Lockdown, Part 16: To Westerham!

Empty roads...

The routine of cycling early in the morning before the sun comes up has gone and won't be returning until the lockdown has ended and Andy and I can cycle again without the worry of social distancing. This means just one thing: later rides. During the week, as avid readers will know, I ride after 5pm normally and head out to Botley Hill where I turn around and cycle back. It's a 14-miler and it takes me about an hour, just over. My weekly mileage since the lockdown began goes like this: 36 miles, 48 miles, 60 miles, 72 miles, 84 miles and by close of play tomorrow 92 miles. Not bad going.

Today I left the house at 1110 and was initially planning to ride to the Tatsfield Churchyard, but as I bombed down Clarks Lane, past the famous Tatsfield Bus Stop, I accelerated as I passed the churchyard turn-off and headed down the hill into Westerham. The reason for this change of plan was the weather: clear skies, a warm breeze and sunshine, three essential ingredients if I'm going to go the extra mile or two. I powered into Westerham and headed straight for the green where there were other cyclists, but everyone was social distancing.

Nobody was sitting at the wooden table behind the statue of General Wolfe so I parked the bike, got out my flask of hot water, tea bag and Cath Kidson mug and made myself at home. A young mum and her daughter were doing cartwheels but everybody else, mainly cyclists, were chilling out, psyching themselves up for the journey home like I was, but mainly relaxing and enjoying the weather. It was odd being there with no shops, cafes or pubs being open, but in a way it was pleasant and I savoured every moment.

General Wolfe's statue in Westerham today

I'm not sure what time it was when I reached Westerham, but as I made to leave I checked my iphone, it was 1227hrs. I took the hill in my stride, stopping once to take a photograph but also to check I didn't have a bee or a wasp in my helmet (the one I wear on my head to protect me if I fall off). I sped along Clarks Lane, turned right at the mini roundabout and then powered my way down the 269. There was very little in the way of traffic. I reached home at 1324hrs, just an hour, which wasn't bad going. When I reached the house I made lunch, sandwiches basically, but good ones: cheese, mushroom, tomato and watercress with a little coleslaw. And then I feel asleep, or rather I kept nodding off in the heat of the 'conservatory'. Eventually I went out into the garden to read a couple of chapters from David Hepworth's Uncommon People (about Brian Wilson and The Who). Next up is Jimi Hendrix.

I could have just sat there all day, but in the end I felt energised enough to mow the lawn. I raked it afterwards, taking off any excess grass and then gave it a once-over with the mower before putting everything back in the garage and heading upstairs for a shave and a shower. Now, after dinner, I'm back in the conservatory writing this. In the background I can hear that Vikings is on. I'm not keen and I've probably said before that I can't be bothered to watch anything if the characters aren't wearing normal clothes, that's why I'm watching Ozark (Season Two) and the X Files.

On the long climb out of Westerham

Outside all is relatively still and quiet. The garden is looking good, or as good as it can look: there's always major work that needs doing in my garden, although I've put in a lot of work out there of late and I'm fairly pleased with the end result.

Nothing much new to report on the virus front.