Back in the saddle after a dry spell. Been to Amsterdam in the interim with every intention of hiring a bike but utilmately opted out of the responsibility of a hire bike in favour of a care free few days. Have hatched a Dutch cycling plan though for 2016 so will see next year if it comes to fruition. No photos to jazz up today’s 10 mile round town jaunt as had my hands tight on the bars to brace myself against massive gusts. Plus seemingly everyone who has ever taken a picture of the crooked spire by night seems to have copyrighted it. Why? I know not but no steals available. As we’re passing through so called ‘Black Friday’ weekend and moving onwards towards Christmas like a sleigh with no brake the residents of Chesterfield have been up their ladders with their lights so maybe I’ll post some images of  Xmas: Chesterfield 2016 at some point (un copyrighted of course).

Bumbling around today having decided to come off the Middleton Top trail and explore the surrounding countryside. Warmest November day since records began they say. Highlight of the trip was a ride through Bradbourne – and a wander inside and out of the All Saints village church. The church is one that has so much charm if I lived nearby I’d go every Sunday just for the atmosphere and to be part of it. Riding though the village and roaming the grave yard I was struck by the absence of a Great War memorial and any Great War headstones which are a feature of every British village in my experience. But nothing of the like. Turns out there is none as Bradbourne was a blessed village with all it’s fathers, brothers, sons, and uncles surviving the carnage of the First World War.