Well wasn't I lucky with the weather this time? I enjoyed the best weather this year with it being warm and dry and not too hot.
The countryside was at its best with many flowers and a lot of butterflies. I tried taking pictures of them but they are so elusive. i did manage to capture this one, a 'small heath' on blackberry flower.
It was a joy to pull out my canopy for the first time and have the windows wide open. I camped at three locations:
1. Cannock Chase Camping & Caravanning Club. (C&CC).
2, Ebury Hill C&CC near Shrewsbury.
2. Hereford C&CC at Little Tarrington.
Three good sites but all different.
The first was in the forest so was lovely and shady and cool. A fairly hilly site but with good level hard standings.
The second was a much more rudimentary site with no toilet block.
A rural site with good views over the countryside and a small fishing pond. Two level areas. A lot of other members there.
The third was the best site for facilities with a large fishing pond and on Friday night a very popular Fish & Chip Van.
As well as riding 4 good rides I also had several good walks. Unfortunately, I had to cut short my stay at Hereford due to an emergency at home. I did have a nice walk there on my first day. After the previous day's long ride I enjoyed a restful afternoon having called on my way to visit my nephew Duncan who lives in Wigmore.
On my way to Cannock Chase on Monday 1st, I called on my cousins in Lichfield. six of us shared a very tasty lunch.
Met up with my very good friends Julie and Nic outside their new home in the country. Funnily I had to meet them outside and they wouldn't let me in.
Here are the details of the ride they took me on.
It was a real treat for me to ride many roads I'd never been on before. Thanks both for your kindness.
On my way to Shrewsbury, I visited Ironbridge and drove through the gorge. Very spectacular! Problem was there was nowhere to stop with my large vehicle. I called at the NT property of Benthall Hall nearby. Did two of their walks around the meadows with lots of butterflies and through the woods, along bridle paths and beside the gorge. Here are some of my pictures.
I also had lunch in the garden and wandered around the flower garden and the tiny church.
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| Grinshill Hill near Clive. |
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Clive Church and Village.
A steep climb where I was glad of the e-power. |
The work of the landlord at the Dog in the Lane.
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| Welsh Mountains on the border. |
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| A somewhat unimpressive River Severn. |
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| The equally unimpressive bridge into Wales. |
I spent a couple of hours at the NT property enjoying the inevitable coffee and cake and walking around the house and grounds. well worth a visit. I did not see all on offer so would happily go there again.
After I was home feeling pretty tired I spent the rest of Friday doing nothing other than essential chores. Slept long and well Friday night. Having fully recovered by Sunday went out with paddy on what he said was a flattish route we could both ride on our best road bikes (without e-power). Here are the details. judge for yourself.
I was still fine to ride to Kings Worthy in the evening for dinner with my daughter and family.
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| Paddy's 'easy' ride. |
Total miles in the week 190 of which 150+ on tour. Plus about 10 more walking
Gridironman.
I spotted a nuthatch on the trunk of a pine near to where workers were building piles of logs. To form habitat for other creatures? 
