The Tour de France starts on Saturday, which is a highlight of the summer for me (the equivalent for the ball and chain is Wimbledon, which began on Monday). It’s odd to think that I’ll start the Tour (as a spectator that is) in Minnesota, watch the middle bit in New York, and finish it living in the UK.
This weekend we discovered that a pipe buried inside the kitchen wall has developed a leak, just 5 days before we officially hand over the house. On the upside, I had to slow down while cycling in to work this morning so that I didn’t disturb the deer crossing the path in front of me.
Apparently it’s worth checking your socks for slugs before cycling to work in the morning, especially at the front of your ankle where the constant flexing and extending of the joint could squish any hapless invertebrates.
To anticipate the obvious question: No, it was on the outside.
Next Wednesday, May 17th, is the Ride Of Silence, an annual event to remember those who have died while cycling during the last year. Selling our house has made forwarding planning tricky, but if it’s possible I’ll be there and I hope to see some of you there too.
I’m lucky; I haven’t had a traffic accident, though I’ve fallen in the road and heard the unnerving screech of a car’s brakes as it struggled to stop before rolling over me. Instead I’ll be riding for Pia Sass, who was grievously hurt but thankfully not killed when an elderly motorist ran over her while she was out training for a marathon. I don’t know Pia, but she was a member of my rowing club and I taught her sister to row last year, so it’s been interesting to follow her story.
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