Not strictly true. Sue had a “Me” day for herself as well. She started with a short run, then a few home tasks and then read the Sunday Times from end to end including the adverts probably. I on the other hand, went for brilliant 43 miles ride on my bike with nearly 3,000ft of climbing. The weather was lovely once again and very warm. I am developing a cyclists sun tan, i.e legs, arms and face only!
So tonight I will be boring my vast number of readers with tales and photos of my ride. I say this because today I found my first ever comment on my website. It was from Jessica whose family knew my Mum many years ago. Thinking I had only a handful of family readers, this has come as a pleasant surprise.
My ride took me from Loose over Barming Bridge onto East Malling and down to New Hythe, where I spent my childhood. A bit of nostalgia and a visit to the grave of my friend Tony, who was killed on his bike aged 12 yrs when we all came out of school together one day in 1959. I always reflect on how lucky I am to have had a wonderful life with a wife, sons and grandchildren. One mistake on that ride by Tony and his life ended there.
After exploring the path that Tony and I used to travel on that fateful day I rode onto Aylesford stopping to take the statutory photo of that lovely village. Then up to Eccles and down to the new St Peters Village and over the new bridge to Snodland.
A bit more nostalgia there then up to the ancient pilgrims Church at Paddlesworth before tackling Holly Hill up onto the North Downs. A stop overlooking the wonderful view over the Weald and beyond and then to Vigo. Steadily down this vicious hill to Addington, then onto a new road for me called Park Rd. Just out of the village alongside the road is Addington Long Barrow. A few large stones placed in Neolithic times, it his easy to miss. It is quite close to the Coldrum Stones which are more well known and open to the public. There is another group called Chestnut Long Barrow but that is on private land and appears to be inaccessible.
A stop for coffee and muffin at the service station on the A20 I headed back via Offham, Mereworth and Gibbs Hill, which again has lovely views of the Medway Valley then home via Bockingford. Loads of people out cycling today, it has really become popular now and hope it continues for years to come.
