And whilst its starting to look a bit greener, temperatures arte still struggling to grt into double figures in these parts

Its still 10 days until the civilised change the clocks of course, the date for that being one of convenience in the same way that Easter moves, this year they coincide, something that doesn't occur very often. But thats next week, what's been going on this week?

Monday, as i mentioned on Sunday, i set off at the crack of eight o'clock to surprise my dad in Swindon. It was quite cool as i set out but the forecast suggested warmer later and perhaps some sunshine later. To avoid some of the busiest roads, my route wasn't as direct as it could be but after climbing onto the Cotswold Massif there was basicly no climbing for the rest of the day (there was up but it was either short or very drawn out, nothing to get upset about) and so i made good progress eastwards. The other party were driving down from Sheffield, the idea was to meet at Steam, the Great Western Railway museum about noon, by eleven i was on the outskirts of Swindon.

It went to poo a bit from there, checking the route and traffic slowed progress and i arrived at the museum shortly before 11.30 pausing the GPS with 65km on the clock. Then i waited, and waited, and waited, traffic and roadworks in the last twenty miles and confusion over the parking meant it was almost one o'clock before they arrived! It was good to see everyone again, the first time since the New Year, a trip around the museum took barely an hour and then it was time for goodbyes, they going on to the New Forest, me back to Brizz.

The sun was out as i made my way out of Swindon and whilst not super strong, the scudding water vapour above alluded to the headwind i'd be riding into for the next three hours. I was making reasonable time but the scant food on offer at the museum left me a bit underfuelled, luckily my regular stop at Chippenham was still open when i got there a bit shy of 16.00. Reserves were topped off and i was soon back on the road already with 100km ridden.

I spent much of the last leg squinting into the setting sun, i had hoped to be back before six and at five to i stopped the clock for the final time. 134km in total and a decent 900+m gained, all that effort to see my Dad for less than two hours. But its precious time, he's nearly halfway through his 94th year and not in the best of health.

Riding on Monday moved things about a bit, yesterday i was doing Monday stuff which was a bit confusing. Today, well finally the weather was clement enough to tackle some gardening, i weeded all the veg beds, trimmed back the overgrown rose and clematis from next door and planted some flowers in the growbag garden at the front. Hopefully get more stuff planted in the next week.

So there we go, i'll hopefully be back on Sunday with more Gaby and more tales of bikes an' stuff, for now though i'll say farewell,
Wiedersehn,
Madeline Anafrid