It was a lovely hot weekend just gone in England, and I made the most of it with yet another early alarm on Saturday (5AM this time), for a quick jaunt on the bike to Box Hill, which I guess I should really be walking rather than cycling up? Anyway, let’s not split hairs here, I was out doing exercise, which has to be a good thing, right? My cycling pal and I only had time for  quick two hour ride, which worked out to be a tad under 30 miles, and I was home before I’m usually up on the weekend. Something isn’t right here…

Sunday then came around, and as it was nice again, the family went for an afternoon stroll to some local woods  – the woods and common, in fact, where the Martians first landed in HG Wells’ famous book War of the Worlds (Horsell Common, fact fans)! The kids had a play on a rope swing, and once they were done and we were innocently ambling along afterwards, a cheeky adder slithered across our path. This was the first time I can remember having seen a snake in this country, so I felt quite privileged!

This coming weekend, and with our Lake District trip approaching fast on the horizon, I might actually start doing some walking. Somewhat inspired by walks of other UK-based fellow Team Ubuntu members, I may go exploring up another one of my semi-regular cycling spots, Leith Hill, one of the highest points in Surrey. I wonder what wildlife I’ll be able to find there..?