pic updates

Day 19: Cheddar-Bristol: 29 miles

Day 20: Bristol- nr old Severn bridge: 19 miles

Good riding. Currently on Day 21.Have just crossed the old Severn bridge and into Chepstow. Now in Wales! Psychologically feeling like it's the next step of the journey, leaving the SW behind and headin through the border counties.

Here's the pics that I meant to include with previous posts. Also would be great if you can find time to read my fishy post.

One love.




Earth oven, Buddhafields, fire is lit underneath (fed by air with the trench, log is rolled back to enable access. This is a very efficient way of cooking and gives the food a beautiful earthy flavour.




Buddhafield.This is a bender, a classic form of shelter. This one is very small scale but the concept is the same. Cut young willow branches, push into earth and bend over to join in the middle with string etc, cover with canvas. If left long enough the willows often root themselves and you end up with a space that literally has a life of its own.

Cheddar gorge in the Mendip hills, Somerset.

Taken earlier this morning, approaching the old Severn bridge.

Fishy business

I got chatting to someone in the pub the other day. The subject of eating high protein food while cycling came up and tuna was suggested as a solution. Unfortunatly I responded a bit abruptly and was really dissapointed at not communicating more skillfully. It's been turning over in my mind since then so please allow me to say some things now and, please, if you feel moved, visit www.www.panda.org/tuna

The Atlantic Blue fin tuna is one of the oceans largest fish with an annual migratory pattern that takes it right across the ocean from the coasts of America to the Mediterranean sea where it comes to breed. This fantastic journey has been compared to the migration of the North American Wildebeest so epic is its scale. Problem is though it ain't going to be around much longer if something drastic doesn't happen.

There are 3 companies that control the Tuna fishing industry (all based in the Med), they wait till the Tuna go there to spawn then send up spotter planes to find the shoals. Fishing ships are then sent in and round the fish up in nets, they are then guided into large metal keeping pens (stationed offshore) where the tuna are fattened up.

Attempts to put quotas on the industry have failed pathetically as from the offshore pens the majority of the fish go straight onto waiting ships where they are flash frozen and transported around the world, especially to Japan where Tuna sushi is very popular. The rest ends up in our supermarkets, restaurants, sandwich bars etc.

We're all busy people and the plights of this world can be overwhelming. But surely surely it can't be right that a handfull of businesses get grossly rich while wiping out an entire species for future generations- and quite possibly within our life times too.

It is possible to do make conscious consumer choices. If you don't feel able to stop eating Tuna, there are sustainable alternatives. This link will take you directly to some sound advice:http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/smart_fishing/bluefin_tuna/what_you_can_do/

If you can make time, the link at the top of this post gives the complete low down.It's a fascinating insight into a truly beautiful creature.

Thankyou for listening friends.

Back on the road

Day 7: Exeter- Hemyock village: 29 miles

Day 8: Hemyock- Buddhafields: 9 miles

Day 9-16- Buddhafields

Day 17. Buddhafield (nr Taunton)- Cheddar: 40.4 miles

Day 18: Cheddar-Bristol: 28.2 miles


The festy was fun but the peace of the country lane and the humming of tyres feels so good. A number of times I found myself spontaneously bursting into (bad) song as I navigated my way down to Taunton and along the towpath to Bridgewater, from there it was easy cruising through the green and gentle countryside to just outside the town of Cheddar, famous for it's cheese and the mad people who chase it down a hill once a year.


Up early the next day, heavy dew on the ground, sun piercing the mist. Through Cheddar gorge and over the Mendip hills, good riding. Picked up the Sustrans cycle route about 15 miles outside Bristol and let it guide me gently along the river Avon and into the centre of the City.



My Dad recently alerted me to a great blog (theslowbicycle.blogspot.com). I just love this phrase :

"The true worth of a cycle ride is measured not in miles but in smiles"


Kind of relates to what I've been saying all along. Quite a subversive philosophy in our culture of rush and destination focus but feels real good to rebel. If we imagine life as one big cycle ride I think this concept has great wisdom.



So slow down and smile :)



p.s pics coming when I find computer with decent connection!

Buddhafield

An interesting time at Buddhafield, hard work with heavy rain every day and lots of mud. Found an almost new pair of thermal wellys in a hedge the day before arriving, true confirmation that the universe provides. Gave them away when I left to a guy who was planning to spend the winter on the top of Exmoor, felt good to pass on the good fortune.



Had planned to post a load of pics from the festival but due to the weather hardly got my camera out, I've got a few pics but currently on a decrepid computer which seems to take an age to work so will post soon.

embracing the rain

Day 5: Saltash-Clearbrook (s Dartmoor) 13 miles

Day 6: Clearbrook- Exeter 43 miles

In to Devon and up the old Plym valley railway line from Plymouth, right over the top of Dartmoor and back down to Exeter city, hot bath, bed and good food- thanks Alder family :)

Real wet couple of days, initially dissapointed as Dartmoor is one of my favourite known places in this country, however, once I'd accepted my projected expectations of sunshine were merely just that, I really enjoyed it. To be high up on those moors is like stepping back in time, it really is wilderness in places, stone circles and ancient settlements-there is a sense that the 21st century couldn't be bothered to make the climb and so just passed it by.

Ok sunshine would have been nice, but I had no control over that, and the acceptance inherent in that realisation allowed me to enjoy it for what it was. A number of times the word 'exotic' came into my mind. It's easy to think of exotic in the travel supplement sense as being a tropical island etc, but to me it more describes a feeling of experiencing things in a fresh open way. Up there in the fog and rain and broodingly dramatic landscape it felt very exotic.

Heading out through central Devon today towards the Buddhafield festival where I am doing some voluntary work. I love this festy, it has a strong focus on sustainable green living with workshops and talks. There's no drugs or alcohol just clear minds and positive living, will report back on it all in a week or so. Be well

Ok I'm a bit of a history/archaeology geek so you'll probably be seeing lots of pics of random stones etc like this. This is Grimspound, high up on the moors. It's the remains of a bronze age settlement (C2500 BC). This was one of the many dwellings, in the background is part of the defensive walls. I cycled around for about an hour in the fog to find this place (no signposts) but to be up there on the lonely moors, thinking of who lived their lives here and what is was like was a fascinating experience

This ancient oak in Meavy village (south Dartmoor) is reputed to be the last Pagan dancing oak in Devon. It's over 800 years old and a knarled being, propped up with a crutch (on the L of the pic).

Unfortunatly the word 'pagan' has negative connotations today, but actually the pagan religion had a deep respect for nature and our intrinsic connection to it. I can't help wondering that the loss of this way has helped create so many of the environmental and social problems we find ourselves facing.

dartmoor beckoning

Today I leave Cornwall and the coast behind and bear north into Devon

and over Dartmoor. This picture shows the river Tamar which is the natural border between the two counties. In the distance is Dartmoor-think there may be a few more hills to come!

Go kindly...

Day 2: Nr Helston- Veryan village: 27.5 miles

Day 3: Veryan- Looe: 40.4 miles

Day 4: Looe-Saltash: 25.6 miles

Weather:sun and showers every day

Hills: Perpetually mocking

Have worked out the blog so text comes before pics, seems to make more sense although sorry if it causes initial confusion...

I'm in Saltash, nr Plymouth, staying with my cousin and his lovely family. Good few days riding, hugging the south coast and it's glorious estuaries, coves and valleys.

Valleys also means hills and lots of 'em. Yesterday found myself pushing on tip toes up a 1:5 (the bike took one look and froze in terror) But, as with many things in life, if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, and rest when you need to, you get there eventually.

On the second night, met a friendly family, they hardly knew me but, when I mentioned that I was looking for a camp site, offered me a patch in their back garden without a moments hesitation. Got me thinking about the power of generosity. To them it was nothing to offer a spot for the night yet to me it was a real gift- I was tierd, hungry and fed up of walking up hills.

Contrast this with a couple of people who I politlely asked for water yesterday only to be declined in no uncertain terms and I wonder who is truly the happiest? The one who gives freely or the one who holds back?

Of course we have to take care of ourselves. But it can be interesting to notice what arises in us when we find ourselves in a position where we are able to easily give but don't. If there is a holding back, as there can be, to ask: how does this make me feel physcially and mentally? In my experience it's usually not good.

There's an organisation called Random Acts of Kindness, dedicated to this theme (http://www.actsofkindness.org/) . They describe scientific studies that prove living life kindly can have numerous positive effects on stress levels, immune system, mental health and general well being.

I believe this can also be extended beyond our fellow beings to the very earth we live on- who perhaps shows us the greatest generosity of all by giving us air,food, clean water and all the other gifts essential to life . What acts of kindness can we show in return??

tread well...

hazy

love

campin

Yurt life

good to be on the road

Day 1- Lands End- nr Helston, distance:42 miles, weather:variable, hills:steep, mood:euphoric

A great man once suggested that cycling is the "most civilised form of transport." Today's ride reminded me of the wisdom in these words. Maybe it's something to do with the slowing down that seems to happen mentally, but a space seems to arise in one's awareness allowing a deeper appreciation of one's surroundings. Perhaps it is no surprise that Einstein came up with the theory of relativity while riding his bike one day.

I've drived the roads of west Cornwall many times, usually in high speed pursuit of surf, yet I saw and experienced things today that I simply would never have noticed speeding around on top of my combustible engine. The sweet waft of wild garlic in the damp valley, the rippling wheat bending to the breeze, the curious cows peering over the gate. and of course the ancient stone circle and burial chamber a few dozen paces from the road, build 5 millenia ago yet virtually unnoticed by the 21st century rush.

Feels so good to be on the road, slightly surreal to finally be starting the trip after so much talking,planning and sleepless nights.

mad man

3 hours before my train goes, running round like a mad man, just looked at 5 day forecast for cornwall, heavy rain and heavy showers, not sure of the difference, both feel pretty wet to me. Any suggestions for why cycling in the rain is good for you gratefully appreciated...