H was off to the Drs in the morning with the help of Julia to see whether a leg amputation might be needed as suggested by yours truly ! The Dr though thought that option a little harsh but seeing there was some residual infection present prescribed some antibiotics and allowed Kev to come out and play on our planned ride to the Isle of Purbeck
The start was not a good one though with H finding that his bikes free wheel hub wasn't working meaning that every pedal stroke saw the pedals continue to move with potential for the chain to unravel if one ceased pedalling - dangerous !
I"d also uncovered a bearing problem in my pedal which although annoying at first eventually became a problem late in the day when the pedal seized causing my foot to keep slipping off on each rotation. - it seems like our bikes have just about had enough touring !
With Kev on a spare road bike and self keeping a watchful eye on my pedal we set off with Pommie Kev & Julia and a couple of their nearby friends to ride around lovely Poole Harbor to then catch the short chain ferry to the Isle of Purbeck.
Along the way we passed the Sandbanks area on the harbor apparently with some of the most expensive properties in the world after Hong Kong - a modest 3 bedroom bungalow in need of repair went for 7 million pounds in 2005 !
The Isle of Purbeck is a 60 square mile almost fully water enclosed area of cycling and walking paradise. The central area also has a tank military firing range requiring roads to be closed off when in operation.
We wound, climbed and descended our way through beautiful countryside initially to a 5 pound car park (privately owned - thankfully cyclists free) at Kimmeridge for ts great Ocean views of Portland Bill and Weymouth Harbour.
A quick pasty and a pint was taken nearby at the amazing square and compass pub. Despite its incredibly tiny bar area the outside area was packed with day trippers and sun worshippers !
Further on Corfe and its ruined castle provided a beautiful and timeless backdrop. We put in some hard yards climbing on our way back before one last high speed descent to the ferry and back to Poole.
Despite the busy holiday traffic the Purbeck area is a cyclists dream with fantastic views !
There was lively banter back at Kev and Julia's with some good input from son Will about the likely 4th Test outcome - we will just have to wait & see with things evenly poised after day 1 !
Hope you get this bomb - a big very happy birthday for the 11th from all the Henley's back home, you might like to go for a bit of a bike ride to celebrate & the Doggies won another one although it's only Carlton.Safe trip home.
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