Paddleboarding on the Menai Strait, Anglesey
While the Menai Strait has the reputation as a dangerous tidal channel, if you go with an expert (I recommend Sian Sykes, founder of Psyched Paddleboarding) with knowledge of the local area, in the right conditions certain stretches are sheltered and calm – perfect for paddleboarding.
Once on the board, start in a kneeling position, then stand up using the paddle like a supportive third leg of a tripod.
Soon you’ll be gliding past noisy gulls and manoeuvring around moored yachts as you head towards Beaumaris. ■■psychedpaddleboarding.com
So there I was, middle-aged and out of shape, hurtling down a sodden hillside, brambles snatching at my exposed ankles, mud spinning all over me, rain stinging my face, the cold soaking me to my very bones.
But although I couldn’t feel my face, I had a huge grin plastered all over it.
That morning, over a hearty full English breakfast, if you had told me I was going to enjoy a cold and wet ebike ride across the Surrey Hills, I would have snorted with derision.
Well, I actually did when my boyfriend James tried to convince me that despite the foggy gloom hanging above the treetops, we had come to The Merry Harriers in Hambledon between lockdowns to blow away the cobwebs and have some fun.
And here we were. Jon from Surrey Hills Cycle Hire met us at the pub with fancy mountain ebikes and, after a quick lesson in how to handle them, we set off for a three-hour ride through woods, fields and mud – the bikes easily taking the strain on the uphills, and us having loads of fun on the down hill runs. (surreyhillscyclehire.co.uk)
We made a hot chocolate stop at the super-cute village shop in Hambledon, and could only imagine the thwack of leather on willow on the adjacent cricket green when the weather warms up and we’re allowed to pursue such simple pleasures again.
As much as we enjoyed our exhilarating excursion, we were delighted to return to the comfort and warmth of our shepherd hut. James stoked up the fire in the wood-burning stove while I dived
FURRY FRIEND Karin and her new pal
into the hot shower in our en-suite to wash off the mud that had somehow even made it into my hair.
There are five gorgeous shepherd’s huts clustered around a pretty pond at The Merry Harriers.
They all have a comfy double bed, a TV, wi-fi, underfloor heating, a shower room, a kitchenette with Nespresso machine, wine fridge and a seating area in front of that crackling log fire.
There are also chairs and a firepit outside for marshmallow-toasting and wine-drinking. What more do you need for a cosy weekend away? The pub is perfectly positioned between the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the South Downs National Park, so there’s no excuse for leaving your wellies at home.
All the rooms at The Merry Harriers have maps of walks and cycle routes you can do from your front door – you can even download them straight to your phone by scanning a QR code.
Dogs are given a special welcome here too – they get treats and a toy on arrival, and there are water bowls and dog beds scattered about.
There is plenty to do in the area if you want to explore – Guildford, Leatherhead, Aldershot and Farnborough are all within striking distance, and stunning
Winchester is just an hour away.
When it’s allowed to open again, Albury Vineyard near Guildford is worth a visit for tours
Although I couldn’t feel my face, I had a grin plastered all over it
and tastings.
But my favourite place was three miles from the pub – the phenomenal Secretts farm shop in nearby Milford where we stocked up on all manner of delicious goodies. (secretts.co.uk)
Back at the Merry Harriers, the pub has four charming en-suite rooms, and six garden rooms in the grounds – close to the llamas. Yes, a stay here includes a paddock full of furry friends.
You can also go for a walk and enjoy a picnic carried by the llamas.
You don’t need to be staying at the pub to enjoy them – a llama trek makes a great gift.
Inside the beautiful 16th century inn there is plenty of space for you and well-behaved dogs, who get a basket next to your table and their own menu of treats. You’ll find huge fireplaces and cosy snugs where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday roasts and a well-chosen wine, ale and gin menu. Meals range from classics like bangers and mash and fish and chips to seafood linguine and vegan chilli.
One of the gins on offer is made next door in the Old Coal Yard by friendly and informative Ian who will give you a tour (and a few tastes!) of his micro-distillery at The Village Spirit Collective. Ian likes to get the community involved in choosing flavours for his gins, and he even has a refill scheme for locals to save on the recycling. (villagespirit collective.com)
You can learn how to make your own gin blend on a “ginfluencer” break at the Merry Harriers. Ian will take you through the gin-making process, then you can choose botanicals and flavours to create your own signature tipple.
And while you can’t make it to the site in person right now, Ian is running tasting sessions, corporate
You can go for a walk and enjoy a picnic carried by the pub’s llamas
BLAZE A TRAIL Explore the woods by ebike