It might be a bit chilly for fancin' naked around the stanes but it is December after all!

I know i only posted on Monday but today really is my last chance for a proper post before i head to parts furren. Not that i haven't done stuff in the last couple of days of course, the weather has been relatively mild and dare i say, sunny so no excuse not to do stuff!

After posting here, i headed into Sheffield with a list of stuff to do, mostly relating to the trip. The city centre was fairly busy, the schools having finished the previous Friday but also attracted by the Christmas Market, a ribbon of stalls and attractions stretching along all the main shopping areas, i grabbed a Krakauer as i hadn't had any lunch. Before that tho, the chores, exchange pounds for euros - check, new hat - fail, knickers - check, then after some gluhwein i investigated what the market had to offer. I wasn't looking for anything, all my gifts are already delivered, but i was quite impressed with what was on offer, far and away the best i've visited this year and i think, the best Sheffield market i can recall.

So Tuesday i took the bike out for a ride into the Peak District - i've not ridden that way for 3 years. Once i escaped the traffic there was actually not much traffic as i climbed up the A57 then dropped to Ladybower before turning for Hathersage. Okay, it was barely a toe dip but it felt good to be on familiar roads, roads that i first rode well over forty years ago, they don't change much. Back over the hill with views across the Hope valley and higher up, Stanage and the Dark Park before dropping down Ringinglow back into the City proper, a drop of over 10km!

Okay so it was only 55km but it included as much up as riding twice as far down Brizzle way. Time enough afterwards to get ready to visit the Chiropodist for some long overdue foot maintenance - you don't realise how bad things are until its 'fixed', i can't tell you the medical term but i 'suffer' from a genetic issue that results in my big toes turning sideways - it comes from my maternal grandmothers line. I really should get them done more regularly but i'm loath to start with another foot doc having found one who treated my mother and already knows what's going on.

That's the news gone by, today i'm doing a pseudo Chrimbo dinner as much for my brother as anything, he'll be at home on his own as he starts a 5 week stint away from home on Boxing Day. Not sure what's doing tomorrow, we set off 2am on Friday so maybe an early night!

I've posted you two Gaby chapters today, one from each book so you have something to read whilst i'm away! First up is chapter 35 of Anime Days, Cheer Again. Then we've got The Same But Not, chapter 9 of Only Five Minutes. I hope you enjoy them.

So a full range of seasonal greetings to you all, hopefully you'll all have a good holiday season!

I hope to do a post before New Year when i get back from my travels.

Bye for now,
Madeline Anafrid