8th December 2013 Locks Loop

Good day and bad day today. The bad bit was when I got the road bike out of the shed, the front tyre was flat. This happened the other day and seemed to stay up when some air was put back in. Thought it best to check it and found a puncture in it. All mended and it went down again. Grrrrr. Best to use the mountain bike today then and sort out the tyres later. The good news is I saw a kingfisher flitting along the canal near Warwick. Not often that happens. No photos unfortunately, he was far too quick.
Went out  on the bridle paths to the canal and back through Leamington.

The field (four seasons project)

Been doing this one for twelve months now. This is a field off the bridle path between Kenilworth and Warwick. It has been sown with winter corn which is coming through nicely and looks healthy enough to stand the winter months ahead.

The field project

Last year, the field was sown with oil seed rape and this shows the various stages throughout the year.

The barn

This has seen better days! Possibly an old Nissen hut, it is slowly being eroded away. Often, sheep are kept in here whilst they are lambing in the winter months. Just hope there is not a strong wind when they are in there. This is at Bull Oak Farm, near to Beausale and Hatton.

The Traveller's tale

Basically, they tried and lost. This piece of land, on the corner of Kite's Nest Lane, was taken over by Gypsies about three years ago. They moved onto the site, which was normally wet and boggy and put hundreds of tons of hardcore down overnight. Septic tanks were installed and about 10 caravans and families have been there ever since. This last couple of weeks, after several attempts by the council, a high court has ruled that the travellers must move on which they have done.  This is the state they have left it, although the court order does stipulate that the land has to be restored to its original condition. Anybody want numerous gas bottles, two septic tanks, an old caravan and several big piles of rubbish?

A good ride today again, 15 plus today, below the target for the week unfortunately.