Modern Vespa

A bright sunny morning today, so off I set on the LML to explore some of my favourite local country lanes just a few minutes ride from my home. The area is mostly farmland with mixed hedgerows instead of fencing and a great range of mature, established trees. Scattered settlements abound, such as the pretty villages of Bishopton, Carlton, Thorpe Thewles and many others, some with their ancient churches and village pubs of character.
The roads themselves are narrow and beautifully twisty but as maintenance of them tends to be a low priority, surfaces can be rough in places with grooves and potholes so care is always needed, particularly on bends and when approaching junctions. Speeds were low of course and I rarely exceeded 50mph (the road limit is 60mph outside of villages) but that is fast enough for this little scooter and gives the rider the opportunity to actually see the countryside!

Looks like you had a great day.

somerset

Thanks Somerset. Yes, a fine day, sunny with little breeze and delightful rural roads, almost traffic-free. I was out riding for around two-and-half hours covering about forty miles. Had I taken a picnic, I would have probably spent the whole day!

Happy,

Thanks for the photos. Just the English countryside I wanted to see.
I regret that I have not had the good fortune of visiting England
since 1974.

Question, due the pubs still have the two sides? I remember one
side for "The good old boys club" and the other side for the general
public. This question may really date me as an oldster.

You really have an excellent area to ride in.

Bob Copeland

Hello there Bob! Yes, the English countryside can be very attractive and despite some areas of intensive agriculture, much remains little changed since WWII. It is an area of stark contrast too. If you head twenty miles to the west of where I am in Trimdon, it becomes much more hilly and the fields change to open, stony moorland populated by roaming sheep! It is still criss-crossed by numerous rural roads and pebbled tracks though, so great for two-wheels, but do fill-up your fuel tank before heading out!
Your pub question is interesting. I can recall pubs with that somewhat unwelcoming layout, but I would say it must be quite a rarity now. Pubs have had to change to suit their customers, generally are much more inclusive, welcoming families, serving food and even providing coffee which would have been unheard of just a couple of decades ago. Sunday is now a popular day for a family drive into the country, having a stroll followed by Sunday lunch with perhaps a glass of wine or a coffee in a welcoming, characterful pub, often with a roaring open fire. Sounds idyllic!

Geoffrey

Bob - County Durham postcard!

Thanks for the ride report and pics! Very enjoyable

Thank you wbdvt, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you for posting those photos of the beautiful English country side. They bring back my wonderful time in Oxfordshire from 1974-1977 when I served in the US military.

I did not have Vespas back then, but rode motorcycles for several hours on weekends, along peaceful traffic-free roads just like you are doing now, and could never get enough of those rides. Fun times!

thank you sp949, it is so nice to know that you have good memories of your stay in England.