Without a plan

Saturday started out as an unknown.  I knew the weather was going to be beautiful - sunny and no rain (I know really?? the UK??).  A beautiful fall day for us to get out and explore - what do we do?  I had been wanting to hit a up a PYO (pick your own) farm for some apple picking but that was near rugby and I did not want to pay for a train 2 days in a row.  We had been wanting to check out a different rec center for indoor climbing that was east of here down the coast and that would include a bike ride along the ocean.  We definitely needed to get on the bikes - it had been awhile.  So we packed a lunch and headed out along the water and we would go from there...............

we found the downs link - an old rail line that has been turned into a walking/biking trail

the adur river

where might the path lead us?

english countryside

special treats we found along the way

wild blackberries are the sweetest

Dillon exclaiming how awesome this bike ride was

possibly black elderberry????

this guy came to say hello

another hi

the golden glow in the afternoon sun

more wooly friends

the fishing boats right before home

we stopped on the way home and picked blackberries

nothing beats a fresh blackberry crisp - as Michael said "this is the best dessert ever"

a perfect end to a perfect day

after checking out the adur recreation center we realized we were close to the downs link.  we hopped on it and found a map posted.  michael suggested we try to go to henfield and stop at the old railway pub for a drink.  we could not really tell from the map how far it would be but thought it would be worth a shot.  we meandered through the english country side - pausing to say hello to animals, enjoy the view and spotted some blackberries.  after we made our way through the town of bramber the trail began to get a little harder (the boys did not have gears on their bikes) with some hills.  we stopped and asked a kind lady at her farm if we were indeed still on the downs link and how far it might be to henfield  - well it was about 3 more miles but this big hill would be the last.  As she said with a smile you will get there eventually - haha - not what ro wanted to hear.  we pushed on and soon arrived in henfield  - the boys inhaled huge adult size burgers and plates of chips.  we were re-charged for the ride home.  we paused by the river and picked a bag full of blackberries and continued on our way to the ocean and eventually home - arriving as the sun was setting.  We could not have planned a more perfect fall day.  The setting was idyllic (many times I looked around and said wow - this is just amazing) and the sense of exploring somewhere unknown to us added some excitement.  I still can hear the kids saying"wow - this is cool" and "this is really fun".  We finished the day off enjoying the crisp made from the handpicked berries and cuddled up on the couch with achy bodies.  We are guessing it was 20 plus miles but much like a fish tale the number keeps growing.  What I do know is I am super proud of the boys for pushing on and enjoying the day, taking it all in and appreciating what we have all around us.  Thank you to my family for a wonderful, wonderful day.