Statistically, here in the UK, it is more likely to snow at Easter than Christmas

Which would suggest that the mini blizzards across parts of the country yesterday were not directly linked to global warming! They were quite widespread - we even had a couple of flurries blow through Brizzleland which was not in the forecast but British weather, go figure!

Monday wasn't a bad day but I found myself in a frustrated funk, a trip for some food shopping eventually returned me to less of a miserable git but I hate losing days like that - it seems to happen all too regularly lately.

I was quite determined that Tuesday would, at the very least, not be a total waste so despite the cold, windy forecast I set off to cross the Severn. Weather and Covid restrictions have meant that I've not been over this year but I thought I'd take the small risk and treat myself to a(nother) bacon sandwich on the westside. The wind was quite strong but mostly it was cold and the ride out and over the water was into its grip, the first let up was crossing back into England under the gaze of Chepstow Castle.

You get two choices once you clear the river, the rolling A48 that follows the river or the B4228 which climbs up into the Forest of Dean above the Wye valley, following Offa's Dyke (think Hadrians Wall to keep out the Welsh!) northwards. As I planned on returning along the A road, it was the latter that I set out to tackle, it's not overly steep, rising through a series steps, views to the Severn on your right, the much closer Wye hidden by the trees to your left. The wind was still there but the trees gave some good shelter, that's not to say I wasn't grateful to change direction at Hewelsfield (12th C Norman church) to go get that bacon sarnie!

All that climbing meant a longish drop back towards the Severn, all too soon the downhill joy ended and i was on the last approach to 'lunch'. I was certainly grateful to warm myself getting on the outside of the tea and fried pig but it was a bit cool for lingering long so, with the wind now on my shoulder, I started back. The quick dive through Wales and the wind helped speed my return to the eastern bank but rather than head straight back I started a bit of a meander through South Gloucestershire.

It wasn't a particularly memorable ride, a few new to me lanes and a little over 100km banked, but my mood was lifted some and despite a slow average, over 1000m of up confirmed I hadn't been dawdling.

Tomorrow my grandson turns three, Covid restrictions mean I haven't seen him, or indeed any other friends or relatives since last August, more nails in the coffin of my mental health. Don't get me wrong, I support the need but, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this, it's infuriating not being able to travel to see my nearest and dearest - I don't drive so I'm reliant on public transport or Shanksy's so whilst others could in theory at least, drive to Yorkshire, meet and greet and return within current guidelines, I have to wait for affordable transport to restart (maybe late May) and for overnight stays to be allowed (June) before I can travel.

Frustrated? you bet. Covid has opened up divisions in society that in normal times you wouldn't see, not necessarily even economic but access to travel (why is it okay to run expensive trains with perhaps hundreds of passengers but not a cheap coach with maybe 25?) , to the countryside (allow you to drive to the country but deny anyone who doesn't that chance) and so on. Oh I know I've been out and about throughout on my bike but the distances I go are the exception not the rule, most bike riders would consider five miles a long way let alone 50 or a 100 - and walking, for many urbanites a five mile walk wouldn't get them to a green field let alone a 'walk in the country'.

That's it, rant over.

Gaby 101

You are embarking on a course that will identify and try to explain Gaby. You will have the facts placed before you and with a combination of private study, group discussion and lectures, the source, consequences and life of Gaby, will be brought to life. You will be expected to recognise the signs of Gaby and be able to discuss the interaction of Gaby with other characters.

The course requires a large allocation of home study, potential students should be aware of the chance of addiction.

Today's part of the course is chapter 21 of The Visitors, Time To Go. Drew is as mixed up as ever, a heart to heart with Gran sort of sets his thoughts out but he doesn't even manage one day back at school before 'Gaby' makes another appearance. Can things get any worse?

That's it from me for today,
Tschussie,
Madeline Anafrid

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