Seeing as it’s such nice weather at the moment I’m heading off on the bike, no destination and no plan! Well that was the idea!
Off I set heading West my initial thought was to head to Swanage via the Isle of Wight. but after arriving in Portsmouth where I would have caught the Isle of Wight ferry, I had a change of mind! And decided to stay on the main land and go via Southampton then the New Forest. Then maybe stop in the New Forest tonight before continuing on to Swanage tomorrow, that way I could visit one of my favourite pubs the Square and Compass at Worth Matravers.
All was going well and I caught my first ferry to Gosport. It was a lovely ride in the sunshine past Stokes Bay, Lee-on-Solent and onto Warsash and the little pink ferry.
The crossing from Warsash to Hamble only takes about five minutes and it was good to see Ray the old boy who operates the ferry.
As I rode through Hamble my seat felt different and slightly uncomfortable. I continued on for a few more miles but no something was definitely wrong with the saddle! It was no good I had to stop and look.
The bolt that’s used to tension the saddle had gone! The leather of the saddle was now on the seat post directly below my bum, ouch! No wonder it was uncomfortable!
After weighing up my options I decided it was probably best to get the train home from Southampton and swap the saddle over, then get the train back again tomorrow and continue on.
Hey Garry! That ferry is on my bucket list. I used to cross when it was just a rowing boat. Fancy that saddle going – good thing it didn’t happen in India. I wanted to send you a video but not certain what Email is valid. Why don’t you do the Paris trip again.
Best wishes – Malcolm
I bet it was Ray who was rowing the boat even back then! Send it to travelsonabike2@btinternet.com