today

And things were going along quite well the latter part of the week.

Thursday of course was a riding day, I hadn't been north for a bit so I set off in the general direction of Gloucester. The sun was poking its head out and with temps in the low teens it was reasonably comfortable with bare arms. I didn't go into the city, turning slightly short before finding a nice patch on the banks of the ship canal for lunch.

The return took in a stretch of towpath down to Sharpness before adding a bit of bridleway to the pot as i headed back towards Brizz. I was back quite early but even so, there were over 120km in the pot when i got back.

I'm not exactly sure what happened to Friday, by the time the chores were done it just seemed to flitter away.

Saturday was to be the big day of the week, a check on the MOD web site suggested that the Larkhill ranges should be open so i got myself organised and set off a good hour earlier than usual with the prospect of a long day ahead of me.The first couple of hours were quite grey, fog hovering at about 20 metres overhead but the promise of something better came as i climbed into Devizes, a few rays of sunshine poking through. Thirty minutes later i was in bright sunshine on the edge of the Plain trying to contain my disapointment, they might not be shooting but the ranges were still closed, bang goes the day's plans of crossing on one of the bridleways.

A look at the map and a quick rethink and I had the makings of an alternate plan, I set off along the perimeter road which doubles as the Wessex Ridgeway route westwards towards the Stone Henge road from where I'd make my way on the roads across to the Wylye valley and perhaps take in some of Cranborne Chase before heading back. However, no sooner had I started up the A road than my attention was piqued by a bridleway on the Imber range, well, its worth a look right? It turneed out to be the Imber Perimeter route so i followed it south until it hit tarmac, did a short stretch of road through Tilshead to pick it up again heading for Chitterne where I thought i'd break for lunch.

On the way I got distracted twice, first at the impressive White Barrow, a long barrow of gargantuan size, perhaps 25m long and @ 5m high. Its rather overgrown at present, typical for monuments in the care of the NT who rather spend millions on stately homes rather than a days wages for a chap with a strimmer. It really is a shame, there's not even an info board, most people using the byway wouldn't even realise it was there.

Higher up onto the Plain, its all MOD owned, I had to contend with a few tank tracks before reaching one of the concrete roadways that took me to Copehill Down, the second of the 'ghost' villages on Salisbury Plain. I told you about Imber a couple of months ago, well Copehill Down or as the locals call it, the German Village, is a bit different. It was built in 1986 by the MOD to represent a Bavarian village, the layout and building styles are typical of that region, the intention was to give the troops experience of fighting in a semi rural European environment without the hassle of going there (at the time it was thought Bavaria would be a key entry point for invading Russian troops). Its role has changed down the years, things have been added/changed to facilitate scenarios from the middle east and other urban theatres. But outwardly, from a short distance, it still looks like a German village.

Sightseeing done i dropped off the Plain into Chitterne where I did indeed have my snap before riding out to the Wylye and the start of the journey back to the Avon. Its @ 30 miles passing through the chaos of valleys that make up the eastern Mendip/ south Cotswold area but its not difficult riding if you know the right roads. It was quite pleasant, the sun was out and I was feeling fairly good after a noice days riding, that was until @ 5km from base when i noticed the rear tyre was a bit spongy.

To stop or press on? I chose the latter, I had to give up almost in sight of the house as it was completely unrideable so i had to walk the last bit. Just over 100 miles and 1100+m for the day and back before dark.

It has been today that things have gone a bit awry. First job after putting the laundry on, sort the puncture - yeah right, I don't suppose riding the flat helped but the tyre is completely kernackered, worn through to the canvas, the puncture was pretty much inevitable at that stage of wear. No problem, I'll go pick up another tyre, so off I toddle to the shop only to find no suitable rubber in stock - noooo! So it was back to Chez Bev where I spent an hour getting the back up bike road worthy-ish which apart from cleaning and pumping tyres involved replacing the very worn big chainring, a part i had in stock already.

Next job was to source a tyre, thankfully that went a little easier, I should have 2 arrive on Tuesday so the back up bike should only be needed at most once and thats dependent on the weather.

In the meantime Bev had started on the dinner, I was supposed to be doing roast pork with all the trimmings but Bev wanted to try broiling. Okay, boiled beef and all that but when i smelt the pork i felt quite ill, so ill that there was no way i could contemplate eating it - and i was looking forward to a roast too. sigh. Thing is, its quite put me off eating anything at all, perhaps i'll try a cheese sandwich later.

I have posted the next part of Ontario for you, even that didn't go smoothly, my lappy locked up halfway through posting which needed a hard reboot to sort out - pretty sure its not the 13th today! Anyhow, Goodbye, Hello finally sees the exchange of Warsopians happen but even that has revealed an Elephant!

Thats about it for today, hopefully the new week will go a bit better!
Tchussie
Madeline Anafrid