Bicycles Gathering Dust

Rick guarding the car

On Tuesday evening we explored another new trail with Rick, along the Theze valley and then a sharp left and a climb into the chestnut woods.  We have finally figured out that the single yellow marks on the trees are the trail, a cross means wrong way.  We carefully followed the yellow marks but still managed to end up in someone’s garden.  The French owner was charming and very helpful, leading us back down the track and showing us the trail.  The yellow marked tree was completely hidden in the undergrowth.

Yesterday morning, feeling very energetic and adventurous, we dusted off our bicycles and set off to explore another woodland trail.  We are finding it hard to fit in cycle rides with dog walking at the moment. It was not a very pleasant ride, the track was bumpy and brambly, the flies were a nightmare and the going was so steep in places I had to get off my bike and walk.  Then I got bitten by some evil fly, right through my sock.  By the time we emerged from the forest into the hamlet at the top of the valley I was thoroughly disenchanted.  Then we saw the deer with her two babies grazing in someone’s potager, it was such a magical scene.  They skipped down the lane on their spindly legs before disappearing into the tall maize.  

It’s really too hot and buggy for cycling at the moment so we took Rick out very early this morning for a long hike instead.  The forecast is for hot sunshine this afternoon (it’s cloudy at the moment) so Paul has sliced up some tomatoes to dry in the sun.  Hopefully we will end up with several jars of sweet, sundried tomatoes.