The forecast is dry for the next few days in NW Leics. The weather for a Thu-Sat-Mon pattern looked a lot more promising than Wed-Fri-Sun and today in particular was rather cloudy and cool. But of course the forecast can change, so I took my chance while it was there.
Rainy this morning and I anticipated a few puddles so I took the Boardman yet again. I’d decided to do a version of the Twycross that actually bypasses Twycross itself to the west, taking in a village called Orton on the Hill before joining the usual route just north of Sheepy Magna. This new section was variously a bit lumpy and gravelly, and really startlingly quiet. I mean post-apocalyptic. Actually slightly creepy. I might do this again but it probably won’t be a regular feature. One nice thing though was a section just near Orton where the terrain to the side of the road dips sharply, with miles of open landscape visible.
I heard the loud noise of a jet engine or engines overhead suddenly near Orton. Thought this was odd given I was at least 15 miles from East Midlands. Looked up and saw what I think was a Jet Provost; a small jet with straight wings and wingtip tanks anyway, painted grey.
Once back on the normal course I took the road that goes through Witherley as usual of late, but was halted by a flooded road.
A tributary of the river Anker, itself only about 50 feet from the road where I stopped, passes under the road at that point. But today some of it was passing over it, as well.
Decided I’d get my shoes rather muddy walking round it, so I backtracked to Ratcliffe and did the Sibson Road version instead, going down to Fenn Lanes via the A444. Because I was getting sick of pedalling into a monstrous headwind along Fenn Lanes, I took a left along Shenton Lane to take what is effectively a short cut to Bosworth. Since I didn’t get my usual bench opportunity at Sutton Cheney I stopped for a break at the bench at Bosworth instead.
Back the usual way. Quite enjoyable despite the cooler weather and blowy conditions. At least it didn’t rain.
35.94 and that’s 386 done this month. 1742 done this year so I shall aim for 1800 before the end of the month.