Capture every moment...

Cows in the mist by the River Wey, Surrey

Guildford - Brighton

Yesterday, Russ and I got on our bikes and cycled off road to the sea side. I love being by the sea and to get there under my own steam felt even more satisfying. If not rather painful on the legs by the end of it. We went along what is known as the "Downs Link - Guildford to Shoreham/Brighton" and follows mostly that of an old railway line, which was pulled up in the sixties. It was a perfect day, the sun was shining but we had just enough shade to keep us cool under the trees on route. I bought a nice cycle computer before we left and we covered 45 miles in all. Below are some pictures I took along the way.

Badger on the beach - we made it!

Foot and Mouth returns...

Foot and Mouth Disease has broken out again in my home town Guildford... it feels far to close to home for any sort of comfort. My dear friends Russell and Luke own a small farm just 3km from where the cows tested positive. I am so worried for them, it would be so upsetting for them to have to cull all their animals. They have a lovely pig called Margo who I have grown especially fond of, and many lovely goats all full of character, not to mention the cows who have just had 2 baby's.

The boys would be devastated to loose them all. Today they tell me the official Vets are coming to take the tests, they will find out the results tomorrow so I will keeping everything firmly crossed until good news arrives.

I remember when it swept the whole country in 2001, that was a very sad year. I flew to America in the December and upon my arrival at the airport I was asked if I had been on a farm whilst in England. I was a little unsure of my reply because most of Surrey is a farm and pretty much all of the footpaths had been closed for most of the summer. I replied telling them that no I had not been directly on a farm. What would they have done if I had? I was soon to find out, because the couple next to me were asked the very same question. They were American and it all felt very dramatic, when they replied - "Oh my gosh!! we went to London Zoo only last week" .... they were quickly ushered away into another room. I wonder what happened to them.

I am supposed to be going away for a few days in Exmoor today with my friend Russell, but after all this upset and worry on the farm I am not sure if he can make it.

Its been a while ..

This is a picture of the town I live in. Yes a town with a Cathedral, odd isnt it. Normally as the rule goes a Cathedral makes a place a City. But bless little Guildford has never quite made it to City status. Which pleases me really as I am a country girl at heart. I am at my happiest when I am far out in the countryside, which reminds me I must go out on my bike at Christmas.


The next picture is of a School neaby called "Charterhouse", it has always been one of my most admired buildings. The sky was perfect on the day I took this and luckily for me the kids were still in lessons. It gives me a nice magical feel, like that of Hogwarts.