Summer Rambles, Poops and Pongs.

It's been a bit more like Summer these last couple of days! After some seriously manky rain and wind on Thursday and Friday, Saturday dawned as a proper Summer's day should – bright, warm and sunny. Ideal for riding away some of the non weather related hassles, stresses and anxieties of the previous couple of days then.

As usual, I set out aiming to avoid busy roads and places as much as possible, but arriving in  Probus took me back to the relaxed atmosphere of early mornings while on family holidays. Everywhere still felt quiet, but there were a few folk about, going to the local shop mostly it seemed, fetching the Saturday paper and something pastry based for breakfast by the look of things. Lots of smiles and hellos greeted me as I ambled up to the centre of the village, and it was all very relaxed and pleasant - how things should be.

Probus village centre.

Probus Church tower is the tallest in Cornwall at 129 feet, or 39 metres for those who prefer metric type stuff, and can be seen for miles around, and in many pictures too, as we'll see.

Despite all this peace and calm pervading the village, I was still intent on riding some of the quiet bridleways and back lanes and getting some solitude, so I headed off down the narrow road past the rather splendid church, heading for Wagg Lane. This used to be a country lane linking Probus with Tregony by the look of things, but has been downgraded to 'Other routes with public access' status according to the O.S. maps. Just the job then.

Wagg Lane, Probus.

The tarmac surface is still much in evidence to start with as the lane drops through one long tree tunnel down to a small stream. One drawback to these sorts of routes is their popularity with dog walkers, and therefore there were plenty of doggie torpedoes to try and avoid, some so big they had to be negotiated as you would a mini roundabout. Nothing worse than getting fresh dog doddle smushed between the knobbles of your front tyre especially, as you get treated to the sight of it going round all the time, and also of course, the rather less than fragrant smell assaulting your nose. Hitting one at speed and having it splatter and get thrown about by the front wheel like the worst sort of Catherine Wheel imaginable is an event I prefer to not even contemplate, most unpleasant that it is. Then there is the lack of traction and grip afforded by a fresh pile that could result in a lurid front wheel skid and a potentially messy and smelly crash. But still, that's enough about the impactive properties of dog poop, back to summery sauntering.

Doddle dodging practice pays off when carrying a bit of speed on lanes such as this.

The climb up the other side away from the stream is far too steep for me so a short push is in order and once at the top, the tarmac and trees give way to high hedges and mud. Not to worry though, as despite the recent rain, it was just a bit spongy and not the clawing quagmire to be found in Winter.

The second half of Wagg Lane is very different, with high hedges replacing the trees and broader verges, and soil instead of tarmac.

Looking back towards Probus and its church makes for a very English rural view.

From the top of Wagg Lane it was more tarmac bridleways and blissfully quiet, easy wheeling, sun dappled country lanes to Ladock and then home via lanes I use so regularly I think I've worn a groove in them. Maybe that's why the council have seen fit to surface dress them leaving the surface awash in chippings, but hey ho.

Still feeling willing and able, Sunday saw an amble round some local woods, again fairly early on and before all the dog walkers invaded the area. Woods are always a good way to escape the world and immerse one's self in tranquil surroundings, and I try and make the most of them in the drier summer months.

So, some very relaxing and pleasurable rambling about was had then, and inner calm thankfully restored.