Saturday’s ride was all about the gin. I was under strict instructions to return with a bottle of the finest and cheapest Lidl gin that money could buy. Which all meant this wasn’t a day for the road bike. I set off on the Raleigh Electric with a couple of panniers, also known as gin bags.
We are now entering sloe pickling season. Hopefully in three months' time we’ll be into sloe gin getting pissed season. We’re still using the tried and tested recipe kindly handed over to us by R almost 15 years ago.
But first how about a bicycle ride?
I made my way down through the University. It’s that one weekend of the year when returning students and new undergraduates start to rock up on campus. I remember those days well. They’re best off behind me.
I crossed over the Dirty River and made my way over towards Fingringhoe. Traffic was particularly heavy. I can’t be arsed to make a piss poor joke.
There was a rather quaint village scene by the village pond that is overlooked by Fingringhoe Church. There was a grandad, a father, and a young grandchild all fishing together. It really was quite sweet.
I’d mistimed my own personal rod dangling escapades completely wrong. I was caught short and had to pull over.
My timing was a lot better with the sleeping lion back in the cage, just before the next car turned around the bend.
Nothing to see here, Madam.
I reached Abberton Reservoir. There was a very excitable gathering of twitchers.
A little further along the route I could smell the fresh soil from the fields. It was all very rustic.
About 30 seconds later I realised it was actually manure.
The run-in involved seeing some poor fella roadside struggling with a puncture. I’ve learned that we don’t talk about this though.
Destination Lidl was reached. The cheapo Lidl gin wasn’t as cheapo as I was anticipating. I still went for the lowest price one, natch.
Objective achieved. Another bicycle ride ticked off.
Chapeau!
