Compared to last week, today’s ride was fine. The difference- food.
On the commute to work: I went through a speed trap at 34 mph, but it didn’t trigger the camera- no flash. Was the camera’s trigger set just a bit higher- say 35mph, or did I not reflect enough for the radar? Perhaps if I put s length of baking foil up my cycling jersey, then the camera should trip. I’m not a stealth cyclist.
Lost: I lost Rosie tonight.Out for a 40′ walk in the woods and then an hour to search for my missing dog. By the time she came back she was obviously stressed and relieved. And so was I.
She’s back home now, worn-out and thirsty. I blame the rabbits, and they look so innocent too.
Now what has happened to my voice, it’s all hoarse & dry.
That empty-legs feeling: a conversation has confirmed what I suspected was the reason for this. Occasionally, cycle rides need ot be cut short because there just isn’t enough energy in my legs (my whole body really). Now I am willing to air my suspicion. This weekend, I simply haven’t eaten well enough, noodles just aren’t good enough to cycle on. This evening, I had pasta and suddenly the energy game gushing back.
Two photos from today’s cycle ride.
Remember that swan nuclear family I posted a few Sundays ago. Well, haven’t they grown?
I got resolutely hissed at by this swan. I don’t blame her, so I backed off.. She was guarding the same number of cygnets that I counted two weeks ago
The 48-tree. Taken from the road overlooking the Staunton Harold estate. Can you see it, or am I just stretching my credibility.
Cycling, have you ever bought an artwork while cycling. I have, or may have if I can pull this one off. I spotted an art sale when riding through Repton, two pictures stood out and the price seemed reasonable.
5°C, no clouds, C=26 miles
Summer blight: Listen guys, it’s actually easier to trim the hedge with shears; it’s quicker to mow the lawn with a push-along. Switch off all those noisy machines and let’s all enjoy summer days on this crowded little atlantic island.
Here is one very poorly looking rape field. Some patches were normal looking but acres & acres look dry, brown dusty and quite dead.
Sunday, Yr Wyddfa: (Mt Snowdon, 1085m) and Yr Aran (745m): Got up when I woke (5am), then drove to The western slopes of Mt Snowdon. Started the climb at 10.30. Parked at Ryd Ddu and took the route up to Yr Aran. Pure blue skies and light winds. This day turned into a 10 hour hike.I came down from Yr Aran to the Watkin path and then climbed Snowdon. The Summit was too crowded to stay more than a few minutes, so then headed down the Snowdon Ranger track. After the drive to Wales, this was an additional 10 hour hike, I slept well that night after hotel troubles were solved.
So now I have done all of the major ascent routes of Snowdon. Those remaining are proper scrambles, but I can’t take Rosie on terrain like those.
This is rain I can live with, it is interrupted by bright sunny spells while the dark clouds brew up on the horizon. Stygian.
I ought to comment on the 19/20 politicians who have been fiddling the books in Parliament and the House of Lords too. It all seems too obviously corrupt to be worth mentioning. I can only hope they are treated in the way we would be if it were us in our jobs doing the same thing. But wait, only a few are suspended pending an investigation.
Cattle: here are the cows that chased Rosie & Bess last week. They look nice enough…
Amazed: to have escaped the worst downpours on the Long Mynd today. No off-lead romping for Rosie though- sheep everywhere. It’s a remarkably gorgeous place. We test-walked a route that our Duke Of Edinburgh kids will do soon. The surface is very easy going, even the steep bits, much of it can be run. Read that Wiki article for some interesting geology- this oft missed place has a really interesting pre-history. Nowadays, it is covered with groups performing the DofE marching ritual.
