[Closed] Public Footpath helpful individual

Just sharing an anecdote.

I got a new job a month or so ago, just a few miles away in a lovely rural location.
The road cycle commute was pleasant enough, but soon I began to investigate cross country possibilities. The OS map showed a promising green dashed line which is really direct, so off I went. It's a lovely ride on obvious but deserted paths over fields, past a farm, then more fields, bit of road and I'm there in about twenty minutes.

I did this for a couple of weeks until I was stopped at the farm by SURLY YOUNG FARMER in a car. He informed me in no uncertain terms that this is NOT A BRIDLEWAY and is NOT FOR CYCLING. I said fair enough and since then have gone a much longer, but still enjoyable route.

At some point during this time I lost my house keys.

So today, taking a breather from weeding the garden, I check my Facebook, and on the local community page is a picture of my keys which someone has found! As I'm messaging the person, I realise that it's SURLY YOUNG FARMER. This is going to be awkward..

As it turns out, it's his parents who own the farm and live there, and who found the keys, so not realising it was me, he gave me their number.

Anyway, I've just been to see them, lovely couple; not only have I got the keys back, but they very kindly gave me permission to ride across their land.

I really hope I encounter SYF during my commutes. I'll give him a nice friendly wave 🙂