which means - its Chrimbo this week!

As we start the final countdown to the big day, everything is pretty much organised here, food purchased, a seasonal display of cards, lights and a tree, even presents to me! I've got over the disappointment of not seeing my multigenerational offspring, presents are installed around trees in Yorkshire and my biggest concern is having enough alcohol to make it merry!

So what's been going on? Well the weather was fairly mild on Thursday so I took a loop eastward through the Cotswolds before looping back along the Avon valley. Nothing too exciting, lunch watching ducks squabbling on a duckpond but a bike becoming more poorly with every turn of the pedals. Another 110km added to the year total which is starting to look quite impressive.

Friday was for writing, progress was made but I'd have preferred more. The forecast for Saturday was a bit iffy so I returned to the keyboard completing the chapter I started on Friday, I thought I was past the time consuming research but I still ended up 'not writing' for a considerable part of my kb time! I did go for a longer walk but would you believe it I got caught in a violent hailstorm, getting soaked and frozen for my troubles.

Having come out of T3 to T2 on Friday, today I decided on a ride into the Mendips, a great lump of my riding roads denied me by the restrictions since the start of the month. With my own steed poorly, I borrowed one of Bev's machines, thanks Bev, I really appreciate it. It was pretty grey with a cold, stiff south westerly wind which I ploughed through to reach Priddy, the only village really on the Mendip where I stopped for my sandwiches. Then it was down into the Axe valley, along through Cheddar before starting the loop back to Bristol, thankfully with the cold wind now at my back. Another 110km - I'm now under 400km from reaching 18000km in 2020, to say I'm chuffed is putting things mildly.

On the subject of Covid, I don't know where many of you are, which level of restrictions you are under, how much of a festive season you are able to have. I know a lot of people have been struggling mentally this year, myself included, the whole Covid mallarky exacerbating other issues, I don't think we'll be forgetting 2020 in a hurry. Whether you are in T1, 2, 3 or 4 (or your local equivalent) remember that you aren't alone, if we look out for each other, share our problems we'll all get through and hopefully enjoy a much better 2021.

I know its quite late today but I needed to cook a thank you meal when I got back from my ride, but anyhow Poitiers or Bust is the next exciting (?) Gaby chapter.

Looking through the rest of the week, there should be another Visitors chapter on Wednesday, not only that but on Thursday, Christmas Eve, the new Gaby volume should be available (i'll be writing like a woman possessed to make sure that happens!).

So keep well, i'll be back midweek
Maddy Ana