Sunday 3 March 2013

Saturday Morning Bike Ride

Today I bring you... sunshine and blue skies! To begin with anyway...

I set off about 9am again, as usual, I wish I'd made the effort to get up earlier and leave sooner. Never mind, at least I'm not any later than normal.  As I walk up to the shed to get my bike I can hear woodpeckers drumming from the woods across the road.

Since starting cycling again after winter I try to follow a completely different route each time. Today is no exception...

Look at that gorgeous blue sky. We've had a long run of dry, settled weather recently. It's been lovely!

A view past the gates over sunny fields to the farm in the distance which is where the road will take me.

There are lots of horses in the fields en route, the farm also having a large area of stables and other riding facilities. This little white horse was the most photogenic.

Here I'm just past the farm and am looking back to where I was earlier. 

There was a steep hill prior to this section, I was in too high a gear and ended up having to walk...

...it means I can take time to admire the silhouette against the sky of  the clipped hedge high on the right.

Two rows of pylons. Clouds are covering the little hill in the distance. A small patch of blue sky remains.

A bright blue rope secures the gate just in front of where I've stopped.

I love bare branches against the sky. I have to say though that I am now very much looking forward to the new leaves appearing, only about another month to go...




A pretty gate, further embellished by the snowdrops at the foot of the adjoining walls.


Wonderful sky colours here.

Now the fields are a rather attractive pale khaki colour. Sheep may safely graze...

...baa.



These are indeed the tree mounds I often pass - for the past few miles I've joined a road I took a couple of weeks ago, but it's only for another few hundred yards.

A "new" road again. Now the fields look brown, the light today is wonderful.

More sheep, a nice farm house sits atop the hill.

I love the colours of this barn roof. It belongs to the farm where the scary dog used to live. All is strangely quiet now...

...except for a passing helicopter, looking like a large, out of focus fly here.

A different barn on the same farm. A nice old fire surround is leaning against the wall. At this point curiosity encourages me through the gate and into the farm yard for a nosey...

But once there timidity takes over again - what if there is really someone living there? I get back on my bike. However, another mile or so down the road I get another chance to explore...

... I notice the fence surrounding this old hut now has a gap big enough for me to easily get through. There definitely no-one around, shall we take a closer look?

It looks like it used to be an old wagon of some sort with a little porch added on. The door is open...

Entering the porch, ahead and to the right is the main room...

Wow! I hadn't expected it to be all kitted out like this. There must have been a stove in the fireplace at one point. There are very nice Victorian/Edwardian fitted drawers and cupboards. None of it has been trashed too much either.

There's even a little bay window.

And clothes in the wardrobe (not Victorian!). The room beyond looks like it was once a (very small!) bedroom, there's just the bed shelf left.

On the way out I notice a lovely little leaded glass panel in the porch.

If it were mine, I'd try and restore it. It would be a fantastic studio/den to have in the garden.

Back on the road. To the right there is little a steep sided gorge. Some houses are nestled at the bottom - a very dark place to live I would think.

Past the other shed/den/studio building on this route that I covet for my garden.

I'm heading into a nearby village. I check my purse to see if I have enough money to allow a visit to the charity shop there. £5 - should be plenty, but it's not. I spot quite a nice stoneware jug for the collection but it's £10, prices these days are shocking! Oh well. On to the cycle path briefly then a detour through the woods...

...hoot hoot.

Past the 15th century church.

A last view over some fields then back on to the cycle path and home without further dawdling. I'd offered to help build a willow den at the school and have already missed the first couple of hours work.

 I'm there in time though to help with the tying and to make a few windows.

 We all can't wait to see it flourish as the year progresses.

N has the nursery bear home for the weekend. He's called Fudge.

17 comments:

Diane said...

I too would love to restore that hut - it looks fabulous xxxx

WinnibriggsHouse said...

What lovely trip you took us on, and I would also love to restore that little hut. What an absolute gem. Such a shame it seems deserted!

Simone said...

Such a wonderful post. You were so brave to enter that hut! I wonder what happened to the hut owner?

Gerda said...

Breathtaking pictures, I do love skies. And you've seen different skies, beautiful. That hut, would love to restore it. There is a kind of beauty, in those weatherworn buildings. Thanks for sharing all with us. And how long was your drive?
Groetjes, Gerda

Anne said...

Thanks for the beautiful bike ride pics. I would LOVE to ride along those grassy hills with grazing sheep and dancing trees. Anne

June said...

Another great bike ride. I love that hut. It would look stunning if restored sympathetically.
June

Jacquie said...

Wow , another fab ride Anne, love that old wagon...thanks for sharing your exciting adventures.
Jacquie x

Beth of The Linen Cat said...

Lovely photos. That sneaky peak inside the hut is amazing, it does just make you want to take it home and restore it, I especially love the victorian interior. Nice to see the willow den as well, I keep promising to put one in our garden, but I've pretty much managed to kill off a willow fence I did some years ago, so maybe it's not worth it for me (lack of water, I think). Bethx (thelinencat)

rockinloubylou said...

What an exciting discovery, coming across that little cabin. I'd have been feart of a wee witch appearing round the corner though. The finishing touch would have been a cauldron on the hearth.

Claire said...

Hey Anne, I love those snow drops by the old gate...... a splash of light on a dull morning.
That wee hut ix amazing, someone certainly went to some effort to make it cosy with those lovely tiles and cupboards and the lead light window. What a shame it is sitting there crumbling into decay.
The willow den is going to look wonderful with it's leafy covering......Spring is about to do just htat.

Claire :}

Rustic Vintage Country said...

I love the hut, can I please come claim it!! Like you, I'd be itching to have a nosey around. Thanks for the tour. x

Clare said...

Looks like a showman's caravan - worth a mint restored!

Neighborhood Watch said...

Your pictures of trees always touch me. There's just something about trees . . .
And I love the willow huts. Here we make a variation of this--a teepee! :-)

Rattling On said...

The little hideaway is fab, maybe you can get a truck and disappear it?!?
The school near me has a willow 'tent', it's great in spring and summer.

MILLY said...

So nice to see the countryside around you, through your eyes. The blue sky really makes everything feel like spring is here. Loved the blue string on the gate, I opened a gate the other day tied with shocking pink string, are farmers just recycling or resourceful ?
Lovely photographs.

Gillian Roe said...

I just loved the little tour of that hut, thank you! Just think how gorgeous it could be with some hard work and attention, a really wonderful little studio.

Gillian x

Anonymous said...

Another lovely ride, with added huts. The first one looks far to good to be left like that, I wish you could have it too.

I also liked the picture with the water in it.

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