Late morning I set off on the bike, along unmade tracks and tiny lanes, covering a paltry twenty five miles in three hours, such was the frequency of the stops.
Not because I was knackered, but because the scenery demanded it. Old Blighty at her best.
It was a truly stunning ride. On one section, I travelled over five miles without seeing a car, the lanes ever more narrow with sand and shingle interspersed with tarmac.
Glorious countryside deserted, in July in southern England. All is not yet lost.
So far I'd crossed the river Brett, heavily choked with vegetation, but full of life nevertheless, the river Box, Belstead brook and Stutton Brook.
Now I came to the Stour at Boxted.
The bridge was closed. I mean properly closed, with high Loafer proof barriers. Now, if I was in a car I'd have no alternative but to turn around, but a big diversion along a small but busy road on a bike ? No thanks.
I carried the bike down the bank and across the mercifully shallow river, fast flowing across the gravels, the bank somewhat steep on the other side, especially for an old git.
The rest of the ride was mostly off road along the river and within half hour of my river crossing, I was sitting the shade in the garden, sipping an ice cold drink.
S wanted to join me bass fishing locally in the evening, but kept getting stuck in the mud, so the trip was aborted almost before it had begun.
No matter, it was a couple of minutes from home. I sat in the garden, the wind dropped and the evening warmth ensured a T shirt was enough. And shorts obviously.
I couldn't resist it. At 21.00 I jumped in the van and by 21.07 the first bass of the evening was being unhooked on the mud.
A few casts later the Rapala Skitter Plop ( product placement for you, mandatory these days #influencertosspots ) was smashed by a furious fish, the silhouette of the surface attack only enhanced by the flat calm water.
A much better fish this, but in no time it was having its photo taken.
In pristine condition, I slipped it back and continued fishing.
Five fish in less than an hour, all off the top and I was back by 22.00.
Perfect.
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