1894 

Monday January 1 

Quite a nice bright day. Mr Kemp called in and got Henry to go a journey with him to Compton, which they much enjoyed. I was booking all day and then went to the Members’ church tea meeting at ½ past 5 and to the meeting in the evening. Eva went back to Rowly and Bertha returned home in the evening. 

Wednesday February 21 

In January, I went by a cheap train to London and saw the Drury Lane pantomime of ‘Robinson Crusoe’. The scenic effect was good but there was no very brilliant actor or first class singers. I had to leave just before the transformation scene came out. I went by the 2.11 train and spent the afternoon, which was very wet, in looking out for a place to get framing for my pictures. I called at Graves in Pall Mall to see if they had a print of Constable’s Valley Farm by Bentley. They had not, but had a mezzotint by someone else, which I saw but did not like. I then went to Finsbury Pavement and called upon a frame master there, but could not see any maple moulding. I then went to Leggatt Bros in Cheapside, and they had not the maple moulding in stock but would get it. This is a dear, but good, place. I then saw a proof of Landseer’s ‘None but the Brave Deserve the Fair’, for which they wanted £10.10.0. Then, as I say, in the evening I went to Drury Lane and came home by the 12 o’clock train. The beginning of February, I went to Reading to see ‘Boy Blue’ at the County Theatre, which was very good. Then I went to the Prince’s and saw ‘Androcles and the Lion’, a very good pantomime indeed. After that, I went to the County and saw the pantomime of ‘Aladdin’, which was but middling, and then again to the Prince’s to see ‘Robinson Crusoe’, which was very poor. After that, I again visited the County, where I saw ‘Charley’s Aunt’, a very laughable piece. After failing in London to find a cheap and good frame maker, I went to Reading and called upon Mr Collins in Cross Street to see if he had any maple moulding. He hadn’t, but said he could get it, so I took down the [illegible word] for a sample and gave him the order for those I wanted in maple and also for several large frames in oak. The weather this year has been very seasonable, but there has been no riding, for the roads here have not been in a good condition for that since the beginning of winter. There has been a good deal of gravel put down and a splendid opportunity it has had of going in well. 

Today (February 21) the roads are in good condition and it is a cold calm day, so Rednall and I have arranged to go out this afternoon. He started at 2.15, and I at 3 o’clock, with Greywell as our destination. I caught him up at Star Hill, and then having to slow for him, I got cold and tired and had to rest a few minutes on the Whitewater bridge. 

We put up at the Fox and Goose and ordered tea, and while it was being prepared, we took a walk round the meadows by the church and then back to the Inn and found they had laid the tea very nicely in the best room, where there was a good fire, which was very comforting, for I was cold and numbed up. The tea cheered and warmed us and did not involve us in a very large expenditure of cash, for the price was 9d each. We came home by the same route as we went out and a very jolly and easy run home I had, the only drawback being Mr Rednall’s slow pace. The roads were in A1 condition, there was no wind, and the evening was brilliantly star light. There was also a grand display of the Aurora, which quite lit up the northern sky. I also saw an exceedingly fine meteor or shooting star. We arrived home at 8 o’clock and I was very well pleased with my first run out this season. 

30 miles 

Sunday March 1 

Began with a splendid morning, fine, bright and calm. After breakfast I went up for Mr Rednall and he and I went on our machines for a run, but before we started, a nasty wind had sprung up. Having forgot Mr Bulidge’s change, I took it over, which pleased them. Then we went on as far as the Monument, or rather, to the top of the hill, for the wind was so very strong we did not relish going any further, so turned home and had an easy run before it. Along the Finchampstead road, a sharp shower drove over and compelled us to take shelter for a few minutes just by the White Horse. I got home in time for dinner, but I did not like the run or any part of it. I was not quite up to the mark and the roads were heavy, or rather, not good going. The wind was strong and the morning came over dull and cold looking. The rest of the day I spent at home, except for going to Chapel for the evening service. 

16 miles 

Sunday March 11 

I did not make any arrangements with Mr Rednall for a run because I wanted to go to Rowly if fine, and Henry had made up his mind to go with Mr Rednall. It was a beautiful morning, so after just tidying up and putting things straight, I went up to the shop at 9 o’clock to get the bicycle. I found Mr Rednall and Tildsley there, and Henry getting his trap ready, as they, at the last, made up their minds for Puttenham and Shalford. 

Our routes lay the same way and so we, all four, started off together and had a most enjoyable ride. The roads were excellent and there was no wind, and the sun shone brightly and warm. The birds, and especially the blackbirds and thrushes, were at it full song, and very fine it was. Just as we were entering the R.M. College grounds, the band struck up and we saw the soldiers at drill. I never was so pleased with a drill as today. The bright sunlight showed them up to perfection, with the white college for a background, and their scarlet coats and helmets looked quite dazzling. Of course, we stopped to see them, and this little bit dropped in so unexpectedly was very pleasing to me. 

At the Hog’s Back we parted, and I went on to Rowly, as it was now 12 o’clock and I wanted to be there at one. I put the pace on and had a nice trot to Guildford. I got to the farm a little after one, but in plenty of time for dinner. I changed my shirt, for it was quite wet, I suppose from my hurrying during the last part of the journey. I rested all the afternoon and only had a short look round at the fowls. The school mistress and her brother came in the afternoon and stayed to tea. After tea, I started for home, which I reached via the same course as the morning in 3 hours and 20 minutes, and that was as fast as I could do it, which just shows what want of practice will do. It was splendid weather through the day and night. 

54 miles 

Wednesday March 14 

I gave several recitations at the Lecture Room at the monthly gathering of the Board of Hope. 

Tuesday March 20 

I had an early cup of tea and then off on the bicycle to Reading and called upon Collins to see about some cardboard, but as he was not at home, I could not see him and so came home again. However, it was a pleasant little ride. 

14 miles 

Friday March 23 – Good Friday 

I had made no arrangement for today and I was glad I had not, for the day began very dull and cold, and continued so until 12 o’clock, when it came out quite warm and bright for the remainder. I spent the morning tidying up and then commenced to nail and train up the creeper round the house, and I kept at that until dark. I felt anything but well all day and I passed quite a miserable kind of day. 

Saturday March 24 

Was tolerably busy, but not in the evening. I got both Henry’s and my bicycle ready, as we intend going to Lambourn tomorrow and doing the White Horse Hill and Vale. 

Sunday March 25 

Quite a nice bright and warm day, but the wind being in the east, the air was too thick for distant views. Henry, I and Mr Rednall had arranged to start at 9 o’clock. After doing what I had to at home, I got up to the shop at a few minutes past and found the other two waiting and nearly ready. We left in glorious weather and had a pretty and very easy run to Reading. The weather was gloriously fine and warm, and what wind there was, was at our backs, but though all nature conspired to make a good run for me, I was not up to the mark and felt heavy and dull and could not rouse myself to appreciate the beautiful day. From Reading, we passed through Pangbourne and on to Streatley, a lovely stretch of road with magnificent scenery. The river, too, looked very grand and beautiful in the sunshine today. We had a drink at the Bull, but that only partially roused me, so that when we came to the villages, I had scarcely energy enough to run down and see them. We got to Upton at ½ past 12 and quite ready for our lunch. We searched all over the village for a Public House but only found one, and that the George and Dragon, where Mrs Butler, the daughter of Mr Hy Smith, lives. So we put up there and found it very comfortable and had a long talk with Mrs Butler.  

After about an hour’s stay, we proceeded on our way, and as I was coming out of East Hendred, my bicycle collapsed. The backbone broke and pitched me into the handlebar, which doubled up the forks. I was not hurt. We pulled the bicycle a bit into shape, bound it up with string, and then I sent the others on and walked my machine to the nearest station, Steventon, which I reached 20 minutes before the train was due, and as it came in 10 minutes late, I had plenty of time. I got to Reading at 6 o’clock and had to wait an hour for the train to Wokingham. Getting home, I found all out, so I got in by the ladder at the window and made myself a cup of tea, which refreshed me. I was not at all sorry to have to come home, for I did not feel at all up to bicycling. 

30 miles 

Monday March 26 

Was a beautiful fine day from beginning to end, and quite hot. I spent the whole of the day nailing up the creeper and finished it. Redgie Barkshire went back by the 5.30 SWR. He came down last Thursday. 

Wednesday March 28 

I went to Reading on Henry’s Safety to see about my pictures. I left here at ½ past 12 and was back a little after 2 o’clock. I enjoyed the run. The Maiden Erlegh steeple chase was on and so I had plenty of company all along the road both going and coming back. 

14 miles 

1894

Sunday April 1 

We have Miss Lampart from Rowly staying with us today. She came yesterday with Eva. Four of the picture frames came last night, so this morning I spent putting the prints in, but could not make a permanent job of it because the stretchers were not [illegible word]. I enjoyed the morning very well but was horribly tired all the afternoon, though I laid down for an hour after dinner. The day being such a beautiful one, I felt bound to go out on the bicycle but did not feel at all fit for it. It was as much as I could do to change my clothes, but after tea, I felt a little revived and went up to the shop and got the bicycle, for I knew Henry would not be going out on it, as he has been in bed all day. It was about ½ past 5 when I started off and directed my course by the Warren House and thence to Waltham, Shottesbrook and Littlewick and home along the Bath road. Before I got to Billingbear, all lassitude and tiredness was gone and I had a really delightful ride all round. It was a charming evening, bright, balmy and quite summer like. No wind and very grand cloud effects. 

As I was passing through Waltham, I was reminded of its being the 1^st of April by a little shower which had recently fallen and just dotted the dust on the road. I saw plenty of primroses out by Shottesbrook, and the blossom on the fruit trees gave the evening a fairy like appearance, as though young Miss Nature had got on a clean white pinafore and was waiting for her new green frock which should take its place presently. 

When I got on to the Bath road, and in fact, before that, the view of Ashley and Benson hills was quite enchanting in the failing light. Every bend of the road brought some new beauty to light and I was so pleased and delighted with the evening that I felt no tiredness but enjoyed every bit of the way. I got back at 8 o’clock having had a most unexpectedly pleasant evening. 

20 miles 

Saturday April 7 

Tom finished mending my bicycle, and I put it together, but not with any idea of going out tomorrow, for I intend finishing some of the pictures, as I would rather do that, for the roads are too loose and dusty for wheeling. Bertha went by the 3.20 to Guildford for Rowly. 

Sunday April 8 

A beautiful day. The wind has moved from the East to the SW. I did not go out but spent the whole of morning and afternoon framing the pictures, namely Vale of Tears, The Lion, The Combat, Children of the Mist, The Lady of the Woods, The Lord of the Glen and The Monarch of the Glen. Went to Chapel in the evening. 

Wednesday April 11 

Heard the cuckoo. Henry and I had a very enjoyable ride this afternoon. The weather was bright and hot, and the roads where we went were in excellent order, save from here to Finchampstead. 

We went to Greywell, and while the tea was being got ready, we took a walk round the meadow and there heard and saw the snipe. At first, we both supposed it to be a goat bleating in the garden close at hand, but when the sound came from a distance, we looked up and saw the snipe careering round. 

We stopped sometimes and listened to it, and then on round by the mill and back to tea, which was now ready, and a very nice tea they had laid in the front room. Fowl, jam, eggs, fresh butter and cream, for which they charged one shilling each. Refreshed, we came home very comfortably via Odiham and Dogmersfield. We called in at Sparvell’s and had some more refreshment and a cosy little chat, and then straight away home. 

35 miles 

Sunday April 15 

Was a dull wet day. Dull as regards the weather, but cheerful because of the rain. We have not had a drop for over a month and things sadly wanted some now. I went to Chapel in the evening. 

Monday April 16 

Having got a load of the Finchampstead gravel, I forked up the path and laid it down to my satisfaction this morning. It rained, which just suited my job, and the gravel went down like cement. 

Wednesday April 18 

The roads were too wet and the weather too threatening for a bicycle ride, so I did up the garden and planted seeds. 

Friday April 20 

Bought a tortoise and some gold fish for Hilda, which pleased her much. 

Sunday April 22 

I went to Rowly. The morning began nice and bright but came over very dull and grey, with the wind in the East. I did not leave until ¼ to 11 and should not have gone then, only I wished to see Mr Jelley. I did not like the journey to Bagshot, but from there it was very nice, for the sun came out and made it both bright and warm. I got to Rowly about 1 o’clock but did not find Mr Jelley there, nor did he come while I was there. James has been very bad, but I found him quite well again. Mrs Sale’s leg is still very bad. Mr Sale was at work with the chickens because Eva is at our place, she having come yesterday evening. I laid down all the afternoon and left just after tea and had a very good ride home but got very tired before I reached home. The roads were in A1 order all the way. 

50 miles 

Wednesday April 25 

Rained, so I could not go out on the bicycle, but did some work in the greenhouse. 

Sunday April 29 

Yesterday we had a thunderstorm, and the lightning struck Mr Newnham’s house in Langboro’. The roads were too wet to make arrangements for a run for this morning. In the morning, which was lovely and bright and warm, I put the greenhouses straight and did a very good morning’s work. After dinner, I went up to see if Henry was going out, which he was, so had an early tea and at ½ past 4 started off for Marlow, but just before we started, the weather quite altered and came over dull and somewhat cold, and remained so, in fact got worse as we proceeded. We went to Marlow, Henley and home by Wargrave and Hurst. We enjoyed the run very well, but sadly missed the sunshine. The view all round was spoilt by the dull grey evening. We heard several nightingales between Wokingham and Marlow, but none much coming home. We had a liquer up at the Two Brewers at Henley, which did neither of us any good but rather harmed. We arrived home at 9 o’clock, so we did not make any great pace of it. However, as I say, we enjoyed it very well. 

33 miles 

Monday April 30 

I commenced, in the afternoon, to get the mahogany of the front ready for polishing, and got on very well with the job. 

1894

Wednesday May 2 

I arranged to meet Mr Rednall at Mortimer, he starting at 2 and I at 4 o’clock, but just as I started, it commenced to rain a little, and I went on to Arborfield, but the rain coming on faster, and looking like a wet evening, I turned home and did some writing. 

8 miles 

Thursday May 3 

I sent Mr Lucas the journey so that I might finish off the mahogany of the front, which I did.

Sunday May 13 – Whit Sunday 

Bertha and Frances went by the early train to Guildford and I followed on the bicycle and had a very nice ride over to Rowly. After a wash and a rest, I took Hilda and the dog round the fields and found several nests in the hedges. Bertha and I went for a walk through the woods up the hill in the evening. The weather up to 12 o’clock was bright and warm, but dull the rest of the day. 

25 miles 

Monday May 14 – Whit Monday 

I intended going out to St Martha on Leith Hill, but the morning looked so very threatening and dull, I was afraid to venture, so set to work and mowed and put the lawn in order and did several other little jobs. At about ½ past 10, the clouds passed away and the wind died down, and the sun came out piping hot, and I got wet through with perspiration. I tried to take it a bit easy in the afternoon but was too tired to thoroughly enjoy a rest, and I quite thought I should have to train it home. However, after tea, I made an effort and pulled myself together for a ride home. The wind was directly at my back, the roads A1, and a very lovely evening, and as I went along, it seemed to go easier and easier, and all my tiredness passed away before I reached Guildford. I went by Chinthurst Lane, and very pretty it was too. From Guildford, I went up on to the Hog’s Back and had a beautiful ride along it and down to Ash, where my tyre got a bit flabby and caused the bicycle to go very dead the rest of the journey. Bertha and Frances came home by the 8 o’clock train, leaving Hilda at Rowly for another week. 

25 miles 

Thursday May 17 

When I got home from the journey at 8 o’clock, I heard that Mr Sugden had the bailiffs in, so I hurried home and had a little to eat and then on my bicycle to Eversley and called upon Mr Trevek to see if the tidings were true. I found they had been there but had left, so I presume they were paid out. 

Sunday May 20 

In the evening I took a very enjoyable and delightful run on the bicycle round the lanes and byways of Hurst. I went to hear the nightingale but heard very little of it, but an abundance of other birds, especially the thrush, made up for its lack. 

12 miles 

1894

Thursday June 14 

I sent Mr Lucas the journey, he having done part of it yesterday. I went by train to Ascot and to the course and saw the races. Yesterday was a soaking wet day, while today was gloriously fine and hot, a perfect day for outdoor sport. I was astonished at the quantity of vehicular traffic and the immense crowd of people there. Where I stood just opposite the Royal Box, I had an excellent view of the races, and I saw La Fleche win the Gold Cup. After the race, I just had a walk to the SWR station and saw a few trains off, and then back to Ascot West station and home, and then watched the trains coming in. 

Sunday June 17 

Mr Rednall and I, as per arrangement, left here about 8 o’clock for Hascombe. We went via Yateley, Hawley, Ash, Hog’s Back, Puttenham, Compton and Godalming. Up to this point, the weather was nice and bright, and very much I enjoyed the ride all along. The slow pace suited me today and I had time enough to thoroughly take in the pretty scenery. By the time we got to Hascombe, it had come over very dull and looked uncommonly like rain coming on. We sat under an oak and had our dinner of bread and cheese, and then went a little further and lay down in a field for nearly an hour. This, too, I enjoyed much. We then went on to Cranleigh and back to Rowly, getting there about 3 o’clock. 

Passing a horse attached to the side of a bus, Mr Rednall had a narrow escape, for the animal set to kicking furiously directly he had got by. After tea, we started for home and had a beautiful journey back by Bagshot. Along the Bagshot road, I saw what I very much wanted to see, namely the rhododendrons. I should think there was a mile of them all along the Duke of Connaught’s place, and all out to perfection. I enjoyed this run with Mr Rednall more than I have one with him for a year or so. 

80 miles 

Sunday June 24 

Went to Chapel in the morning, and in the evening Henry and I had a run out on the bicycles. We wet by Barkham, Arborfield (where I bought two cigarettes) and Swallowfield, thence by Lodden Court to Beech Hill and Silchester, over the Common by Little London to Bramley, where we had a liquer up at the Six Bells. From there, we came home by Stratfield Turgis and round the back of the Wellington Estate, back to the Monument, and then by Heckfield and Eversley. Although there was but little sun, it was very pretty. I enjoyed the evening out and did not feel at all tired when I got home 

36 miles 

Saturday June 30 

Frances went to Rowly so as to be able to go with Eva by the Sunday excursion to Margate and stay at John’s during Mr Jelley’s holidays. 

1894

Sunday July 1 

I left here on my bicycle for Rowly to stay until Wednesday. It was a beautiful morning but exceedingly hot. I put the garden tidy and left all things in order, and about 10 o’clock, I started off. I rode to Finchampstead and Yateley, and then my tyre began to leak and from there to Rowly I had to get down several times and pump it up. If it had not been for this, I should have had a very nice ride over, but as it was that spoilt it, for the day was too hot to mess about with the machine. In the evening, I took a very nice walk by Lord’s Hill and along the green lane, then through the wood to the canal and lock. 

Monday July 2 

There is an excursion from Wokingham to Brighton, and I intended to go down from here (Rowly) on my bicycle and meet it at Brighton, but when I looked out at 4 o’clock, it was raining and looked like a wet day, so I gave up all idea of going and turned into bed again. It was a good job it was wet, for had I attempted to have gone on the bicycle, it would not have been long before I should have got into difficulty with the tyre again. Bertha came over this afternoon, and we expected Mr Jelley in the evening, but he did not turn up until 

Tuesday July 3 

All the morning, I pottered about odd jobs, and after dinner I had a splendid little ride on the bicycle to Albury and across Gomshall Common, where I beat a luggage train going up the hill parallel with the road. I then went on to Gomshall station and back by the old road nearly to the Shalford turning, where I turned off over the line and up a steep hill, through the woods and eventually out at Wonersh and so to Rowly. I enjoyed the ride very much. It was a lovely hot afternoon and an exceedingly pretty country all the way, especially that piece through the woods. 

Wednesday July 4 

I took a pretty walk through the woods this afternoon and took the glasses and inspected the country round about. Yesterday evening, I again took a walk to the canal and walked down it as far as there was water. At the lock where it finishes, I saw a large snake. It was a nice afternoon and a nice walk. Today, when I came back from my walk, Mr Jelley had got two people from London down to tea. I left for home at 6 and had a very nice ride home. 

Sunday July 8 

I again went to Rowly, this time on Henry’s bicycle, and had a capital ride over, this time via Ash, Hog’s Back, Puttenham, Compton, Shalford and Bramley, and stayed all night. 

Monday July 9 

After sharpening the saw, I took down the kitchen door and fitted fresh hinges and hung it so as to go inside the jambs instead of out as before and made a great improvement in the kitchen. I took a very pretty walk after dinner to the canal and through the woods, and then after tea had a good ride home via Bagshot. 

Tuesday July 10 

I took down the shop doors and commenced to get them ready for polishing and finished them much to my satisfaction by Wednesday night. 

Sunday July 22 

Having mended my tyre, I went to Rowly for the day, but coming back, when I got to Shalford, the plug I had put in the tyre got forced in by a stone and I had to take train home. However, I walked on to Guildford and trained from there. I did not much mind, for it was a dull kind of evening and rained a little. I had not enough cash for my ticket by a penny, which the clerk trusted for. 

1894

Sunday August 5 

Some time ago, I agreed to go with Mr Rednall for a run on Sunday and Bank Holiday. Last week was anything but promising for a tour, and when yesterday came it looked worse still, for though the day began fine, it came over cloudy about noon and by the evening was still dull and drizzly. However, as the glass was on the rise, I thought it not at all implied that the morn might be fine, and so it turned out to be, and when I awoke after a good night’s rest, a very nice bright morning was awaiting me. I arranged with Mr Rednall to be down to breakfast at ½ past 6, and I was ready for him by time. We had a good breakfast and should have left according to time, 7 o’clock, but Mr Rednall could not get in Sale’s gateway for his tricycle, and so I went up for it and, while there, looked and saw that the barometer was up and still rising, which was satisfactory. We started off at ½ past 7, very comfortably, with the prospect of a good day’s run before us. We found the road a little muddy for the first two miles, but after that they were first class all the rest of the way. The morning was bright, the roads were good, the machine went well, and very happy and comfortably we went by Eversley, Yateley, Hawley, Farnham, Ash and Hog’s Back, which was quite pumiced stoned down by the wheels of cyclists who had passed over on the way out. Having the wind at our back, we bowled along easily and at a very good pace too. We turned down to Puttenham and turned in to the Jolly Farmer for a drink, which went down very acceptable, especially to Mr R, who had already got up to boiling point. A capital run down to Compton and by the lanes to Godalming brought us to that pretty old town. After Godalming, we met the wind full face and the pace fell down to a lamentably low state, until my patience was nearly exhausted by the time Haslemere was reached. We did not stop there, but a little way out we came across a stream of water, where Mr Rednall quenched his thirst and was very much refreshed so that he got along very much better after it and we arrived at Eagle’s Nest at ½ past 1, exactly a half hour later than I intended, but as we started ½ hour late, we were just the time I calculated we should be doing that piece of the journey. 

Before reaching Haslemere, we passed a Public House kept by one Jarvis Negus, and as Mr R looked very longingly at the place, which was not yet open, it being ½ past 12, he could not yet slack the torment of his thirst, and every time after that during the journey, whenever he talked about thirst (and that was often enough, goodness knows), I would ask him if he had another attack of ‘Jarvis Negus’. 

From Haslemere to Fernhurst is mostly downhill, and with the exception of the push up to Eagle’s Nest, all downhill to Midhurst. 

Of course, we called in at Mr Puttock’s and had a quart of cider, which we took out back, and there in the orchard under the shelter of a hay rick we devoured our lunch, which consisted of bread, butter, cheese, cider and watercress, the latter the old man got for me. This was a very happy time. We were in no hurry, for we had done two thirds of our journey already and so we sat down and charmingly and lovingly took in the scenery and cider. Of the former, there was no end, but alas!, that of the latter appeared far too soon. 

After we had finished, Mr R laid his coat on the grass and we lay down upon it and had a refreshing little nap until a little before 3 o’clock. Again passing on our way, we pushed up the hill, and to take a short cut to the road I turned off to the left up a very steep and very rough path through the woods, which led us to a farmer’s house, where we were directed back again and so got out on to the main road. It was an unnecessary deviating, but still it was not far, and very pretty views we had, which we should not have had had we not gone. Now we had a splendid all downhill ride into Midhurst. We passed over the Rother and up the main street and saw the old butcher’s shop where the fascia is built of tiles. We did not go over the other part of the town, as we did that pretty well last year when we stayed the night, but at once made for Petworth, so that we had to turn back over the Rother and through Cowdry Park, a very pretty ride. At Petworth we called in at the Coffee Tavern and had tea, and very comfortably too. We now had a splendid little evening run before us, and plenty of time to do it in, for it was not 5 o’clock when we left Petworth, and we had only 12 minutes to do so, but being hilly made Mr Rednall’s tricycle go very slow. 

From Petworth to Arundel to the bicyclist is a very comfortable ride, the only hill for him to walk is Bury. Although we went slow, I did not mind, for it gave me plenty of time to admire the South Downs, which, of course, looked very pretty and grand this evening. We quite enjoyed the walk up Bury Hill, for we took it easily and had several stops to admire the scenery, which grew and expanded the further we got up the hill. 

The evening was bright and warm and all looked lovely, but when we reached the other side of the Downs, it was dull and looked like rain, and a few spots did come down, so that the run down to Arundel was spoilt for want of sunshine. I called at the Red Lion, where Henry and I put up before, but they were full, so I went to the Swan and got better quarters there. 

We changed our clothes and had a brush up and then went for a walk in the park. I never felt so tidy and respectable when out cycling as I did here. I did not get in the least hot, my braces were not even damp, and I brought my black trousers and waist coat, had nice light shoes and a white tie, and altogether I felt very comfortable. 

It was too dark to see much of the park, but still I enjoyed walking over the same ground as I did so many years ago with Bertha when Frances was a little baby. It was quite dark when we turned into the Swan and sat down in a nice little room and had our supper, which consisted of ham and ale, both very good. I sat down and chatted to Mr Rednall over our supper and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I felt fresher and more myself than I have all the year long. Then a pennyworth of Irish Whiskey finished up a very happy day, then off to bed and also to sleep. 

58 miles 

Monday August 6 

I was awoken a little after 4 o’clock by a tremendous clattering of hoops, and looking out of the window, I found it was men in wooden boots pitching down and putting up handles for the market. This kept on for an hour and then I dropped off again. When I looked out it was a very dull and heavy looking morning and there had been rain, which made everything look very wretched, and the Arun was racing out and leaving its slimy banks to ruin. Though it was so wretched looking, it did not depress me, for nearly every morning this summer has been dull and threatening, and I had strong hope of today turning out better than the early morning promised. 

We had breakfast at 8 o’clock, and about 9, we left. The weather was now very close, dull, but luminous, and to me had the appearance of coming out bright. We intended going down to Littlehampton, but as the tide was out and there would be consequently no bathing, we gave over that part of the programme and settled to make our way home by the park and Pulborough. To make some of the way, I was going to call upon Mr Herington, but as I was going, I met him in the street. I was not sure whether I ought to take the first turning after Bury Hill or the second, and he told me the latter, so away we went. Having plenty of time in hand, we walked nearly all the way through the park and had a good look round. 

The atmosphere just suited this piece of grand scenery – it was clear, yet not too clear, cloudy but not dull, and very close and warm. Directly we got out of the park and the other side of the hill, the sun shone bright, and above us was a beautiful summer sky, not one blue expanse, but filled with pretty clouds, which gave to the country below a perfect aspect. 

There was so much to see, and all looked so grandly beautiful from this high eminence, that I determined to take it very quietly all down the hill and not let the bicycle run away with me and so have all my attention taken up with the guiding, so I put on the brake right from the top and came gently down at five miles per hour. This gave me a chance of looking round and enjoying the scenery, which I thoroughly did, and also the cigarette which I indulged in here. Mr Rednall went on, but I soon caught him up, and turning to the right for Pulborough, we had an exquisite view of the South Downs and a most enjoyable and pretty ride nearly to Pulborough. Just before entering there, the weather changed suddenly, and from being very close and hot, it came over dull, and a NE wind setting in, in place of a SW, brought over a cold very thick air which every minute threatened to turn to rain, and in fact it did begin to drizzle and I made sure we were in for a wet day. 

How vastly different from what it was half an hour ago, for it was then so hot and close and sunshining that Mr Rednall was driven to slack his throat at a Public House of the Sign of the Swallow, and to see Mr Rednall with his jug of ale outside, his face steaming and covered with perspiration, and his whole body looking just ready to melt and slip out of his loose flannels, verily it looked like the swallowing. His grotesque figure and radiant face caused much merriment all along the road, one tourist exclaiming to another as they passed him, ‘Why waste a halfpenny on Comic Cuts’. Another asked him who his tailor was, and many other observations were passed upon him of a very doubtful compliment. 

As I say, entering Pulborough, the drizzle came on, and from here to Billingshurst, Wisborough Green and Loxwood was miserable, for besides the weather being dull and drizzly, Mr Rednall was totally done up and could scarcely crawl along, so that I was forced to go on ahead and then wait for him, at least I went on until I came to a Public House at Loxwood. There I pulled in and got the landlady to cook some rashers which I had brought from home, and while they were being cooked, Mr Rednall came up and then we had them served up in a pretty little parlour, and we enjoyed this feed very much indeed and it seemed to put new life in Mr Rednall. While in here, the weather changed, the wind died down and the sun came out bright and warm, and for the rest of the day we had delightful weather. I should have liked it to have been fine from Pulborough, for I have not been over that piece of road for 16 years or more. However, I had it all right the rest of the way to Alford. From Loxwood to Alfold is very pretty and good road, and I bowled along sharp and enjoyed it very much. At the Brighton road, I waited for Mr Rednall and enjoyed the rest upon the green. From here we went to Crawley along a pretty piece of road, level all the way. At Crawley, we watched a cricket match and saw the finish of the first innings. The spectators were very free with their remarks and thoroughly entered into the game. We now made for Rowly, where we called in and had tea, staying a little over an hour there. We came home via the Hog’s Back, Finchampstead, Yateley, and had a good ride all the way, arriving here at about 9 o’clock. 

The outing was a grand success and would have been perfect had Mr Rednall been a little faster, or rather not so intolerably slow. However, apart from that, I could not have wished it better. I did not get hot or tired, except from sitting in the saddle so long, nor did we have any mishaps whatever, and it will be food for much reflecting during the winter. 

It was 10 o’clock when I got to Gordon Villa, and there I met Emily Brown on the green at the entrance to the private road with nothing on but her dressing gown. Mr Brown had a fit and she rushed out for assistance. I went in and calmed her and then went for the doctor, but though I went to four places, I found him not. However, he came in about ½ hour’s time and that saved me any further trouble about her, and so I went to bed after a good supper and was none the worse for my outing. 

56 miles 

Tuesday August 14 

Bertha and Hilda came back from Rowly, and Frances from Margate a few days later. 

Sunday August 19 

Mr Rednall and I went for a day’s outing. He came down to breakfast at ½ past 7, and a little after 8 we made a start for Guildford and Dorking, taking the Finchampstead and barracks route to Sandhurst, Blackwater, Frimley and Ash, thence to Normandy for Guildford, where we had a cup of coffee and a cake. By Shalford and Albury to Gomshall, where we filled the can and then went on to look out for a place to sit down and have dinner, but just as we were about to ascend a hill, I noticed something wrong with the Whippet and found the back bone had broken right in two, so I at once made for Gomshall station, which was only ½ mile off, and there I left the machine to come on Monday. Mr Rednall and I now pushed on to Gomshall Common and there had our dinner, after which I rode on the back of his tricycle to Shamley Green. I just called in to see the folks at Rowly and Mr Jelley, and then we made our way to Guildford, where we had tea, and refreshed, we made for home via Bagshot. 

Both Mr Rednall and I very much enjoyed this strange ride home, and nothing pleased him better than to see the astonishment of the people as we passed or met them, to see me mounted in such a strange style. We were no longer coming home like this than in the usual style. 

65 miles 

Wednesday August 22 

Cleaned and put the tandem in order. Mr Jelley came down to see us, arriving here at ¼ to 1 at night and leaving at 6 Thursday morning, so I saw very little of him. 

Thursday August 23 

The morning was very wet, and as I was getting ready for the journey, Mr Lucas offered to go, not so much because of the weather but because I wanted to get on with planning up the shop fitting, so after starting him, I commenced work at the nests of drawers between the counters. It was the wettest day I have known for a very long time. 

Sunday August 26 

Went to Chapel for the morning service and heard Mr Cave preach very well. Went up to the shop and arranged to take Mr Lucas for a run after tea at 5 o’clock. However, he was not ready by that time, for it was quite ½ past when we made a start for Marlow. We went the old route by Stanlake and Ruscombe and away to Marlow. There was nothing to see on the river, so we had a little refreshment at the inn, and then back for home, which I reached very tired indeed.  

The run on the tandem took more out of me and made me perspire more than the last 500 miles on the bicycle. Mr Lucas enjoyed the ride very much, being the first he has ever had on any kind of machine. 

1894

Sunday September 2 

Had arranged with Mr Rednall for a run on the tandem for an all day run, if fine. He was to have been down for breakfast at ½ past 7 but did not turn up until 8 o’clock. I was afraid he had mistaken the arrangement and was not going to put in an appearance for breakfast. I should have been sorry for that, because Bertha had got it very nice for us in the sitting room and all looked pretty, so that I was glad when he did come in, and he had a good meal and, I think, enjoyed it.  

We walked up to the Market Place, for the tandem was in the shop, and at ½ past 8 we mounted and made a start for Silchester via Barkham and Buck Hill. It was just the morning we wanted, warm and misty with every promise of coming out bright, which it did before we reached Silchester. It was very pretty to observe the change as the mist cleared off. After my ride to Marlow last week with Lucas, I feared lest Mr Rednall should be unable to do his share of the work, but I soon had my mind relieved of any misgivings by the merry way we bowled along, for we did 10 miles the hour easily. 

How very pleasant it was all by Arborfield and round by Sir Geo Russell’s park. It was good going too through Swallowfield. We had but a short piece of the Basingstoke road, for we turned off by Loddon Court and then away to Silchester and by the ruins and along the lane to the Common, which looked very pretty this morning. We now had a rattling good downhill run to Little London and through the stream so fast that I had quite a shower of water up my leg, and to the College Arms and to the right for Monk Sherborne and by Charter Alley to a pretty little village by the name of Ramsdell and straight away by Ewhurst Park, at the end of which we turned to the left and over the Downs to Wootton St Lawrence, a place so much like Upton Grey that Mr Rednall actually thought it was that place to which we had come. There was the pond with the road round it, the church and the houses all so like Upton Grey that he forgot where he was. We struck the Basingstoke road much nearer Basingstoke than I expected, for we came out at Worting. We now made some fast time to Oakley, where we refreshed ourselves with a drink at the Red Lion, and then merrily on up the hills and swooped down into Overton and away to Laverstoke, where Mr Rednall filled the can and we essayed to have our lunch by the fountain, but sitting on the stone slab in the sunshine did not suit me, so we packed up again and made for Whitchurch and then to Hurstbourne before we could suit ourselves. 

But the bridge at Hurstbourne just suited our eye and we drew the tandem aside, got over the fence and, under the shelter of a willow tree right on the bank of the River Test, we had a most enjoyable and happy lunch and time. The bread and cheese and ale went down with a relish and the smoke after was soothing and good. With the crumbs we fed the trout, and one of them was most ready to take the pieces. After a rest, I amused some children with recitations and sent them on their way, happy, to the Sunday School. The meal in the open air must go down as one of the best. I was just ready for it and not too far gone. 

I had a glass of ale at Whitchurch so that I might more readily enjoy the limited supply from the can. There was a gentle breeze, but the bridge quite sheltered us, and while not being too hot, it was not in the least chilly. At last, we moved and made our way through that pretty two miles of Longparish where there is hardly two houses alike. From there to Wherwell was easier than I expected. Longparish always has pleased me, but I think I saw it better today than ever. The little lawns and flowers before the houses were at their best. From Wherwell we went to Fullerton, which was a mistake, for from there to Andover was very hilly indeed and five miles, while from Wherwell it would have been but three, which would have saved at least five miles. We reached Andover at ¼ past 4, went to the Coffee House near the station, but that was not open, so had a look round for another place, but not seeing any likely, we made our way back to the station hotel, and while trying to ring them up, a little girl came across to ask if we were looking out for tea and directed us to Blake’s Coffee Tavern, to which place we made after thanking her for the information. It was near the Church, but, alas, it was no good for us, for being Hospital Sunday, the place was crowded with Salvation Army people and other visitors who had thronged into the town. We now made our way back to a nice hotel opposite the coffee shop which was closed. Here we had tea, which would have been very good had they not boiled the eggs so hard. They were a very long time in getting the tea and we were a long time in finding a place to get it, so that we spent an hour and a ¼ at Andover and then came away for Whitchurch and Basingstoke and had a very pleasant, but undulating, ride. Between Laverstoke and Overton we passed Mss Ellen Martin, the cook at Wixenford, and as I had only a back view of her, should not have recognised her had she not have first spoken. I was very glad to see her and walked a little way with her while Mr Rednall pushed the tandem up the hill. The wind was quite strong against us from Overton to Basingstoke, but still we got along at a good pace. Having dropped the lamp and spilt most of the oil, I got Mr Rednall to go up to the station at Basingstoke and get it filled, which he did. While he was gone up there, I had a talk with some little girls, one of whom had lost her thumb and had her other hand injured by being run over by a [illegible word(s)]. 

From Basingstoke home, I felt very sick, but otherwise very comfortable. I called in at Sherfield for some brandy and lemonade, but that did me no good. We bowled along at a rattling good pace and had a very pleasant and sociable ride home via Swallowfield. A very nice few minutes that was which I spent on the little footbridge at Swallowfield while Mr Rednall got me some water. It was ½ past 11 when we got home, and not long after I was in bed and fast asleep. I think we both very much enjoyed the run, and some parts of it we shall long remember with pleasure. 

Sunday September 9 

I took some cuttings this morning of geraniums, but not many because I did not know whether I was doing right or not. I also put the WC water pipe all right. Went to Chapel in the evening.  

Wednesday September 12 

Henry and I on the tandem went to Greywell to tea. We left here at ½ past 3 and had a splendid run over there. And while tea was getting ready, we took a walk by the canal to the castle and back. They gave us an excellent tea and charged a very moderate price, 9d each. We came home via Odiham and Dogmersfield and had a most enjoyable ride all the way. This was the first journey Henry has had on the tandem for a very long time, and he says that Safety riding has not lowered his respect for the tandem. 

From this date, I have not kept up the diary, for I have been writing hymns and they have fully occupied my spare time. I have been for a few runs on the tandem, and only a few. One especially I can call to mind, when Mr Rednall and I went via Hook to Basingstoke, Alresford and by the Worthing to Southampton road and home by Basingstoke and Sherfield, which was a very good run, but perhaps a little too much for Mr Rednall. Another circumstance which has been against the diary was Mr Lucas leaving, so that I have had much more to do at the business, for although we had Mr Terry come in the same day as Mr Lucas left, I had to go the journey several times before I could leave them to the new hand. As I say, from October to the end of the year, I have written several hymns, and had the first one printed, and it was riding round the journeys I wrote a good many of them. By doing this, I had my mind taken off the weariness of the journey and did not interfere with the business of the day. So although I have not kept up the diary in this book, I have another in which I have written the hymns, with their dates attached, which really make a continuity of this work.