Long and Winding

In the way that plans evolve, we wanted to meet MrsM's brother and s-i-l; they wanted to visit sculpture in a garden (part of Oxfordshire ArtWeeks); I wanted to fit in some cycling. So my day became cycle, sandwich, cycle, art, tea & cake, cycle; how decadent

My cycling objective was a place where the map makes it obvious that two no-through roads were once joined in a through route. There are tracks marked that may or may not mean it is still passable (if not formally permitted) on two wheels. My first attempt was met by a "Thou shalt not" sign. I found a bridleway that took me through dense woodland over very rough (for cycles or horses) ground - exquisite green filtering of the bright sunlight 

I attacked the can-you-can't-you route from the other end. A public road became a track with permitted access, became blocked by a gate that the locals clearly ignore and walk around, became a narrow-but-flat, eell-used, rideable path, with no pretence that access is formally permitted. Eventually, I found myself back at the same "No access" sign, but with the words on the other side, so that's alright then. Mission accomplished

This kind of ambiguity is unusual. I'd be intrigued to know the social, legal and ownership forces that are in play. The wood I rode through, and some of the other land is owned by a Wildlife Trust, though you would never know it from the lack of signage. I wonder if they have an interest in keeping things a little hazy: balancing local sensitivity with public access and protection of vulnerable ecosystems. For me today, it was entertainment, challenge and a sense of fulfilment and satisfied curiosity

I won't dwell on the art. Expensive pieces in a huge, smart garden in one of Oxfordshire's most exclusive villages. Suffice to say I was more moved by gnarled trees and the sight and sound of my first swifts. The picture is one of the pieces on display - but really I like the gates and the view across the Evenlode valley to West Oxfordshire