Zero, foggy and beautiful!

Clear, cold and dark when I left home this morning, but by the time I reached the Lakes the fog was thick and heavy. My glasses certainly needed de-misting. It stayed that way all until Northbourne, but to be honest I really enjoy riding on the cyclepath in the pitch black with rolling fog all around. In my own little world.

By the time I got to LBG it was still foggy, but not too bad and so much lighter than yesterday as there was no cloud cover. The autumn colours were brilliant! The ride along the lake an absolute pleasure and an effort to turn up at Bowen Drive to come to work. Oh well, let's hope the weather is beautiful for my afternoon ride!

Lunchtime trip to city

Off to the city via the lake and got to see my lovely husband. It was great to have time together with no kids. Also loved the beautiful scenery by the lake.

A bleak but lovely Autumn day

The sky was grey, there was drizzle but I did enjoy my ride in. The temperature was a pleasant 13 degrees and light winds from the south.

The colours in the trees are spectacular, and some trees have totally lost all their leaves, but at our house the tomatoes are turning red. Something bizarre about having trees in their autumn finery and trees with little white blossoms in the same street at the same time. Just shows the weird things happening in nature with our unpredictable weather.

I beat the bus!

I have been so slack lately not posting. I am still riding and every day and have even taken some great pics, but the time and enthusiasm for posting has waned.

Today was the day to get back into blogging. A crisp, clear, gorgeous autumn morning, a great day to take a photo and blog BUT I left my phone/camera at home! Stupid me. I feel lost without it. Oh well, I did live without a mobile for the best part of 40 years so I can cope.

One exciting thing was my trip home yesterday. In the morning with the headwind 58 minutes. Going home with a tailwind 47 minutes. A record for the return trip! And to top off the exciting feeling of breaking a home run record, I even beat the bus. The bus turned the corner onto Northbourne at Barry Drive while I was waiting at the red light. It stopped at the first stop. I caught up and patiently waited behind. Then I overtook at the lights. Then he went past and stopped again. After about 3 times I checked out the bus more thoroughly. The 3.45pm 52 City to Belconnen via Gungahlin. This bus was going to go past my front door! Was it tempting to pull in front and get on the bus, yes. But no, this is a challenge. Heading down Gungahlin Drive I was thinking can I make it to the roundabout before the bus? As I approached the roundabout I checked from the right but no sign. Okay, pedal faster I can do it.

And I did, just about 50m short of my bus stop it passed me. What a triumph! I felt great! Without a bike, from work there is no way I could have been at City Interchange to get that bus, the earliest would have been the 4pm. To beat the bus from City to my home! Oh what a feeling! I gave the driver a wave. I'm sure he would have recognised me as that cyclist who kept overtaking/being overtaken on Northbourne. He was probably shocked that I beat him.

So I felt great. Shh … don't tell anyone the bus goes around the suburbs, certainly not a direct route. I beat the bus is all I can say.

Crisp clear and balloons

The best morning to ride to work. No wind, clear, cool, spectacular.

Then I decided to detour, not start work early as I usually do and see the Balloon Festival. I stayed until just after 7am. Could have stayed longer but I felt guilty.

These photos just don't do it justice. The colours of the balloons, the roar of the burners and the quiet nothing as they drift up and over you. It was truly spectacular.

Tuesday 13 March

Erin's birthday and what a lovely ride to work.

Catching up on posts

A long weekend and after a week of rain and miserable weather it was lovely to see some clear skies.

On Saturday I circled Gungahlin Lake. You can see from the photo just how high the water was, well up over the seat. In fact the seat is still sitting in water. it might be a while before it drops back again.

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Sunday I visited the Oompa Loompa statue whose official name is "Lady with Flowers". I think she needs a proper name and should have been commissioned to be someone from a book, after all Franklin is named after Australian authors. Franklin, Miles Franklin. Perhaps one of her characters. The other disappointing thing is she is behind the bus shelter. Driving along Flemington Road you wouldn't see her until it was too late.

Rode the two ponds circuit on Sunday but overcast and didn't take any photos.

Windy, Windy, Windy

Not sure where yesterday's post disappeared to. It seems to have vanished! Yesterday I complained about the wind. It was a headwind blowing 20-30kmph. I thought it was hard work. It took 7 minutes longer than my normal ride.

This morning I was lying in bed listening to the wind howling and seriously considered the bus. Bike to Gungahlin, catch bus to Civic, ride to Forrest. Definitely a plan. Got on the bike and started riding. Left early as I knew the wind would slow me down. Got to the intersection where I would need to turn to go to G for the bus. Nah, keep cycling. Just take it easy. Well, I cycled all the way. Average speed was a sluggish 17 kmph but considering the winds were 40-50kmph thi smorning, it's probably not too bad.

The trip took 1 hr 7 minutes. My normal is around 52 minutes. Just a tad slower. Oh well. I did enjoy the ride generally.

One beautiful thing was the moon. A full moon in the west. If only my camera could capture it.

No photos today again as what is there to photograph the grey skies in the dark.

Oh and with the strong southerly you would think that I would have it easy going home. Well, almost. It did make the cyling easier but it decided to rain as well. Wind and rain. Aren't I lucky!

Actually I shouldn't be sarcastic. I am lucky. I am very blessed that I have the health and strength to do this. And the fact that I can do it with a smile on my face.

Surprise, surprise, rain again

Why did it surprise me when I went out to the recycling bin at 5.30am to find it raining. I did know that we were only expecting one fine day. So back inside, out comes the rain gear and off I head. Into the dark, rainy (but at least not stormy) night.

I really didn't mind the rain today. It was lovely gentle rain, not like the driving hard rain last week. Still a headwind though. I really think we should have bought on the southside so I would have a tailwind every day. As it is, living in the north, southerlies in the morning and northerlies in the afternoon. I am not making it up, check the BoM observations and you will see I am right. On the odd occasion I get a northerly in the morning, but on a blue moon is it a southerly going home.

No point taking any pics today. Just grey and wet. What's new.

Monday 5 March 2012

Monday was a glorious morning with not a cloud to be seen. A rare spectacle was in view … stars! Cool, only 9 degrees, but a lovely feeling heading out in dry weather.

The grasslands of Gungaderra, Mulangarri and Crace are more like swamplands. If it had been daylight I would have taken pics, but the light from the moon reflected beautifully in the puddles. Unfortunately the camera is not quite as good as picking up these subtleties.

Wet Friday

Another wet day although not as bad as yesterday. But I did arrive with dry feet today! My new trick. Nice clean, dry socks, then wrap feet totally in cling wrap, then sticky tape cling wrap around and around and attach to ankle (stops drips running down inside). Place foot inside shoe and put booty over top. My feet stayed totally dry.

Wet and dark so no pics. Nothing worth taking photos of. There were a few more people out today though. I saw one lucky dog having a walk – the only one I have seen since Monday and a couple more cyclists.

Some people I know think that I'm crazy

I think everyone I know or don't know thinks I am crazy this morning. I rode to work in torrential rain. Yes I did. And guess what? I had fun! I would do it again.

Remember as a kid when you would jump in puddles and run outside in the rain before coming inside and getting nice and warm?

Well that was me this morning. I had fun riding my bike through puddles, enjoying the rain on my face, sticking my tongue out to catch the drops. What great fun! Although I really would like someone to invent windscreen wipers for my wet and foggy glasses.

Love the big mushrooms popping up on Gungahlin Drive. The biggest is about 30 cm in diameter. It's hard to tell in photos without a reference point, and even worse in the dark, wet weather at the time.

In the whole ride I only saw 2 pedestrians and 2 cyclists. one cyclist like me, dressed for the weather and well lit. The other an idiot in black with no lighting whatsoever and it was dark. Dark and wet. Idiot.

It was amazing to see LBG so empty. Not a sole to be seen. No bootcampers, no cars, no rowers/ kayakers, no runners or walkers. It was eerily quiet. The two photos from LBG are taken 20 seconds apart. it just goes to show what changing the setting on your camera can do.

A fun ride in. I'm now at work warm and dry. Just wish I knew I would have dry clothes to put on for the return trip. I have dry knicks and socks and a spare shirt if necessary. It's the socks and shoes that will take the longest to dry.

Note to self: remember to replace batteries in tail light. Not sure if they failed due to water, if they have run flat or a combination. It was blinking brightly when I left and faint by the time I arrived at work - still working though.

Rain again!

Another wet day, but how lovely to cycle in the gentle rain. Again it was not cold and only very light southerly winds. Nothing much to look at today although I did pass some interesting looking huge mushrooms. Maybe I might stop and take a pic tomorrow now I know where they are. If I remember! Will my flash be bright enough for these in the darkness.

Rain expected for the foreseeable future so I doubt I will get glorious sunrises, but I still enjoy my ride to work.

Practically Perfect

All the way in this morning I had songs from Mary Poppins in my head, particularly "Practically Perfect" and that's a good way to describe this morning's ride. It was practically perfect in every way. A beautiful mild 19 degrees, no wind, just the slightest hint of rain. Wonderful! Just practically perfect. The only thing to make it better would have been a beautiful sunrise instead of dull grey, but hey, I'm happy anyway.

I saw the Oompa Lumpa thing last night and hope to go back and take a photo on Saturday. I also wrote to Canberra Connect to find out what it is.

I also looked for the circle thingy on Northbourne at London Cct. Really don't know what it is but took a pic anyway.

Rain!

After last week donning all the wet weather gear and then it dried up and didn't rain. today I left with it dry and it started raining just near my point of no return. I decided to continue and got a little damp with the thin pink raincoat, but nothing too bad. I was warm too which always helps.

It was a pleasant ride cycling in the rain. Very dark, but my wonderful ay-ups help me through.

Today's excitement though was all at Parliament House. Today Gillard and Rudd will face off for leadership of the Labor Party. Every tv crew in the country was sitting at APH. I did get a glimpse of Mel and Kochie. I would have loved to have gone closer and had a pic taken with them during the ad break, but makeup people were touching up Mel and I felt in the way.

Another spectacular dawn

It seems so dark in the morning these days, but I am really enjoying my rides. I say Hello to the same people most days. The lady walking her Rottweiler, the older lady walking briskly with her handbag firmly tucked under her left arm, hear the car start in the driveway behind the hedge, see the bus sitting on the side of the road waiting to start it's morning route.

Then the empty dark grasslands which I love so much. I actually enjoy that section with no street lighting, just my Ay-ups to light the way ahead.

Finally the run into town on Northbourne. I enjoy watching the dog taking the master for the bike ride. The man sits on the bike while his dog pulls him along. The guy in the hi-vis vest waiting for the first city-bound bus (either 57 or 58). We wave and say hi every day. Then in the hotel strip you see early morning guests sitting down for breakfast. The city itself is alive with TAMS workers cleaning up, buses sitting at the interchange, people with suitcases heading to the Jolimont Centre.

Then down to the lake. So many joggers, walkers, bootcampers, personal trainers with their trainee. You name it there are people doing it. From time to time I see rollerbladers/skaters. Every day rowers in 2, 4 and 8 (there's 2, there's 4, there's 6, there's 8 … Thomas and his friends),
solo kayakers and at this time of year the dragon boats with their crew.

Onto the final segment of my journey through the Parliamentary Triangle. A few early workers arriving at work, taxis sitting waiting for fares, people getting on and off buses, the construction workers at their sites and on occasion media at the National Press Club.

Such an interesting journey and to top it off the most spectacular dawn. How privileged am I to see this magnificent sight. It's not every day, yesterday was dull and grey, but so many days it is spectacular. I could be looking at it through suburbia, or stuck in the high rise of some city, but to see this site across the lake – what a privilege and blessing.

Wonderful Tuesday!

I'm feeling great today! 10 minutes before leaving I went to the recycling bin and it was raining. So I put on all my wet weather gear including my lovely new booties to keep my feet dry.

I started out with just a slight drizzle. By the time I got to work the sky was clear and I hadn't needed my wet weather gear at all.

Used my HRM today and was amazed to find that all my readings were down on normal today. More time spent in Zone 1 (18%) and less in Zone 3 (3%). Average HR was 118. Normally it is around 128. Okay it took longer to get in 57 minutes instead of 52 but hey I feel happy, healthy and content!

I badly want to skate again. I would love to skate every day. I need an office that has a large empty room with a wooden floor. I've got my routine music spinning through my head. Visions of my skating dress that I am about to make (cut out the paper pattern last night) and I am excited!

Today is a good day!

Monday again

It is certainly a beautiful morning out there today. Just a touch of cold, but the perfect morning to be out.

The rabbits were back at Barton Hwy. Only 2 but it's more than I've seen since Christmas. And the normal ones at Vernon Circle.

Just lovely pedalling steadily in this morning. No wind, just me, my bike and the scenery. Aah, but then I arrive at work. Can I keep cycling instead?

Cloudy but with the most beautiful sunrise

The night was dark and overcast when I left home with a faint strip of colour on the horizon. It was lovely to see the lights of Franklin, Harrison and Mitchell from the top of Palmerston and to look right across to street lights lighting up Federal Highway near Eagle Hawk. The rabbits were on Vernon Circle again and seem so tame. One day I will stop and take a photo. I guess they will run away, but so far they don't even look up when I cycle past. Then the lake. What a spectacular sight coming along the lake! I was singing as I cycled "Every new day, Your glory unfolds ..."

This is what makes my ride special.

16/2 Heavy rain, hail, thunder, lightning, sunshine all in one ride

What an afternoon! Just heading out of the basement carpark at work when down came the rain! Quick u-turn, threw on my emergency raincoat (only light but it helps in showers) and headed up the ramp. Just turned right at the top and crash, one huge crash of thunder. Not good as I don't like riding in electrical storms. Turned into National Circuit and it kept up with the thunder and lightning. The rain grew heavier and it was obvious my little Aldi raincoat was not going to cope. I kept pedalling. This rain is getting heavier, the puddles where the drains cannot cope are flooding the gutters and I'm riding through inches of water. Then ouch, what was that on my leg, even on my head through the holes in my helmet. Hail! Not fun!

Before long I was cold and wet.

I was waiting for the lights at Gungahlin and discovered that traffic light poles retain the heat. They were beautiful and warm. I felt like hugging it. In fact I did rub my cold arms up and down to try to warm them up.

Riding the last few kms the sun came out and it dried me off (except my feet) fairly well. Then less than a kilometre to go, flash/bang more thunder and lightning! I was in the front door less than 2 minutes before rain again.

Don't wish to repeat this afternoon's ride too often but for a short time it was sort of fun!

Well it was a beautiful morning

I came in on the clearest of clear mornings. Just spectacular. The hint of mist on the paddocks, crisp and cool. I loved being in the early twilight, get those big awful streetlights away, I prefer the places with no street lighting. It was simply magic cycling along.

Now I've been at work 20 minutes and I can't see out the window. Thick fog! What happened to my lovely clear day? I know it will clear up in time for a great walk at lunch but it had been so beautiful.

I know ... the fog is very isolated, just here in the Parliamentary Triangle. The PM must have arrived. Her leadership is in a very shaky, clouded position. The fog has descended on APH and surrounds!

A glorious morning

Oh I love being a morning person. The ride in was picture perfect and a light northerly made it cycling perfect as well. Sitting on 9 degrees, mist on the paddocks and across the bike path in places, simply glorious.

Loved being on the lake so kept going under Kings Ave bridge and took a few photos before backtracking and heading to the office.

Can't wait until my short ride at lunchtime today!

Another Monday

The sunrise is getting later. The sun had not risen down by the lake this morning. But it was a beautiful day. In the next few weeks the mornings are going to be quite dark - well they already are.

It should make for some lovely photos by the lake at sunrise though!

A great ride in. How could you start the day any other way. The mist on the fields. The crisp fresh air. Just lovely.

Afternoon expedition 12/2

After lunch I knew I had to visit Dad. Kathryn also wanted to ride her bike so let's combine the two. A bike ride with a visit to Grandad's house on the way home.

Did the same circuit I did Saturday morning, 2 lakes, plus Forde Circuit. Kathryn loved it apart from wanting to rest - her legs were tired, her ears hurt etc. But we had a lot of fun.

Her favourite things were the swans and the Forde playground.

Sunday Morning 12/2/11

Oh what a beautiful morning. The mist over the fields, simply gorgeous. What a lovely way to start the day.

Took a longer route today, around 25km. Along Gungahlin Lake, up along Gungahlin Drive, through Franklin, Harrison, up Horse Park Road, up through the Forde Circuit, around Yerrabi Pond and home via Mirrabei, Wanganoon, Dunlap, Springbank Rise etc.

Lovely.

The average, healthy, well-adjusted adult gets up at seven-thirty in the morning feeling just plain terrible

The average, healthy, well-adjusted adult gets up at seven-thirty in the morning feeling just plain terrible – Jean Kerr

Well at least that's what my diary said for 9 February 2012. Well then I am not average, healthy, well-adjusted or an adult. Well I think I do fit those categories but I certainly don't get up at 7.30am feeling terrible! I get up at 4.30am and feel wonderful! Okay, sometimes it is hard to get out of bed, but not that bad. No hitting the snooze button for me. In fact I don't even use an alarm and generally get up fairly well straight way (give or take 30 seconds).

But what's not to like about being out in the morning, bright and early, before sunrise. It is gorgeous. Whether you are walking, running or riding you still get the joy of being in the crisp, clean air.

Even today, despite threatening rain, I still managed to capture some pretty clouds over the city toward Black Mountain.

Back to Work Again

I've had another week off looking after my lovely children at the end of the school holidays. Most will be back at school tomorrow.

I have still been riding and having lovely adventures.
The pink car (which I didn't take a photo of) sprayed pink by a vandal. Some poor person will find their car and have a huge job cleaning it up.
The fox on Gundaroo Drive in the middle of Gungahlin.
The kangaroos at Mulligans Flat that I really regret not taking photos of.
and there was something this morning I thought I should mention, but I have forgotten!

The mornings are getting darker. But my enjoyment doesn't fade. In the last few days I've ridden in rain, fog and glorious sunshine.

Probably my favourite although very short ride, was Andrew's nighttime adventure ride on Saturday night. We decked him out in hi-vis vest, with head light and tail light and off we went into the dark on the bike paths through the park (or in the wild as he said). The training wheels were whizzing around as he pedalled madly trying to go faster! He had a wonderful time.

Life is so much fun on a bike!