Cheers!

 It is a long hot summer, but the perfect way to cool down is a short slow cycle ride, maybe in the trees, but with frequent water stops.

I had not long returned from a week cycling (on e-bikes)in Croatia, and we had frequent stops to rehydrate.  With two new riders out this month I did not want to scare them off, so we set off on a gentle trundle up the Greenway and along the canal.

Perfect blue skies!

Earlier in the year there was a fabulous couple of fields full of poppies, and despite the long dry spell there was still some colour to be seen.

After leaving the Greenway and crossing on the blue bridge we negotiated the elevated bridges at Queensferry, and made our way up through Mancot and Ewloe, heading for a new community cafe at Buckley (The Rise).  However, after spending some time navigating footpath barriers with the Tandem, disentangling a stuck chain, and small medical issue, Team Tandem decided to head back home, and the rest of us agreed that Buckley, with additional hills, was a stretch too far and we decided to set our sights on Hawarden Farm shop instead.

On our way, we paused at the top of the hill in Hawarden, and I noticed a door and what looks like a font, very old, that I had not seen before.

And indeed, it is a 'House of Correction', possibly dating from 1740! Read about them here

I can't see anything about the 'font', though.  I welcome any thoughts.

Anyway, we had a delightful and refreshing stop at Hawarden Farm shop, before dropping down to the edge of Sandycroft, and around Hawarden airport. 

Back along the river, and canal.  We do have some delightful waterways and cycle routes in Chester!

Cheers!