Scamp had an appointment at the doctor’s surgery today.
The problems she’d been having with dizziness and not hearing properly were diagnosed as an ear infection. A course of antibiotics would solve that, said the nurse.
After lunch I took her prescription over to the chemist in Condorrat and brought back a box of pills. By which time, Scamp was waiting for Jeanette who was driving her to Moira’s for a Witches Day Out. After she left, I checked my bike tyres which I’d inflated to the normal 35psi and thankfully they were still holding that pressure. I was going looking for brambles while the ladies sipped their G&Ts. It took me ages to find my cycling shorts, my helmet my cycling shoes and track mitts. Then I had to manoeuvre the Dewdrop out of its hiding place in the “Wee Room” and down the stairs. A squirt of WD40 and we were ready to go.
The first part of the journey to my favourite bramble site was fairly easy, because it was basically downhill. I did stop to take some photos of scarecrows in the barley fields where they were busy cutting the grain. One of the scarecrow pictures made PoD. After that, it was the uphill stretch and finally on to the off-road section. Cycling on a road is no fun any more. I don’t mind going on paths and towpaths, but jousting with lorries and boy racers is no fun on a bike.
In the hour and a bit I’d allotted myself, I managed to pick just over 550g of black, juicy brambles. Sometimes it’s a struggle to find juicy ones and I know that Scamp will rightly chuck out the dried up fruit. Today it was a delight. Then once I’d arranged camera, extra lens and bag of brambles into my sling bag, I was off home. It was uphill all the way and it was a slog. I managed the climb without stopping, but this was no fun at all. This is what happens when you think you’re keeping fairly fit, then try cycling a route you’ve travelled on the same bike for years, and find yourself struggling. I either need to get out more and use the bike, or I get rid of it. It’s a difficult decision.
A cup or two of Pan Gallactic Gargle Blaster and a shower (but not at the same time) worked wonders and I began to feel human again, or as near to it as I can manage. I was just working through my dozen or so photos when Scamp arrived home. It seemed like they had a relaxing day, and although mine hadn’t been relaxing, it was certainly successful.
We had planned to go shopping in Glasgow tomorrow, but Celtic are at home to Rangers and that sometimes isn’t much fun. Weather looks rough too. We may go somewhere else and have lunch.