this time of year I wake up early and get a lot of riding in. so the same old rides get boring, I look for new ways to go. this morning I added a tail to my usual Yarra ride, turning north up the gravel path that runs through Templestowe.

This is the territory of the Impressionist painters of the Heidelberg School, and this morning it looked like it too. Some authority has helpfully put up signposts along the way showing some of the impressionist works, at the points where they were painted. The trail runs through scrubby trees and near-farmland; there are even a couple of horses.

I reached a road, and turned back. As my wheels crunched along through the gravel, I glanced left and suddenly realised I was right beside the river, visible down a steep bank. It was invisible from the other side of the path, and I felt a little shocked, as if it had been lurking there.