Really pleased that I planted an Oleaster hedge last year. I keep getting the lovely scent when walking nearby. Late nectar for insects plus berries in the spring adds to the variety of interest for wildlife through the year. More native spring bulbs are going in soon but winter is still lacking.

@friebos.bsky.social @lionelbirnie.bsky.social @grahamwillgoss.bsky.social I've just found this screenshot when clearing out old pics from the phone. The answer is Dylan van Baarle, am I too late for a prize? 😆

Bluestone in Boughton. Long time since I've had a Lagonda. Superb. Plus two dogs to fuss outside.

This is the third local pub in about as many weeks that I thought would never reopen @rogerprotz.bsky.social . First visit to the Jolly Gardeners in Chester in I can't remember how many years. Beers very good and the interior is still superb. Nice new sun trap beer garden too

yet again the gear cable came out of the dodgy s700 lever yesterday. Did the last part of the ride into Staly stuck on the 15 cog 😒. Can't find a replacement and upgrades are silly money. Bikes used to be cheap and simple

See if I can keep this Stalybridge cycle in one thread. First up the Weaver at Fridsham

It looks like I can't use the weather as an excuse tomorrow. Guess I'm cycling to Stalybridge then for another cycle ground tick. Possibly two Inventory pubs on the list as well. FA Cup run starts (and probably finishes 🙄) #ChesterFC #FACup #cycling #idiottakethetraininstead

Excited to have my first Scotch Bonnet ripening. Lovely colours

"When you hear the air attack warning, you and your family must take cover". #twotribes

In Wales, cows have the right of way

nice to do some long stretches at over 20 mph. God bless a strong tailwind! Back to Chester for some more great beers and 80's music at the Sandstone. Happy Days 🙂. Match next, will be cutting it fine as usual

A little something for the weekend @realalecyclist.bsky.social @stephenslack.bsky.social

Over the historic Farndon-Holt bridge over the Dee for a brief excursion into Wales before heading back towards Chester

Just over the road to the Hare and the beers were top notch. Years since I've seen Summer Lightning and my word, it is still dangerously drinkable. Went back for more. Will be tough to beat for beer of the day. Lovely weather to sit outside.

Finally done with the headwind. Checking out the Farndon two next. First the Raven and good beers to start the day

Yay, the gnomes are back in Aldford!

final touristy shot of the city walls above the canal, then over the road to spoons. Poor service, but Dark Side of the Moose was worth the wait.

still haven't timed a visit when the Bass is on but good beers as usual today. Otter the pick of the beers

Collection to make in town so a quick pedal in. @shitchester.bsky.social looking glorious in the late afternoon sun

new camera has found who upsets my dogs in the night. Thanks for the 3am alarm calls Mr Fox! 🦊

A lovely article by the other Ian, my Bass supporting compatriot. A perfect description of the institution and Mandy. A fine custodian of the Coopers Tavern. thebeertonian.com/2025/09/04/l...

great photo...

So good to see Jennings, the much-loved Cumbrian brewery, back in operation after being cruelly axed by Carlsberg. Classic ales in fine form, brewing to capacity, may have to expand. Article to follow @camraofficial.bsky.social Beer Magazine. #BskyBeer

Hmm, Stalybridge away in the Cup looks very doable to add to my list of @chesterfc.bsky.social matches cycled to. Wonder if the weather will be favourable? Train is plan B, oddly it's been ages since I've drank in Manchester.

Stalybridge away in our FA Cup draw then. Definitely a potential banana skin but a good drinking day if past visits have been anything to go by. Station Buffet will be rammed though.

Mallard proper rammed but needed to have a pint of that milk stout before the train home.

may as well avoid the crowds in the tiny Mallard with a swift one over the road. Pleasantly surprised, worth the gamble

new ground tick at Worksop

recovering from the exertion in the Mallard at Worksop station. Great pub and another dog to fuss

last stop the GBG Beer Shed, home of Harrison's Brewery. Beers very good but tonlo long fussing a dog meant a sprint to the station. Just made it

Grand entrance by the market takes you to the GNG Beer Under the Clock. Two cracking ales here

National Inventory ✔️ next at the Turks Head Retford. Love the panelling and details like the bell pushes and Turks Head on the fireplace. Odd to find Weetwood so far from home!

Quick bonus stop at the Craft House. Must not get waylaid as only 1 train back!

First GBG stop at the Idle Valley Tap. Canra discount and unexpected bonus. Hare of the Hill the standout beer

Retford. New station indeed a new town for me

half an hour connection at Sheffield so just time for a loosener in the excellent Tap. It's been a while

All sorted for an early train in the morning for Worksop away. National Inventory pub on my list plus several new GBG pubs. Should be fun.

Provisional startlist for Tour of Britain 🇬🇧 2025! Star names include: Evenepoel 🇧🇪, Brennan 🇬🇧, Kooij 🇳🇱, Blackmore 🇬🇧, Molano 🇨🇴, Morgado 🇵🇹, F. Vermeersch 🇧🇪, Teutenberg 🇩🇪, Thomas 🇬🇧, Arensman 🇳🇱, Watson 🇬🇧, Kristoff 🇳🇴, Bilbao 🇪🇸, Onley 🇬🇧, Grégoire 🇫🇷, Alaphilippe 🇫🇷, Dainese 🇮🇹, Van Wilder 🇧🇪 and many more.

First time in the fan canopy. Poor lass left on her own to serve but a nice cold bottled Hawkshead IPA is going down well.

never sure of Bank Hol opening times so gambled on the Wealstone in Upton. No joy so down the hill to the Mill instead. Two Holts on, the Bitter was OK but the Two Hoots was better. Nice shady outside area in 27c heat.

Upgraded the Wahoo head unit for the new fix now. Ride will still show 2006 and the speeds aren't correct but at least I have the route www.strava.com/activities/1...?

Wahoo not recording my rides either. Just checked and it is a known current issue. For the record it was a lovely 28 mile ride, and I averaged 25mph 😜

Final stop is at the Golden Lion in Ashton Hayes again. The Best in the photo had gone, replaced with a sparkling Eastgate.

nice to do some lanes near Huxley, Hoofield and Burton that I've not done for ages

It will always be the Shady Oak to me. Long time since I've been in. It's good to see it busy and two nice Weetwoods on

don't often climb Beeston Castle from this side. You really get to appreciate its dominant position though

Another reopened pub now, the Bear in Tattenhall. Must be 12-15 years since I was last in. Nice refurb, very foody, but also plenty of bar space for drinks. Hope it does well

22c and a light cooling headwind is perfect to cycle the Cheshire lanes. Wahoo head unit is losing satellite yet again for ride stats. Never happened until recently 😒

Congratulations to The Beer Engine in #Skipton, which is repping for #Yorkshire in @camraofficial.bsky.social's 2025 pub of the year list. Tempted to pop over to Skipton for a pint, looks like a lovely boozer beertoday.co.uk/2025/08/22/c...

I'm just finishing the evening with this beauty that I got from Gnome and Away yesterday. One of my favourites, at 11.3% it is one to be savoured. Not sure it will help my cycle tomorrow but who cares!