Only another 50 to go!

I may have mentioned before that I signed up for Pedal for Scotland this year. Since signing up many months ago the route has changed slightly and is now up to 110 miles. Eek!. I have tried to up my training somewhat by commuting to work 2 or 3 days a week, which although only about 8.5 miles each way, has a few tough little hills to contend with first thing in the morning.

Today seemed a good day to go for a longer tour as the forecast was for mild temps and no rain. I never like to go too far afield when I am on my own, so plotted a route that would cover about 60 miles but one that if need be could probably phone someone to come rescue me from. Thankfully I made it round in one piece.

My legs were getting a bit tired towards the end, but I don't really stop for any length of time, so I am hoping that the extra 50 miles I need to do to complete the Pedal for Scotland route will be doable with a few extra fuel stops and some moral support from my cycling companions. I also hope that the wind will return to it's usual West to East direction.

My route.

My treat.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.

What do you get.....

Question: What do you get if you cross Jimmy Carr, a short bike ride, a fabulous food fest of a BBQ, great friends, good chat, a long walk, warm weather and a curry?

Answer: An extremely enjoyable weekend of laughter and fun.

Follow the yellow light road.

Gottle o geer.

Fav peeps x

Tom cat.

BBQ king.

Trying to keep the midgies away.

Glow stick power.

Pentlands

Views from hills.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.

Break Out.

The Jelly Babies had spent what seemed like an eternity in their plastic prison. When eventually it was opened they gave out a very hushed cheer. Their hope of escape was close, they could smell freedom, but the cheers were soon hushed when the prison was left open but upright in what they learned later was the side pocket of a very large vehicle.

Day by day other prisoners were taken, the flowers, the shoes and the milk shakes all too quickly vanished. The Jelly Babies, although frightened, sighed with relieve when each time the monster with 5 tentacles appeared from above, sometimes picking them up but dropping them back into the prison and choosing the softer jelly type prisoners.

However, one sunny afternoon the 5 tentacles came and picked up the whole prison and moved it!

They took this rare opportunity to break out from their confines and be free forever.

Run Jelly Babies Run.

It was not too long before the 5 tentacles returned. The Jelly Babies did not get the freedom they had dreamed of. One by one, in what seemed like a very specific colour/flavour order, they were taken and put into a very dark and bottomless cave.

Tentacles of doom.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey

Edinburgh Book Festival

As the fantastic feast of sporting excellence comes to a close in London, Edinburgh is starting to liven up with start of the Edinburgh International Festival, The Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh Book Festival.

 My very good friend Hazel Allan is a very talented and I feel under valued children's author. The last book in the Bree McCready trilogy is going to be published later this year, but she has been invited to do a reading at the Book Festival this year. So as an invited author she asked me to accompany her to the opening night party.

The festivals tented village takes over Charlotte Square in Edinburgh for a few weeks and included in there is the Famous Spiegeltent. A great venue and a fantastic night of laughs, chats, dancing and free wine.

If you haven't heard of or indeed read the Bree books get a copy here. Enjoyable for adults and children alike.

We were here.

Hazel, pre free wine.

Cheers

Lovely

deck

chairs.

The fabulous band.

Bad hair evening.

Giggles in the loos.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey and Hazel Allan.

My Grumbling Ways.

When you are out and about on the roads all the time you see some weird and wonderful driving. I am by no means perfect myself I admit, but seriously it amazes me some people are still alive.

One thing that has always slightly got my hackles up are these people that insist on telling me that they have a baby, child, Prince or Princess on board. Are they just boasting that they are good at procreation, because to be honest I don't really care.

When I set out on any road trip, may it be short or long, I endeavour not crash into any other vehicle whether they are carrying a child or not. However this can sometimes prove difficult when some "baby on board" drivers are so distracted by their precious offspring that they weave wildly across both lanes of the motorway or indeed forget where they are going and pull out at the last minute from the off ramp they were travelling down!

Although a tad long winded "baby on board" notices should really say "Tired, grumpy, angry and easily distracted from driving parent on board. Please keep your distance."

Apologies to any of my friends that might have one in their car window, I am sure that this rant does not apply to you.

Double rainbow.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.