now on Amazon!

As promised, the second part of The Gothic Life of Trixiebell Heartswoon, The Canterbury Tale, is now up on Amazon for Kindle. I've done some extra tidying and editing and as I hinted, there is an extra bit of conversation included that I hadn't decided where to put previously, its there now and I hope readers will enjoy the extra little twist it puts on the storyline.

And if you missed the first part, The Whitby Adventure, you should have a read before embarking on the new volume.

Next up, the life and times of Madeline Anafrid! So, after a month of almost wall to wall sunshine, Thursday arrived damp, cold and windy, a bit more than an April shower on the last day of the month. As a result it was mid afternoon before things dried up enough to go out for my ride which ended up being a lane riddle route never more than a dozen miles from Brizzle and beset with strong wind and steep, narrow climbs and descents almost as slow as the up!

It did bring April's riding up to a respectable 1500km total which when added to the previous months takes me ton 5600km for the year so far, on target to reach my 16000km target for the year (for 'mericans that's 10000 miles). There is some talk today that we will start to see some lifting of restrictions this coming week which may allow us to get out more without fear of recriminations, we'll have to wait and see I guess but I'm certainly expecting another three/four weeks to pass before longer rides become feasible.

Friday was another funny day weatherwise, I postponed my run several times before finally getting a damp run around at tea time. Even if my speed is still more shuffle than Olympic, I'm managing to do more running than walking around the 7km+ circuit, you'd think with my cycling fitness it would be easier but dragging myself along is hard work! When I got back it was to set up my new summer cycling shoes, lighter and more ventilated than the others and a forced purchase as I can't access most of my bike gear as its up in Yorkshire.

And so to Saturday, another breezy day but the sun was back and the rain banished so I set off on a loop around South Gloucestershire in my new footwear. By the time I made my snap break my feet were quite sore so I aired them off whilst I ate after which they were fine. The culprit was the rigid sole which my feet had forgotten after months of riding in more flexible footwear! Years ago the soles were stiff leather then that was replaced by wood which still had a little give whilst holding your foot rigidly in place - in time that was dropped in favour of glass fibre and nylon and eventually by super stiff carbon fibre. My purse wouldn't run to that this time so ts back to nylon but for my tiny budget I did manage to secure dial closures and good ventilation.

Which brings us to today when I've been sorting out the Trixie book all morning and redoing my manicure to a nice pink!

Whilst dry, its a bit grey today which is about right for what has become, Tour de Yorkshire weekend, it should've been the 5th edition and I had been contemplating doing todays sportive in Leeds so I could spend time with the next 2 generations but alas, it was not to be.

As usual for a Sunday there is anew Gaby chapter, Time is Ticking, more denials and joshing from Gabs and her friends as things roll on towards the Championship weekend.

I think that's about it for today so

Hej då
Madeline Anafrid