but only just!

And that's not because of the time but rather the weather, the hot weather has broken today so its a bit grey and drizzly beyond the glazing!

So what have I been up to? Well on Monday I returned to the trainers and tarmac for a run, I was quite pleased as I ran more of the circuit than I've done before, just two short stretches of walking, once I can do the whole thing I can think about stepping up towards the 10km goal! Otherwise it was just another Monday, a few chores, food shopping and the latest photo blog.

After Stone Henge and Rodmarton Barrow I thought I'd go Roman on Tuesday. Whilst Aqua Sulis is just along the Avon my destination was to be a bit further away and so I set off for Great Witcombe Roman Villa which nestles on a hillside just south of Cheltenham. I managed to organise myself to depart a little earlier than usual and I was soon crossing the rolling countryside of South Gloucestershire towards the first climb of the day from Wotton Under Edge up onto the Cotswold plateau. A bit of a haul, the reward is some good fast road and a nice descent into Stroud.

Unless you go out towards the Severn, all roads out of Stroud go up, my route took one of the quieter roads that took me up, and up, and up to regain the Cotswold Massif before giving away most of the height gain as I picked up the old Roman road towards Gloucester. It was getting a bit warm now and I was hoping the climb up to the Villa wasn't going to be too physical a challenge! It was fairly steady and I was soon at the site where I joined a few others who had the same idea of having lunch at the villa.

Fed, I spent a few minutes exploring the remains but regretfully I needed to be on my way having still got a good couple of hours riding to do to get back to Brizzle. Back to Ermin Street, into Gloucester, around the ring road and I was on the south bound A38. The tea wagon was open - just, so I topped up my liquids with tea and diet coke before starting the haul south. By now the temperature was @ 27/8c and even with, or perhaps because of the tailish wind it felt warmer so rather than using my planned approach to Cabotville I took a more direct route, I still had 130km on the clock for my five hours on the bike.

And so to today. I mentioned above that the weather has broken but earlier on it was just overcast so I decided on a shorter, more urban hike than of late. I headed south to reach the River Avon and this time headed downstream towards Templemeads, following the Feeder canal rather than the loop of the river after St Anne's. Once in the all but deserted city centre I made a loop past the castle precincts before heading back to Fishponds. 13km was all the distance which was enough with the on off precipitation.

So there we are, another action packed start to a week!

Of course there is new Gaby posted today, once again you get 2 chapters, Fame! is #3 from book 2 and Gertie Strikes Again is 23 from book 21!

There will, all being well, be another re-edited release at the weekend and before that i'll do a photo blog on Friday, but for now
a'll si thee
Madeline Anafrid