An unusual horse trough

One of the attractions in Bruges in Belgium is the horses and carriages that can be hired for a sightseeing trip around the city. Sitting in a local cafe opposite this horse trough, which I didn't think was in use, I observed the owner of a carriage open a door on the side and fill a bucket of water for a very appreciate horse. One of the many attractions in this interesting city. As a cyclist I watched in fascination the hundreds of bike ridden here from young children on tandems with their parents to elderly folk like me,and they all looked very fit. Time to get that bike out?

A visit to Belgium

On a recent visit to Brugge in Belgium I visited the First World War cemeteries of British and Commonwealth forces at Tyne Cot where over 40,000 are buried. Nearby is the memorial to Canadian troops killed in action. Close by is the cemetery to the German soldiers killed in the war. I also visited Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62) where some of the trenches are preserved, Sanctuary Wood being on high ground in an otherwise very flat landscape and therefore of strategic importance to the surveillance of the surrounding countryside. I know perhaps I should't put these on my blog but I will not comment on these events and hope you my find them of interest.

A Hertfordshire Bluebell Wood

On a bright spring morning in Hertfordshire I took photos of these bluebell woods. Bluebells are native to Hertfordshire and come into bloom before the sunlight is obscured by the tree canopy. I hope you like these photos. A nice ride of 26 miles this morning.

City of St Albans Clock Tower

On a recent visit to the city of St Albans, Hertfordshire, with its many interesting buildings, one of which is the clock tower. I am afraid the view is a bit obscured by the ever present 21st century motor car.If you can enlarge the picture you will notice the walls are made of flint, which is known as napping, nothing to do with a quiet half hour on the sofa!


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New Church at Ayot St Lawrence
On a recent visit to Ayot St Lawrence,which was the home of the playwright George Bernard Shaw from 1906 until his death in 1950, I previously showed a picture of the old church which was partially demolished in 1775 by Sir Lionel Lyde who thought it obscured his view from his new house. But he was stopped by the Bishop of Lincoln. So he had a new church built in the neo classical style with a Palladian frontage with Doric columns. Also in the village is the Brocket Arms a 17th century building supposedly haunted so having a pint of beer makes it that more interesting!

A non-cycling morning
After a heavy fall of snow cycling was put on hold for a while so I have taken a few pictures from my front garden Apologies to people around the world who see enough of the white stuff. Best wishes, Harold.

Wheathampstead Village Sign

Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire, England, some 20 miles from the outskirts of London, still retains its rural atmosphere. I live a mile away from the village centre and on a rather windy Sunday morning, on my way to Ley Green, a small hamlet in the undulating countryside, I stopped to take a couple of pictures, one of the village sign and another of the Bull public house and restaurant. The river next to the Bull is the River Lea which eventually reaches London and is navigable farther down stream. Ley Green has just a few houses but more importantly has a post office and a nice tea room, so its toasted tea cakes and tea and a hard ride back into a head wind. Total distance: 27 miles.