Coffeeneuring trip # 3, a ride to Bishopstone in Wiltshire

I am trying to stick to a watery theme for this year's Coffeeneuring trips. If you want to know more about Coffeeneuring then click on that link, but basically it's about riding your bike somewhere and having coffee - and you're allowed tea or other beverage - and sharing your ride with others doing the same, during a period of a few weeks at this time of year. Most people do this through a Facebook coffeeneuring group. You can go to a cafe, or you can take your own/brew up your own, and drink it outside - officially that comes under "Coffee without walls".  Most of my trips will come under that category, but I'll treat myself at some point to a trip to a nice cafe. You can also open up your house to other coffeeneurs.  It's such a simple idea and yet somehow it's great fun! What I like about it is that it challenges me in a different way to get out to new places on my bike, and I also love reading about other coffeeneurs' trips. 

As I said, this year I'm going for a watery theme, although trip number one was to a stream that had run dry, and trip number two failed to be properly watery as there was nowhere near enough the water to sit. But one of my possible watery venues was Bishopstone, a village a few miles from here just over the border in Wiltshire, which has a lovely pond, so that's where I decided to go today.

Before I set off, there was some preparation to do. Sometimes I wish that going somewhere on my bike didn't need preparation, but it does........ Even if I'm only going shopping to my nearest town, 4 miles away, there's routine to stick to - unlock the garage, get the bike out, check the tyres, lock up the garage again, make sure I have a bottle of water - and something to eat, as even on a short journey I can run out of energy if I don't eat. In winter I also need to strap my trousers round my ankles, or tuck them into my socks (soooo fashionable....) and put cycling gloves on. Plus I like to take my Garmin for recording the ride. And though I don't use a mobile phone much, I try to remember to take it with me when I cycle, in case I have to make a call of shame to Husband. And that's just for a short shopping trip! If I'm going out for a long ride I need more food and probably a second bottle of water, and I need to think about what the weather's going to be like - e.g. do I need to wear or carry a waterproof?

So you see sometimes I get fed up with all this and think "Can I be bothered?"

But the thing is - yes I can, because it's worth it!!! Even the worst of bike rides leaves you feeling better when you come home than you did before you went out. Today's preparation included making the coffee, and as Coffeeneurs are all quite interested in what brand of coffee /tea/whatever fellow coffeeneurs drank, and what stove they brewed it on (if they did) here are the details - 

I regularly buy this one - but always wait until it's on offer.

Flask, jam funnel, filter......

When all was in the panniers, I set off, diverting slightly to do an errand on the way. To be honest I didn't enjoy the ride much for the first few miles, as it was windy and I was slightly lacking in energy, probably due to it being about 3 hours since breakfast. I couldn't remember whether there was a bench by the pond at Bishopstone - we have travelled through the village hundreds of times by car and I have also cycled through it and I'd never noticed one, but there usually are benches by village ponds so I was confident of having somewhere, apart from wet grass, to sit and drink and eat, 

All the preparation was worth it when I got there, about 10 miles later. It was, as I have said before in this blog, "Jus' perfick!" (Pop Larkin, Darling Buds of May) - the sun was well and truly out and what could be nicer than to sit by a village pond after 10 miles of cycling and drink coffee and eat a banana and a home made Pumpkin, Prune and Chocolate bar (even more delicious warmed, with cream, as a pudding) - recipe further down if you're interested!

Bishopstone pond, looking towards the old mill. Oh look, there's my shadow.

.

The pumpkin stuff might look like a dark splodgy mess, but it's delicious!

Nearby was this information board -

I found the bit about the farms interesting and rather sad. It applies too to this estate where we live. When we came here in 1981 there were beef cattle and about 700 sheep. Dairy cattle and pigs had already gone in the 1970s. The beef cattle went in 1995 and by the time Husband was made redundant in 2003 the sheep had gone too. Only arable is left now. There are a few sheep around but they belong to other farmers. Land on this farm and another close by has been sold off in the last couple of years and it has been bought by neighbouring wealthy landowners. The farms just get bigger and bigger. The arable work on this estate has been done by contractors since 2003. The only employee left is the gamekeeper, who also has to do maintenance in the few remaining houses.

Then I wandered off, exploring paths and places I didn't know existed. As I always say, it's amazing how much you see when you travel on foot or by bike that you don't see from a car.

I went into the churchyard, and looked at the gravestones. First I read this one -

 and noticed the bit at the bottom which says that their four children are buried here in the churchyard too........ and there were their graves, next to them. Look at the ages - 3, 4, 12 and 16. How terrible to lose your four children all so young. I wondered why they died so young, and when I went into the church the vicar was there talking to someone, but he disappeared before I had a chance to ask him if he knew.

So, that was my coffeeneuring morning. After pootling around the lanes a bit I cycled home; the return journey was much better than the outward one - I had more energy, the sun was shining, and the wind was behind me. The preparation was most definitely worth it!

Messenger bag made from £1 charity shop outdoor jacket

Last year I bought this jacket in a charity shop for £1. It was like new - I didn't recognize the make so thought that although it looked good it probably wasn't the best quality outdoor clothing, but it would be great to have as a spare. After googling it I found out that it was a skiing jacket from Decathlon.

I wore it once to test it out but didn't like it as it wasn't at all warm and was noisy! I hate it when you're out on a nice peaceful walk and your arms brush against your sides and make a noise. I have a good quality Berghaus waterproof which does this too, so it's not necessarily just a fault of cheap clothing.

I was going to give it back to a charity shop but then thought - ah, this would make a very nice bag! Hence the scene below on the kitchen floor.............

I chopped it to pieces and ended up with some decent sized pieces of fabric, plus zips and various bits of velcro and shock cord. When I took it apart the cheap materials were revealed. Thin polyester wadding in between the outer and inner and I suspect that the reverse of the outer fabric was some cheap waterproofing, certainly not breathable.

The bag below was the result.

This fabric was HORRIBLE to sew.  The foot moved OK, so it wasn't a question of needing a Teflon foot, and I used what I thought would be the best needle for this fabric, a microtex one, but the machine objected when it got to the thick bits, which it wouldn't normally do to this extent.

                                                                                         

I didn't do the pockets quite the same as I did when making this bag (the one below) not long ago. As the fabric was so hard to sew I kept things to a minimum.

Recently I got a shelter/gazebo thing from Freegle, that somebody had left behind at a festival, and cut it all up to use in the future, and that's where the green lining came from. The flap pocket is also lined with this. The rest of the bag is self lined. I didn't use any interfacing or wadding. The strap is webbing from an army surplus stores; I didn't have enough of the bag fabric to make the strap. I didn't make it adjustable as a lot of bag makers say to do, as it's not necessary for me as I never adjust it once it's the right length.

There is one internal pocket, and also a dog clip attached at the front (on the right - hard to see as the pic is dark, and I also couldn't get the Ipad to focus for some reason) for my bike padlock keys.

I attached the zip in a slightly different way to how I did it on the other bag pictured above, because doing it this way means it stands just slightly proud of the bag and is easier to unzip. 

The zip I used is one I unpicked from a previous bag I'd made; I had bought two of these at a past Festival of Quilts, from the Pinwheels stall. That was years ago and they still don't seem to be available in this country except in black on Ebay, unless I just can't find them on the internet. If ever I see their stall again I shall buy several of these zips as they are so smooth running and I love the ball and chain! 

Lovely zip!

I attached a velcro fastening right at the end (should have added it much earlier!) - you can see that in the first photo. I used the bag today and love it as it's the right size and very lightweight, and I can easily stuff it in my bike panniers. 

I have really enjoyed making these messenger bags lately, and as I have just been given a big bag of furnishing fabric remnants, I'll be making some more, possibly to sell.

Day Two - Pewsey to home.

First of all an apology for the poor quality photos. I was using an old smartphone (which I only take because it's got OS Memory Maps on it) so that's my excuse.....although it was a dull day. My camera, bought from Jessop's just before they went into administration 4 or 5 years ago, has packed up. So much for modern technology. My dad's old Kodak Brownie must have gone on for decades.

The Weatherman, aka Husband, informed me early the next morning that the forecast was a bit better - rain in the morning and then brightening up. I don't mind getting wet if I know I will dry off later, so I stuck to my original plan of going home today.

Breakfast wasn't until 8 so I had a walk beforehand, exploring the very quiet lanes, where nobody was up and about, and the furniture business up the road was still closed. Breakfast was delicious! First stewed blackcurrants and yogurt, and home made apple juice, then fried egg, sausage, mushrooms, bacon, and fried potatoes, and toast (home made bread) with a choice of home made preserves, along with a pot of tea. My only tiny criticism would be that once again I had a cup rather than a mug - I'm not a cup person even if it is now very fashionable in the afternoon tea circles. Oh and I was brought a newspaper as well!

As I was leaving later, my host said -

"I should have asked you if you'd like me to make you a packed lunch - would you like one?"

I accepted gratefully, as it meant I didn't need to stop and buy food. A jolly good packed lunch it was too, with beef and salad rolls, clementine, snack bar (she apologised again for the lack of cake), carton of apple juice, and a Cadbury's Flake, which, as old Pop Larkin of  The Darling Buds of May would say, was "Jus' perfick!" as I love a bit of chocolate with my cup of coffee.

I left at 9.40, a later start than I'd normally do but it didn't matter as I only had about 35 miles to go (day one wasn't too far either, a mere 38). I wasn't travelling with simply the aim of getting home - I was travelling with the aim of enjoying this day as much as the day before. Perhaps that's an advantage of not having too far to go. It seems a nice idea to me when cycling to set yourself the sort of distance where it doesn't matter if some problem crops up  - you have factored in extra time and therefore delay need not cause too much worry. This wasn't the case back in May on a previous trip; I had planned to travel about 50 miles, which would have been fine but due to having to find a different route late in the day, because of a busy road that was impossible to cross, I arrived at my destination at 7.50 in the evening, later than intended by nearly two hours. This meant that I couldn't take the evening slowly and get to bed in the early and relaxed fashion that I like to.

Anyway, today I pootled off into Pewsey and then got onto NCN Route 4, which I had ridden yesterday for a few miles. I went over, and alongside, the Kennet and Avon canal, stopping to look at the barges, and the railway. I didn't mind being on the same roads for a while (although I wouldn't have wanted to go all the way home on exactly the same roads) as somehow when you've going the opposite way you see things you didn't notice before.


One thing I saw was this house down in a valley, and wondered why it had these tall chimneys.

It did start to rain and I did get cold and wet, and so I was very much looking forward to having a cup of nice hot coffee at my planned stop, about 12 miles into the journey, which was at the 200 year old Crofton Beam Engines, built to supply water to the Kennet and Avon canal. We had been there donkeys years ago with our children, Husband having been there as a child. (Have you noticed how people take their children to see things they visited as a child?) I had carefully done my homework, or so I thought, as to their opening times, so you can imagine my disappointment when I arrived and saw this sign, bearing in mind that it was Wednesday -

But I checked the leaflet! How dare it be closed!

Oh dear...... A cold and damp me cycled on near the canal and the railway to Great Bedwyn, where I thought I might get a cup of coffee. A shop had a sign outside advertising some sort of coffee, but it was rather an old and uninspiring sign and I thought maybe the coffee would be just as old and uninspiring, so after eating my lunch there on a bench opposite, I decided to cycle on and get coffee at my planned tea stop instead! Do my cycle rides revolve round tea and coffee, I hear you ask? Well no, well yes maybe! But I think you'll find a lot of cyclists know where all the good coffee and tea stops are! Incidentally, I am looking forward to the next Coffeeneuring Challenge coming up very soon (and it doesn't have to be coffee!). I took part last year and earned my badge -

Onwards then to Little Bedwyn, alongside the canal. I stopped there for a call of nature. I parked my bike in a layby and crossed the road (but not too far from the bike) and found some suitable cover amongst trees. Calls of nature while cycling seem to me to be a very interesting and scientific topic of conversation, so let's explore it. Can anybody tell me - why do I need to go so often when out cycling??? Obviously I drink more than if I were just sitting about at home doing nothing but sew, and the occasional bit of housework, because I get thirstier, ......but I do go disproportionately more frequently than when I am doing merely that. You'd think that one would sweat this off to a greater extent than I do. Even on hot days I go frequently. My personal theory is that it's to do with the exercise, i.e. that it gets everything moving more and that that includes one's waterworks. Thankfully I can happily squat down anywhere and don't need to be on the lookout for loos. Poor Brenda of Cycling in the Sixth Decade suffered with cystitis on a recent trip.......

Ok, let's get back on to the subject of coffee. The planned tea stop which turned into the coffee stop was at Cobbs Farm Shop on the other side of the A4, west of Hungerford. I had two or three miles on this road but although the traffic goes past fast (try saying that quickly) I knew the road was wide and generally not too busy so wasn't worried about travelling on it. I parked and locked my bike outside the shop -  I should say here that my bike has a fixed lock (Axa) on the back wheel, and I also use my padlock. On the fixed lock the key stays in it while in the unlocked (riding) position, so I don't like to have any other keys dangling from it, and therfore keep my padlock keys separate. So after locking it I put both lots of keys in my rucksack. I then went off to enjoy my coffee - Americano again, £2.25, again not the best, but not bad. This time I had remembered to ask if I could have it in a mug but they didn't have any. There was seating inside and outside. 

When I got back to my bike, I unlocked the padlock, and then slowly the feelings of panic rose within me........... I couldn't find the other lock's key. 

"You plonker!!!!!!!!!" I said to myself.

I said this because I have got two keys for this lock, one of which it would be sensible to put on the padlock key ring, but I hadn't.

I spent several minutes going through the rucksack again, before I thought -

"Could I have dropped it?"

And there it was on the ground. Phew!! I did not want to make a call of shame to Husband saying "I can't unlock my bike!" 

In Hungerford, at a small roundabout, a lorry overtook me and I was thinking -

"His back end is going to swing round horribly close......." which it did.  

He should have waited. 

I cycled on now through the Berkshire villages of Poughley - (as in "cough" or "bough" or "rough"? I ought to know but I don't. In my head it's as in "cough" but I could be wrong) East Garston, Eastbury and Lambourn, stopping for another call of nature on the way. On my next trip I shall count my CONs! Lambourn is full of jockeys, being in the Valley of the Racehorse. It also has a cafe, which I have been meaning to try for ages. This could have been my tea stop, had it not shut at 4 pm. I didn't get there in time, but shall make it my aim to get there one day and try it out as the website says it's a popular stop for walkers and cyclists. Maybe even the odd bandy legged jockey goes in there too. I'm not being jockeyist, they really do have bandy legs!

By now I was beginning to feel slightly tired and a fraction saddle sore (I hadn't worn padded undershorts on this trip) so when I arrived at Seven Barrows, about 3 or 4 miles from home, I had a break. My arms were also aching slightly, as I had meant to alter the position of the handlebars before leaving home - I knew it wasn't quite right, but it was one of those things that got forgotten. I could have done it while on the trip, but was nervous about doing it without Husband there. Before I'd ever heard the word "torque" I just tightened things up as much as I could, and that was it, but now you get torque measurements on things that have to be tightened up and I get worried that I will either tighten them up too much or not enough. It's a bit like zips - yes it is, really! People who have never been told that zips are hard to put in just get on and sew them in and don't worry about it (me) but those who have heard -

"Ooh zips, very tricky!"

get scared and think they can't do it. A bit like with torque.

In the case of the handlebars I had visions of them dropping forward after adjustment and me falling head first over them...... 

Despite this little nature reserve, with the barrows in it, being so close to home, I had never visited it (or walked up the track that you can see) but now I wandered around it looking for the wild flowers and butterflies which another notice tells you are there, and refuelled for the last bit of the ride. Sometimes when I get off my bike for some reason, I don't get back on the bike immediately, but walk with it, because frankly I just like to walk now and then and not sit on a saddle and pedal. I love walking - you see even more when you walk than you do when you're cycling. I think walking is the ultimate in travel!

I also, for the last time before reaching home, had another CON. 

Seven Barrows

And then it was home, to Husband, beans on toast and a nice cup of tea.

I love the term "earworm". I had one the next day, when I was thinking about not having "stayed another day". East 17's  "Stay another Day" is actually still worming its way around my ear.

Lizzie

PS On a totally different topic, I have just changed from Feedburner to Specificfeeds. I hope it's working properly and that everyone who normally gets an email notification of a new post is doing so!

PPS Anyone who read my last post soon after I published it may have noticed a list of my notes at the end. If so, you're lucky, you got a bit extra that you weren't meant to get. Eldest Son pointed it out to me and I deleted them. Good job there was nothing too embarrassing there!