Yesterday I went for a cycle to Bretby, a village near me for a mooch around the garden centre. The first part of the ride is always a bit of a killer as it is up hill and I still need to warm up fully. I can actually cycle all the way up it now. However, eight months ago, when I started cycling after a gap of nearly ten years, I had to walk up hill, and a short trip round the block just about killed me! Heaving breath and shaky legs and two days recovery time needed. Now, on a god day, I can get up the hill in 6th gear.
I turn left onto the busy main road before taking a right into the country lanes that take me to the garden centre. Most of the way is down hill now and I have that wonderful sensation of flying, breathing in the fresh air and admiring the lush green grass and foliage.
I arrive at the garden centre mid morning and have a good look at the shrubs and gifts. Half a dozen pyrocantha varieties, lavenders, perennial bedding plants and alpines. I like to buy plants when they are on sale, perennials past their best this year, plant them now in August whilst the soil is still warm, and wait patiently for the pay off next spring or summer. Chinese poppies are great to do this with, very hardy and huge blowsy red blooms, well worth the wait.
I go home by a longer route, heading towards Hartshorne, flying down hill most of the way. Past farmlands and woods, then climbing, then crawling up a long hill to the Midway cross roads. I am pleased to get closer to the top than on previous attempts, just 50m shy of the top, staggering on wobbly legs, breath heaving. I cross over to the correct side of the road and cycle home.
http://www.plantersatbretby.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment