Forget Spring Watch with that over-bubbly Humble bird, a programme whose giggly raucousness and unruly presenting can only hasten David Attenborough into his grave. Had you been one of the 13 who joined the short ride out on Wed June 16 you would have enjoyed your own Summer Watch, for such was the route chosen by Paul Lewis that you would have surely exclaimed that 'Earth has not anything to show more fair', at least until we reached the diesel-tainted wasteland that is MacDonald’s car park just outside Towcester.

After a somewhat hesitant start due to a combination of a substantial shindig at The Blue Lias, an intransigently slow transporter and a slight problem with communication devices deafening a significant proportion of the group, we enjoyed an excellent ride through the lanes on a perfect summer evening. There was  a brief stop in Fawsley Park/Estate where Paul, having a veni vidi vici moment, pulled into the side and waved his hand imperiously at the view.

After a watering stop at the aforementioned fast food outlet, whose misuse of oily substances must rival that of BP, we turned towards Banbury. There was a bit of a problem with the low sun but it didn’t spoil the enjoyment, just made some of the corners a little more stimulating – well, they certainly stimulated my nerve cells. On northwards, then back over the motorway and up into Burton Dassett Country Park where, when I dared take my eyes off the road and the wandering sheep, there were superbly clear views over the Avon valley.