Mole hills

Sunday 23rd May

Been a productive weekend coupled with great weather.  Jacob, Sophie and I went Staunton Country Park yesterday - an overpriced petting zoo in the middle of an awful housing estate - Leigh Park.  The boy enjoyed it and we have always been curious to see what it is like.  The old walled Victorian garden and greenhouse was pretty cool and Jacob was intrigued by the peacocks. 

Took the long route back via the back roads north of Chichester - a useful reckie for the training ride i did today.  When we returned we managed to get a great deal on Soph's MTB that wasn't being used.  Shame - nice bike but she has exchanged it for a hybrid which is great for around town and easy tracks like Hayling Billy or New Forest trails - and the boy's seat on the back is much better.  So she is happy and the bike has been used a couple of times already and will be going to France!

Got on the bike this morning and headed for the hills.  Great training ride for the Exeter weekend with fantastic weather and a Spiritualized soundtrack on the ipod pushing me on.  At times, when it was obvious i was miles from lots of cars and noise i turned off the music and just listened to the sound of the countryside.  Concentrating mailny on task but did see swallows, swift, common whitethroat and other more common native woodland birds.  Did however come across this poor unfortunate creature who i couldn't resist photographing risking life and limb in the process but it is my nod to 'Brunelli.

 

It is not often you come across moles and definitely not on the top of hills in the South Downs near Locksash Farm spreadeagled.  Notice the fly?


So the journey.  Southsea to Havant via eastern road and Farlington.  Through Leigh Park (nr Firkham Hall) up to Rowlands Castle.  Up Forestside and down at scarey difficult to break speeds to West Marsden. Up to Locksash then back round to Funtingdon then Stoke for lunch and some Bluebells.

Crossed over a congested A27, took some photos feeling smug looking down on the lines of backed up traffic - why would you want to be stuck in a car on a day like today?  Down to Fishbourne and then all the way along the old A27 route through Nutbourne, Westbourne, Emsworth etc... to Havant then down to Hayling Island and the Billy trail.  Down to past the Oysterbeds - stopped to look at the nesting common terns - no sign of little terns anymore.  Carried on down to seafront and along to the ferry.  Cross to Eastney - ride along the seafront, dodging the people walking in the new cycle lane and back home to find fledge starlings, blackbirds and blue tits in our garden.  They chose a nice weekend for it!


41.64 miles
Avg speed 10.5 mph
Max speed 28.8 mph (cacking it)
Time 3hrs 55mins 35 seconds