Every Rose has its Thorn

So, whats going on? A lot by all accounts. Firstly, some family friends had their baby girl (Molly Mae) so congratulations to the Payne's. Vix and the kids are having a great time in France, and the Grandparents are loving having them. Mabel is being a perfect French dog, and might have developed the ultimate 'gallic shrug'.

Me? Well, its been a revelation really. Firstly, I am rubbish on my own. Without the kids around, I forget to eat, leave my clothes all over the bedroom and have the TV set to watch Top Gear reruns on DAVE. I thrive on my kids and my wife. Its kinda like my grass (bear with me).

As you can see, new shoots are starting to develop. This is due to the weeding, then adding of seed and then finally lots of loving care. If you take care of things, and have them loved things develop. Whilst the kids have been away, I don't think I have developed. In fact, I might have regressed. When I was a batchelor (long time ago), I used to race bikes. Because I was lazy, having the race season take over my life meant that I HAD to do things. Without the family around, I have realised that I don't have to make the bed. I don't have to tidy up my clothes. And I have regressed to a slob. But.......

If you have been reading these posts you know that I am training for a long distance ride in Edinburgh (462 miles!). I have been training, but without having the family around, I can ride at strange times. Like yesterday. I went out at 6.30am and returned at 11.30am. No problem. But if the kids had been around, it would have been hard to be away for so long. Not for them, but for ME! I then woke up this morning, at 6.30am went for a run for 45 mins and then went for a MTB ride with Maynard. Then this afternoon, went for a quick loop on the road bike. Just random acts of training. But, I would have traded it all in for puzzles with the boy, or watching the girls ride their bikes. And most importantly, some time with Vix. I really can't wait to see her at Hyde Park.

Sorry, if this got a little TOO personal. I'm just in one of those moods. Now, back to the geeky stuff!

Here are some photos of what may be the best bike ever. Now, I know what you are saying, (but its got risers, but its carbon) but I mean it. This bike is comfortable, and wants to be ridden in ANGER. My friend Paul let me borrow it since MY bike got stolen, and I have been a bit worried about how it looks and rides (especially after riding Patrick's Pride and Joy (see earlier post) on the Col). But this bike just eats up miles. And it shifts. Or at least it makes me feel that way.

All right, thats enough for now. Long week at work shaping up, so will try to post when able to. However, I'm tapering the amount of training so will not be doing much other than a quick 1.5 hours here and there.