Winchester

Click here for photos of our Easter weekend in Winchester.

Highlights of the weekend included ponies and otters in the New Forest, an encounter with a sommelier at the Hotel Du Vin, a room in a pub and brass-rubbing. Sunshine prevailed and we were reluctant to leave the idyll that is Hampshire.

I want to ride my bicycle...

I bought a beautiful new bicycle last weekend. And as soon as I wheeled it out of the shop, it started to sleet. Skene graciously held my coat (which kept getting tangled in the chain!) whilst I pedalled home but that was the end of my test-drive.

So when the day dawned with blue skies, I was keen to get out and about. Unfortunately, Skene had to work so we were unable to parade our co-ordinating Riverside bikes side by side. Undeterred, I set off in search of the Saturday papers - looking really rather geeky with my helmet and my trouser clips.

I sped off into the Stave Hill Ecological Park, as two community wardens gave me suspicious looks - I suppose I did look rather nervous. I cut through to Greenland Dock and made my purchase without incident. I decided to push on and did a lap of the Dock, admiring the various barges, tugs and narrowboats moored up there and a lone sailor, enjoying much calmer conditions than we had on undertaking our RYA level 1. I shot through to South Dock where I found a marine survey vessel and a gin palace, a recent addition.

I've always been cautious when it comes to negotiating curbs and tight corners (on foot as well as on my bike!) and so it was with a sense of trepidation that I tackled the lock gates. I waited for three cyclists to cross from the other side then managed it myself with only a few wobbles. I was a little baffled though to find Charing Cross Pier moored up next to Greenland Pier - the river had suddenly become much shorter!

The Thames Path soon became impassable, thanks to swanky and exclusive developments dominating the river frontage, so I turned into the park again. Out of earshot of the nearby houses, I tested my bell, which rang out with a very satisfactory "ding". I changed gears like a pro then attempted to pedal standing up but was less successful. I gave up before I fell off - a challenge for another day.

The park looked well cared-for with new bat- and bird-boxes gracing the trees. A small pond had more than its fair share of swans, ducks and moorhens. Still no sign of life at the Lavender Pond Pumphouse Museum though - I've never seen that place open.

I emerged onto Rotherhithe Street by the Three Compasses and decided to brave the road for a short distance. Numerous cars and even a bus passed me and I didn't wobble once!

I turned back into the park and headed for home, with the cobwebs well and truly blown away! My bike computer informed me that I had travelled 4.6 miles at an average speed of 7.6 mph. Not bad for a beginner?

A Big Red Bag

My wheely trolley gave up the ghost again, leaving me helpless - the second to do so in just six months. I secured an exchange at Allders but given that the shop is closing down, I had little choice as to the replacement bag. I ended up with a huge red case - just about the colour of Archbold! I was quite pleased, though I think it will take some getting used to, as it's not likely to be mixed up in the robing room.

My journey home showed me that it has an added advantage too - because it's so noticeable, someone actually offered to help me up the killer Canada Water stairs with it! That's only happened a handful of times in the last five years so it's certainly worthy of remark. I didn't take him up on the offer though as he looked like he might run off with it. Both chivalry and cynicism are alive and kicking.

I thought that maybe the bright colour will stop people tripping over it too... but no such luck!

Swimming Lessons

The boldest of the baby coots (cootlets? cootlings? coot chicks?) braved the waters of the Albion Channel today. It chased its father round the nest, squeaking for some more weed and spinning around like a clockwork toy. It will be sometime before it's as aloof and self-contained as its parents!

White Rabbits, Lions and Lambs

The weather looked quite tame from the warmth of the bedroom. I had a rude awakening on stepping out of the house though - wind, snow and bitter cold. Definitely leonine. Which bodes well for Easter Weekend at the end of the month...

The coots weren't intimidated though! On my return home, I found our resident maternal coot sitting on three tiny balls of black feathers. One was particularly bold, trying to step out of the nest into the inviting waters of the Albion Channel. Meanwhile, his mother was trampling on his brothers and sisters to keep them beneath the warm cloak of her feathers.

If anyone knows the proper name for a coot chick, please let me in on the secret! The collective noun is a cover of coots - does that inspire any suggestions?