The weather wasn’t great, but it stayed dry so I am grateful for that. I didn’t go anywhere particular, but I did about 60 miles locally – it was one of those rides that I headed in one direction taking roads I never normally use, to see what I found.
I took a few photos....
Not far from where I live, I saw something odd in a field. I don’t think I have ever seen this before where what I assume some seeds of one crop - barley I think – were growing in a wheat field and standing wispy and taller than the main crop....
I then rode over a bridge near Hemel Hempstead that goes over the Grand Union Canal, right next to a lock. Luckily there was a narrow boat in the lock so I stopped and took a couple of pictures....
My route then took me passed Pitstone Windmill which is believed to be the oldest windmill in the British Isles and bears the date 1627. It was badly damaged in the Great Storm of 1902 which ended its working life, but was restored by local volunteers and maintained today by the National Trust....
The final picture is of my Harley-Davidson Road King, near to a local railway viaduct, which I think makes a fantastic background for any motorcycle picture....
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Yesterday, I had to go into Central London and I saw the Royal Artillery Regiment taking their ceremonial guns through the city. The pictures speak for themselves, but even motorcyclists get in on the act – see the Police motorcyclist in the final picture. There were a team of these Police bikes escorting the Regiment and controlling the traffic....
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5 comments:
Love the windmill, it is a lot different than the windmills we have in Texas. I grew up on a farm and we actually got our water from the windmill.
I like the viaduct & bike picture.
Sure hope you have good shipping insurance on that bike, it is so pretty.
Thanks for the memories Gary. I remember many happy times visiting the pubs and restaurants along the Grand Union Canal before we emigrated!
Gary - really nice photos on your ride! I like the viaduct photos, they really look British. You must get a lot of people admiring your bike as you ride on those country roads.
Did I mention that I have family in Hemel Hempstead? I remember good times with my cousins at the canal. Like the Harley pic with the viaduct in the back.
Soon it is time to say goodbye to your ladies-carrier. I hope that the transport goes well.
Oz – For Texas, I am thinking the windmills are very much taller with smaller sails, or have I been bought up watching to many cowboy films? At least that is what I imagine they must be like. That is a really god point about the shipping insurance – I will check!
Geoff – Happy to oblige. The canal is a wonderful place, more so now they are for recreation than when they were purely for work. Oh, the pubs....
Mike – Yes, people seem to like looking at the bike. I think I may have had a few admiring glances from cousins of number 108 as well.... The viaduct must have been like one of the wonders of the world when it was first built all those years ago.
Sonja – It is a small world! Until about 7 years ago I lived in a lock-keepers cottage at the side of the canal about 2 miles from the centre of Hemel Hempstead in a place called Boxmoor. I wonder if you have been near my old house with your cousins? I take the bike to the airport on 16th June and I follow on the 22nd. Not long now!!
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