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Happenings, Reflections, Ideas, Analysis

TRACE THE MITTEN

Aston to Cracoe for 85 miles

2/24/2021

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Moving through Upper Midhope.
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In the village of Shepley there is a memorial to the local war heroes.
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Huddersfield is a city of over 100,000. It was an early boom town during the industrial revolution.
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Going through a tunnel In Oakenshaw. I love biking through a tunnel.
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Five locks at Bingley.. Wow!
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War Memorial in Keighley.
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The bridge over the Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Farnhill.
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Canals in the UK,
After seeing several canals along the last couple of days and wanted to learn more.  Canals were used to ship goods and irrigate fields. Mostly they are used for recreational use now.  The majority of canals will handle boats of 55-72 feet in length. Some canals can handle very large ships.
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Leaving Cracoe. Still in North Yorkshire.
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From Burbage Through Sherwood Forest and arrive at Aston (83 miles)

2/21/2021

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Near Enderby- Leicestershire. This region is called East Midland.
I have noticed that many of  the last couple of weeks I have seen "shire"at the end of the county name.  This term began in the 10th century at the beginning of the Anglo-Saxon settlement.  The picture below shows the large number of "shire" areas.
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Can I expect to see phone booths in England in 2021? I do not see them in the US.
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In Rarcliffe on the Wreake I find St. Botolph's church. The spire was rebuilt in 1812 and that is how I found the building.
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I see this photo when Googling Willoughby-on-the-Wolds. So I did more research.
theK6project.co.uk shows many photos of these phone boxes all over the country.  It sounds it is an adventure for this individual.  I wonder if a bike is part of the project. Like the US, the UK has many fewer than they used to.  You know everyone uses a cellphone now.
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I found this Lo-Cal IPA at Costco
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A Penfold Pillar Box
In 1866 John Penfold designed these boxes for coll ecting mail. They are hexagonal and made of cast iron. This picture of the box in my next town, Budby.  When I looked to find out more, it turns out that in was taken in the middle of the night in 2017.
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The Chesterfield Canal going through Worksop.
This canal opened in 1777 to transport iron, coal, limestone and lead.  In 1961 is closed, but now is for leisure use following the passage of the Transportation Act of 1968.
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The band members of Black Sabbath are from this area.
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From Oxford to Burbage: 83.2 miles

2/15/2021

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I have gone 40% of the way and averaging about 20 miles a day.
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Sometimes I need to travel on the motorway. The drivers are very polite.
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Kindlington a large village in Oxfordshire between the River Cherwell and the Oxford Canal.
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Bicester is a very fast growing town in Oxfordshire. As the crow flies it is halfway between Birmingham and London. Fifty-one miles either way.
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What a beautiful area.
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Usually I get into a new town every 6 to 10 miles. This format allows me to relax, sight see and re-supply. This is Banbury.
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Upton House and Gardens located in the county of Warwickshire are part of the National Trust.
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This field is outside of Ettington.  These areas had manor which was the main residence of the land owner.  Ih the feudal system the land owner provided an area for the tenant, who would them pledge loyalty and service to the lord of the manor.  Hides were an English unit of land that was figured to be able to support a household, approximately 120 acres.  There are still about 3000 manor homes still in England.
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Ettington Park Hotel was once a manor house.
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Remember to be in the left lane. There is a little shoulder and no traffic. A great section to ride.
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Warwick Castle. This is a place that I visited on an earlier trip, Worth the tour.
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The clock tower in Kenilworth.
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I like that they are planting a tree.
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The trail outside Burbage. A beautiful area.
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From Ringwood to Oxford

2/10/2021

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During these days I had some days in the 50s and some down into the 20s! I covered 114 miles.
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Fordinghambridge is upon the river Avon.
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Traveling through Downton. Where is the abbey?
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In Thuxton the train was in the station. Every couple of miles I get to a town. I am enjoying the sights.
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Going through Andover in the county of Hampshire.
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Black Bear Inn of Whitchurch.
Reading the website about the Black Bear Inn, shown above, reminded me of the tragedy of the Corona Virus on the economy.  The UK is under restrictions too.  The Inn ownership sadly reported that they were "closed until this gets sorted out and they can open properly."  Doing a virtual tour sounds best for now until things are normal.  I feel sorry for all the people who are out of work because of businesses being closed.
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The center of Newbury in Berkshire used for the marketplace.
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Donnington Castle near Newbury. Damaged during the second battle of the civil war in 1644.
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Will it make a difference?
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Abington on Thames. So many of these names I do not recognize, but the Thames I know from London.
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From Burton Bradstock to Ringwood

2/1/2021

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I continue to move along the southern coast of the isle.  Part of this area is called the Jurassic Coast which covers 96 miles and I would guess based on the exposed rock formations.  These villages and towns are so enjoyable to see.  The vistas of the channel and the farmland cause you to stop and enjoy the scene.
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In Michigan today it is around 32 degrees with a slight wind.  In this area of England today the temperature is 50 degrees with a SW wind of 22 mph.  Biking into such a strong wind would not be pleasant.  My direction is west to east so this wind would carry me along.
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The view from the Chapel down to Abbotsbury. The Chapel had been a pilgrimage destination.
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This is the shore at Langton Herring. The old English would translate to long farmstead or estate with the family name at the end.
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Weymouth is the biggest city that I have been traveled through for a bit, population of over 50,000.
This city is on a sheltered bay at the mouth of the Wey River and the English Channel. The economy relates to the sea and vacation attractions.
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In six miles I came upon the little village of Warmwell and found this ski slope. Here you do not meed to wait for Mother Nature.
We do the same sort of attractions in the US.  If we build something unique then you will attract people.
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Lulworth Castle Wareham in Dorset. This is a 17th century hunting lodge resembling a castle.
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The remains of the Corfe Castle above the village. Burial mounds found in the area indicate inhabitants since 6000 B.C.
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You can see the interesting stops along the road today, but I enjoy a quiet country roads.
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Now I got back to the shore at Sandbanks.
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The Christchurch Priority is the longest parish church in England.
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Since the Middle Ages Ringwood has been a designated market village. This is what the market looks like today.
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From Bodinick to Burton Bradstock

1/27/2021

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During the  116 miles ridden in this segment I traveled through the towns of: Looe, Seaton Torpoint, Plymouth,  Ivybridge, Tingley, Totnes, Teignmouth, Kenton, Clyst St. Mary, Newton Poppleford, Sidford, Colyford, Lyme Regis,  and Chideock,   You can find places to eat, sights to see and accomodations.
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Loving the quiet road away from the traffic.
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The village of Looe. The sandy beach is inviting during the summer. In the winter we see just the walkers.
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Another little village, Seaton, along the shore. These are also big commercial fishing
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Torpoint is a planned city on a peninsula from the 18th century. A ferry goes across to Plymouth. The Royal Navy has a spot here.
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Path along the River Erme and I see the bridge covered by ivy near the town of Ivybridge.
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Near Tingley I see the Ardsley Resevoir.
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I move out near the sea to Teignmouth, a large seaside fishing port.
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This is a good spot to vacation during the warmer weather.
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The village of Kenton has a castle. I will travel through several towns a day. I am averaging about 20 miles a ride.
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Every town or village will have a church. This is in Kenton.
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The Half Moon Inn in Clyst St. Mary. Clyst is a Celtic word for "clear stream."
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This virtual meal just does not make it. Our indoor restaurant dining in Michigan is not open until tomorrow.
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The street through Newton Poppleford which was founded in 1331. I bet many of the surrounding villages were from the same age.
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We are looking down to the village of Sidford. It lies 3.7 miles from the town I just went through and it will be 8.4 miles to the next town.
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Approaching the village Colyford.
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The harbor wall in Lyme Regis is called the Cobb and it is quite well known. It is mentioned in some classic literature.
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Cycling in a bit from the English Channel I come upon Chideock.
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The village of Burton Bradstock
Like many of the villages, Burton Bradstock, had a parish church, two pubs, primary school, shop, post office, beach cafe, hotel, garage, village hall, and reading room in the library. That sounds complete.
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  • Home
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