Lovely Holiday Quiet
The Christmas Eve Mince Pie run was deferred to Christmas Day this year as I had some last-minute shopping to do yesterday and Ian thought it a good idea to have me out riding whilst he was cooking Christmas dinner. I wasn't about to argue! Due to sloth though, I didn't end up going out until just before midday and dinner was scheduled for half one, so I had to spend a bit less time on it than last year. No matter - instead of the sunshine and blue sky that I had yesterday, today was grey and still and very cold. I loaded up with a bag of peanuts for the birds and squirrels, a small flask of hot coffee and a couple of pieces of shortbread. The roads were dry and beautifully quiet. No need to go fast - I could spin along at my own pace, looking at everything and dreaming as I went along.
I hopped onto the Downs Link for a short amount of time and scattered a few cracked unsalted peanuts every time I went past a tree with some expectant-looking birds perched in it. I think it's my version of feeding the traffic-light goblins at the Solstice - I'm not a commuter (yet) so don't need to do that, but I do feel the need to ride out once or twice in year anyway and leave small offerings. I wonder how many other cyclists do this too.
I was glad of my Lusso cap - always nice to have good products that are made in the UK, and it kept my head and ears lovely and toasty. My cycling helmet is fab for the Summer as it has more holes in it than a swiss cheese, but chilly in the Winter as there's so much airflow. I was also glad of my hot coffee - served on my handy built-in bike-table (ie. the back rack!). Hardly any cars went past, the quiet and cold air was giving me a deep feeling of peace by now.
A handy bus stop gave me a stand for the bike and there was also a bench, but I was deterred as I didn't want to get too cold. I walked around sipping my hot coffee and listening to the birds instead.
Looking at my watch, I realised that I only had a little less than three-quarters of an hour to retrace my steps, and I know well it would be more than my life is worth to be late for Ian's dinner! So back I went, replenishing the peanut dumps along the way until I got back into Cranleigh and was amazed by it's deserted appearance. I've really never seen it as quiet as this. There was one couple out for a walk and four or five bored yoof looking cold and fed up, and that really was it.
It's the kind of thing that should be savoured and not rushed, so I stopped for another coffee and wandered around exploring the new Cranleigh "enhanced" area.
I really like the enhancements. I've seen a lot of letters in the Surrey Advertiser that have nothing good to say about the works, and I've heard a lot of negative comments in the street, mainly from people who find that they are unable to park inconsiderately in the street any more without causing major distruption to the flow of traffic. Good design, I say! The village is much nicer for pedestrians now and people are driving much more slowly.
I got back home with minutes to spare. A very nice Christmas ride.
I hopped onto the Downs Link for a short amount of time and scattered a few cracked unsalted peanuts every time I went past a tree with some expectant-looking birds perched in it. I think it's my version of feeding the traffic-light goblins at the Solstice - I'm not a commuter (yet) so don't need to do that, but I do feel the need to ride out once or twice in year anyway and leave small offerings. I wonder how many other cyclists do this too.
I was glad of my Lusso cap - always nice to have good products that are made in the UK, and it kept my head and ears lovely and toasty. My cycling helmet is fab for the Summer as it has more holes in it than a swiss cheese, but chilly in the Winter as there's so much airflow. I was also glad of my hot coffee - served on my handy built-in bike-table (ie. the back rack!). Hardly any cars went past, the quiet and cold air was giving me a deep feeling of peace by now.
A handy bus stop gave me a stand for the bike and there was also a bench, but I was deterred as I didn't want to get too cold. I walked around sipping my hot coffee and listening to the birds instead.
Looking at my watch, I realised that I only had a little less than three-quarters of an hour to retrace my steps, and I know well it would be more than my life is worth to be late for Ian's dinner! So back I went, replenishing the peanut dumps along the way until I got back into Cranleigh and was amazed by it's deserted appearance. I've really never seen it as quiet as this. There was one couple out for a walk and four or five bored yoof looking cold and fed up, and that really was it.
It's the kind of thing that should be savoured and not rushed, so I stopped for another coffee and wandered around exploring the new Cranleigh "enhanced" area.
I really like the enhancements. I've seen a lot of letters in the Surrey Advertiser that have nothing good to say about the works, and I've heard a lot of negative comments in the street, mainly from people who find that they are unable to park inconsiderately in the street any more without causing major distruption to the flow of traffic. Good design, I say! The village is much nicer for pedestrians now and people are driving much more slowly.
I got back home with minutes to spare. A very nice Christmas ride.
posted by Catherine at 16:36
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