cake – Black and Tabby Runs

Coffeeneuring #5 Folly Row Cafe, Kington St. Michael

Wednesday 16th November 2016.

Another day combining running an errand with a cafe trip – multitasking at its finest!

Despite the view outside, a planned short car trip to the post office in the next village became a cycle ride on my trusty “happy shopper” bike followed by a circuitous route home via the Folly Row Cafe in Kington St. Michael.

Folly Row cafe, Kington St. Michael. That’s my bike parked behind the bins

Last time I cycled here I forgot my bike lock and just propped my bike up against the window where I could see it. This time I was prepared and as I wheeled my bike down the side I saw this sign:-

There was a handy fold-away hook attached to the wall which was great but I did wonder how you would manage with more than a couple of bikes.

Safely locked up bike — All safely locked into the solitary bike ‘tether’

Inside it is most definitely a china cup and saucer kind of place (I was even given a saucer with my mug!) which contrasted sharply with the fry-up breakfasts most people were eating. I carefully ate my raspberry crumble cake with my cake fork, and stirred my hot chocolate with my Isle of Wight commemorative spoon. Even with the tiny cutlery it all went down rather quickly (blush).

The rain had started spitting when I came out of the warm, dry cafe, and as I cycled home the wind had got up as well. Great unanswered questions of our time – why is it always a headwind?! Anyway 10.9 miles done! *

yes, of course if I had spotted that on my Garmin I would have gone round the block to round it up to 11 miles

Two runs (one race), one swim and a cycle ride. Boom!

So I finally did it. In one week I managed a swim, two runs AND a cycle ride. Never mind that, one of the runs was a race. I know – get me, eh?

The bike ride went surprisingly well. I enjoyed it, especially as it just *happened* to include one of my favourite cafes* as a stop to warm up.

Unfortunately it was also a chance for me to prove as true the old saying “pride comes before a fall” by also including a stationary “couldn’t unclip in time” tumble off the bike in front of an admiring audience.

The swimming lesson went well, the first (short) run was fine and I was feeling quite enthusiastic for the Marshfield Mudlark on the Sunday.

First real race for nearly a year, so I was feeling nervous, and glad I would be meeting up with other runners from my running club – the race to be “last harrier home” was on! It was only as I stepped out of the car, I realised I’d left my trail shoes at home. Sigh. The recently-retired road running shoes I was wearing to drive in would have to suffice.

Fortunately it wasn’t very muddy at all this year, and there were zero cattle on the course (woo hoo!) it was just a lovely run through the countryside. Wearing a number. With a bunch of other people. In old road shoes.

Felt so good afterwards I was persuaded to enter another trail race. I’ve just noticed it’s described as “quad burning”. What have I done??!

* Merkin’s Farm, Bradford Leigh, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 2RW GO!

Juneathon Day 10. Four and a half hours of Abs

Today I spent four and a half hours working on my abs. Shall we leave it at that???

Curses. You want proof. Okay, here it is:-

This is me and my very lovely lovely friend who emigrated to Canada 6 years ago. She is briefly back in the UK and we managed to meet up today for many cups of tea, some lunch, and basically four and a half hours of laughing.

If that doesn’t count as abs exercises for Juneathon then I’m giving up now.