but Spring still feels more like winter!

I'm sure it should be warmer, drier, less windy by now or maybe i've gotten a bit nesh!

S what have i been up to? Well Monday i decided to go for a walk but i wasn't sure where i was headed. After a couple of kilometres i reached Kingswood and spotted that the bus to Bath was almost due - well in for a penny. And so i ended up in Bath for some lunch before a bit of a walk around before heading for the bus station. There are three buses that go to Bristol, the one i used on the way out, the express to the centre and the magical mystery tour via the Mendip hills, well of course i took the latter!

With the current fare cap i really should do more bus adventures, you see everything so much differently than on a bike or even in a car. It took two hours to reach the bus station in Bristol having visited Radstock and Midsomer Norton before heading north into the city. I then took the slow bus back to Aunty Bev's to end a long day out.

Tuesday had another mixed forecast, stiff winds from the SE and later rain, i decided on a ride up to Stroud for lunch, well i hadn't been for over a month. It was in single figures when i set off, the wind stealing away any prospect of warmth as i climbed onto the Cotswolds but a route with a NNE tendency meant the wind, if anything, was helpful as i headed up country. The sun did make an appearance and the temperature rose a little, but i was still thankful for my jacket on the descent to my destination.

A heartier than usual lunch set me up for the return into what would mostly be a crosswind. My knee was still a consideration which steered me to use the Severn Vale lowlands rather than the lumpier but more direct route i had originally thought of. the downside to that was about 10km almost directly into the wind through Thornbury before the last, traffic laden approach to The Residence. 117km, 800m of climbing and no undue issues with my knee - hopefully the strain is mostly recovered, i'll avoid anything too energetic this week to make sure.

In other news, i've got my trip up to Yorkshire in late June pretty much organised - well the campsites are all booked, some even paid for, and i've the bare bones of a route. As i'll be lugging camping gear along i'll take about 4 days to get to Swaledale in north GOC, heading almost due north via Hereford, Crewe and Bolton then its over Ribblehead (train buffs will know this spot), Hawes and over to my stop. After a couple of days there i head down to York via the Moors where i'll spend the weekend at the Cycle Rally before heading down to Sheffield for a few days of family/friend visits. I haven't decided how i'm getting back to Brizz yet, there may be some train riding but where to/from i haven't decided.

Today, well i have some shopping to do but beyond that, who knows what the day will bring.

That's all for now, i'll be back with a Gaby chapter at the weekend,
Tschussie!
Madeline Anafrid