Went for a spin down the Teign using the long sloping ridge lanes with splendid views over the river. Crossing the river bridge and the town beyond a concrete ford led to the next lane where a deeper ford precedes a steep rocky climb. A long lane took me to a another stringing down the hill. At the end of the grassy 192-191 I was so busy looking at the traffic cone on the middle of the road where 191-252 starts that I failed to notice anything else...
And after a pleasant time spent enjoying a pint and a bag of crisps with my legs dangling over the harbour wall a a town with a name so rude it gets censored automatically, although town is probably flattering it a bit, I enjoyed climbing 195 after passing the road closed signs confusing locals and tourists alike. At the end of 191 I was completely surprised by the gate across the lane,
Trusting the firm soil to hold the side stand I opened the gate, and squelched across the deep muddy slurry to disconnect the hot wire to make room to pass. The bike stalled symbolically as I took a hold of the wire using the plastic handle provided for those with enough excitement in their lives without electric shock therapy. Two sudden movements caught my attention as I put it down carefully, one triggered by the other, then stillness. The cow startled by my bike falling over regained her composure as the rest of the herd arrived to unsettle her again by gently jostling her from behind, impatient but initially curious on finding their return to pasture from the milking shed interrupted.
The placid bovine herd, apart from one brave impetuous individual who dashed across the gap straight into the field the moment the gate opened, waited. They declined the open invitation to stampede in any of the four different directions open to them, presumably confused by all of the different choices, and waited patiently for me to push the stalled crm over before reinstating the hot wire to guide them across the road.
So do be careful if you head that way to 192-192, the hot wire is not so obvious with nothing hanging from it and just a cone for warning, but the cows are no trouble
