Yep, we return to the normal posting regime today.

Well I don't know about you lot but I've not had a bad festive season - well apart from not being in Germany and not going to visit the kids this week. We've had a good bash at the seasonal menu, vegetating for the remainder of Friday before picking up a more active lifestyle again on Boxing Day. I hope you all enjoyed the festivities as best you could, now if we can get through New Year without succumbing to alcohol poisoning.....

So lets catch up. I think I mentioned joining the 'Festive 500' challenge well Thursday was my first ride towards that. With the Covid Tiers changing yet again at the weekend it was a last chance, for now, to go out into Wiltshire, nothing too exciting - it is December after all. Out through Bath then a loop to come through Corsham before taking a laney route past Malmesbury and Tetbury to my break point at Westonbirt - bus shelter 134 in a series of, er many!

It was a bright enough day, bit breezy and cold so I didn't tarry too long before returning to the tarmac. West to the Cotswold edge then down into the bumpy and in places, a little flooded lowlands and back into Brizzle. The 130km made a good start to the challenge and put me just 1 ride away from the magical 18,000km for the year.

Friday of course was Chrimbo, cooking, dressing up (new dress, sparkly tights and heels - well why not?), present opening, eating then the inevitable lazing about before a light, late tea - day done. Along the way I had a chat with my Dad then a much longer phone call with #1 daughter and the GS which did much to cheer my day up.

Saturday was to be bike fixing, however not having my full toolkit to hand meant I couldn't finish the job - its a shop trip so I now have to try and get a slot, hopefully this week, to finish what should have been a thirty minute job including cleaning. Oh well, its only time and money/

And so to today. After 2 days off it was back to 2 wheels, borrowed from Bev again, thanks, the idea being to get another good ride in towards the Festive 500 and roll through the 18k point in one go. A stiff Westerly decided the destination, Weston SM yet again, apart from the wind it was forecast bright and dry and so it was out to the lunch stop on the busy esplanade. There was however a darkness on the horizon, blowing straight along the coast from Devon but more of that in a moment.

The idea now was to head east with the wind to Wells before heading back up to Brizzle, not directly of course but a loop taking in Brent Knoll and Wedmore - wouldn't want to make it too easy would I? That first Devon squall went through ahead of me leaving some damp roads as I headed south only to overhaul a chap not making his life any easier in the windy conditions by riding an ordinary! (popularly called a penny farthing) All I can say is sooner he than me.

The weather caught up to me as I turned east, gusty winds and hail catching me twice before I started my Mendip crossing at Wells. Over the top then some wind assist towards Bath where I picked up the bike path back to Cabotville. 142km was a good add to the challenge pot, 4 days in and a bit over half way completed and of course my 18k revised target has been smashed too.

Today its time for a chapter from The Visitors, Once More Unto The Mall, a tale of shopping and er, shopping and some other embarrassment for Drew along the way.

So that's about it for today, I hope you've enjoyed the extra Xmas posts, i'll be back with more news on Wednesday.
Madeline Anafrid