Retiring to the gardens.

I proposed going to Exbury gardens for the next trip. It seemed it wouldn't happen. Those phone calls went unanswered till after midday. Then after lunch I set off across the New Forest to get to Exbury, south of Beaulieu. Sue drove up minutes before me, having gone by the major roads.

The gardens were respendent with magnolia, rhodedendron, azalea and peiris; even some daffodils were still swaying in the breeze off the estuary. We had a slow leisurely walk for two hours around this stately home's garden. Then i hit the road for the return. I chose the B3054 from Beaulieu to Lymington, and it was a straight road on a gradual ascent into the prevailing wind! Hard graft! I followed the main road back to Highcliffe, and then the country lanes back to Bransgore. A 40 mile round trip, following the 50 miles to Swanage yesterday.

Naomi came down from Winchester for lunch today, and we then travelled to Furzey Gardens, winner of a gold medal at the Chelsea flower show last year. For the young at heart, there are lots of fairy houses to find in the central area of the garden. Naomi took delight in catching the images on her camera, for when she might return with a young niece! We enjoyed the variety of colours and the bird songs. Furzey Gardens is hidden in the back lanes of the centre of the New Forest, but my route there worked well to get me to Minstead. My return was more leisurely through Newtown, and the Boldoverwood arboretum, which I can recommend. So a Sunday of 20 miles or so, as the distances clock up.

There's a Fun Day in Bransgore tomorrow afternoon, so i plan a morning ride, to go via Hurn to Verwood, and back via Ringwood. So four days of variety, before we head home to Eaton Bray. The family think I'm fit enough for the End-to-End; will my stamina be up to the extra 6000 calories each day for 14 days? I wonder what the bathroom scales will say on Tuesday morning, after Sue's attempts to stop me getting thin!