Christmas greetings

To end the cycling year and manage to learn a little more of the internet, which is a challenge at  83 years of age, I leave you with a local wintry scene and a signpost of a local hostelry named after the author John Bunyan, famous as the author of Pilgrim's Progress. On the opposite side of  the road in this country lane are the remains of the cottage where he lived. For people who don't know much about the naming of public houses, and by my stats I am glad to say there are many who look at my blog from around the world, I will in the future show you some of the signs and names of some of them. The John Bunyan pub (short for public house) is very cosy, especially on a cold winter's night. Have a nice Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Harold.

Crinkle-Crankle Walls

Another feature of the heritage trail in the village of Wheathampstead, we arrive at the Crinkle-Crankle Walls. They date from the early 19th century. I will quote from the excellent brochure published in the village of the various places of interest: " There are several reasons why the walls were constructed in this way. The shape made it possible to make them higher while still being only two bricks (nine inches) thick, since the curving lines gave strength to the structure, allowing the walls to stand without buttresses and to expand without cracking in the sun. The alcoves were used for growing and ripening fruit, a process often helped by circulating warm air from a stove through vents in the brickwork. The Old Rectory itself conceals a 16th century timber framed building within its 19th century brick exterior." It's a day of high winds here today. When they moderate I will go for a bike ride in the pleasant autumn sun.

The Goose Girl of Gottingen

In the pleasant university town of Gottingen, Germany, in one of a number of pleasant cobbled squares, there is a statue of a Goose Girl, taken from a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm. The statue is very popular with university students who, when completing their studies, adorn the statue with flowers, etc. If you would like to read about the Goose Girl, click on to Wickepedia and type in Goose Girl for an interesting read.

Wheathampstead Heritage Trail

The village of Wheathampstead recently inaugurated a heritage trail around the village and attached a plaque on all the historic buildings. I will publish in the future a selection of the buildings and plaques with a history of the relevant buildings. I hope you find them of interest.

Hatfield Country Fair
During the summer months in England we have a series of country fairs. This photograph was taken in Hatfield in Hertfordshire. Hatfield House was at one time the country residence of Queen Elizabeth I (Queen Elizabeth the First). Hatfield House is just 20 miles from London and if you are in England it's worth a visit.  There is a train station direct from London stopping directly outside Hatfield House.
The horses are shire working horses, used historically on farms and to pull heavy farm carts.

A Mechanical German Clock

On a recent visit to Einbeck in Germany, on visiting the local church in this delightful German town I was surprised to see on the entrance to the church this mechanical clock which is powered by a large weight the wire of which can be seen to the right of the clock dial. The significance of the clock is the passing of time for us all in this life. Another highlight of this visit to Einbeck is the well-known beer brewed in the local brewery which is rather pleasant to drink in one of their very pleasant squares.

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!


St 

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.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from a very mild New Year's day in Hertfordshire. I hope you have a peaceful year. I have just been for a short ride this morning of 10 miles to get up an appetite for a nice meal with relatives. This was Hertfordshire a year ago,no bike rides then!