Note to Self

Note to self -  At my age and with my experience I feel I should be more prepared for what life throws at me. I set off on Monday morning for a long bike ride. As I had a cold, I didn’t want to go swimming and sniffle in the water – who would? I needed some exercise. The sky was blue and the temperature was warmer than normal. 

What could go wrong? I had dressed appropriately, checked the tyres and then set off in the direction of Castlethorpe. So far, so good. I pedalled around a few villages as the blue skies turned to grey and the air became filled with a misty rain which became increasingly wetter. By the time I reached Stoke Bruene I was wet. My jacket is showerproof and that was all. If I had worn my fluorescent cape, I would have been wet on the inside with sweat. I deserved a beer. 

Well- deserved cider

I sat in The Boatman damp. Supped my beer, felt much better and left. It was still damp outside so I could only get wetter. As I unlocked my bike I noticed my car fob on the floor. Then I noticed that my letterbox key was missing. These had both fallen off my carabiner while I was locking my bike and only the car fob was visible. I was convinced the letterbox key had fallen in the canal. Argh. Actually, the letterbox key was caught in my pedal. All good. 

I set off on my bike and cycled down a mushy, muddy tow path to home. It wasn’t far, just under 7 miles. I couldn’t cycle all the time as it was far too slippery, and from experience, I knew I would be crazy to risk the worst bits. Then it happened – yet another flat. I walked for nearly two hours. My poor heel doesn’t like uneven ground. My other heel got a blister. By the time I reached my house and dumped a really muddy bike in my garden, I was irked and sore. Suffice to say, I haven’t got round to fixing my bike yet. 

 I spent a day in London then I played tennis with a blistered heel. That wasn’t nice. Now at the end of the week, I had a birthday party - wonderful. Note to self. Even though Birthdays mark the passing of time, they are really lovely occasions. It is inevitable that we get older. I personally need to get wiser!

Ann's 80th Birthday