yep, one step forward, two steps back

So here in the UK we have returned to a 'hard' anti Covid lockdown, much the same as version 1.0 last March which, we are informed, will last until late February at the very least and more likely into March. This was all rushed into place Sunday/Monday - cynics may concur that govt. wanted to get past NY and the disaster that is Brexit coming into play before imposing this latest restriction. Plans for 2021 then have been thrown into some disarray, any thoughts of travelling abroad are on hold for the foreseeable future, my main early year focus no longer a realistic possibility.

With so much uncertainty I haven't refocused yet, I guess it'll be just plodding along for now, keeping fitness at a status quo, trying to maintain at least a semblance of sanity.

What have I been up to this week? well I had it all planned out and Monday I set off to put things in motion with a long hike into the city centre. I like a bit of retail therapy, the budget might be tiny but the act of doing something sort of normal is quite therapeutic. There was nothing that I 'needed' to buy, just some ideas of stuff to look at, on the other hand there are bargains to be had as stores desperately try to plug the gaps in sales caused by Covid restrictions. I left the city with my backpack stuffed with all sorts of stuff, some super reduced clothing taking most of the space beside tools, makeup, hobby stuff and jewellery - it was Christmas silly money but even so I still felt a little guilty.

Then it was the hike back home, I did debate a visit to IKEA but hey that's the plan for Wednesday so I stayed on course, returning to the warmth with a dozen or so kilometres in the feet. Of course my plans for today were scuppered by the announcement of LD3 that evening, mayhap I should have stopped off in Sweden on the way back afterall?

Yesterday, Tuesday that is, was planned as the first proper bike ride of the year, proper as in more than a couple of hours, the forecast was dry but cold, I made my sandwiches and headed east into the grip of the stiff easterly. There was a bit of roadside ice in places but the roads were clear and whilst not the warmest day, I was pretty comfortable, more so when I turned south at Malmesbury the wind now on my shoulder. Down through Chippenham and I was looking for a lunch stop, it being dry I settled for a lump of concrete on a roadside verge at Chequers - no not that one, this one is a couple of miles from Tiddleywink another of the Wiltshire boardgames!

The cool wind prevented me tarrying too long so I set off anew, exploring some new to me roads around Corsham and Bradford to deposit me back in the Avon valley at Bathford. From there its an easy ride across Aqua Sulis to pick up the bike path back to base, I arrived back in daylight, chilled but not uncomfortable with a little over 100km on the clock.

Which brings us to today. With my planned walk out to the Swedish store now on indefinite hold, the new restrictions coming into force at midnight, I find myself at a bit of a loss. I need to do some food shopping later which will double as my exercise for the day, hopefully there won't have been the panic buying we saw last year as people may have learnt the folly of that - or not.

I have of course posted 'new' Gaby for you - the gang and their guests are on an educational visit to Norfolk and Britney has a surprise up her sleeve. The Sherwood Forester’s! is chapter 8 of The Visitors.

Take care, be well,
Madeline Anafrid