Early bird special…

Sunday.

An 0700 meeting time on a Sunday morning would probably put the fear of god into most people, but the boss (Steve) hasn’t been around for the last few weeks – see recent blog posts – so when he put the call out I fearlessly signed up! eager to hear tales of his latest adventures.

The benefits of such an early start of course, are the empty roads and lanes, at least for the first few hours of the ride.

It was still dark – and strangely warm for mid October! – when I set off for the meeting spot, joining the early birds to enjoy the peace, quiet and the rarity of a car less main road. The temperature unfortunately meant that I was unable to show off my new woollen plus fours, but it was nice to still be warm enough for shorts and bare legs at this time of the year.

With headlamp beaming, tyres gently humming and drive train satisfactorily whirring in harmony, I dreamily made my way…

It’s always hard to leave a warm bed, especially when it’s a day off from work, but it is totally worth the effort.

Steve had to be back home for 10.30 today, hence the early start, so instead of the usual cafe stop the camp stove and continental picnic breakfast were packed. A canal side bench would be our dining area on this outing. Gently watching the day come to life and wishing a couple of how-do’s to passing narrow boaters is a fine way to enjoy breakfast. The fact that I’d stupidly/sleepily forgotten to pack a mug only lightened the mood further. After being treated to a stunning sunrise and a good chin wag over coffee and pastries the inevitable spots of rain started to appear. A shame, but we knew we were in for a shower or two today. The ‘red sky in the morning’ adding proof to the already unpromising forecast, but with our mission complete we set off for the trail and the way home. Happy that we’d braved the early alarm!