but its here now!

Its been an exhausting few days so lets get right to it so I can hit the sack!

Thursday should have been a ride day but because of some imminent 'weather' I ended up writing instead - another chapter completed!

The postponed Thursday ride took place on Friday, a much more agreeable day. Up to Cirencester, then across the Cotswolds to Cheltenham for a brief sarnie break. I wasn't sure which way to head back and I'm pretty sure going via Tewkesbury wasn't the most direct but hey ho, it was a nice afternoon. Back then through Gloucester, the score on the door came in at 186km, 115 miles for the Colonials, I think my legs got reprogrammed without anyone telling me!

Saturday, due to the ride shuffling, resulted in a 15km hike in the sunshine. I did actually get to see the countryside and managed to get pictures, some actually in focus, of @ half a dozen butterflies and some different flora although the blackberries are still a few days off ripe!

And so to today. I didn't have a set plan, I was making it up as I went, through Weston SM, along the coast to Burnham on Sea then the idea I came up with was for lunch on the opposite side of the River Parrat. Well I navigated Bridgwater but somehow missed the coast road, instead I found myself climbing into the Quantock hills! Okay, so it wasn't the plan but I completed the ascent before dropping down towards Taunton, stopping just short with 100km on the clock and lunch on my mind.

Refuelled, I set off for the journey back to Brizzle, across the levels (and hills) to Street, Glastonbury and on to Wells where I made a strategic drink and ice cream halt. Well it had got up into the low 20'sc, and my bidon was looking a bit low of contents. Without a huge diversion, from Wells you have to climb the south flank of the Mendip somehow, today I picked the main A39 route which is as good as any and nothing too steep. Then I dropped into the Chew valley and spotting an ice cream van at the lake, stopped for more refreshment - just in time, he packed up for home a couple of minutes after I'd secured a huge tower of whipped goodness!

There was now a hundred miles on the comp and still another hour of riding to do. The legs seemed okay with that though and I sped through the Chew's and across to the Avon valley where I picked up the bike track for the last leg of the trip. 192km, 119 miles but 'only' 1150m of up - I'm liking this leg upgrade - that's 5 rides in a row over 100 miles, just shy of 900km this month, something I've never even considered before.

Now to the important stuff, Run For Home is the book 2 chapter and Currying Favour is the 'missing' book 21 chapter. Its a fairly standalone chapter so I hope the last two posts haven't got too many of you in a tiz!

Looking at the forecast, this week should return to the usual programme and i'll try to do Wednesdays post a bit earlier.

For now then
Tschussie

Madeline Anafrid