Both exploring on our e-bikes

Saturday 9th May, was very sunny and warm and after a good breakfast of boiled eggs and coffee we both set off on our e-bikes. The plan was firstly to head north into Fordingbridge to have a look around and to acquire a couple of items needed. As with so many towns now, Fordingbridge is looking a bit sad with lots of shops closed. Nevertheless, it was quite busy.

Having bought the few items needed we cycled south along a lovely country lane and arrived at an area of lakes on both sides of the road. We stopped at a bird hide, occupied by two avid bird watchers with very fancy binoculars and telescopic camera lenses! I spotted, tufted ducks, shell ducks, mallards and the ubiquitous coots but overall it was relatively quiet.

On the way back we stopped at a farm shop and the LLW decided that sausage rolls were required. A local pub beckoned and we ate our sausage rolls in the garden and enjoying the lovely warm sunshine.

By now we were both feeling tired, Ray because this is by far the furthest he has cycled since the Achilles episode and Rosemary has also done very little cycling recently.

Ray was keen to watch the ladies Rugby with England playing Italy in Parma. A comfortable win for the red roses but Ray was of the opinion that improvement is needed if England are to beat the French next weekend.

Arrived at Bickton Mill

On Friday 8th May, we had a very straightforward journey from Rackham to Ringwood but finding the local Waitrose was a little tricky! However, having found it the parking was even trickier. Parking with two e-bikes on the back of the car is never easy but this Waitrose car park was quite small and very narrow in places. Having sorted that out, the LLW headed off to the store to obtain the requirements for the weekend.

The journey to Bickton mill was short and very easy so in no time we were parked outside our appartment block.

We knew that there were 27 steps up to the apartment and this required 3 ups and downs to offload all that was needed.

The bikes were taken off, the carrier stowed in the boot, the bikes parked in a garage belonging to our apartment and we were soon enjoying a cup of tea and doughnuts!

Ray decided to go for a short ride and was surprised to discover that the New Forest National Park started on the eastern side of the A338 which runs north from Ringwood to Fordingbridge and beyond to Salisbury. Having crossed the main road it was immediately easy and quiet country cycling only interrupted by a few cattle and rather more New Forest ponies. It was a beautiful evening and the countryside looked stunning.

Back at Bickton Mill, Ray was stunned that instead of showing calories expended, his bike computer, showed a message saying "do you realise that was less than half a doughnut".

There was no alternative but to head back up the stairs and open a bottle of red!

Bickton Mill

As you may recall we are members of Holiday Property Bond (HPB) and they have a tenancy programme in addition to the properties they own. We liked the look of a new addition to the tenancy programme which is in a converted water mill on the Hampshire Avon, named Bickton Mill so Ray booked it tout de suite!

We are off there for a 3 night stay on Friday 8th May and taking our e-bikes. This is the first real cycling  test of Ray's repaired Achilles tendon so we will take it gently.

The site is south of Fordingbridge and north of Ringwood and is very close to the New Forest National park.