Riverside Garden Park Loop from Three Bridges

 June 1, 2024

With no rain predicted for the entire day, enthusiastic travelers took to trains.  The ride from Burgess Hill to Three Bridges already had four fellow cyclists with their bikes in the carriage.  Alighting at Three Bridges and with an initial ride along surface roads, the path quickly leads towards North Park.  We travel through picturesque and serene surroundings passing by a gentle stream over a wooden bridge.

Stream over Bridge - Worth Park

Further along, the path meanders with Worth Park Lake on the right side.  The edge of the lake is surrounded by mature trees and bushes but every now and then we see an opening which exposes the lake.

Worth Park Lake

The path leads to Worth Park Gardens which has a fenced in water fountain.

Worth Park Gardens

The trail follows along surface roads to Horley at which point we are in the County of Surrey.  Looping back, the path takes us through Riverside Park.  A young family were feeding the ducks on Gatwick Lake which attracted a number of ducks along with their ducklings.  

Gatwick Lake - Riverside Park

The path follows to a narrow lane from which one can observe aircrafts taking off from the end of the runway at Gatwick Airport.  A young man patiently sat on a folding chair and took pictures of planes taking off.  I daresay he was appropriately equipped with what appeared to be a high end camera with an equally tantalizing zoom lens.

Air Transat Taking Off - Gatwick Airport

Continuing further along side roads eventually leads to Three Bridges Train Station.  I left the bike parked at Three Bridges and took the train to Crawley.  It was around lunchtime and I was eager to pay my second visit to Chaiwala - in addition to Indian Tea, it has a selection of Indian street food and desserts.  Bombay Chickpea Bowl with tabouleh salad is just amazing!

Alas, this was last bike ride for this trip to England.  For the next phase of bike rides, it will be sunny and warm Michigan.

Cheers!

Ranscombe South Downs View - Glyde loop from Lewes

 May 28, 2024

With regards to weather, for sure we ran out of luck today.  Complementing light showers and drizzle were strong winds which in the open would come from all directions. Alighting Lewes with train from Wivelsfield, the path takes us through town past All Saints Church which pre dates 1538.  Today, it has been adapted as an Arts and Community Center.

All Saints Church pre-dates 1538

As we pass the town and head out, we are greeted with Chalk Cliffs on the left.  Just in front of this cliffs is an industrial estate with a coffee shop popular with bikers.

Chalk Cliffs

The bike ride along Ranscombe Lane although very scenic, is arduous as it is all uphill.  Every now and then, nature helps us out with sizeable openings to view the scenery which also helps to catch the breath from riding uphill. 

View of South Downs along Ranscombe Lane

More Views along Ranscombe Lane

We pass through quaint village of Glynde which has an ornate Post Office in an old building and a Train Station.  On the way back, a herd of cows were seen grazing on fields adjacent to River Ouse.

A herd of Cows grazing on return leg

Entering town, we pass by St Thomas-a-Becket Church which dates back to 15th century.

St Thomas-a-Becket Church

Cobble stones line up the High Street with various shops including cafes, coffee shops, etc.  Crossing over the bridge, we see Harvey's Brewery which started in 1790.  Their best selling beer is the Sussex Best Bitter.  It is a well known brewery and sells its beer to many pubs in Sussex.

Harvey's Brewery

At the bottom of High Street is the Fitzroy House which is a Victorian building built in 1862.

Fitzroy House

Despite the inclement weather, the bike ride was worth it.  Lewes has a lot to offer and just a mere couple of hours does not do justice to a town deeply steeped in history.  Just like Shoreham-by-Sea, Lewes entices and charms the visitor into another longer and relaxed visit with her adamantine allure.

Cheers!

Pulborough - Coldwaltham to Greatham Bridge - Greatham Parish Church Loop

 May 27, 2024

Despite the saturnine weather this morning with showers on and off,  it turned out to be a great day.  As I disembarked at Pulborough Train Station with my bike, we were cordially welcomed with a light shower.  Major part of the day was to pay a visit to my Lord Uncle Navnit and Lady Aunt Ann at their country cottage 'Rookery Nook' in Coldwaltham.  The bike ride from station to Coldwaltham is just over two miles.  It was wonderful to see Uncle and Aunt after a long time.  We had pre lunch drinks at the Labouring Man which is next door to their cottage.  Uncle and Aunt had prepared excellent lunch with two main dishes and a salad.  The food was very tasty which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Lady Ann and Lord Navnit

Post lunch after some reminiscing, it was time to explore the glorious three tired gardens that they maintain along with two ponds.

View looking down from Patio

Indoor Barbecue House

Pond on the right

Pond on the left with Japanese Maples and other shrubs

The Second Tier with mature trees

Library House with Wisteria

View of Third Tier

Third Tier of the Garden with a Fig and Apple Trees

As I took the walk, it felt so peaceful with the pleasant sounds of birds chirping merrily along.  Uncle and Aunt spend quite a bit of their time working in their garden when they can.  After saying good byes, it was time for the ride along London Road.  We pass by quaint Parish Church of St Giles which dates back to 1200 AD.  

Parish Church of St Giles

View from Church Entrance

We take Brook Lane on left where the road narrows and pass by Waltham Brooks Nature Reserve.  The South Downs in the background complements the natural beauty in the foreground.

Waltham Brooks Nature Reserve

Further along the road, we go across River Arun on Greatham Bridge which offers a picturesque view of the natural beauty.

River Arun/Greatham Bridge

River Arun

Brook Lane merges on to London Road from where we head down to Pulborough.  A real piece of gem is the 17th century Old Fellows Arms pub which charms the passer by.  It is a travesty that right across the street from this charming old building we see a philistine structure which presumably houses a block of flats.

 

Alas, that was the end of the bike ride and with the distant Church Clock at ten to five, good heavens no Coffee Shops in plain sight!

Cheers!

Shoreham-by-Sea - Downs Link to Botolphs Church

 May 25, 2024

This afternoon's bike ride initially started with a train ride from Burgess Hill to Shoreham-by-Sea.  Meandering through light traffic on surface roads, the path leads to Downs Link.  The path which is many miles long is on dry gravel and dedicated to bikers and walkers.  On a glorious sunny afternoon, countless bikers and some walkers took advantage to get out and about on the trail.  It was inspiring to see young and old alike on their bikes.  It was humbling to see a young woman and her grand dad riding along on their bikes.

River Adur with Lancing College in Background

For few miles, the trail follows River Adur.  In the distant background, the imposing structure of Lancing College (private school) is visible with rolling hills of South Downs.  There is a large crane structure carved on wood facing River Adur.

Wooden Crane Structure

The glorious day also enticed other adventurers - Standing Paddle Boat riders who were sauntering effortlessly along the river.  Every now and then, one could glimpse the South Downs in the background.  Crossing the bridge over the river provided a view of a bevy of white swans swimming along.

Path along Downs Link

River Adur and Surroundings

View from the Bridge

A slight diversion from the Downs Link leads to Botolph's Church which dates back to 950BC.  An elderly biker sat on  a bench other side of the stone wall in silence soaking in surroundings.

Botolph's Church

Nomadic Sheep

Further along Downs Link, nomadic sheep were indolently grazing on pastures at the foot of South Downs.  The trail leads to the village of Bramber which has an Indian restaurant - Maharajah in the center.

Village of Bramber

The village of Upper Beeding is further along the road which has a stone cottage which dates back to 1725.

Stone Cottage built in 1725

At some point, we reconnect Downs Link and follow the path in the other direction back to Shoreham-by-Sea Train Station.  A few minutes walk from the Train Station brings us to an ornate St Mary's Church in exquisite surroundings.  Part of the building was undergoing renovation.  

St Mary's Church - Shoreham-by-Sea

Walking just a few steps from here, we witness a sizeable open area with tables and chairs and patrons eating their lunches, cakes, etc.  along with suitable beverage - all this whilst basking in glorious sunshine.  It was a convenient time to indulge in a Flat White - extra hot with a small piece of Cadbury's.

Cheers!

Bike Tour To Streat

May 23, 2024

The afternoon sky was interspersed with sunshine and spotty clouds which made for an ebullient ride along the country side.  Leaving Burgess Hill along Keymer Road and with the start of Folders Lane we were already in the middle of the countryside surrounded by open fields and distant South Downs.

Along Folders Lane

Upon entering Streat Lane, the natural beauty provided by trees, hedges, foliage and narrow lane would lift anyone's spirits with gay abandon.  Besides the sight of the scenery, the mellifluous sound of chirping birds along with the distinct and pleasant aroma of freshly cut grass on sides of the lane made the ride memorable.

Streat Lane

Passing by a handful of cottages, the path leads to The Beacon Parish Church known as Streat Church.  The Church is dated back to 13th century with two adjoining buildings.

Entrance to Streat Church

The Beacon Parish - Streat Church

Walking around the Church yard where a number of graves were visible, the views further out were truly stunning.  There is a second cemetery across the side street which also has a number of graves.

View of South Downs from Church Graveyard

South Downs in Background

A Large Tree Over the Graves

The most striking feature of the Church grave yard is an overbearing wide tree which has its branches stretched over a large number of graves.

Downstream View of Streat Lane

Very next door to the Church is the now privately owned Streat Place Manor which has an imposing presence and was built in 17th century.  It is set on grounds with acres of land.  The entire area is stunningly beautiful and I am so glad that I was able to enjoy this ride.

Privately Owned Streat Place

Cheers!