Stand By Me

Now that they’ve started putting salt on the roads - not to mention the daily risk of rain, snow and almost sub zero temperatures - the time has come to put the bike up on the stand for winter.
Not the easiest task, as I have found from past experience - there’s limited room to manoeuvre as I attempt to avoid scratching the mirrors on the garage wall, smacking the stand into the tool cupboard behind the bike or trapping the brake lines and chain if I don’t position the rubber cups precisely.
Seems I’m getting better at it though - only three attempts required this year before the bike was correctly settled into position. Trickle charger reconnected, dust cover on and garage door down. Unless global warming kicks in with a vengeance in the new year, I don’t think the bike will be seeing the roads again until spring. At the very least, I’m not taking it out unless all the salt has gone.
Marks and Spencer very busy today. I don’t know if it’s because we’re a day later than normal this week, or if it’s the Christmas effect starting early. Quite a lot of obvious non locals though. From the contents of their trolleys, I’m surmising it may be a case of fleeing to the holiday home in The Lakes before London gets put into Tier 3, and getting stocked up for a fortnight’s stay. And looking at some of the quantities they were buying, I’m also guessing all their Christmas bubble will be joining them in said holiday home!
Definitely felt uncomfortable in the crowds though. May have to rethink our own Christmas shopping strategy - little and often over a couple of quick visits rather than one big shop in Christmas week. But, let’s face it, if we end up having something other than a full on turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Xmas Day, it’s not exactly the end of the world is it?