The eyes have it

 Today wasn't inspiring either..still grey and getting chillier....but at least I got the sheet and towels wash on the line and half dry!

A text arrived to remind me that it was eye check time...I phoned them and they had a slot free this afternoon!

I managed to fit in lunch and dealing with the wild pears before going...they were washed and de-stalked and put in the freezer. Freezing means that I'll get more juice from them. And the stalks clog up the mincer!!

The eye examination went fine..no change needed to the specs I've had for about six years...just a slight change in my eyes from last year but no worries. They did my hearing check as well - passed with flying colours! And no change since the first one two years ago....that I'd had to get Pirate to have his checked!!!

Then a walk around town...a bit of exercise while I waited for the bus.

That's the Auld Brig... From the 1700s I think...that had a rebuild in the 1700s.

The new one from the 1800s is to the right of the top photo...and that had to have a complete rebuild quite soon after it was first put there!!

Cross day

 Friday and Saturday were nothing to write home about...so I won't...!!

Apart from meeting the club bike run at the end coffee stop...that was good, even if I did go by car. 

Today I went to watch a cyclo cross in Linlithgow...good practice sorting a route..the non-motorway route was ten miles shorter! And interesting, even though it did cross various bits of moorland. The weather was damp and drizzly.... until a couple of miles from the town! And the same on my return three and a half hours later!!

Luckily the races were running late and I was in time to see the 50+ and 60+ riders doing their practice lap...then catch the bag of our Fife friend as they lined up ready for the start, with his and a friend's jacket in it...

Then they get ready the riot act..i.e. Behave!!

Then ticked off the list as they go up to the line

After lining up, the 60+ go off a short while after the 50+

The course devisers had been creative....using zig zag taping to get the length of course in...the course is supposed to take a top rider about eight to ten minutes and be 90% rideable, with a couple of obstacles..some pick up their bike and others "bunny hop" over them. 

Each race is for a time not a distance, and after the first  lap or two the commissaires can judge how many laps will be needed for the time and the lap board goes up... there's a bell for the last lap...and when the leader finishes, everyone that comes in behind has finished, whatever lap they are on. Every rider has a transponder on their ankle, so the number of laps completed can quickly be read off the transponder.

Our Fife friend was second in the 60+...and his friend beat him!

The juvenile ( under 12, 14, 16) races and the 40+race had finished by the time I arrived, but at the same time as the 50/60+ race was on, the under 8s and 10s were having fun on their own separate and easier course 

Then the womens' race was on ... seniors (18+) and juniors (16-18) together, but with prizes for the age groups. Good to see about thirty riders.

No photos as I was having lunch!! As well as the usual coffee carts

There was a van selling burritos... so I had one with vegetarian haggis, rice with lime, guacamole, salsa and black beans....even the smallest "regular" size was a decent meal.

Then the podiums...

And the "yob with the gob"... keeping up a commentary all day!!

I didn't stay to see the main senior race ( ie not specifically veterans who are 40+, but if they think they are capable they can ride the open event) as I wanted to get home in daylight...and it was 65 miles..

But a nice day out, good to see quite a few friends and enjoy the craic.