The Women's Tour

 

The Women's Tour was coming to Rushden; how exciting is that so I decided I must let you know all about it.

It is one of the biggest events to hit our small town since Rushden Lakes was opened last year and we were going to get the start of Stage 2 so I started planning what to see and photograph and then disaster struck.

Firstly I fell off my bike and have damaged my left leg, but that was not going to stop me but the major catastrophe came when I went to take a photo - my camera was not working!! It has been hard worked for about five years so I decided to buy a new one so I was very much a learner when I took the photos that follow. 

The day before, I went to Rushden Hall Park to see what was going on but it was all quite quiet -

Now owned by the Council and used

as offices

 

The start being built

The run from the start

Next day I was down in the park good and early and what a transformation and what a buzz of excitement. 

Motorbikes galore

Lead cars in place

… more motorbikes

Police road closure instructions

I did ask one motorbike policeman if there were any left in the county and he said only two were there and all the rest came from around the country, including Wales.

The 'Start' had been built from yesterday, the teams were being introduced...

WNT-Rotor a British team

Not sure who they were!!

BTC City Ljubljana

I wandered round all the different areas admiring the size of the accompanying vehicles

Noted our local councillors/mayors wearing their chains of office (you have to take my word for it) having a free coffee and a bun.

whilst the cyclists were warming up

 A member of Team Storey preparing

 and then I decided to make my way into town past all the motorbikes again.

I took up my position and at 10.15am the procession started with the Peloton (100+ riders) following

The TV cameraman motorbike on right

and they headed out for a tour of the town before returning to where I was standing on the point of a traffic island

before setting out on the race and the finish in Daventry.

A great morning out and great for the town and well supported.

More Bank Holiday jottings

Started Wednesday after the Bank Holiday - you will see why I have mentioned this later!!

Here in the UK we are still having reasonable weather for this Late Spring Bank Holiday; at the moment as I write this it is cloudy but muggy and we had heavy rain overnight, which is so good for the garden that is looking quite green.

I love hot weather (and loathe the cold) and as I was sitting on the patio enjoying the sun and the garden I realised that these needed a haircut

My Box balls

 I couldn't even get to the pond behind.  Note my sieve on the end of the pole for cleaning it and something peering out from under the right hand ball.

After a haircut and I can now see 'Duck'

However I had to clear the box cuttings out of the pond and straightaway I fished out a frog, and subsequently fished out a number of newts, common ones, but even so I know that with them around I will not have tadpoles as they eat them.  It still amazes me how they got into my pond because there are no ponds nearby.  I apologised to them and returned them to the pond. 

I was sorry to see this floating in the water on my bird table, having drowned.

Zygaena Carniolica or Crepuscular Burnet

Not a butterfly but a day flying Moth.

On a glorious Sunday morning I decided to cycle the route that I had to cancel last week due to a low battery and so for the benefit of my local readers I went to Yelden again, up the hill and down passed Melchbourne heading for Riseley.   I turned off and did a loop through Swineshead, back up the slow incline and then took this photo that is so familiar to cyclists -

Fast ride down with impetus to climb the next hill

I felt quite pleased with myself as I did this hill both ways with not too much battery!!  21 miles completed that day.  I find that I can now turn off the battery for quite long stretches so my legs are getting stronger. 

I had been told that there was to be a Flower Festival at Bolnhurst Church so I went over on Bank Holiday Monday to support them.

The kneelers

 

One arrangement

Some embroidery done by the Embroidery Guild

… more of the above

Continued Sunday 3 June

I am 'hors de combat' at the moment as I fell off my bike yesterday and have hurt my leg, so on instructions from younger son who is a qualified trainer, I must rest it and take the odd pain killer when needed.  I would rather have my teeth pulled than go to A&E as it is not broken!!

So the blog can be finished.

After giving the box balls a trim last weekend I was picking out little pieces when a bird flew out and there was this

I think that these are Blue Tit eggs

 and I was worried that she might not come back but last night she was back on the nest.
 
I went on an organised cycle ride yesterday and I was delighted to see this pair of swans and their babies.  This is why I love this time of year.

 

It was after I had left the ride and was heading home that I fell off!!  Luckily no-one around to see my downfall, but it as shaken my confidence a bit.