December 2011 - me do it mine self

[TheOnlySeven]

Offers round and

Main things to consider hop- does work have washing facilities, as you'll need them if you get hot 'n' sweaty/dirty from the ride. Is there somewhere to store your bike (and btw, does your work offer cheapo bikes deals for cycling to work- mine does?)
Are you able to fix your bike if the chain comes off, or you get a puncture? What are the roads like- any cycle lanes, etc? Will you be able to take/leave clean work clothes to change in to?

Having said all that, it's great getting your exercise going to and from work- I've always walked, and so have never needed to go to the gym or anything. It's (almost in your case) free, and it does wonders for your mental health too.

Not washing facilities, but I could keep a change of clothes at work, or take a change with me and get changed there. Can also keep stuff like deoderant, wet wipes etc there as well. No cheapy deals for bikes, but it would pay for itself very quickly. Route is OK, not much in the way of cycle paths but lots of cyclists on the road, only one bit where there is multiple lanes and the traffic doesn't move to fast there anyway. I think it would take about the same amount of time as my commute by metro or driving (hate driving it). There is a bike rack at work, couple of other people cycle in. Think I'll give it a go on husband's bike and see what happens.

Where in town did you go oi?

I'd say given those details that I'd go for it hop. I used to cycle that far too/from work when I lived in France and, apart from when it snowed, it was fine. You do need proper waterproofs and a waterproof backpack though. And willingness to go out in cold and wet. It is so fab from a general well being perspective though. You feel so awake when you get to work.

Oh, and I used roller blade 5.5 miles to work when I worked in Oz! Mainly bike path and nearly always dry of course (can't really roller blade in the wet). Also fab. I occasionally ran to work instead of cycling in France. Oh to be able to blithely run 5+ miles now. we had showers at work of course.

I was 2 stone lighter then. Go figure.

Hop I used to cycle to work. Only 2 and a bit miles down Wilmslow Road, the wind tunnel of South Manchester. I agree with mopsy waterproofs are a must, and you're best spending a bit to get decent ones that still let you breathe.

I would also recommend investigating panniers for your bike rather than a backpack. Your back doesn't get so sweaty and they also make you more noticable.

Fabulous for when you've had a rubbish day, pound it out on the peddles on the way home!!

Just managed to get DS out of the ring sling, onto the sofa, get his coat and shoes off, without waking him up!

I am a ninja.

Result!

Ninja!!
Yes, Mopsy, I do want to be you, or at least have your glasses and a bit of your academic brilliance and cleverness!
Hop - bike it! Like it!
I have just ordered a Davina hula hoop. I am going to be a hula-ninja. I ordered a little (non-weighted) hula hoop for Boi also, to stop him trying to nick mine.
Manc - we went to Epernee (?) and then somewhere in Spinningfields.
The Spinningfields place was nice, however you had to walk through the "bitch'n lounge" (?) to get to the loos where the ladies were bitch'n.
It's so good to be 41, and a mum, and not give a fig about what anyone else thinks!

I'm going to have a look for some chicken curry recipes and enchiladas sound good too - DS likes a bit of spice :-)

Oi I don't know about you, but the being a mum bit has definitely improved my confidence a lot!

Enchiladas work really well as you can hide the bits he isn't fond of with bits he is. Lots of peppers, onion and such. Plenty of cheese too :o

My lot would eat roast chicken drumsticks every day if you let them. It's something about the fact you are legitimetely allowed to pick them up and nibble....

And chicken Korma is also favourable. When you have three you encourage things they all eat!! (We had cheesy marmite and lemon-and-sugar pancakes for tea today, another favourite).

Impressed with the hula ing and ninja ing!

Well, electrician came today and now we have a much lighter wallet and no nasty halogen lights in the whole house. I also ordered something called "plug-and-play-LED strip-lighting kit" to try out in the kitchen: it promises undercabinet lighting in five minutes and comes in warm white or coloured LED options (I've gone for white but it literally sticks onto the cupboard underside so maybsplash out and get the other one too!) want to see how effective it is as am sick of chopping veg on the work surface practically backlit! It's just so much niCER to see what I'm doing....

Aethel the Elderspawn is the same, and ditto for ribs. The more goo laden the better.

Bedtime. Trying to drift the tablet taking earlier as evenings are not working well. Night!

And half a pack of Jaffa cakes, a glass of squash and my loopy pill is totally a balanced meal yes? Too tired!

Urgh, trying to do the finance books across two accounts (not to mention the various random payments to, and money from, one-off sources) using both on-line and books...normally there's a set amount that will go out of the account, but with moving house...

Still, by chance we're ending up with a month with no mortgage payment, so can't complain!

I too am off to bed Kitten, hope the Jaffa Cakes are soothing...

Hope you all had a better night than we did 10.30 we had 30 mins of hysteria, 3am shouting in his sleep and general whinging and then again at 5.45 he isnt distressed more angry about something, he has a drink he got his pillow pet last night as it calms him he is getting his back teeth through that must be it right? Sending dh loopy!!!

Ball biscuits discovered last night that there is a tube strike on thursday when i have to be in london for meetings, i am going to have to get a bus arent i? (shudder).

Figster I think buses are actually better than the tube, though possibly not during the tube strike. Where in London do you need to be (and what station are you arriving at)? Is it walkable? Sorry you had a rough night, think it must be teeth.

Aethal and Chip DS would pretty much eat just meat and fruit if I let him. We had fajitas last night, so he ate chicken and sour cream. Sour cream counts as a food group in his little head.

Kitten hope you're feeling better today!

This morning's metro trip has made me even more convinced I should bike. It's freezing out, but the metro is packed and hot and sweaty and there is always someone on it who sounds like they've got TB and can't put their hand over their mouth when they cough. Blurgh, getting the bike out this weekend.

Hop I'm going to offices opposite warren street station (by the bt tower) Looks like I can get a bus right there or a 40 minute walk with a big laptop bag. Am thinking I won't be home at a decent time regardless.

Dh finds out about job today ......eek

Fingers crossed for your DH!

Twisting of digits going on here also Figster

Today has involved buying yet more shirts for the Elder. She grows at stupid times f the academic year

Any news yet figgy?

not heard yet, has rather been overtaken by the fact that DH phoned at lunchtime to say skunk was unable to walk and has been leaking black stuff out of her unmentionables.........came home from work for afternoon.........waiting for vet to call and say we can take her over and put her out of her misery. I honestly dont want them to try to help her anymore it isnt working i want them to put her out of her misery poor little thing.....am gutted but she is 9 and we have discussed where we would bury her, knew it was coming but not made it any easier anyway.

Hope to hear all round soon.

Sorry to hear that sad news, Figgy.
Hope the day is given a little silver lining with good news for DH. X

Oh heck. Poor Skunky:(

Aw Figgy (((((hug))))) much sympathy, that's a real shame but it sounds like the kindest thing for her :(

I am totally shallow, me LED lights and strip got here. Can't believe it was that simple to get cabinet under-lighting, should have done it months ago! Granted it takes up a plug, but ooh the luxury of seeing veg as it is chopped!!! Think i might have to get another strip for the other side of the cupboards....