We met outside Bishop Luffa school and made our way towards Salterns Way, the going wasn't too bad considering the amount of snow and freezing conditions we've had recently.
We arrived at the Chichester Yacht club and made our way over the crossing and this is where I slipped and nearly ended up in the water whilst taking this photo......aargh !
Then another disaster hit - my saddle came off as the screw had snapped! No amount of trying to repair it would it stay on. We were close to The Ship in Itchenor so we decided to cycle there to see if there was anyone who could help. Ruth had a brilliant idea as she had spotted a car belonging to a friend and who was the manager at the Itchenor sailing club and a keen cyclist. Louise came to my rescue with the help of Paul and found a screw the right size to secure my seat! I found the rest of the Belles in The Ship sitting around the log fire drinking coffees, it was so cosy and warm!
My thanks to Louise, Paul and indeed Ruth for helping out and saving me from cycling all the way back to Chichester standing up!! (I promise Ruth, our rides don't normally contain so many disasters!)
From here we made our way to Brent Lodge and met Emma who kindly showed us around the premises and introducing us all to her various and many patients they have at the moment. They certainly do a wonderful job re-homing these injured birds and mammals. I particularly admired their three beautiful owls.
Brent Lodge is one of our chosen charities which we'll be supporting during 2012.
I'm about to set up a Charity Belles Team on the Just Giving website which will show our two charities for 2012 and our names. So if any Belles who would like to be mentioned as part of the Team let me know and I can add your name. If anyone is interested in donating, they can go to the team site and click and donate to any of the two charities we are supporting, which are The Brent Lodge Wildlife Trust and the Sussex Snowdrop Trust.
Two very worthwhile local charites.
Our fundraising appeal will be published in the Feb 23 issue of The Chichester Observer.
Emma Pink in the foreground, who's the manager of Brent Lodge
Left to right Belles...Felicity, Mercy, Val, Elise, Angela, Ruth, Sandra and Caroline (Nikki and Leyla had to leave for home earlier)
From here we made our way back to Chichester, I had to rush back as I had to be home by 3.45pm to go to London. Sorry I didn't have the chance to say bye to all but I hope you got home safely.
Many thanks for coming out today and so glad we were able to visit Brent Lodge. Hope to see you all again very soon!
