Sunday 10th June 2007
Georgina has got wrist trouble, which flares up from time to time, and we're worried that it's going to spoil her chances of completing the challenge. In fact one of the doctors she's seen at University has advised against doing the ride.
The idea was floated of doing the ride on our tandem, which we've had for 5 years now. In that time it's done no more than 200 miles, ridden by myself and Jacky. It is significant to note that Georgina has always flatly refused to try the thing out. But she's finally come round to giving it a whirl, so after tea we wheeled it out and mounted up.
Being stoker on a tandem is probably not for the faint-hearted, or for control-freaks for that matter, as you have no control over the machine (except for a single brake lever in this instance).
Anyway, the tandem proceeds along Hebden Road as stately as a galleon (she's no Cutty Sark, this one). She can take on a gentle sway. There are intermittent shrieks coming from behind me. Perhaps it could be seagulls following in our wake. Georgina then complains of sea-sickness. We return home, striking that option off our list (although it wasn’t an absolute disaster).
Monday 11th June 2007
What's this piece of roadkill, with the motley brown skin? Oh it's a banana. Not very streetwise, your average banana.
Dog roses and elderflower are blooming in the hedgerows on the Big Hill. But the day is misty in the village, with full blown fog on tops. Can't see a thing, and the sweat does not evaporate when the humidity is so high. Have to ride slowly as my glasses have condensation inside and out, which refuses to be wiped away. Sensory deprivation.
Time out 1:00 (guide dog required)
Jacky rang me at work to say they've had the call today - Ofsted are coming on Thursday and Friday, so it's panic stations for her and colleagues. This means she cannot accompany Georgina to a doctor’s appointment at 4.20 p.m., so I’ll have to leave work early and go with G.
Journey back home is a bit of a rush to make the doctor’s appointment.
Time return 0:49 (possibly some sort of record – lucky with the wind direction)
Tuesday 12th June 2007
Lots of gastropods on the road today after overnight rain, 'fraid I squished a few.
Curlews on either side of the road up the hillockplex - playing call and response. One plainly visible on a mound. The other takes off and flies towards its mate, in a curlicue trajectory which makes me try to do that owl trick with my head. Don't try this at home. I suddenly get a strong urge to throw myself from the bike, and lie down on my back in the damp vegetation, listening to all this birdsong. This idea doesn’t last very long.
Further on, one biiiig bird, gotta be larger than a curlew, takes off - has a long curved down beak (now that's what I call a bill), and a light patch on its back.
A later check on t'Internet says it IS a curlew. Well I just don't get this perspective thing.
Time out 0:55 (wind has gone round to NW)
Return 1:03 (via Flappit pub: still NW)
Wednesday 13th June 2007
Looking at the weather forecast last night, I was convinced I was in for a soaking this morning. Not raining yet as I leave the house, but threatening to. This makes me try a bit harder at first, but then, what with the headwind up the Big Hill, I realise that is a futile gesture. Just take it steady.
Dead vole on the road today. I imagine that will soon get scavenged. Some bog cotton has come into bloom, and there's a solitary yellow gorse bush lighting the misty way along the tops. Quite a billowy blowy wind up here.
Song for this morning is "Elusive Butterfly": one that Georgina wouldn't like, as she has a phobia for lepidoptera.
When I get to work, I notice I've left the zip on my bum-bag open, on the compartment which holds my wallet, but fortunately it appears nothing is missing. Feels like it might be the start of one of those days.
Time out 1:00 (wind has gone round to SW)
Rapunzel 2 playfully took me to 7 when I wanted to go to 5. Could have sworn I pressed 5. When we reached 7 there was no-one there. Curious. Back down to 5 for shower. What about 8? There’s an 8 you know. She won't take me to 8. If you get in on 7, she just says "Going down", as though she doesn’t want you to go up there. What is up there on the top floor, and why does she not acknowledge there's anything higher than 7? I picture them both up there at the end of the day, swapping stories (you’ll never guess who I had in my cabin) and giggling girlishly.
Resolve to investigate 8 when I have the time. Higher baby, take me higher!
Ordered a handlebar mount for the Garmin GPS from e-Bay trader.
God's testing his celestial sprinkler system this afternoon. I don’t mind. It’s rain. Live with it. Yesterday I had a lovely cool shower after getting off the bike. Today, I’m combining the shower with the cycling.
Return 0:59 (very soggy)
Computer reset
DST 155 miles
TIME 15 hr 21 min
AVG 10.0 mph
MAX 41.5 mph
TTM 124 hr. 06 min
ODO 1167.6 miles
Georgina has got wrist trouble, which flares up from time to time, and we're worried that it's going to spoil her chances of completing the challenge. In fact one of the doctors she's seen at University has advised against doing the ride.
The idea was floated of doing the ride on our tandem, which we've had for 5 years now. In that time it's done no more than 200 miles, ridden by myself and Jacky. It is significant to note that Georgina has always flatly refused to try the thing out. But she's finally come round to giving it a whirl, so after tea we wheeled it out and mounted up.
Being stoker on a tandem is probably not for the faint-hearted, or for control-freaks for that matter, as you have no control over the machine (except for a single brake lever in this instance).
Anyway, the tandem proceeds along Hebden Road as stately as a galleon (she's no Cutty Sark, this one). She can take on a gentle sway. There are intermittent shrieks coming from behind me. Perhaps it could be seagulls following in our wake. Georgina then complains of sea-sickness. We return home, striking that option off our list (although it wasn’t an absolute disaster).
Monday 11th June 2007
What's this piece of roadkill, with the motley brown skin? Oh it's a banana. Not very streetwise, your average banana.
Dog roses and elderflower are blooming in the hedgerows on the Big Hill. But the day is misty in the village, with full blown fog on tops. Can't see a thing, and the sweat does not evaporate when the humidity is so high. Have to ride slowly as my glasses have condensation inside and out, which refuses to be wiped away. Sensory deprivation.
Time out 1:00 (guide dog required)
Jacky rang me at work to say they've had the call today - Ofsted are coming on Thursday and Friday, so it's panic stations for her and colleagues. This means she cannot accompany Georgina to a doctor’s appointment at 4.20 p.m., so I’ll have to leave work early and go with G.
Journey back home is a bit of a rush to make the doctor’s appointment.
Time return 0:49 (possibly some sort of record – lucky with the wind direction)
Tuesday 12th June 2007
Lots of gastropods on the road today after overnight rain, 'fraid I squished a few.
Curlews on either side of the road up the hillockplex - playing call and response. One plainly visible on a mound. The other takes off and flies towards its mate, in a curlicue trajectory which makes me try to do that owl trick with my head. Don't try this at home. I suddenly get a strong urge to throw myself from the bike, and lie down on my back in the damp vegetation, listening to all this birdsong. This idea doesn’t last very long.
Further on, one biiiig bird, gotta be larger than a curlew, takes off - has a long curved down beak (now that's what I call a bill), and a light patch on its back.
A later check on t'Internet says it IS a curlew. Well I just don't get this perspective thing.
Time out 0:55 (wind has gone round to NW)
Return 1:03 (via Flappit pub: still NW)
Wednesday 13th June 2007
Looking at the weather forecast last night, I was convinced I was in for a soaking this morning. Not raining yet as I leave the house, but threatening to. This makes me try a bit harder at first, but then, what with the headwind up the Big Hill, I realise that is a futile gesture. Just take it steady.
Dead vole on the road today. I imagine that will soon get scavenged. Some bog cotton has come into bloom, and there's a solitary yellow gorse bush lighting the misty way along the tops. Quite a billowy blowy wind up here.
Song for this morning is "Elusive Butterfly": one that Georgina wouldn't like, as she has a phobia for lepidoptera.
When I get to work, I notice I've left the zip on my bum-bag open, on the compartment which holds my wallet, but fortunately it appears nothing is missing. Feels like it might be the start of one of those days.
Time out 1:00 (wind has gone round to SW)
Rapunzel 2 playfully took me to 7 when I wanted to go to 5. Could have sworn I pressed 5. When we reached 7 there was no-one there. Curious. Back down to 5 for shower. What about 8? There’s an 8 you know. She won't take me to 8. If you get in on 7, she just says "Going down", as though she doesn’t want you to go up there. What is up there on the top floor, and why does she not acknowledge there's anything higher than 7? I picture them both up there at the end of the day, swapping stories (you’ll never guess who I had in my cabin) and giggling girlishly.
Resolve to investigate 8 when I have the time. Higher baby, take me higher!
Ordered a handlebar mount for the Garmin GPS from e-Bay trader.
God's testing his celestial sprinkler system this afternoon. I don’t mind. It’s rain. Live with it. Yesterday I had a lovely cool shower after getting off the bike. Today, I’m combining the shower with the cycling.
Return 0:59 (very soggy)
Computer reset
DST 155 miles
TIME 15 hr 21 min
AVG 10.0 mph
MAX 41.5 mph
TTM 124 hr. 06 min
ODO 1167.6 miles
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