Excursion

Unfortunately yesterday's lovely weather didn’t last and it was dull and cloudy, getting cooler in the afternoon. After the usual faffing about I set off on the bike to VW’s and, after giving her her birthday present for tomorrow, we set off to Penicuik. Managed to find a route that stayed on cycle paths almost the whole way (not that Google maps seems to see where they all are until you’re on them…annoying!). It was a great ride and we chatted most of the way about all sorts. It was uneventful until I nearly went into a bush because I was trying to set my exercise app on my watch and when we collapsed into giggles trying to get through a tricky gate…all good fun!
We made for the Store Room cafe when we arrived…just as well we’d planned that as everything else seemed closed. We wolfed down some pea and ham soup, then tea and shared a couple of cake treats which were all very tasty, then set off back again. Little bits of spitting rain some of the time but not disruptive and we stopped at Maiden Bridge to take some photos having looked up about its history….Margaret Tudor (Henry VIII’s sister) crossed it on her way north to marry James IV of Scotland in 1503 and it had been built in the late 15th Century to enable access to Newbattle Abbey. To get this shot of me on the bridge V scrambled down the river bank, most of it sitting down!
Left V at her house and headed home, chatting to T en route and then (almost literally!) bumped into JM and his daughter cycling home from the hospital where they’d been visiting his mother. I didn’t realise he’d moved to Durham Uni last year so it was good to catch up and hear his news.
Packed the bike away in its hoop then up to the flat to collapse a bit with a cup of tea. 42 miles in total, so it was a good ride out!
Phoned Mt as he’d tried to call earlier and heard about the rest of their holiday and getting ready for school starting on Tuesday…AR going into Year 4 and Mx into Year 2….gracious!
Another quiet evening with low key supper of snacks from the fridge. I could do with a bath…the only time I fancy one is when I need to soak some aching muscles!