An appointment at
midday presented the opportunity to cycle through Brompton Cemetery which I don't
do very often. I have been on a guided
ride through it with an architect who pointed out the graves of lives gone by.
It's a very humbling place, quiet of course and a reminder of how lucky we all
are to not yet be a resident.
The sun was visible
again - that's two days running which was a bit of a treat.
I headed east and
crossed the river - destination Clapham - to collect something from a friend. I
only usually see Clapham Common on my bicycle with about fifty others, cycling
to Brighton or Bognor on Friday Night Rides to the Coast (aka The Fridays).
A magical group of peeps led by the kindest
and hilarious duo who make sure these rides are the most fun you will ever,
ever have on a bicycle. So it was very odd to be in the middle of the common in
broad daylight.
On the way there I saw
something that made me grin like a Cheshire cat! Last June I cycled from Hyde Park Corner to
Scotland with The Fridays. It was
incredible. The people, the route, everything.
I went through places I have only ever - and indeed some I have never - ever
heard of. One that I knew was The Forth
Bridge
When I saw this I
nearly fell off my bike I was laughing so much.
I then noticed the neighbouring streets which are all places I
cycled through last year and which brought back many, many happy memories.
And then there was the road to Wick which I am sure will forever remain in the minds of all of us on that trip as:
I reached the
rendez-vous point and caught up with a friend who is busy on a hectic schedule
for a while then pootled homewards back across the Common.
The traffic north of the river was at a standstill and I was shocked by how impatient and reckless people were with their lack of indicating and heavy revving. If only they knew how much fun they would have if they swapped their 4 x 4s with a 1 x 1.
The day ended on a sour
note when I learned that a friend of mine has had her bicycle stolen. If only Lord Sugar and his Amstrad innovators
could come up with an anti-theft device for bicycles. A friend has designed a gadget but it relies
on powered-street furniture which means relying on local councils. But it would be a start.
On the way home I couldn't believe how lovely and blue the twilight sky was.
