Had to walk the last mile home.![]()
Could have been worse, it could have been 10 miles

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Had to walk the last mile home.![]()


I think I prefer the potholes. 
Stopped in a gateway for a drink and a few M&Ms before pushing on.
There is also a heronry somewhere near Long Drove, as I saw eight or nine herons flying around near a small spinney. And near the pumping station, there were daffodils growing on the river levee. Only one was flowering though. And lots of evidence all ride long of Doris' temper tantrum last week - trees down and plenty of debris by the side of the road.
Through the village (no numpties outside the chippy this time) and down the hill the other side. Managed to set off the 30 mph warning lights as I fizzed towards Cowbridge Hall Drove.
Then it's a left down there, a right at the bottom onto California, and then the last mile and a half home.
Felt good to get out and take advantage of the weather while it lasts as it's set to
later in the week.Seems to be a common problem with birds in general - around here it's flocks of pigeons or a bouquet of pheasant - or dogs. I sometimes wonder if it's to do with a high-frequency noise from the bike mechs ... or my whistling.There were loads of swans in the fields right alongside the road - mostly Whooper, but some Mute. They didn't seem to be bothered by the occasional car, but went running off in a flap as I passed on the bike.

Seems to be a common problem with birds in general - around here it's flocks of pigeons or a bouquet of pheasant - or dogs. I sometimes wonder if it's to do with a high-frequency noise from the bike mechs ... or my whistling.![]()





The wind and rain finally relented for me to get my first ride in for nearly 2 weeks, with a short ride after work. Set out with the intention of following my regular route around Shrewsbury, but it didn't turn out as planned.
Began by heading through the estate and along the old railway path, where at the end I encountered a pathetic pea brained youth on a bike, who had his face fully covered (up to no good I would say) and he wasn't looking where he was going and almost rode into me. I swerved to avoid him and he grunted something incomprehensible, probably all his brain can muster, so I responded with some choice words around looking where he was going in future
I continued up the cycle paths to Heathgates and then through Castlefields, before coming out by the River Severn. The river was unexpectedly very high, due to all of the recent rain and as I got to the weir I found the flood gates were shut and indeed the river was on the towpath. That scuppered my planned route and so I decided to nip through the older end of Castlefields, across the bridge to Underdale and then just followed my nose with no real plan on where to go. Whichever way meant mixing it with rush hour traffic and I wasn't looking forward to that.
I initially went through Abbey Foregate and then turned up past Whitehall and through towards Belvidere, where I planned to come out around the Shirehall.
I somehow missed the turning and ended up in Belvidere itself, passing the school and pub.
As I was there I thought I may as well loop round that estate and eventually arrived back where I wanted to be!
I took Wenlock Road, which was very busy with traffic, and had what must be the most idiotic and closest pass I've ever had. A prat in a white Tiguan came past me, missing my arm by around an inch I would guess and proceeded to then stop and turn right just in front of me
I don't normally react, but this stupid idiot got both barrels off me and I was pretty much fed up with the ride and so headed straight home, having done 10.4 miles.
Won't be a ride that I remember fondly.
You do seem to meet a lot of awkward people on your rides.

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(Can anyone recommend a technique to fix a foggy phone camera lens? I've tried toothpaste to buff out the scratches to no avail.)
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Thanks, will give it a shot. It's so frustrating because the camera used to take great photos but now they look far worse than ones I took in 2005...Brasso has a very light 'cut' and should remove the scratches. Best try it out on a piece of plastic of similar hardness first though
Make sure you apply it with a soft clean clothThanks, will give it a shot. It's so frustrating because the camera used to take great photos but now they look far worse than ones I took in 2005...