We only paid £30 each for our 'luxury' B&B which didn't entitle us to a cooked breakfast - we were cool with that. It didn't entitle us to the posh cereals either and we got the cheap seats. So funny - we got the (sticky) table in the kitchen with the super market own (Waitrose Essential , allelujay!!) cereals. The other guests got the posh room with the granola cereals. We did get to try the local honey but that was quickly moved to the other table too.
That said, we enjoyed our chat over breakfast with the owner: Mrs Reid. She is quite a gal - a 70 year old endurance rider who looks 60. She told us she was schooled at Hartwell House (near Pollicott!!) and got into endurance riding because her father wouldn't buy her a horse trailer (so she rode her horse back to school - through Reading and on to Hartwell) - I now forgive her the double bed faux pas!
We also heard that Sue MacGregor (Radio 4) was a Hartwell girl and interviewed her ex school mate, Mrs Reid, about her late husband's biography of Marie Curie. (Later research suggests this was Robert Reid - and his 1974 biography). If we had had the time methinks Mrs Reid would be an interesting story in her own right.
'Unfortunately' we had to leave so we said our goodbyes (to the dog, the geese, the pigs, the chickens and the lady sleeping in the horsebox). Then, one nice moment: as we set off up the driveway Mrs Reid chased behind us to take a photo. So we think she really cared about our mission - Hartwell must have simply bashed tact and diplomacy out of her. What a character. And, there are more adventures and characters to come - we will be back...
It has been almost three years since the Belles set a challenge. We haven't stopped, we simply need to re-set and re-focus and find time to get ourselves back in the zone.
Showing posts with label Cycling the Ridgeway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cycling the Ridgeway. Show all posts
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Fair Cop Guv!
So we got our collar felt by Inspector Morse Miller! “We ain’t going down alone, ketchup there may have been but we have witnesses – go and speak to the De-Banks, they passed us on Dorton Hill acknowledging us with a toot and a wave”.
With that little misunderstanding sorted, on with the business of the weekend.
“Oh What a Beautiful Morning” – it was not. Seven thirty on a Sunday morning in the pouring rain dampened our enthusiasm – but not as much as hearing that someone close to us had received some very sad news. It was with heavy hearts that we set off on a morning that would have been easy to walk away from – but today rain and cold were pushed aside by renewed determination to do our little bit for Macmillan. It was a slow start and our usual cheery banter was subdued – but this was a time to dig a little deeper and the close reality of why we’re doing this pushed the cold and wet from our thoughts.
We needed a little something to get our minds back to the job in hand, and there he was - Harry Rand – getting stuck in to the stuff that Harry Rand does. To be honest I don’t know exactly what he does – but as always he was there, doing it. His cheery “hello girls” and welcoming smile gave the Belles an extra boost on a difficult morning. Thanks Harry – you may never know how important you were today.
With Harry fuelling the pedal power we arrived at Haddenham station – and I began to worry – any ride that involved taking our bikes on a train was surely going to be a severe test of our determination and resolve. I was not wrong!
By the time we got off the train at Princes Risborough Sian had briefed Vicky and me about our planned cross-country route. Our immediate thought was that this is going to be too much but today was not a day to give up – today the stark reality of why we’re doing this was brought home - today was a day to make a difference.
Our route, as best as I can explain, was a circular ride taking in Parslow’s Hillock, Flowers Bottom, Bledlow Ridge, Crowell, Chinnor, and Saunderton. Some 16 miles as I learned later.
It was pouring and Sian thought it would be inspirational for us if she sung ‘Rain’ by Mika – and it was, for a short while. Eventually Vicky threatened to remove vocal chords if she didn’t shut up. We continued our ride with the just the sound of bicycle wheels churning through sodden ground.
Chinnor and Crowell Hill were particularly memorable for me because I ended up flat on my face covered in mud. Cycling is a new experience for me, as is brake failure - something I’d prefer not to experience too often. But!! - looking for a positive, Vicky and I chuckled, surely this would signal an end to the mornings endurance. ‘Next around the corner’ we kept telling ourselves ‘would be Andy in his bright green car’ – bikes on the roof, and thirty minutes later we’d be back home in the warm.
Alas, next around the corner was Sian – toolkit in hand, ready to get me on the road again. “Where does this girl get all this stuff?” I wondered. The only thing I’d seen Sian with all morning was an everlasting Marmite and cucumber roll, a magical roll that seemed to last the entire day - no matter how many times she stopped to take a bite. Vicky and I had often wondered if she was superhuman - everlasting fitness is one thing, everlasting Marmite and cucumber roll something completely different. We wondered if she could make us an everlasting bacon sandwich.
Vicky was also on hand with a medical kit. My last tumble not only damaged the bike, I’d also picked up a few cuts and bruises. So here we had it, Sian with toolkit, Vicky with medical aid, and me with my trusty bag of boiled sweets. Clearly I had a long way to go.
Eventually we found ourselves back at Princes Risborough station: a very welcome arrival after the days events, particularly the hill at Small Dean - another demonstration of Sians incredible fitness.
I’m not a great fan of train journeys but today the carriage was like a warm oven, and I was almost on the verge of slipping into ‘girlie’ mode and having a little cry. Perhaps I’ll take up knitting once we’ve conquered The Ridgeway next month, at least I wouldn’t have to worry about chattering teeth, blue hands, and cuts & bruises.
With a difficult day behind us we stopped for tea and cake at Haddenham Garden Centre – a kind of ‘ritual’ now for us Belles, but we still had one dilemma to face. Which way back up through Nether Winchendon? As you’ll know from previous blogs the support and encouragement of Nether Winchendons ‘Big Cheese’ doesn’t stretch to letting us cycle on his land so we left it to Vicky to make the right decision.
Despite Vickys scant regard for the rules of the Manor (sorry mister Big Cheese) it was the professional cyclists who didn’t like us on their road today. Can you believe it – according to the Top Brass in charge – this was an ‘international’ event. Keep off the road –Belles not invited.
By the time we cycled back down into Pollicott it was a quarter past three – we’d been out since seven thirty and cycled a distance of about 27 miles. Vicky and I quietly wondered if we should tie Sian up and leave her out in the rain as a kind of ‘thank you’ for the days activities, but deep in our hearts we knew we’d achieved something we perhaps could not have done without her.
All I have to do now is get my bike back from the repair shop, wait for my bruising to disappear, and let my cuts heal – and we’ll be ready to go again next week!
Alex xx
With that little misunderstanding sorted, on with the business of the weekend.
“Oh What a Beautiful Morning” – it was not. Seven thirty on a Sunday morning in the pouring rain dampened our enthusiasm – but not as much as hearing that someone close to us had received some very sad news. It was with heavy hearts that we set off on a morning that would have been easy to walk away from – but today rain and cold were pushed aside by renewed determination to do our little bit for Macmillan. It was a slow start and our usual cheery banter was subdued – but this was a time to dig a little deeper and the close reality of why we’re doing this pushed the cold and wet from our thoughts.
We needed a little something to get our minds back to the job in hand, and there he was - Harry Rand – getting stuck in to the stuff that Harry Rand does. To be honest I don’t know exactly what he does – but as always he was there, doing it. His cheery “hello girls” and welcoming smile gave the Belles an extra boost on a difficult morning. Thanks Harry – you may never know how important you were today.
With Harry fuelling the pedal power we arrived at Haddenham station – and I began to worry – any ride that involved taking our bikes on a train was surely going to be a severe test of our determination and resolve. I was not wrong!
By the time we got off the train at Princes Risborough Sian had briefed Vicky and me about our planned cross-country route. Our immediate thought was that this is going to be too much but today was not a day to give up – today the stark reality of why we’re doing this was brought home - today was a day to make a difference.
Our route, as best as I can explain, was a circular ride taking in Parslow’s Hillock, Flowers Bottom, Bledlow Ridge, Crowell, Chinnor, and Saunderton. Some 16 miles as I learned later.
It was pouring and Sian thought it would be inspirational for us if she sung ‘Rain’ by Mika – and it was, for a short while. Eventually Vicky threatened to remove vocal chords if she didn’t shut up. We continued our ride with the just the sound of bicycle wheels churning through sodden ground.
Chinnor and Crowell Hill were particularly memorable for me because I ended up flat on my face covered in mud. Cycling is a new experience for me, as is brake failure - something I’d prefer not to experience too often. But!! - looking for a positive, Vicky and I chuckled, surely this would signal an end to the mornings endurance. ‘Next around the corner’ we kept telling ourselves ‘would be Andy in his bright green car’ – bikes on the roof, and thirty minutes later we’d be back home in the warm.
Alas, next around the corner was Sian – toolkit in hand, ready to get me on the road again. “Where does this girl get all this stuff?” I wondered. The only thing I’d seen Sian with all morning was an everlasting Marmite and cucumber roll, a magical roll that seemed to last the entire day - no matter how many times she stopped to take a bite. Vicky and I had often wondered if she was superhuman - everlasting fitness is one thing, everlasting Marmite and cucumber roll something completely different. We wondered if she could make us an everlasting bacon sandwich.
Vicky was also on hand with a medical kit. My last tumble not only damaged the bike, I’d also picked up a few cuts and bruises. So here we had it, Sian with toolkit, Vicky with medical aid, and me with my trusty bag of boiled sweets. Clearly I had a long way to go.
Eventually we found ourselves back at Princes Risborough station: a very welcome arrival after the days events, particularly the hill at Small Dean - another demonstration of Sians incredible fitness.
I’m not a great fan of train journeys but today the carriage was like a warm oven, and I was almost on the verge of slipping into ‘girlie’ mode and having a little cry. Perhaps I’ll take up knitting once we’ve conquered The Ridgeway next month, at least I wouldn’t have to worry about chattering teeth, blue hands, and cuts & bruises.
With a difficult day behind us we stopped for tea and cake at Haddenham Garden Centre – a kind of ‘ritual’ now for us Belles, but we still had one dilemma to face. Which way back up through Nether Winchendon? As you’ll know from previous blogs the support and encouragement of Nether Winchendons ‘Big Cheese’ doesn’t stretch to letting us cycle on his land so we left it to Vicky to make the right decision.
Despite Vickys scant regard for the rules of the Manor (sorry mister Big Cheese) it was the professional cyclists who didn’t like us on their road today. Can you believe it – according to the Top Brass in charge – this was an ‘international’ event. Keep off the road –Belles not invited.
By the time we cycled back down into Pollicott it was a quarter past three – we’d been out since seven thirty and cycled a distance of about 27 miles. Vicky and I quietly wondered if we should tie Sian up and leave her out in the rain as a kind of ‘thank you’ for the days activities, but deep in our hearts we knew we’d achieved something we perhaps could not have done without her.
All I have to do now is get my bike back from the repair shop, wait for my bruising to disappear, and let my cuts heal – and we’ll be ready to go again next week!
Alex xx
Friday, 8 January 2010
About the Ridgeway
15% of Ridgeway users are cyclist so we are not alone in our lunacy. However other Ridgeway users have problems with cyclists because of failure to warn of approach from behind, dangerous riding, inconsiderate and abusive behaviour and disturbance of dogs and horses. The Pollicott Belles training and preparation will focus on such things to ensure we are not a nuisance.
We are testing our sound warning equipment.
We are testing our sound warning equipment.
Perfecting our proficiency
Selecting appropriate cycle wear
And acclimatising ourselves to identified sources of abuse and disruption
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Friday, 13 November 2009
This is the day we kicked off the fundraising for the Pollicott Belles Cycle Challenge.
The Pollicott Belles are Alex, Sian and Vicky and we are cycling The Ridgeway from June 4th to 6th 2010 to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care.
We chose Macmillan because a lady in our village inspired us to do so at her World's Biggest Coffee Morning event. We hope over time to add a little more information about why we were inspired.
The Ridgeway is Britain's oldest road - the route is largely off-road but because some of it is footpath only we will have to do some distance on road and will not be able to complete the full 85 miles on bike (we will cycle approx. 65 miles).
This is a true Pollicott effort. Our wonderful menfolk and children are lined up as support crew, campsite security and catering. Helen Lund is chief in charge of fundraising and will be thinking up some new and innovative ways to extract cash from anyone willing to support us.
Alex is our star - until we decided to take on this challenge she had NEVER been on a bike. In true Pollicott style we set about dealing with this minor detail. She is now pedalling up and down the lane very competently so that's the off-road sorted - next comes turning round, straight lines, traffic and distance - we will keep this page updated with her progress.
Already we have had two fab fundraising efforts:
Already we have had two fab fundraising efforts:
- Christopher Reeves - thanks so much for allowing us to enjoy the art (or sport) of innuendo at your 18th birthday - the pounds in the bucket reflect the shocking enormity of it all!
- Imogen and Jessica Holbrook - thank you for such a wonderful body shop party - Jessica your raffle ticket selling skills were truly impressive and made for a very enjoyable evening.
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