Day 6 - All aboard the Strawberry Line

The entrance to the Strawberry Line.

Day six and I finally got to see the Strawberry Line, even today in drab overcast conditions it was a thing of beauty and we had a lovely time. It's part of the National Cycle Network which spans the U.K. with 14,000 miles of pathways selected for cycling and walking routes, it was officially created in 1995 with a grant from a national lottery. Sustrans started right here in Bristol in 1977 and they have a lot of worthwhile projects to encourage cycling, healthy neighbourhoods and green spaces.

Sheep grazing in the fields, it will be especially nice in lambing season to see all the babies playing.

Today we only did a short part of the Strawberry Line, which starts here in Yatton about a block from our front door, I am completely hooked! It was still a little muddy which isn't surprising considering Britain just enjoyed it's second wettest year since records began. In some spots it was very muddy but we made it through without having to get too dirty, I know mud is half the fun for some people, but they probably don't have sleeping toddlers on the back.

As a practical solution to sleeping toddlers in car and bike seats has yet to be invented, I used my shirt to cradle the edge of Jack's helmet so he had some neck support. It actually works surprisingly well and if he wakes up he can lean back and push it off easily, but it eliminates his head from jerking about madly and possibly straining his neck.

There were a lot of other families out enjoying their day today, great to see so many kids cycling and riding on the back of their parent's bikes.

Next weekend I want to get a little further down the line, there are numerous picnic opportunities, coffee shops and villages along the way so it would be nice to make a day of it. We headed back shortly after Jack fell asleep, made a stop at the Strawberry Line Cafe to grab a slice of Victoria Sponge cake I'd seen mention of on Facebook earlier in the day and then headed home for a hot cuppa tea. The Victoria Sponge cake was delicious by the way, if you are local go grab a slice! Glad we had a lovely ride today, hopefully another one is in the near future.

Day 4 & 5, Plus a Mini Boda Boda Review.

Nothing blog-worthy about my ride yesterday, a short trip to say "I rode my bike", not a good habit to get into, but better than completely submitting to the "don't feel well enough to move" mood I had been subject to. Kyle on the other hand did a useful trip on the Mundo to the co-op and got a few items we needed.

Jack rode his bike for about 30 minutes while we waited for Kyle, he's getting pretty speedy now!

Today Kyle volunteered at the R.S.P.C.A. charity shop, he enjoys the break from home, escaping the nagging spouse and nattering two year old...which is precisely why I filled out an application to volunteer too, I will enjoy a morning escape now and again. Until we're busy with jobs we thought it would be a good excuse to meet people and give back a little. Jack and I stayed home all morning, had a nice clean up and then I strapped his bike to the Boda Boda and we took off for a joy ride, with a final destination of the charity shop to meet Kyle at closing time.

The Boda Boda is a completely different ride from the Mundo, to be honest I still find it a little squirrelly because the handle bars are very wide and I'm not exactly the most graceful of individuals. It has a very traditional "sit up and beg" style as my cockney Mum calls it, and reminds me of the style of bike people ride in comedies like Last of the Summer Wine, where some old guy loses control of it and shoots off the road into a ditch. Today I took a very narrow path that cuts between houses, high hedgerows and chain-link fence on each side, half way down the path I discovered a nice old Gent and his Jack Russell taking a stroll. I stopped so I could get a bit closer to the fence and we passed each other without incident, but when I went to cycle off I got the wobbles and almost ended up in the hedge. These things happen more than I'd care to mention, I guess we still have a learning curve together, but it sure is lovely to ride. I find it to be far more nimble and well suiting to me personally, the gearing is more than adequate for gentle hills, it's very lightweight at only 35lbs and it encourages me to sit upright which has eliminated mid-ride back aches for the most part. It is really gorgeous too and I have noticed it makes people smile, people are kind of drawn to it and the Mundo.

The ride home was a quick dash as we don't have front lights yet (our lights all got stolen during our moving sale) and it was getting close to dusk. We strapped Jack's bike on the Mundo and away we went. Day 5 already in the past, only 26 left. I'm hoping tomorrow we can go for a longer ride, maybe on the Strawberry Line.

The Boda Boda in Britain!

Conviction that we made the right move runs strong after our first four days here, honestly I feel like we've been here forever and am more in love now with my homeland than I ever have been. You know when you build something up in your head, you begin to wonder if you are seeing it in it's true light? Well, I was a little worried that England couldn't live up to my expectations, but it has shattered them and gone beyond. Kyle too, everyday he just smiles and says "thank you for sharing". Our main goal was a better standard of living, more freedom, less stress,and better opportunity for our son and there is no doubt in my mind that we are closer to those goals here than we were in our previous lives. It will be a long journey of hard work to get us to those goals, but they are attainable to more than the privileged here (in my opinion of course).

Now back to bikes...look at what our good friend Andy did.... He helped us build Britain's first Boda boda, well at least I think it is! And let me tell you, it is one lusciously gorgeous bike and everything I had hoped for. Sadly we haven't got a pump so I'm off to buy one today and then I can take the Boda out for it first spin around the village. Love those cork grips! 

Sorry about the wrong date stamp, I keep thinking I've fixed it and then it comes back...I assure you these pics were taken yesterday!

Blondy locks helping Daddy!

Andy putting the front wheel in place, whilst Jack checks out the ring-a-ling bell!

Notice the green pedals too! I love the stunning colour. Andy's wife, Sarah who describes herself as not liking bikes says she has proper bike envy for my Boda Boda and they were both impressed at the price point!

Nice bamboo rear deck with a handle!

I think he thought it was Christmas all over again, it surely felt like it for me too!

Andy is a real gem and whipped the bike together in no time, even with Jack's "assistance"!

I opted for the double kick stand as I was so impressed with the Mundo's, sure enough the Boda's stand is solid too!

I think I will be ordering some bamboo steps for it too!

 Thank you Yuba for my wonderful Boda Boda, I feel so privileged to have two of these amazing bikes and they have and continue to improve, change and inspire me.

The "mumma bike" as Jack lovingly calls it, the Mundo! Oh how I have missed thee!

Look at that little mechanic!

Andy has three year old James, so he's used to toddler assistants!

Bonding over bikes!

I love the fact that my little boy loves bikes!

Jack actually managed to tighten the mud guards on!

Andy takes the Mundo for it's first spin in the UK!

Lovely Grace, James and Jack enjoying a seat on the Mundo. Today Kyle and Andy are taken the little ones out for a ride on the bikes, while Sarah and I head to Bristol for a few more supplies we need.

The surrounding countryside is beyond words beautiful so I look forward to sharing many pictures and adventures in the near future. We shall be taking off down the Strawberry Line soon enough!