Off and away

Six weeks ago I arranged a week in Limousin, to start this weekend, a kind of ‘exploring meets cycling’ trip, a chance to cycle somewhere a bit hillier than here and to enjoy the Correze countryside while also seeing somewhere new. Sounds good.

Five weeks ago I pulled a muscle in my back while moving an embarrassingly small flower pot. Just as that strain started to heal I had to help move a wardrobe up a rather steep flight of stairs. A bad move, that meant a further three weeks of pain and no chance to get back on my bike.

Which brings us to today. I did a gentle 35 kilometres in not very hilly countryside today, in lovely sunshine I’m pleased to tell you, and managed to get round without falling off in pain. My first trip in a long time and to say the least it is not the training I planned to do before my trip…which starts tomorrow!

Not being able to go cycling or to lift anything heavy has also meant that I have stayed indoors more or less constantly for the last six weeks, so I’m looking pale and sickly and rickets (caused by sunshine deficiency if I’m remembering correctly) is probably only moments away as well.

To make matters worse the sunshine is only predicted to last until the end of Monday – so I have to get over there as quickly as possible, cycle like the clappers for three days, and then spend the rest of the week looking out of the window at the Limousin rain. Presumably while lying down because I’m sure to put my back out again with all the effort.

Of course, there are advantages to having a bad back, almost all of them relating to the ability to avoid anything that looks a little bit like hard work. “I’d love to help, really, I just can’t risk it…” is now my standard response if asked to lift anything heavier than a biro. Mrs B is looking a bit suspicious but I think the story is good for another week or so yet.

Anyway, by the time you read this I will either be cycling in the sunshine, ambling around some quaint French village taking photos, or queuing for ointments in Brive casualty department but the one place I won’t be is in reach of the internet – so you won’t hear from me until at least next Friday. Have a good week!