Let's... Go all, The Way!

So back on the bike this morning.     It was 820, and I didn't fancy cycling past the Secondary School as everyone was filing in, so decided in my wisdom to skirt the edge of the town, and meet up with my cycle path; note I now refer to the cycle path as "mine", further down the road.

All good, until I realise I have to climb about 20 feet over 200 yards.  Leggies sore before I get to the main road.

I get to the main road, and look ahead of me.  I can't see the whole road because the HILL IS SO BIG.

I get pedalling, and by the time I am at the top of the hill, I am seriously considering phoning either my husband, or my mum to come and get me.

Then I reach a downhill bit which lasted for a total of 100 yards, then I was back up again.   And Up a bit more.

Finally I made it to the path which joins the cycle path.  I headed off the main road, and bounced along the country trail.   I waved to the cows and shot on past.  At the end of the trail, I had to stand my bike on end, and manouver the bike through a very confusing turnstyle.  

The hills I had negotiated so far, over 2½ miles total a climb of 40 feet, up and down and up and down, (don't you just love these gadgets on your iPhone?).  In front of me now, was at least a drop of 20 feet, over say 100 yards.  

I felt like a kid again (obviously, not the one who sat back on the bike, when the seat had fallen off), I soared down the hill, along the foot wide track, giggling like a lunatic.

At the bottom of the hill, I had to scramble to a stop - it was muddy and my breaks weren't holding, first dip.  Off I came.

Just as well, there was another turnstile to negotiate.

Now I was in the woods.  Why is it when  you walk romantically through the woods, you don't realise what a bloody slope it's on.   As little birds chirped past me, and squirrels and rabbits bounced out and about like the "Zippidee doo Dah song, I thought, I could be enjoying this if I could breath.

Finally I reached the courtyard.  That was flat, because that was where the house stood.

I pedalled along gently and got my breath back.  As I left the Woods I hit another country track.  It was full of pot holes, and mud baths.  I don't have a mud guard, so by now my back and my bag, are splattered full length.

This was the sight that welcomed me as I came out the trees.

It was glorious to stand for a moment in the warm sun and watch the wheat blowing in waves across the field.  I felt like singing the tune from the little house on the prairie and running across it, but to be honest, I was still gasping for breath.

I was close to the last third, of the last third of my normal cycle.  One last little lane to manouver and I'd be there.

Yes, and that lane would be 1 ft deep in mud, cunningly hidden by leaves, and grass.  Down I went again.

Eventually I reached the last part of my cycle, and I was met along the way by Bull Finches, Chaffinches, Blackbird, larks, Sparrows, and two that I have NO IDEA what they were.  There were also little rabbits out sunbathing on the path; they were extremely peeved to have to move for me.

When I reached the office, my morning was topped off, by the realisation that our visitors had left.  All that remained of the encampment was a skipful of rubbish which the Lovely, lovely security guards had gathered together and bagged during the night!

By the way.... this looks glorious in LARGE, but also.... IN THE GREEN!