well i blame Bert coming to visit!

Whilst we've missed the extremes of weather Uncle Bert has brought to the UK this week, it has disrupted my plans a bit. I'm sitting here watching the avian population struggle to fly as the wet continues to ensure nothing remains remotely dry, it is supposed to ease off later but my hopes for a bike ride of some sort have been put on the back burner. We have lost a fence panel but hopefully that'll be an easy fix once the wind has abated.

So what have i been up to since Wednesday? Well on Thursday i took a rare trip into the city centre with a mission to buy some new footwear and possibly a coat. I failed on the latter, not seeing anything within my budget that didn't look like Chav wear, However i did score a nice pair of 'Docker' style ankle boots, a bargain at half price and essential as i've killed most of my daily use footwear this year, it's just not economic to repair cheap shoes.

By default i had to visit Bristol's apology for a Christmas market, its embarrassing to say the least, £7.50 for a basic Bratwurst, £9 for a Yorkshire wrap, the grog isn't quite as bad but £5.50 for a small plastic cup of Gluhwein is still a lot. You could tell by the lack of custom that i'm not the only one who thinks they are having a laugh.

Friday then, a reasonable ride out to Clevedon for a mucky burger then, with the first gusts of Bert behind me, a return past the airport to end the day with over 80km under the belt.

Later, when i went through the myriad emails in the inbox, i discovered my bus times for Germany had changed. That meant my outward journey from Bristol wasn't leaving much leeway if there is any sort of delay so i had to change my booking. Fortunately there are plenty of journeys up to London and i actually ended up saving on the deal! So i arrive in Germany just after nine in the morning instead of ten - more time to see and do stuff which has to be a win. I'm getting quite excited now, i have a list of destinations and attractions to visit, a tourist card which will significantly reduce my travel costs during the trip and thanks to my 'inheritance', a budget that will allow for some actual shopping whilst i'm there.

Saturday was a bit wet & windy so it was just a trip to the supermarket to get the meat for todays lunch. And so to today, the weather precludes a ride - no sense in going out to get drowned for no real need, instead i'll get the wet gear on and go for a short walk, less exposure time and more weather sealing! Dinner today is roast beef with all the trimmings and maybe a glass of plonk to help it down.

Of course, it's Sunday so i've put up chapter 15 of Smell of the Crowd, Wheels in Time. With her friends from Apollinaris in the crowd, the gig goes down a storm but with the race mere hours away, Gabs joins the team for an early night leaving the rest of BlauHase living the life at the venue.

Hopefully i'll get some riding in this week, the weather looks to be clearing through tomorrow so fingers crossed.

That's it for now, i'll be back midweek,
Tschussie,
Mads.

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