Life in the Saddle

Two things!

I’ve been advised by several people who, and I don’t know how, seem to know about these things, that Satan’s Private Parts are not icy cold as I’d presumed, but are in fact searingly hot!

So please update the last blog to this new level of knowledge.

Second thing

The perineum is a part of my body with which I have a very casual relationship. Generally speaking, it doesn’t bother me nor I it.

However one day’s hire of an unfamiliar push bike changes that relationship to the level of an acrimonious divorce.

You’ll be relieved to know that there isn’t a picture to go with either of these two items.

The thing is that when we were in Holland and enquired about pushbikes they said ‘help yourself, they’re all free’ and we chose from a line of modern, well serviced, soft saddled, clean bikes. It couldn’t have been more straightforward.

The same request at Lymington Yacht Haven involved a bill for £10 for each bike and four signatures confirming that we were liable for any losses (the bikes can’t have been worth more than £10 each anyway!) and that we had been offered cycle helmets… and if we didn’t wear them it would be on our heads. Or not as was the case!

Why is the UK so risk averse?

We’re still (!) in the EU and so is Holland, so it can’t be that!

It’s strange that everyone I speak to decries this kind of thing yet someone is driving it.

So true to the Scientific Method Lynn wore a helmet and I didn’t.

Neither of us fell off and there were no injuries apart from to my perineum – and I wasn’t offered a helmet for that!

QED

And so to the Hurst Castle that we’ve sailed past many times. Usually travelling at under 1kn as I’ve got the tides wrong, or heading Eastwards into ‘The Trap’ and worrying about the depth because it looks shallow and the stirred up silt is showing the depth as ‘out’

Inside it’s pretty much as you’d expect but Lynn’s English Heritage discount card it doesn’t apply here we discovered, however after the one and a half mile walk along the shingle spit you’re willing to pay anything to get to the toilets and Tea Room.

It’s strategic position is pretty obvious of course and links with the submarine wall outside Portsmouth (I know someone who sailed into that!) plus there is an interesting section on lighthouses.

Tomorrow is back to sailing. Not sure where but somewhere eastwards.

More tomorrow!!!

Decision in the morning!!