across two lanes. It appeared the driver had gone into the turn too quickly and hit the Armco. It must have just happened as there was no delay.

It was a great week despite the very stormy and changeable weather. I felt lucky I'd managed to survive the week with three rides and without getting wet.

Gridironman

High Winds & Showers can't stop Us!

Another week seems to shot by. Amazing how time seems to fly when one is having fun. I managed three rides this week, two on Txiki when I was with others and needed to keep up, the other on my own, so Paris sufficed.

Tuesday 5th March 2019.

Pedallers' Ride from Poppies into the New Forest.

My Pal Andrew at the top of Armsworth Hill.

Thursday 7th March 2019.

HCMF Meet at The Tichborne Arms.

My Pal Simon with his Ferris Fixie.

Saturday 9th March 2019.
Alresford Groupetta Brunch at South Warnborough.

Simon Tackles the Alton CTC free wheeling course.
How can he do that on a fixie?

Gridironman.

Glorious Sunny Tuesday .

Andrew and I took advantage of a really warm day on Tuesday, February 26th to join the Pedallers for a visit to Waitrose Farm Shop and then on Saturday, March 2nd I joined the Alton CTC ride to Dummer. The first time I'd ridden with them for ages. I chickened out of going to the HCMF meet on Thursday as the weather was very unsettled and I didn't fancy getting wet. I'd ridden past the pub on Tuesday anyway!

Gridironman.

First Signs of Spring.

Welcome to the Springlike sunshine and warmer weather!

My week started poorly when I slept badly on Sunday night and stayed in bed half of Tuesday with a horrible cold. However, I seem to have recovered much quicker than last time and I was able, not only to get out on a bike on Thursday and again on Saturday but to actually ride one with no E-assistance.

The wildlife seems to be appreciating the change in the weather with more spring flowers appearing and the birds getting active with their nest building. The nearby heronry and rookery both seem to have become much noisier.

Near Axford, Simon and I were lucky to see five red kites circling a field where a farmer was cultivating, no doubt after the worms etc. Then just a mile further on close to Ellisfield we saw four deer in a field going into the woods. Two of them with quite large antlers. 

Here are my ride reports.

Gridironman.

Common Cold spoils my week.

I went to Essex on Tuesday 12th for the funeral of a cousin. The trip gave me the opportunity to test TeeTee on a motorway journey. Apart from a couple of rattles all went well. The downside of the trip was I caught a cold off another cousin!

Fortunately, it has not manifested itself until last night when I had an awful restless night.

Did manage to enjoy two rides with one of my best pals,. Simon.

Gridironman

Bouncing!

The wintery mixture continues! Managed to fit in two rides between the windy and rainy days. Plenty of snowdrops everywhere and some aconite and crocus too. Daffs in bud.

Snowdrops and Aconites.

The first was on Tuesday 5th February when I joined to Pedallers on a ride to the Apache Cafe, Army Flying School, Lower Wallop.

Then on Thursday 7th February, I rode to the HCMF meet at Twyford with my pal Simon who had not previously ridden this year due to other commitments.

Ouch!

Sunday 10th February. The thigh is much better and I am planning on getting back on one of my bikes later in the week. 

 Grid (not so) ironman

A wintery Week's Rides.

Despite the wintery weather I have managed to clock up a respectable number of miles this week. 

On Tuesday 29th January I joined the Pedallers in Alresford for a chilly ride to the Westlands farm Shop in Shedfield near Wickham.

Then on Thursday 31st January, I decided to risk the possibility of snow and go to the HCMF meet at The Royal Oak, Goodworth Clatford.

Sunday 3rd February.

With the snow and ice over the last few days like many others, I decided to play it safe and walk instead. So I have just had a gentle walk of a couple of miles in the lovely sunshine. The snow is thawing slowly and the busy roads are clear but on the minor roads there are still many icy patches, especially in the shade.

On the whole a good start for the year. My details for January are;-

Cheers!

Gridironman.

TeeTee replaces Dobbin.

A very exciting week. After riding Paris with the LoTSW group on Wednesday I spent Thursday exchanging my faithfull Dobbin for a larger Motorhome (TeeTee) with more mod con to facilitate my cycle/camping holiday breaks. Then on Saturday Txiki provided a needed boost for me on the Winchester CTC ride to Poppies.

Tuesday 23rd January 2019

Thursday 24th January 2019.

Spent a large part of the day at Marquis Leisure in Upham trading in my Camping Car Dobbin for a newer, shinier and better-equipped motorhome, named TeeTee (Or just TT for short). She is Italian, a Trigano Tribute 550 on a Fiat Ducato base. The engine is a 2.3-litre diesel which far outpowers Dobbin, so I shall be able to maintain a good pace on my longer journeys. (I wonder what my MPG will be!)

The handover was very thorough and I was able to persuade them to include an excellent Fiamma bike rack, a full gas bottle, a freshwater hose and six months licence in the price. I do wonder how much of the detailed instructions on how to work everything I will remember by next week. However, they did emphasise that if I need any help I only have to ring them. They were true to their word when on Friday when I couldn't work out how to attach my bike Paris to the rack. They did it for me and showed me the key to success. (I obviously wouldn't do well at the Krypton Factor!) TT also comes with a warranty.

Saturday 26th January 2019.

Just spending today Sunday familiarising myself with the instruction manuals for TT.

I have already booked one away trip to York in the first week of May when the Tour de Yorkshire is on.

Gridironman.

Just Two Rides this Week

I have had a busy week dealing with a number of other matters and then today going for a woodland walk.

Tuesday 15th January was a chilly day but I had an enjoyable ride with the Pedallers. 

Then on Wednesday, the LOTSW group met at the Little Kitchen Bistro but as it was a very cold & wet day we all turned up without our bikes and just chatted for over an hour. First time I'd seen David this year.

Thursday 17th January after attending to other matters I joined the HCMF at Easton so another short ride.

     

On Saturday I didn't fancy a ride in the rain so went to Uppark in Dobbin for a bit of "me time". Discovered that  H.G. Wells had lived there when his mother was the housekeeper between 1890 & 1893. They have a lot of his books on sale there. 

It was not too wet when I arrived and I did manage a short walk in the garden as well as a visit to the servants quarters before enjoying a casserole in the cafe, but then the mist descended and the views were hidden. On my way home at the top of Stoner Hill, I was up in the clouds.

Sunday 20th January. I have had a good walk in the sunshine in Chawton Woods with my daughter Sarah and her dog Luna.

I have been hatching a plot to further enhance my motor-caravanning experiences following my successful trips of 2018. Watch this space!

Gridironman.

Week 2 of 2019.

This week I seem to have become a regular E-Bike rider. I need to make sure it is not becoming a habit! I do have my excuses but maybe Bob was right and I am on that slippery slope away from proper road bikes. I have struggled a bit recently on Paris as is evidenced by the average speeds I've been recording. Maybe my little old legs haven't quite got the power they had. I don't really care as long as I can enjoy it whatever bike I ride. I have enjoyed the four very different rides I've had. They each have their good and bad points.

My first ride was on Tuesday 8th January with the Pedallers. We started from Old Basing. Here are the details:-

What I liked about this ride was the close friendship between the 9 of us who regularly ride together. The downside was having to use Dobbin to get to the start.

The second was on Thursday 10th January when I rode alone to join the HCMF at The Farmer's Home in Durley.

 This was a ride where I had no planned route so did what I love to do, just make it up as I go along. That and the friendship of the others at the pub made it a very social event. The downside was I didn't manage to persuade any of the AlresfordGroupetta to join me.

Then on Saturday 12th January, I joined a CTC ride. This was a large group of around 20 riders which means lots of stopping to regroup which I prefer to avoid. However, on the sunny side, it did enable me to say Happy New Year to many of my friends.

Our Mob! Picture by kind permission of Vicky.

To round off a good week I had a short ride on Sunday 13th January.

Don't be misled by the profile if you check it you will see that the difference between the lowest and the highest is only about 70 feet!

The good point for this ride was it was nice to say Happy New Year to the barmaid Sian who I have known for around 10 years. I don't think there was a downside!

Gridirnman.

A dry but chilly start to the new year.

I started the New Year with a dual purpose ride on Thursday 3rd January. I went on my carbon road bike, Paris, and managed a fairly lumpy ride OK though I was reminded why I had bought Txiki when the Pedallers dropped me on the climb through Kilmeston to Rookswood Farm. 

Last September my friend Jo took this picture of Sunflowers near West Stratton. 

This shot taken on my ride shows the same sunflowers looking rather sad.

   

On Friday, Jan 4th I took Txiki to The E-Bikeshop for his first free service and to have the puncture repaired. I told the mechanic that I had been unable to remove the tyre and he showed me how to do it. I was amazed he did it so easily in a few seconds. I am not sure that I can replicate how he did it. The service has improved the gear change allowing me a greater spread of cogs when using the 50 chainwheel.  

Saturday 5th January.

Paddy and I joined together for our first E-Bike ride of the year.

Venison the Band!

Marigold

Just to remind us that even at this time of year there is colour in our gardens I did a tour of my garden 
and recorded these flowers brightening my day. 

Primroses.

Snowdrops.

Jasmine.

Viburnum

Mahonia.

A different Viburnum.

Purple Sprouting.

To finish the week on Sunday 6th January I went to Kings Worthy to help with the catering at the end of The Watership Down Audax.

A very good start for the year with a total of 83.6 miles ridden. This is very similar to my weekly average for 2018. The most important part of this was sharing with and meeting friends and enjoying their companionship as well as the physical exercise.

With me washing and Caroline drying what could be better!

Gridironman