Headwind

 The Headwind cycling event in the Nederlands was cancelled during storm Ciaran... funnily enough the last time previously was during storm Ciara!

People have been joking about it, but with 30mph winds and 40+mph gusts it was wise. 

Ursula's comment brought that to mind..and a couple of days ago I saw a short video of a street in the Nederlands during a windy day, with people being blown about.

A few years ago a lady whose garden we worked in , crossed the street to their village shop, instead of asking someone younger and fitter to fetch her messages.  She was blown over and broke a couple of bones..not the best thing to do when you are in your late 80s. 

Showing that it is best to be careful when the win gets up!

Today's indoors was in the Glasgow Velodrome..a pleasant hour, for Pirate on the boards and chatting with friends. For me, an hour mostly spent reading.  A good break for us both

On track...then a walk

 Yesterday Pirate was part of a Masters' practice session before the national championships ..and we are back again for another four hours today! 

A series of events is run during the four hours...there are two groups, fast and...not so fast! A lot of it is practicing techniques, as unless you do a lot of travelling to race, it's easy to get a bit rusty.

Our club is well spread out so it was a good chance for a get together!

We do have more than these...not everyone could get the time or money for a weekend away. When you consider the furthest travelled this weekend was from four hours north of Glasgow. Another Scot, now living in Manchester came north for the weekend...he lives nearer than some of our members!! as the velodrome building there is being renovated and the track closed for now.

After coming home we had a walk , a bit of exercise for me and walk the riding and car sitting out of his legs. Plus a chance to review for future foraging!

Other trees look laden too

And a beautiful sky...

Birthday and preparation

Glasgow today, for Pirate to have a couple of hours riding on the track ( not continuously!!) And to give a friend a birthday present...hiding in the blue bag is a bottle of whisky!! He was 84 a couple of days ago....and we got a rare smile!!

Typical though....the one day we get a day fit to go out on the bikes is the day he rides indoors!! But couldn't be helped as it was booked a week ago.

Now we have to check everything and tie things outside down more securely...two more storms on the way and the highest wind speeds so far this winter....if you can call it winter!!
 

Staying safe

In other words keeping busy, making kitchen hand towels..half a dozen, from old towels. To teach the Pirate to use a fresh one every day!!
While I wait for my turn on the easier turbotrainer.
No point going out in sideways rain showers. I have no wish to get soaked or blown off my bike.
We might go for a short walk later. For a change of air.
Or I might stay in the warm and bake!!

Life goes on

Our morning view as we ride our turbotrainers

Then healthy breakfast with a different smoothie every morning!

Pirate's walking exercise today was mowing lawns, this is next door's so that the grandkids living there have more playspace.

Today I learned how to make chapattis to go with our lunchtime curry...warming up was needed as the wind is strong and bitterly cold.

Monday washday

The sheets wash was in by 8 and dry before lunch!!
Looks like it will be ironing today as well.

Our turbo ride today was to The Cajun Classics, "C'est Fun"... Cue for a bit of fast pedalling 😎

Spring is sprung!

Safer on the mantelpiece!

Keeping warm

We are still working on getting back used to colder temperatures here..it takes time!
The process wasn't helped by a two hour electricity power cut this morning..but thankfully the gas fire doesn't need electric to run and we have a camping stove.

This afternoon Pirate is taking part in a pursuit training session on the velodrome in Glasgow...and I am having a break!
The drive to Glasgow wasn't the easiest, being buffeted by the wind, then horizontal snow showers,  then low visibility with hail and snow for the last five miles....but we are here, warm and dry!
He is taking stock of what he needs to do and possibly change to achieve his aims this season.

Not easy taking photos of moving subjects in low light levels!

What you do on a Monday..

Send invitations, check the jewellers, pay the balance of the registrar's fee..
and go home to paint ceilings!!

For light relief..a turbo session with fellow cyclists..sadly the last of ten,now the clocks have gone forward.

That was at the beginning of the warm-up. They decided on a change of view,with the lighter evening...

and at the end...

you could see we'd been working hard...

Rewarded with mugs of tea, hot sausage rolls or macaroni pies and homemade sponge cake, to revive us for the journey home.