What a scorcher

I have been very lucky with the mostly pleasant weather. It has rained but it's never been so bad I didn't go out.

This week the sun stepped up a few notches. By Wednesday I was starting the struggle, so on Thursday I didn't go out until mid afternoon. It was still very hot but at least there was the occasional patches of shade, not available at midday. 

I stopped under a tree for a drink and something to eat, it was just the boost I needed to get home.

For the first time in my life I might have a tan that people will notice. Normally when I get back from holiday I'm asked if it rained the whole time. I put plenty of suncream on so any colour change takes a while to develop.

I rode a new route, riding through Irons Bottom. It's south of Reigate on the way to Leigh, pronounced lie. Two roads I took to get there were Hogtrough Lane and Philanthropic Road; between Nutfield and Earlswood.

There is another strange name near Godstone; Bullbeggars Lane.

I might start scanning the map and head for a location just because of the name.

No more weird place or road names but I did stop to allow a grass snake to move off the road.

Friday wasn't such a good day, I got my first puncture on the road bike. I saw some debris too late  and couldn't avoid it. Ten miles from home and at first I thought I might have damaged the tyre or wheel; the hit was very hard. But fortunately it was only the inner tube, once swapped, causing a snapped tyre lever, I was good to go. I decided not to continue on my intended thirty mile loop, but head straight for home. I had left the house even later, just after five because of the heat so I was now running behind schedule.

All fixed, time to head home.

I bought the bike in May 2019, and in the last three month alone I have ridden it well over twelve hundred miles without a problem. That is a long way without a flat tyre.

What a difference Saturday was; I now left later than normal to avoid the heavy rain. I got a little lost but made it back in good time.

I stopped for a drink from my water bottle opposite The Royal Oak Brockham. It'll be opening soon, so I may return for a beer. The only question being; is there somewhere to lock up the bike?

Nearly home on Saturday and saw this group. How good is this?

Sigh… there goes another summer, Snoopy!

Last weekend Richard an I cycled 48 miles to Fordcombe and back, for a drink. Well not exactly, we hadn't got together for a long time, so needed to catch up. As is the case with good friends we were soon chatting as if no time had passed.

It was a tough ride, with some challenging hills but Thatchers cider at the Chafford Arms coupled with good food made up for it.

We arrived a little before it opened, so we had plenty of time to find a table in the big garden.

Once open it filled quickly but the service was speedy and efficient. We were quickly tucking into a tasty lunch. I'm not normally a cider drinking, but I'm glad I choose to be. It was delicious, just what I needed to top up my energy for the ride home.

It had started out a bit chilly, within a few miles the temperature was just right. By the time we sat down for lunch it had become a very pleasant afternoon, just right for a pub lunch in the garden. We talked about what we had both been up to and our plans. Richard is a beekeeper, I'm looking forward to some honey next year; I'll start saving some jars. It's a lot more work than I thought it would be, and if he's not careful they could just fly away. It's now all about building their reserves for the winter, having taken the honey during the summer Richard has to feed them quickly. He'll be wrapping them up soon, to ward off the winter cold.

Today was a solo ride, Matt having returned from his holidays late yesterday. So I took out the road bike. 

The hills felt a little harder than usual, even the flat was tougher that it should be. Am I getting old all of a sudden? Nope; the bottom bracket has started to seize. A quick trip to Ross Cycles to drop off the bike after my shower will have it sorted by next weekend. I took the opportunity to have the brakes upgraded. They have improved a bit since my first ride, but not enough.

This morning was really chilly, I didn't take my jacket off until I was heading home, a real sign of impending winter. It's beautiful now, with better promised for tomorrow. 

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Completed task list

It's not often I get to cycle during the week. Today I cycled to a pub I have been to a few times. Both on my own and with friends. It's also the destination known as the lake. Chipstead and back is around 30 miles so it's a good distance if I have some spare time, but not enough to get to Brighton and back.

I had the week off and thought about cycling every day, but bad weather at the start of the week and a lengthening task list meant it was not to be. This morning I completed the last item on the list and was free for the afternoon. As always when I'm on my own there was a moment where I could easily have stayed in the house, and as is also always the case, I was glad that I didn't.

The early morning rides mean the Bricklayers Arms at Chipstead is closed. Today I left the house at around 11 o'clock and arrived just before the lunchtime rush started. I got a seat outside and ordered a pint of Harveys Wild Hop blonde beer, not too heavy but very tasty. And a burger. It was a little pricier than I expected but worth it. So much so that I didn't stop to take a picture. I gave them a great Trip Advisor review after my last visit, and the quality was just as good this time.

Then on the way back the constant reminder that this glorious summer was coming to an end. Cloudy sky and bales of hay in the fields.

As if this wasn't bad enough, work on Monday.

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Photography walk

I have never been a member of a photography club or society. But now that has changed. I'm a member of the Caterham Photographic Society. It all started with a Facebook post to a local resident's group. Some pictures were posted from a run. A chat started; not about running, but photography and the lack of a local group. It sounded like it might be a relaxed, social focused group. I'm more interested in photography, with less focus on the camera and equipment.

The speed with which it all happened from a mention of taking a camera on a run to a Facebook group, and then to the first meeting is all credit to Karen. Nearly twenty members in almost no time.

The plan was a walk to include some local fields and woods. Then end at a pub for a pint and a chat, definitely my kind of group.

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Well I'm back and although the weather tried it's best I think the first meeting went well. I'm more of a portrait photographer but I like what I have taken. More practise needed though. It was also good to talk about photography and get some exercise. It wasn't just about f-stops and shutter speeds, instead it was more about gaining confidence and exploring different genres. Exactly what I wanted from membership of the group. We also had a chance to get to know each other. So it's a social group as well. I think the group will be one that encourages its members.

Can't wait to see what Barbara and Karen have taken.

 As you can see I couldn't resist taking some portraits.

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