A cottage in the woods

I know it's not exactly a cottage, but it is the best structure we have found bar a cafe or pub. Last weekend we discovered a track and vowed to return.

Matt at the start of the track

Initially we were disappointed, the path circled a pheasant pen. It was narrow, very uneven and had nettles on one side and an electrified fence on the other. We did a full loop without realising, then altered our route along some wider pebble paths. Eventually we came across the building above. I'm guessing it's used by pheasant shooters, it will be a regular destination for us now.

The talk touched on politics, but we avoid prolonged chats on this topic. Much better to have a laugh and plan our return to this place. This would be great in the snow. Not so far from the road to be unreachable, but far enough that we would be the only travellers.

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Exploration

Yesterday we cycled to the Tatsfield church yard, a staple location for us. I was running late so again the longer ride to the lakes was out.

It's a good place to stop for tea and cereal bars. Not much evidence of the recent rain, just a little wet grass.

The weather was great, a gentle breeze and the right amount of sun. Previous weekends the temperature would have been starting to rise by the time we headed home. Making for a sweaty return journey.












Today we decided to visit a place not often cycled to. I nearly regretted it though. The off-road path was steep down hill and uneven. It was very narrow, and bordered by stinging nettles. Not a problem for Matt, he was wearing long trousers. Me, not so much; I was wearing shorts. We talked about how disappointed we were that the path wasn't cleared. It is amazing how much we take for granted. A rarely used path in the middle of nowhere, and we were complaining it hadn't been tidied up.

The path leads to a stile, no fence, just a stile at the edge of the field. Doesn't make sense to have one there. But it does provide a seat.

We had planned to continue along the path but it was completely impassable. So we cycled around the field along a track. A short distance and we were on a footpath, we only had a vague idea where we were. Relying on our inbuilt sense of direction we eventually came across the Limpsfield road, turned right and headed to the green. Next weekend we'll be back, starting from this point, and exploring some of the other paths we passed.

Us at a signpost. Which way?

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When will it end?

The summer this year has been incredible, I know I have said it before. But every weekend I can't believe how good the cycling has been. It's been months since the weather has caused an abort. The torrential rain last Sunday just wasn't worth braving. But the feeling of disappointment is a reminder of what it's normally like. And of what is to come.

But let's not think about the end of summer while it's so good.

When Matt and I met yesterday we had previously decided on a long ride to the lakes, but time constraints meant a slightly shorter ride to have tea with Winston Churchill.

On the way we were passed by loads of road bike riders. One guy slowed for a chat. He was wearing an Oxted CC jersey so I asked if he knew Pat. Pat was the person who had given me two energy gels that helped me get to the end of the recent Caterham to Canterbury ride. He said it sounded like the kind of thing Pat would do; just goes to show it's a small world.

When we arrived at Westerham Green a cyclist asked if we knew the area. She wanted to know if there was a bike shop; her chain had snapped. We pointed across the green to the Cyclery. She said it didn't look open, we informed her it was likely open, we had consumed tea and cake there in the past. With that she pushed her bike towards shop and we sat down to start our tea and cereal bars. She walked passed us a short time later, sans bike, on her way to Costa. Maybe the Cyclery cafe wasn't open.

It made us think about what she would have done if there was no local workshop. We know how far the closest station is, Oxted, it's a twenty to thirty minute walk. It's a trek we undertaken in the past. In the early days of our cycling we didn't carry tools, not even a puncture repair kit. Incredible I know; more than once we walked to Oxted and caught the train, or even walked all the way home. Eventually we started carrying a repair kit and spare tubes. What would have we done with a broken chain? How many tools and spares should we carry?

I am now back from today's ride. I don't know what to say, it was sunny with a cooling breeze. I can't think how it could have been better. We decided to follow a narrow track, a bit of exploration. 

The track opened on to a field, we cycled to the middle and stopped for tea and cereal bars. 

This has to be the best location for a great view.

At the other side of the field was a path through woods that lead back to the road.

Fingers crossed we get more weekends like this.

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