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!