Out on the Ciclos Minaco again yesterday.
Set out to do 15 miles but ended up only doing 10 after being flagged down by very old good friends (we were all at school together) and ended up in a pub garden chatting till nearly midnight.
I rode out to the village of Ewelme once again.
A traditional stop on our annual Benson VCC ride.
One of the prettiest (of many) villages in my part of the world.
The oldest school building in England (still the village school to this day) dates from 1432; one of the finest early brick buildings in the country is my backdrop here.....
Some fine architectural details displaying the coats of arms of the schools founders, Alice de la Pole (granddaughter of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer) and her husband the Duke of Suffolk.....
Just behind and uphill of the school (and part of the same complex of buildings) is the church that they also rebuilt in 1432. Very different in design to most English village churches, this is a very grand building indeed. Almost like a mini cathedral. The other buildings within this group include almshouses, still in use.
Alice's tomb inside the church, carved entirely from alabaster is a nationally important treasure.....
I'll head back there today and explore some more I think.
I picked up a modern Trek road bike on the way home too. Had to shoulder it Cyclocross style whilst riding the Minaco.
Being given away free by the roadside. The owner said he had too many bikes (10 in total).
He seemed surprised when I said I had more than 20!