Short arse problem and Mad Dogs.

We are here for a couple of days, a nice relaxing day exploring the area and moving off tomorrow.  David was up and off really early doing 20 plus miles before breakfast, Lesley off really early walking the boys as its so hot, leaving me to snuggle up in bed with tea supplied and Mr Poldark. 

I have finished number 10 and having had a book recommended to me by a blog reader (Thank you Marilyn "Daughter of Time" by Josephine Tey, all about who killed the Princes in the Tower etc after our stay at Fotheringay) I have now brought it and intended to start it but as I finished number 10 and there are only two more in the Poldark series I just had to finish them first.  So much reading to do and how lovely to do it on the riverside in the sun with a glass of.

But as the day wore on and got hotter and no shade here at Rushton Diamonds, we three decided to go biking.  

Yes "Mad dogs and Englishmen....." so very apt but the thinking was we could find shade to bike in. 

First stop is just over the road in the Country Park here and into a bird hide.  This was brilliant and David had found it this am.  Bird identification charts all over the walls showing common visitors and far less common ones too.  An excellent place for watching.

Lesley and I reckoned we saw a Pochard  HERE   

a Goldeneye   HERE     and just maybe a Goosander   HERE.

These sightings all new birds to me and the first two will be ticked off in my RSPB Pocket book of Birds.

This is the type of place D takes us to on a Brompton!

Bit of a squeeze but through on this section of Cycleway.

Later at the pub, following a visit to lovely Tearooms for scones with jam & cream.

Daredevil David cycling through stingers.

Joe made me this last year which is a brilliant piece of kit.  To two short arses like us we can't easily open the hatch, this way it stays open and doesn't thump down when the screw fails.  Thank you Joe.

Another lovely Barbie Queue tonight.

Somewhat finishing off leftovers from last night and certainly enjoying the beautiful evening warmth.  Don't get too many of those. 
Early night as we kick off in the morning at 06:30 again.  Hope Joe is up.  

Treated to this tonight.