14th December 2013 Balsall Common Circuit

Just need 11 miles to make up the weekly target, but as it is a decent day, going out to Balsall Common via Chadwick End, tea at La Delicia then home again.

Crab Apples

Quite a common site in the countryside, and this year the fruit seems to be especially bigger than normal. Good news for the bird population as they depend on such fruit to fatten them up for the winter. This tree is near Chadwick End and the photograph does not show the fruit as well as I hoped it would. Picture taken on my way to the La Delicia tea room in Balsall Common where a tea and jam doughnut were waiting.

The HS2 debate

The government plan to introduce a high speed (200mph) train between London and the North of the UK. This, if it goes ahead, will impact significantly on the countryside in the middle of Warwickshire. Local residents, naturally, are anxious about these proposals and action groups have been set up in the various parishes that are affected. One of them is the village of Burton Green, between Balsall Common and Kenilworth and I particularly like the slogan they have adopted. KEEP BURTON GREEN. Very clever play on words. This is outside the village hall and is sponsored by the Burton Green HS2 Action Group.

Another good ride today, marred by having to ride against the wind on the way back.  23 miles today which is more than enough to for the target of a 100 for the week.