never happens at all.

Yes, the general Undertone of things is still rather grey, the weather, new restrictions, the outlook. Snow is forecast for some areas tomorrow, on lower ground its heavy rain, the one bright spot is that the first Covid vaccine has UK approval and will soon be rolling out across the nation - by the time my turn comes, I'm not old enough or ill enough to bump me up the list, it'll be the Spring! I guess I'll just carry on as I have been, at least I can buy 'non essentials' like shoes and coats again.

So this week, well Monday I ended up having a longer walk, 6 miles, before kicking back with some down time. If it runs to form, my usual autumnal chest infection will have run its course, most of the symptoms have gone which leaves me a bit chesty until the warmer weather returns. Its been the same every year for as long as I can remember so I've not been fretting over possible Covid even if it shares similar features - the common cold, 'normal' flu and all sorts of other things do too!

Yesterday of course was December the first, the start for many of the seasonal countdown, 20 days to the Winter Equinox, 24 to God worriers day, thirty to the change of years. It was a bright, relatively warm day hereabouts so I set out for a nice relaxing ride, generally northwards towards Gloucester. It might have been mostly dry for a couple of days but a lot of the lanes were still quite damp and in places quite mucky, just as well there wasn't a lot of traffic about on my route.

My aim for the lunch stop was Frampton but just before I got there, I spotted a sign for Saul Junction, where the Gloucester Ship and Cotswold Thames canals join. A sunny bench, the canal, even almost warm kept me there a bit longer then it was time to head back, more often mucky lanes, a short detour to see Shaun the sheep and back before lights were needed - well just. 110km but just 700m of climbing, not flat but the high point was a mere 60m, who knows how far or even how often I'll get to ride this month?

Today I've posted Gaby Everywhere, the second chapter of The Visitors. Its the first day of the Americans visit followed by an early start for a significant race for Drew. Misunderstandings and explanations abound but is there something darker on the horizon?

Well that's it for today, keep well

Madeline Anafrid