A cycle ride to Datchworth, Hertfordshire

This morning, on a rather cold and damp Sunday, I had a cycle ride to the village of Datchworth in Hertfordshire and visited the parish church of All Saints. Next to the boundary wall is this object, a step enabling a horse rider to dismount. I think the stone has been turned around at some time because it must have been a very thin horse to get between the wall and the top step! A nice ride of 25 miles.

More statues from Italy

The Italian people seem to like statues, hence the alpine soldier and many more. Off the mainland of Lake Maggiore in Italy there is an island named Isola Bella which positively bursts with them. Here's just a couple for you to see.

Alpine soldier

On a recent trip to Italy I came across this impressive statue of an Alpine soldier.The Italian Alpine  army regiment was formed in 1872 and is still active.

A view of the Matterhorn, Switzerland

On a recent trip to Switzerland I took a ride on the railway to Gornergrat, which is 10,000 feet high, and was very lucky to have a nice view of the Matterhorn which is truly a wonderful sight.

Roald Amundson. explorer

It is nearly a century, December 14, 1911, to be precise, that the Norwegian explorer Roald Amunden arrived at the South Pole and on December 16 planted the Norwegian flag at the Pole, in so doing he arrived at his destination five weeks ahead of the Englishman Robert Falcon Scott. Although Amundsen returned safely from this expedition Scott and his party perished. It took this picture on a trip to Norway but I can't remember which town is was in. If anyone knows I would be grateful to know.



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September 11, 2001 Memorial in Stresa, Italy

On a recent visit to the delightful town of Stresa on the shore of the Lake Maggiore, Italy, I came across this memorial to the people killed in the September 11 2001 tragedy which was erected by the Italian people in memory of those people who lost their lives. I know by my stats that there are a number of American friends who look at it so I hope you find it of interest.

Preston village pump

On my way to the Verulam Cycling Club's annual hill climb, an event which ends the cycle club's racing season, I passed through the village of Preston, where I took a photograph of the village pump, which was used to pump water from underground tanks to used for domestic use. Preston has an interesting history going back hundreds of years. If you are interested in cycling look up http://www.verulamcc.org.uk/ the Cycling Club,of which I have been a member for over 45 years. Hill climbs on cycles are a young man's sport so I timed the riders up the hill which pushing the button on a stop watch is much more conducive for my age which is 82 years.