Back to Routine, Sheep Shenanigans, and Scorching Sunshine

 

Back home and back to the familiar routines. Of course, in true British fashion, we’re being thoroughly dramatic about the weather. Yes, we’re having a heatwave—but honestly, the news coverage makes it sound like we have never seen the sun in Lincolnshire. I mean, thank goodness for the helpful experts reminding us to sit in the shade and drink water. Who knew?

Still, we made the most of the sunshine with a quick spin on the bikes. It had to be a short one—we had a busy day ahead—but we stuck to our usual loop out to Waddington, with a little extension for good measure. This took us down a narrow lane flanked by unusually wide verges. So wide, in fact, that the farmer had mown them for hay.

Clearly, this was irresistible to a mother sheep and her two lambs, who had taken the opportunity to stage a breakout from the flock and were happily munching away at the roadside buffet. We spotted them up ahead and slowed down. Surely we could just pass quietly and carry on?

Of course not. These are sheep.

Faced with the options of (1) going back in the field, (2) staying put and eating hay, or (3) launching into full-blown sheepy panic, they naturally chose option 3. Cue chaos—running in the road, zigzagging like woolly lunatics directly in front of us. After a few comic moments we admitted defeat and turned back... only to be followed by the sheep, who were clearly enjoying their newfound role as countryside vigilantes keeping cyclists in check.

After a few jobs at my daughter’s house, I came back to a well-earned lunch: bruschetta and a chilled glass of white wine—summer perfection.

Now, just waiting on the afternoon delivery. A new radiator is due for the kitchen. Yes, a radiator... during a heatwave. Might be time to keep that water bottle handy after all.