Live...outside Radio Leicester

Tony Wadsworth in his booth at Radio Leicester just before my interview
I have cycled into work today for the first time.  It took me just under 30 minutes to get from home to the centre of Leicester.  I was asked to go to Radio Leicester with my trusty bike for a live interview about the bike ride on Saturday!  Think I did OK, only one slip up!  Had a conversation this morning about trying to sneak words in like "sore arse", "juxtaposition" etc etc...but behaved myself! Very conscious too of sounding just like Miranda Hart!

The presenter, Tony Wadsworth made me feel relaxed and I enjoyed the process!

Nearly got knocked off my bike between the Radio Station and work...eeeeek!

5 days and counting...

Well my big British Heart Foundation bike ride is now only 5 days away. I feel prepared, I can easily do 30 miles plus and know I can carry on for a further 25 fuelled with flapjack, ribena and other assorted high cal stuff. I have lost 1 stone 10 lbs so carrying far less weight on my journey and have been interviewed by the BHF about “my story” which isn’t really “my story” at all, rather someone else’s. I will easily reach my £300 sponsorship from all my generous friends.



It’s an early start on Saturday, register at Belvoir Castle at 7am and start cycling at 8am…should be finished by lunch as long as I don’t keep stopping to take photos, go to the loo and chat to other people (nothing like doing it at a leisurely pace hey?) so plan to go straight through with minimal stops and try to keep between 13-15 miles per hour.

Very excited indeed.

So did a big ride on Saturday morning before I went camping, and took this pic on the way just between Illston on the Hill and Goadby.

The Great British Bake Off

Well I have applied to be in the Great British Bake Off and I know I have about 0.01% (or even less?) chance of getting any where I have an inner excitement about it all. The application process has not been as straight forward with them forgetting to attach the application form, having to answer certain questions via email and fill out three pages of our baking experience and over all skills with pasties, pastries, tarts, pies, cakes and bread. The concept being that “amateur” bakers have the opportunity to bake certain things in different locations, for example a loaf of bread in Sandwich (clever hey?). Then you get chatted to whilst your baking by the panel so they wanted anecdotes and then I think the panel decide who should stay and should go…


Can’t believe I have just admitted to applying for a reality tv show? I am usually so critical of them. But I was thinking well over 25,000 people have watched me make meringues surely I have something to share?


Have been baking as well this week for daughter’s birthday. She recently got a cuddly Panda who she named “Pandora” (genius) and I so I thought I would make a Panda based Victoria sponge, stuffed full of jam and butter cream:

I also wanted to do biscuits to share with her friends at various clubs she attends and so created “rude biscuits” after all, her age group do find the concept of pants, bras and knickers highly amusing.

Rude biscuits!

30 miles...finally

Finally hit the 30 mile mark




I think I have been working far too hard on my bike rides…so many people tell me how they did 40, 50 and even 60 miles on a Sunday. I was beginning to think that perhaps I really am quite crap at the whole cycling thing. I had misinterpreted the advice…I heard get into the big gear – you’ll go faster. However, my cadence seemed very "below average" at 60 (reminds me of school reports...Lucy is below average at...) until I did a bit more research and listened to the advice again…this time though I heard “stay in a small gear” and pedal faster! Success, hit 30 miles (although that last few, turning away from home and heading outwards took every bit of inner monologue to motivate myself), cadence raised and speed improved.


I’m on a roll now and with less than a month before the big day feel that the possibility of a 60 mile bike ride is realistic and achievable. I am slightly disappointed I haven’t managed to raise the £300 but there is a fine balance between annoying people for sponsorship and doing something for a good cause and the overall experience.

I am a saddo Garmin geek

Wet and windy Bank Holiday in a fabric house

How does the weather know its a Bank Holiday?  We booked to go camping some time ago, and remembering what it was like last year made sure I packed the hot water bottles and bought two heaters (life savers!).  Chose Sandringham this year and what a lovely camp site (its really worth paying membership to the Camping and Caravanning Club - god I am really middle aged?).  We were welcomed by smiling man on a bicycle who took us to our jumbo pitch.

Had a cunning plan, set up netball hoop for girls to play with whilst pitching tent thus reducing stress factor by at least 50%.

We were then visited on our pitch by some friends.  They have the joys of a camper van and none of the hardship of being freezing cold and the only solution is to bury yourself in a sleeping bag and resemble a caterpillar at 8:30pm.  After our cholesterol filled evening meal from the disposable BBQ we ventured over to see their palatial home, where I went on to consume numerous glasses of wine...(it never looks the same in a plastic cup!).

All very well getting myself into that state but alas, the walk from the toilet block all 300 metres away from my tent threw me and I got lost.  Not sure how long I was gone, but late at night all those fabric houses look the same!

So not only did I find people I knew on the campsite but also went to see my colleague Phat Dan do his stuff on Brancaster beach.  It was freezing cold and can't quite believe he stayed on the water for 7 hours!

The girls and friend at the fabric house

Sandringham house, the Queen was at home

Watching the Kite Surfers at Brancaster beach

Mothering Sunday

My beautiful children, bringing breakfast in bed and little presents on Mothering Sunday.  Then free-time for me to crack on with my Sunday (and new training to get ready for the big one in May) bike ride.  Sun shining and crisp air it couldn't have been more perfect.  I managed 23.2 miles on Sunday so feel I am building up the mileage still and laugh a little back to day one when I was chuffed to bits at cycling 6 miles, then 10, then 12, then 17, then 19, now 23!  I plan to do this route for a while but do find I like a change of sceneary and views and large houses to admire.  I included the hill at Goadby...oh my god...

The hill at Goadby is an absolute killer (I decided to cycle on to Glooston and Tur Langton just to avoid coming back up it).  My heart rate went to a whopping 184, I had to stand up all the way and was nearly stationary despite peddling.  It took a fair few minutes to get my breath back and was relieved to see my friend walking her baby so stopped and chatted for 15 minutes and got her to re-fill my water bottle (I was only 8 miles into my ride!).  I love the view the other side of Goadby of the road to Glooston, what you can't see in the photo is the dip in between!

The winding road to Glooston

Eeeeeek what have I done?

I thought with all my cycling that I might try a little challenge this year.  I really would like to do the Coast to Coast bike ride, but thought I better start at something shorter and more local.  So this is it, 60 miles to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, in the Vale of Belvoir (note to self must look at how hilly it is).  I've set myself the target of £300 but there is still that thing about asking people for sponsorship that makes me feel a little uncomfortable.  But just in case:

Lucy's fundraising page

So I have started this weekend in "earnest" with the training and, weather permitting (any excuse!) I plan to go out three times a week on the Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday...and where I can't go out make up for it another day.

What made me panic slightly is that as I drove to present at the ITTE Research Seminar in Cambridge last Thursday, as I hit the 60 mile mark on my milometer I thought "can I really cycle this far?"  I'm sure I will be able to make it, and are humbled by the experiences of Justin who did a mountainous 1062 miles from the South to North of France after having a heart valve fitted less than a year before (read his Blog here)...so will stop panicking and being so silly and just get on with it.

To those of you who have sponsored me, thank you so much and I won't let you down!

First Sail of the Year

I would just like to point out that I have already been out on my boat and it was only the 7th March.  Met up with fellow Rescue Duty mate, Chris and his friend Jo for a blast in my Laser Stratos.  It took us a fair while to rig the boat, not the normal 40 minutes, mainly because I forgot to bring two length of rope fairly major to sailing the boat (Jib and Main sheet).  Was able to borrow one off Chris and Jo's boat and had to go and purchase the main sheet from the shop at an incredible £11...had to borrow a pound and have offered to pay back but had request for a lemon drizzle cake instead (see this link for how to make it!).  I was slightly worried as the instruction booklet I had printed off some three years ago about how to rig my boat (I don't really need it, its more like a comfort thing knowing it was there), had been eaten by mice and no longer existed...however, between the three of us we mastered it and finally got out on the water about an hour and ten minutes later!

It was freezing cold but the sun was shining.  I helmed the boat down to the bottom of Rutland and back past the sunken church at Normanton into what I refer to as the "Dark Side" of Rutland I haven't ventured into on account of:

a) large water tower coming out of the water that Jo managed to get her boat hooked onto - we are convinced they are magically magnetic

b) swirly bits of water where there are fans in the reservoir and they aerate it.  I think someone told me about 6 years ago that they are really difficult to sail over and it sort of stuck in my head.

c) Club racing usually takes place in this area, and have irrational fear that I will end up in the middle of 200 boats...capsized

Anyway, I ventured into the "Dark Side" and discussed the possibility of sailing to Whitwell in the Summer for an ice cream and have been advised to take a paddle...and then handed the helm to Chris so that I could have a go at getting the spinnaker up - which I have never done before.  Managed to take this picture, it was beautiful having all three sails up:

My sweet boat, which I have yet to capsize in...so sturdy and trust worthy.  I am convinced it had an inner monologue going on..."crikey it's only March and I am already out on the water?  What is going on? Ahhhh it's lovely to have these sleepy wasps and nests of spiders brushed off and the wind in my sails and people having a laugh on board...mind you, I wish she would stop singing the theme tune to Howards Way".

Time to change

My Sunday cycling route is becoming a bit of a drag.  I am now finding the 17 miles a lot less effort, and last weekends nearly 23 almost too much to go straight to (I tell you what, this is a very gradual build up and I am extremely slow!).

So decided to go another way on Sunday and take in a different village on my loop:

• Kings Norton
• Illston on the Hill
• Three Gates
• Tur Langton
• Carlton Curleiu
• Kings Norton
• Gaulby
• Home

Total mileage 19.1 miles, burning off 600 calories and it took me ages but stopped to take some photos of St Andrews church in Tur Langton.  This church was built in 1865-1866 by Joseph Goddard.  Also to have a nibble on my Nutrigrain bar which sucked most of the moisture out of my body.

The houses in Tur Langton are so pretty, I particularly like this one (think it was built in 1669?) with its jutting out windows.
 

It's that time of year again...

...to make Marmalade

Well I had a failure last year, so this year gave all my jam jars away to someone else.  On Friday he returned some unused ones and a full one!  So thought I would make a small amount on Sunday.  Under the guidance of my mother, the Queen of Pressure Cooker use, and her 1970's splattered pressure cooker book safely in my hands, we made some marmalade with only a pound of Sevilles and one lemon, and 2 lbs of sugar (please note, using ancient books = no metric measurements).

Method:

1. I cut the Sevilles in quarters, removed pips and put pips into muslin (now I didn't have one, but found a clean muslin in my daughter's drawer left over from when when she was a baby and still likes to take them to bed now and again if a little under the weather!)
2. Cut one lemon and put pips into muslin and 3/4's in with the oranges (don't ask me why I didn't use the whole lemon but I was following my mother's instructions and she rarely keeps to the recipe)
3. Put oranges and lemons into pressure cooker with half pint of water, bought up to pressure (which takes 8 minutes, the Queen knew that!). Left on low heat at pressure for 10 minutes and left to cool for a further ten.
4. Sliced peel and squeezed muslin.  Slicing the peel was so easy after using the pressure cooker.
5. Added 2lbs of granulated sugar, stirred on low heat until it was completely dissolved.
6. Bought up to a rolling boil and continued to boil until one drip was left dangling off the spoon, shade of marmalade looked just "right" and when putting a tiny bit on a plate I had in the freezer it wrinkled up when I pushed my finger through it.
7. I poured the marmalade into two hot jars and sealed tops with waxed paper.  Just enough for me and the Queen.
8. The jars I used were larger than normal jam jars.

If you want more cookery stuff, please see my channel on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/lucyskitchen

nom nom nom

It did set, and the peel didn't float to the top!

Waiting for Jimmy

The Thursday Club - one of the few nights there isn't another commitment going on in my busy home.  Although the "Thursday Club" has only met twice, this week was a particularly good meeting as my friend and co-founder of the "Thursday Club" purchased tickets to go and see Jimmy Carr at the De Montfort Hall as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival.

He was very funny indeed, very rude, very shocking.  I was amazed that anyone can stand up and do a full two hours of comedy like that - he was extremely professional and fantastic at "cutting down" the stupid hecklers who could barely string a sentence together let alone say something intelligent.  It made me almost embarrassed to be part of the audience!

I can't remember jokes, they don't seem to store in my head for some reason.  But as I rolled over in bed on Friday morning and pressed "snooze" on my alarm clock and started to giggle, remembering one he had said..."who likes the snooze button? It's just what you need after an 8 hour sleep isn't it...a nap"!

A brilliant night had by all, as long as you were not from Scotland, Liverpool, Manchester, Sunderland, or Madonna, or sad when Princess Diana died....his list of "close to the bone" humour could probably go on, but I think it's best to stop there!

Back in the saddle - attempt number two

The ice has finally gone, punctures repaired, wheels reinstated on bike frame and I was off - for a very slow 23 miles in the freezing cold on Sunday morning (it took me about 2 hours and then was informed by my brother in law he had done 47 miles in the same time frame!).  I did manage to lengthen my usual 17 mile bike ride to take in Baggrave Park - only I didn't make it that far...I whimped out and took the earlier turning off towards Quenby Hall - avoiding the hills that are Hungarton village (next week I promise!).  I can't remember what my Garmin gadget said now and still need to upload the data to Garmin Connect but think I burnt off somewhere in the region of 800 calories (that was the pain au chocolat, two lattes and orange juice I had for breakfast burnt off then but not the 5 chocolates I ate the night before).  Couldn't help thinking though about the amount of effort required on my part to burn off minutes of pleasure I have from eating delicious food!

I did hear about a girl who was so particular about the men she went out with, that the length of their driveway was of importance to her...seriously and its not a type!!!  Cycling down the drive way to Quenby it crossed my mind that if there was a young man there perhaps she should consider pursuing him?  One mile later and I reached the Hall and spent a few moments taking in the view, having a drink and replenshing my energy before the return home.  I love the Leicestershire country side, cycling is such a brilliant way of enjoying the areas you would not generally go through....a bit off the beaten track.

 

Who lives in a house like this?

Back in the saddle...

Well the snow finally melted way under a light splattering of rain on Friday.  I was quite relieved and even happier on Sunday when the sun shone.  I set out for my usual "Sunday" bike ride, realising that I had not been in the saddle since boxing day I was determined to ignore the fact that I was slightly saddle sore and to finally extend my Sunday ride to about 25 miles, taking in the horror that is Ingarsby Lane and Baggrave Park.  I tried not to look at my new Garmin gadget too much, but was happy to hear a little beep every four to five minutes (depending on how hilly) to say I had clocked up another mile.

As my 17 miles drew to an end and I was seconds from my front door, I gave myself and really good talking to and turned in the opposite direction down the Lane and heading towards Baggrave Park.  A little way down the Lane I began to feel a "thud thud" on my back wheel, had a quick glimpse and everything seemed ok..."thud thud" continued and I soon stopped when I realised I had a puncture.  I was really dissapointed after giving myself such a good talking to. 

So happy that I burnt off 590 calories, but dissapointed that it ended to rapidly and I couldn't get the distance in.  Here's to next Sunday?

(My main concern about walking back up the hill was that people might pass me by and think I couldn't cope with the ride!)


Time: 01:44:54
Distance: 18.42 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,086 ft
Calories: 590 C
Avg Temperature: 57.2 °F

How to make meringues

I am dumfounded but 16,228 people have watched my YouTube channel - LucysKitchen and have seen me making meringues!  I am now thinking of some other culinary capers I can upload...how about making pastry?  That is a I can/can't make cooking skill?

LucysKitchen

A snowy pic from the BBC Website

Bonkers weather

There has really been some bonkers weather this week and as the snow and ice begin to dissapear today under pouring rain, at least I managed to have a little fun in the snow whilst on a trip with work.

Little Snowman

Big Snowman antlers

The Meridian Line

The view of the Naval College at Greenwich under a blanket of snow

I felt like I was in a winter wonderland, on holiday somewhere in the Alps not at the end of the Docklands Light Railway on the outskirts of London.  It will stay in my mind for the rest of my life as a magical moment.  I stood and watched as the park gradually filled up with more people, perhaps they couldn't get to work or school was closed...snowboarding, and sledging down the hill on various sledges, laughing and giggling.  I thought if I was there with my children that I would have let them have a day off school, these are memories that really do last a lifetime.

By the way...if you ever drop off anyone at St Pancras - you have 2 minutes!  This made me laugh as I walked past the sign.

And on a final note about bonkers weather...I thought this was such a fantastic headline "Policemen ticked off for tobogganing on shields"

UK Police sledging on riot shields

20 inches of snow

No more yellow belt

After two hours of scary karate grading yesterday I am pleased to say goodbye to my yellow belt.  It is one year on since I started and have now had a red, yellow and newly acquired orange (with green stripe) belt.  The process of grading is incredibly nerve wracking.  We have to come out in pairs in front of a panel with parents and partners of participants watching from behind us.  Our first time out we go through our hand techniques...downward block, upward block, middle block, chop reverse punch, double knife hand block...bow....leave (phew I think one third of the way through).  Next up are the leg techniques...front kick, back kick, step up side kick and step up round kick....bow....leave (phew I think two thirds of the way throguh) and finally our Kata and for me it is called Tan Gun Hyong (I think that is the spelling)...had to do it twice....bow.....leave (phew I think it's over for another three months or so) and eventually my heart stops beating a million beats a minute.

More procrastinating

My crochet skills are now reaching new heights of activity, but I finally put down the hook and realised I really must get on.  I have now almost completed my essay which is due in on Friday, 15th January.  2352 words have been written in my Critical Commentary and I am now awaiting for some feedback from my tutor.  Let's hope she does not think I am complete lost cause!?  I found it extremely difficult starting to write an academic document at MA level when I have been out of the loop for so long, full of self-doubt and the inability to reference work effectively!

I am now measuring items I crochet as time frames of "procrastination":

Crochet hat - took about 40 minutes of procrastination

Crochet shawl took about 2 nights of procrastination

Lovely little messages

I woke up yesterday morning, drew the curtains back to see this lovely message drawn on the bonnet of our car...I don't think I have a secret admirer, but quite possibly a very sweet friend...was it you Anomaly?  Whoever is was, it made me smile and for that I thank you! :-)

The art of procrastination

I have come to the conclusion that I am a genius in the art of procrastination.  I have a looming hand-in date of 15th January for a "critical commentary" for the MA course I am doing.  So I've had two weeks off work during the festive period to produce a glorious, distinction worthy piece of work....instead I have produced this:

Combined "Procrastination time" 7 hours 40 minutes

Snow stops play

Well the weather has some what stopped play...I have managed to have one bike ride with my new Garmin gadget on 26th December, only doing 17 miles :-( My new Garmin gadget is brilliant and was happy to see that the 17 miles I did ride amounted to exactly 500 calories.  Unfortunately my cadence is below average and shows that I obviously free-wheel far too much...must remember to keep pedaling even downhill.

My mother, who has just reach three quarters of a centuary in age said she could only remember one "white Christmas" in her lifetime.  So although I love the light covering of snow on the ground and the garden and the village looks totally stunning, unfortunately I'm not having the opportunity to burn off that festive excess.  Roll on Spring time and lighter evenings and longer mileage.

It wasn't me...honest!