Despite our best efforts, it appeared that we might have misplaced Balnarring!
Others claimed that perhaps Balnarring, like Brigadoon, only appeared one day every 100 years. Whatever the case, we looked high and low for the little hamlet of Balnarring.
It all started when 13 keen cyclists met at the carpark near the Cowes jetty on a Sunday morning looking forward to the days activity. A perfect day, mild but overcast, the sea was calm, and the ferry was not crowded.
Kerry warned us all that if we were to get lost, we needed to do so early, to ensure we had time catch the return ferry back to Cowes
Forearmed, we arrived across the bay, and set off towards Balnarring. The first trail was sealed but bumpy, due to tree roots underneath.
And then, sure enough, after a time, it was realised that we had taken a trail less travelled and were heading inland,...or somewhere ....but it wasn't towards Balnarring. We retraced our route over the bumpy tree roots and past the Cerberus Naval base ...again, and finally picked up the trail to Balnarring. It was a great ride, weaving around the corners, and trying for the straight line between the corners.
We had an early lunch/coffee break at the Bakery at Balnarring, then headed to the Somers surf lifesaving club for a view of the beach, then a few quiet back tracks and streets, before joining the trail back to the Ferry. Time for an icecream if desired before boarding the ferry for the trip back.to Cowes.
A great day, good company, perfect weather. Thanks to Kerry for organising it.
Particpants: Kerry and David Baggallay, Steve and Paula Horton, John and Fay Boag, Val McDonald, Joy Downes, Jean Jackson, Marg Waldron, Ian Mayer, Graham Clements, Joe Jans