yup, the holiday season creeps ever closer!

You might have noticed that we've had some 'weather' here and whilst here in Brizzle we've escaped snow we have had rain, wind, sun, cold, fog and combinations thereof everyday! Take today, sun, fog, wind, drizzle, 0c average temp and a few flakes of that pre snow not rain stuff! Other areas have been more settled but there is still snow on the high ground further north - I guess it is December!

Due to the weather I swapped my schedule about a bit, writing on Thursday and Saturday, riding Friday and today. Friday then was my first ride under the latest Covid restrictions which suggest we don't leave our 'Tier' area so having previously looked at where that meant I could ride, I set off for Weston and hopefully seaside chips (think French Fries on steroids). The forecast was dry but by mid distance the sun was actually out even if the wind was perishing!

Tea and chips on the promenade - we aren't allowed to eat in at all, then I started to wend my way back. Well I managed to not go 'out of area' most of the way, but had to use a few miles the wrong side of the line as there literally wasn't an alternative without a huge detour. Almost 130km added to the km haul and not quite dark when I got back.

And so to today, the forecast was similar but the damp, dank start put the lie to that! This time it was a similar 'beating of the bounds' but to the north and east so it was out to the north of Bath onto the Cotswolds before heading up through Badminton. Then, in freezing fog and drizzle I started the westerly leg, off the Cotswolds at Hillesley then on to Kingswood where I halted for cheese and pastrami in a couple of breadcakes in the shelter of the war memorial.

It was too cold to linger so I pushed on, Cherhill, Failand and into the mostly flat Severn levels. By now the damp had desisted from falling even if it was still very grey, the sun failing to get through the cloud cover. All the way south past the bridges and down to Avonmouth where I turned to follow the Portway back into Brizzle to complete the circuit. As on Friday, I had to cross the boundary but for much less distance, a handful of miles at most from my near 120km ride, the average temperature only just reaching 1c.

So I've done the two loops covering Brizzle Tier 3 region, in most places it would then be easy enough to come up with future routes with bits of the area north and south of the Avon but the essential linking bit is 'barred' and the options for crossing the river are singular unless you do so in the city centre and I hate city riding! So it looks like its going to be variations on this weeks two rides until this area moves out of the tightest restrictions.

More of Avoidance today, this epsipode is 22, Packing.

I mentioned writing earlier, I've completed 1 chapter of the next slew, I'll start on the next with a vengeance tomorrow - for a change I have a fair idea of what's pertaining so hopefully it'll progress quite quickly for a few chapters!

Well that's all from me, take care,
Madeline Anafrid