Emus in Nupend

Six of us left the square on a cold overcast morning. The sun was due to show, so we all set off optimistic. Heading out of town down Southgate Street, we turned right at the roundabout and over the swing bridge at the quays. Onto the canal towpath we traveled, passing many people busy setting up their fishing gear. We turned off the tow path at Sims Lane and crossed the Bristol Road and onto Olympus Park, passing underneath the A38 and into Kingsway. Eventually, turning off into Nass Lane through to the Haresfield Road. Into Haresfield Village, turning right at the school, over the bridge, and then left. Onto the Stonehouse road for a short spell before turning right into Standish Lane, which took us back to the A38. Left towards Whitmister, where we were able to view a collection of vintage cars in Attwoolls carpark. Turning left after the Whitminster Hotel heading towards Westend and Nupend, where two Emu were spotted in a field just before we crossed the motorway. It’s not something you see every day in Gloucester. Straight over the roundabout towards Eastington with a detour onto Millend Lane and through a newly tarmaced alley and back onto the Frocester Road where we turned right at the pub and through towards Coaley. One rider at this point made the decision to follow the flatter route to coffee and headed towards Cam. The rest of the group pushed on through Coaley and up the hill towards Cam Peak. Dropping down into Cam, we wiggled our way through the new housing estate and into Dursley with refreshments taken at The Bank Cafe. The return journey was bathed in sunshine, although the wind chill was still around. The group took the most direct route back to Gloucester. 46 miles and just over 2000ft of elevation.