Bit more overcast but developing into another nice day if a bit windy. Customary bacon & egg breakfast before saddling up for a ride to the south west of Canterbury.
Took the riverside path to Chartham then continued along the cycle route to Shalmsford Street and Old Wives Lees. Very quiet roads apart from the occasional huge tractor, and very undulating like Cornwall.
Stopped briefly at the far end of the ride, just before Charing, for a choc bar and slurp from the water bottles, watched by two tiny ponies, just visible through the bars of the gate but coming right up to scrounge for treats. Didn't have any, sorry.
Went down Pett Lane with its right angle bends, leading to what turned out to be nothing more than a rough track through the woods. Lovely though despite being being very bumpy in places, and morphing into Pilgrims Way. Emerged at Westwell then turned into Eastwell Estate, past a sign saying no cycling. Stopped to ask some walkers about this, only for the gates to close behind us so no choice other than to ride on through the south part of the estate and eventually past a golf course.
Soon arrived at Wye and the Tickled Trout pub, immediately a winner because of the lawn beside the river. Bit breezy but found enough shelter in the corner, to the right of the bloke in the photo.
Nice lunch of chicken baguette and a couple of Canterbury Ales before jumping on the bikes again for the ride back. Alternately warm in the sun and cool in the breeze but a very pleasant quiet road through wooded areas.
Found a lad whose rear derailleur had smashed into the wheel, wrecking it completely. Couldn't help other than to disentangle the chain and make it possible to freewheel, and provide some magic wipes for his mucky hands. Went on to Chartham and the ice cream shop, finding a convenient graveyard as shelter from the breeze. Then saw the sign for the Farmers' Market across the road, including home made ice cream so felt obliged to share one after popping and buying some home made marmalade and jam.
Back into Canterbury along the usual riverside path with its frequent cattle grills, arriving close to the high street. Found Specsavers because Hilary's expensive rimless glasses had broken on one side, and found a suitable frame that they said they'd courier to the Cambridge branch.
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