Unlike last summer this summer unusually turned into a summer – at least for a while – day after day of hot, cloudless, steamy days. Good timing for those children at private schools as they could be outside to enjoy the week after week of sunshine, but bad timing for those still stuck in the state school system as they had to be locked up in dark classrooms for an extra three weeks. Molly, who goes to the local village primary school, was one of those children itching to be out in the sun rather than carted off to school every morning. The only benefit was our bike-train (eleven-and-a-half-foot long tandem with trailer) school run which gave her a happy sunny burst of cycling in the morning and afternoon – plus after getting back from school at 3.45 she was then outside playing with Daisy and the chickens until bedtime. But no matter how much late-afternoon playtime Molly had to let off steam it still felt wrong to see her disappear every morning behind a closed? door in hot and glorious weather.
So one morning Molly was sitting in the kitchen in her school dress eating scrambled eggs and toast, the already hot sun blazing in through the wide open windows, when I said, ‘Molls, do you want to go to school this morning?’ She looked at me a little quizzically before I said, ‘Or shall we go on an adventure?’
The next thing I was on the phone to the school to report, ‘No Molly today!’ I didn’t lie, I just said no Molly. Simple as that. Half an hour later the bikes and trailer were packed with picnic and beach paraphernalia and we were off on our merry way.
- Trying to keep up with Molly on the Salterns Way.

Back on the jetty at Itchenor, waiting for our ferry man. You hail the ferry by looking up and down the harbour for the little blue and white boat, and, once spotted, you give a hearty wave to the captain and hope he's spotted you.
And then we rode home.
Miles cycled: 21; Number of ferries: 2; Number of sandcastles built: 33; Number of mini surfboards bought and stashed to the trailer: 1; Number of clouds spotted: 0; Number of people who said to me, ‘You’ve got your hands full!’: 2; Number of times the ferry man said to me, ‘Try not to give birth on my boat!’: 2 (I’m 3 weeks away from giving birth to mini cyclist Number 3); Number of days off school: 1 lovely one!
August 1st, 2013
What a great idea, so much better than school! I’m very impressed that Molly’s little legs had cycled 21 miles by the end of the day.
Strangely enough I cycled to Bosham yesterday, 4 ferries altogether but didn’t go on the one to Itchenor. Must do that next time.
Best Wishes for the big event, I’d been wondering if she/he had arrived yet.
August 4th, 2013
Hi, hope slightly cooler weather is better for you. Good to read about your visit to the Witterings.
I went on the Ride London yesterday and was speaking to fellow cycle trainer Anna Hughes. Says she has met you and her pic is on your blog. Had quick look but can’t see it.
She is hoping to have her first book printed about her round Britain ride. I told her she could be the new Josie Dew http://www.annacycles.co.uk/#/round-britain/4571943323
August 5th, 2013
Too ambitious – possibly the next Anne Mustoe though.
August 16th, 2013
I just realised that I hve been following their development since before birth. How they have grown!! Clearly following in Mom’s cycling tracks. And the next one due so soon!! Congrats! Soon a new Queen Victoria will have a child cycling on each continent. Great idea to rather go on an adventure than a stuffy classroom.
August 20th, 2013
I adore this tale of cheek and wheels! How wonderful of you mummy to be so relaxed and carefree – i am inspired – thank you
August 25th, 2013
Flippin’ ‘ell Josie!! Your so organised! I’m planning to embark on the LEJoG’s 1100 mile voyage next April and I’m pannicking over which panniers to buy / steal / or borrow ( I really didn’t mean the ‘steal’ bit ) but there U are woth laden down bikes, two and a half kids and a whole adventure in one day. Well, I dock my cycle clips to U girl!! What a perfect life U and the family have. !! Good on yah!
Much love Cath.
I’ve got all yr books. !!
September 1st, 2013
Blinkin’ ‘eck Josie, another flip remark to your blog! I didn’t know you were nearly at 3! You took your time, then like buses. What I want to know is, where you have put it as I can’t see any sign of it.
Anyway, by the time this one is read, the bump will have arrived.
What a happy life your girlies are having. Far better than school, yippeeeeeeee!
Can’t wait to see your next episode xx
September 3rd, 2013
Well blinkin’ ‘eck – I felt my third bus on board all right – made bending down to my bottom bracket a bit of a tricky manoeuvre. But it’s out now – a big boy – just missed the bathroom floor!
September 3rd, 2013
Many congratulations to you and Gary! Hope the girls are suitably excited about their baby brother and get him stowed in a bike seat or trailer asap!
Duncan and I survived Holland and Belgium and I can’t wait to get back there – what wonderful roads to cycle/unicycle on!
Liz and Dunk
x x x
September 3rd, 2013
Congratulations &c., as appropriate.
September 3rd, 2013
Sounds wonderful…we now home educate for a similar reason..want to be enjoying the outdoors rather than cooped up in a classroom!
September 5th, 2013
Congratulations on the birth of your baby ,hope all is well.I`m re reading Slow Coast Home to inspire me for an end to end possible side to side trip next year
September 7th, 2013
Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy looking forward to seeing the photos. Your books are truly inspirational and I enjoy getting updates from your site. I took my three out of school for a day when they were younger the trouble was when they went back to school the next day they struggled to contain themselves about their brilliant day off when supposedly they’d been off sick. Never did them any harm and now my daughter is a teacher!!
September 10th, 2013
I just knew that kid would be a boy! Clearly The Builder felt outnumbered and ordered one for himself.The problem now will be which actual team? The 2 girls,obviously team sprints: maybe he’ll have to concentrate on individual racing(time trial,sprint etc)
Hang on: what happens if he HATES bikes??
Best wishes to you all anyway.
Cheers
H
September 16th, 2013
Oh wow!! Congratulations! He’ll soon learn about the freedom of cycling: best way to ‘get away’ from sisters, lol.
September 21st, 2013
Congratulations, poor little one, being outnumbered by so many women! Builder Man will be chuffed to bits.
Can’t wait to see your next pictures.
September 23rd, 2013
Congrats Josie !
I took your advice and just returned from fantastic trip around Holland…(and as you know carrying three little uns over there on one bike is no probs so you will have no excuses 🙂 )
All the best to all of you.Take care.