Circular
Dear fellow members and friends
19 October 2009
I'm sure we're all very sorry to hear that Sheila has been ill, but she's now back home and we all hope to see her fully recovered as soon as possible.
Future Rides
I've been asking for a volunteer for the ride on 15 November – the next but one on our calendar but so far without success. I can't do it and neither can Roger or Fred. So unless someone can take it on and let me have the details in the next fortnight it looks like we'll have to cancel it – for the first time ever. Not the end of the world, but it would be a shame.
The rides for the rest of the year will be on Sundays 15? (see above), 29 November, 13 December.
The latest episode of the Origins of the Clarion Cycling Club and cycling in the 1890s is, as usual, at the end of the circular.
Boots!
Ian
The Next Ride
Please be clear that while all are welcome to join us we each take part in rides at our own risk.
Sunday 1 November
Centurion Way, Dell Quay, Slaterns Way, and Chichester Canal
It wasn't possible to fit in the usual Chichester Harbour/Itchenor Ferry ride this year but this takes us into a bit of the same territory. We've done this one twice before, first in 2007 and then last year. Both times were in the spring with lots of baby coots and suchlike to see. I thought it might be interesting to try it at a different time of year and see what the canal etc looks like in autumn.
Just a short way up Centurion Way – then off down, initially, the B2178 south to Fishbourne, a short stretch of the old main road and down to Dell quay for lunch at the Crown and Anchor. Then the Slaterns Way cycle route down to the Salterns Marina, over the swing bridge and back via the Chichester Canal with probably time for a tea stop at the open-air café at in the canal basin if it's still open. (But it probably won't be!)
Catch the 10.17 from Brighton Station or meet at Chichester Station at 11.20. Best trains back seem to be the 15.53 or 16.22.
The Last Ride - Tessa's Report
Sunday 18 October
The 'lower' Cuckoo Trail, Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour, Normans Bay… and Back
Ten met at Brighton Station to catch the train to Polegate. Alice, Anne, Joyce, Mick, Richard, Roger, Sue, Suzanne, Terry and Tessa. After a bit of ticket confusion we boarded the busy Ashford train and were not able to sit together.
Our small group's conversation focussed on the number of recent retirees we now have. We talked of gammy legs and dodgy knees, but decided that when the time came, our motor scooters would be Harley Davidsons and our hearing aids studded with fake diamonds. It was a sobering thought that we will have this window of good health and the time to enjoy what we want to do, before old age and infirmity get us!
Ian was relaxing in the sun at a café table when we emerged from the station, also waiting were Kevin and Annette. For a moment we thought there was no camera but Terry had one which he set on self timer and the photo was duly taken.
Angela and David turned up and we set off.
We took the Pevensey road out of Polegate and joined Route 21/Cuckoo Trail. It was not the track we are familiar with. This one was open countryside with bulrush fringed ponds. The sun was warm and the air was still. A slight incline took us over a river and we continued on the track alongside the busy A22, then joined a small road past an area of wildlife called Shinewater Lake. We joined the A259 for a short distance and over 2 roundabouts that led us into the scrubby sand dunes that were the edge of Sovereign Bay. These gave way to Harbour suburbs and cul de sacs, several of which we explored in trying to find our way to the coast path!
We headed towards Pevensey Bay, then Normans Bay, a few caravan sites on our left, the Levels beyond, stopping briefly at the man-operated level crossing for a train to pass.
Though busy, our lunches arrived promptly at the Star. It was warm enough, indeed preferable to sit outside. Our table of 4 certainly liked our meals though no photos were taken due to Fred's absence.
Inside the pub there is a sign saying that in 1865 a 72 ton whale, 60 ft long, beached itself at Normans Bay. So many spectators came to see it that the station was hastily built to accommodate them!
After lunch we set off into a slight headwind heading inland on a small road through the Levels. This took us to Pevensey where we walked through the castle grounds. We continued through Westham, Hankham, Rickney, though I don't recall a village there. Truly delightful small roads fringed with the beginnings of autumn. Rickney Lane became a wooded track with a number of inclines (I won't say hills!). Anne and Mick left us at some point to set off on their journey to Switzerland. Saltmarsh Lane led into Summerhill Lane and suddenly we were on the familiar part of the Cuckoo Trail, knowing that tea at the Old Loom was only minutes away! Tea and cake was a leisurely affair due to train times so we had time to wander round the Craft shop.
Our leader left us knowing we couldn't get lost on the last part of our journey, we have done it so many times!
Most caught the busy train to Brighton and slumped in a healthy tiredness if they were lucky enough to get a seat.
Thank you Ian for a glorious autumn day out!
Tessa
[Can I just add my thanks to Roger, who – as well as very briefly taking us down the wrong turns Tessa mentions led us around the Sovereign Harbour area on a much more attractive route than the one I'd planned. Ian]
The Origins of the Clarion Cycling Club and cycling in the 1890s
45. Alex Thompson (aka Dangle) on the Ashbourne Meet (continued)
Clarion, 20 April 1895.
Continuing his remarks on the meet Thompson told Clarion readers:
There was only one discordant note in all the meet – and drink. That was the note of Sexton's snoring at 6.35 am Monday morning.
I see there were earthquakes in Italy.
The long arm of coincidence would cease to cause wonder and superstition if one could always trace it to is source, grip it by the nose and nip it in the bud with a bolster.
* * *
The expedition to Ashbourne has absorbed so much time this week I am compelled to leave over some scores of other subject that I meant to have discussed.
At the end of his piece – which covered the whole of the front page and much of p 2 – he added as 'P S' which I think will be of interest to Fred and others interested in Walter Crane:
Next week's Clarion will be a Clarion with a difference. It will contain a Cartoon "dedicated to the workers by Walter Crane" entitled. " A Garland for May Day 1895, and other appropriate features appropriate to Labour's May Day celebration. We propose afterwards to reproduce Walter Crane's Cartoon in a special sheet and the profits resulting from its sale will be handed over to the I.L.P. Election Fund.
Next time – Swiftsure on the Meet.