or maybe its Tizwoz?

Whichever it is, this week I'm actually running on something like a reasonable schedule having got in my weekend ride yesterday. The weather this end of the week has certainly been better, reaching double figures today - not warm warm but hats and gloves have been put to one side, at least for today.

On Friday I was able to organise getting my Covid jabs, I get stuck for the first time Monday morning, its a weight off and it feels, for the first time in months, as though there is a break in the cloud, some light at the end of the tunnel. In theory, by the time I get part two, life will have returned to some sort of normality in England, I'm looking forward to seeing my family again and being able to get on with my life a bit, free from draconian travel and meeting restrictions.

Thursday I rolled the bike out, without a lot of enthusiasm it has to be said, taking a meandering route through North Somerset to grab a bag of chips, where else but Weston SM. It wasn't a bad day but i wasn't really feeling it, even so, by the time I got back I'd accumulated over 100km.

Friday, well the day was dominated for me by sorting out my vaccine. Unlike some other 'caring' nations, in the UK the vaccine is free for all citizens, the hold up for me has been waiting for all the older and more at risk to have a crack before things were opened up to my age band. In effect that means 40% of the populace have been stuck at least once, in fact if the capital is taken out of the equation, most of the country is closing in on 50%! Of course, the hard sell will be the millennials who throughout this episode have been the ones most likely to ignore the restrictions on travel and social intercourse, quite why they think they are immune is beyond my ken but thats the way it is.

And so to Saturday. I had plans for a big ride, perhaps up to an old school Century but my thuse was unnened, instead i set off for a slightly pared down ride, into a drizzly, misty, cool morning. Out to the Cotswolds then north to drop through Nailsworth into Stroud, of my three basic options at that point I picked number two, a fairly flat, direct route to the southern edge of Gloucester. By now it was looking a bit brighter, the roads were dry and I realised my speed was pretty good, more summer than the dying gasp of winter.

I considered taking the loop down the western side of the Severn but to be honest, I couldn't face the choppy nature of the road, even if south bound is the easier direction. Instead I found myself in the lanes to Framilode and at Frampton I joined the ship canal towpath for the couple of miles down to Slimbridge instead of turning out for the bird place I instead headed south, not stopping for my sandwich until Hamfallow with 80km on the clock. It wasn't hot, indeed it was a bit chilly sat eating so I didn't dally too long before returning to the tarmac.

Berkeley, Thornbury then almost due south to return to the west of England's largest city tallying a little over 120km at the close of play. I'm not making much inroad to the deficit on my years target although I'm holding things at bay @ 900km, clearly I do need to up the ante to claw myself back to the schedule.

Today then, without a bike ride, has ended up more relaxed, a short walk this afternoon after 'assisting' Bev with the purchase/installation of extra kitchen lighting - its a long story but we should be able to see our food now - whether that's good or bad I'm not certain!

Book 22 is fast approaching its conclusion, today you get chapter 38, Crit-ical Acclaim. The daring plan to steal the race is put into action, despite its apparent success it looks like, at the end of the day, its all been for nought, Gaby's emotions get the better of her, fat lady? chickens?

Anyhow, that's about a wrap for today, see you midweek - providing i don't start picking up 5G!

Tschussie,
Madeline Anafrid