13th February 2013 Burton Breen Blizzard!

Should not have gone out today really. Horrible out there. I did delay because it was snowing and after it  stopped, about lunchtime, layered up against the cold and headed for Burton Green about 5 miles north of home.

Borrowell Lane

Rode through Abbey Fields to get to the cycle path and the Greenway, and stopped for a picture of the old animal watering trough in Borrowell Lane, just outside of Kenilworth Town. Not sure of the history of this but would guess it would have been built in medieval times to provide water for animals heading north out of Kenilworth. It was here that it started snowing again. Still, onward and upward.

Joe's overflow.

Part of Abbey Fields, Kenilworth this is just by Kenilworth Castle. The name of this stretch of water intrigues me, if anybody knows the history of it please let me know.  It is only in the last 30 years that this has been a permanent fixture.  Prior to that it only appeared during flood times.  The wildfowl like it , they seem to thrive in the area.

The Barn, Abbey Fields.

Buildings appeared here about 1124, the same time that the castle was built. This was originally a barn but now houses an exhibition of history of the site. St Nicholas Church is nearby, and that was also built about the same time. Originally a priory, the Pope upgraded it to Abbey status in the mid 15th century in recognition of the wealth gained by the Priory. A lovely little corner of Abbey Fields this, with the children's play area and swimming pool nearby.  
                                    

Cromwell Lane bridge, the Greenway

Left Abbey Fields and took the cycle path north towards Warwick University. This runs into the Kenilworth Greenway, a disused railway, that runs north towards Balsall Common.  I was surprised to see that it has been tarmacked nearly all the way now. The snow was coming down, but wasn't any problem. Had a good work out on the Greenway as it rises gradually from the Kenilworth end. Going back would be good. Wrong! I turned round at the Cromwell Lane Bridge, straight into a biting wind and sleet/snow. It was horrible going home, most uncomfortable.

Did not enjoy the ride home at all. Why do I do this? Just under 13 miles all told, half of which was memorable for the wrong reason!