May should have started off with the annual cycle ride across the Isle of Wight, which is always held on the first bank holiday in May. There’s usually a good crowd of at least 50 people of all ages and abilities. Unfortunately, there was only me this year! A lot of the families that normally go have teenage children, who are sitting exams in the next few weeks. And have decided to stay at home to let them revise. As a result of this, it was decided to cancel the Isle of Wight trip this year.
Just because nobody else was going, there was no reason for me not to go, especially as I had missed last year, I was away on my world tour.
Saturday came, and as normal it was a lovely sunny day, ideal weather for the Isle of Wight. It remained sunny, until right at the end, when there was a shower! But nothing to get me wet, an enjoyable ride, in familiar surroundings. Shame nobody else was here! I didn’t go to the bikers do this year, it wouldn’t have been the same on my own and too scary!
I decided on the Saturday night that I would make the weekend into a mini tour. On Sunday I cycled round the island or three-quarters of it and got the ferry back home Sunday night. Monday I cycled back to Portsmouth to visit a friend that I hadn’t seen since I went away on my big cycle ride, way back in 2011. Not having any work booked in for the Tuesday I decided to ride in the opposite direction and went to Brighton via Arundel for the day, a nice weekend ride of about 240 miles. May bank holiday
Other News
The following weekend I went up to London with Julie on the train for the day and walked along the south side of the river Thames from the Houses of Parliament up to Tower Bridge taking in the sites, we crossed the Thames at Tower Bridge then walked up along Fleet street and up to Leicester Square and had something to eat in China town, which is just behind Leicester Square, before walking back to Victoria train station via Buckingham Palace and getting the train home. A pleasant walk of about 8 miles. London
Bought a new barbeque, my old one had rusted away so I decided that I needed a new one and got carried away buying food for it. I spent nearly £200 on meat and I wasn’t even going to invite anybody round! Luckily the freezer was empty, so I managed to squeeze it all into there. I’ve had a couple of barbeques over the month, (not just for me!) but not as many as I would have liked, every time I think of doing one the weather turns wet! Typical British summer really!
I’ve been for a few short rides, mainly on the weekends, but nothing major. One Sunday I went for a ride to Arundel about 9 miles away and went through the woods at Binsted, really pretty with the Bluebells in full flower. Other than that I’ve been working, very boring!
