Sunday 18 September 2011

Saturday Morning Bike Ride

It's been a few weeks since I've managed out on my bike. I'm a bit of a fair weather cyclist and don't like setting off when it's pouring with rain. Yesterday wasn't too bad though (today is much better but Sunday is hubby's cycling day)

Off out the village and up the wood lined road. The trees are wearing their early Autumn colours, I like the varied shades after the blanket green of summer.

A favourite view, looking north.

Looking south.

Shortly after this point I reach my goal for today's ride - bramble bushes! I spend about an hour filling two tubs I have brought with me in my rack bag. Many of the brambles still aren't ripe. Some are so ripe they gently fall into your hand with the slightest nudge -if you're lucky - most often these ones (in particular, the most juicy looking ones) fall deep into the undergrowth never to be seen again, I like to imagine the field mice will benefit from these. Once the tubs are full I'm back on my way. I'm intending making bramble jelly with them so it doesn't matter that the berries will get all bashed about while coming on a bike ride with me.

Another favourite view on this route.

Up on top of the moorland I join a B road for a couple of miles. Still hardly any traffic around.

Fantastic big bank of clouds.

The bare shapes of tree trunks and branches are becoming more apparent as the leaves start to thin.

Three buzzards wheel above this little copse of trees, their plaintive calls can be clearly heard in the otherwise silent land.

On zooming round a corner I think to myself that swallows must surely have left by now, but no, right at that moment I come across a large group of them sitting on the overhead wires. After my noisy arrival and sudden halt only these four remain for a photo, the rest are darting around the sky.

I love the dark blue of the water in the flooded ditch.

An unusually straight stretch of road.

A bench at the top of the last hill, it's downhill all the way home from here.

I collected just over 4 1/2 lbs (about 2kg) of berries. And no, there aren't any choc chip cookies left in the tin.

10 comments:

Hazel said...

Just had a lovely catch up through your last couple of posts. Autumn has def arrived. My favourite season. Xx

Anonymous said...

Lovely ride. Loved the picture with the Buzzards, I love them and their calls.

June said...

Lovely photos from your bike ride. Yes, Autumn is here. It is certainly a few degrees colder than this time last month. Those blackberries remind me of the taste of my grandmothers apple and blackberry tart - just delicious!
June

Simone said...

Bramble jelly sounds delightful! It must be so satisfying to bike ride around such unspoilt countryside and be able to pick fruit from the hedgerow too! A lovely way to spend a saturday morning.

Clicky Needles said...

Bramble jelly, my favourite. Another great bike ride.

Unknown said...

Hello! Thankyou for your visit & your lovely comments. I bought the wrapping paper in a local gallery here in Malvern. I had a look at the remnants but unfortunately the make has been cut off. Will let you know if I get the name.
Am off for a bike ride around your life now - looks like it will be lovely!

rockinloubylou said...

bramble jelly...mmmm! And I love the wee hopeful hand in the biscuit tin!

Lynne said...

It's still so beautifully green there! I am jealous. Such a contrast to our dry hot California golds and browns. Enjoy your berries!

Lorraine Young Pottery said...

Benches waiting for bottoms :)
I love the shot of the sheeps in the feilds! I do missing seeing that view here in New England, usa.

I just found your blog and joined as a follower.

Lorraine :-}

Mrs. Micawber said...

Fantastic clouds and lovely photos. I missed my last weekend's ride due to being away from home. Glad to see you had a good one!

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