29/06/2023 Gardening and blogging

 A relaxing day getting my laundry done, picking up a few bits and pieces from the shops and  helping out with a garden transformation.  Love gardening and interesting seeing the different plants growing - ivy, holly, brambles and lots of roses.

"Before"

"After"

 

I had a very English lunch of chips with curry sauce and a meat and potato pie - carb heaven!  

This afternoon I got around to setting up my blog.  The sun has been shining for most of the day but good to get some chores done.

28/06/2023 Manchester National Cycling centre & exploring

After a relaxing lie in I headed out on a Manchester exploring ride. I intended on riding the standard Manc Loop as recommended by locals and headed to the National Cycle centre to see the home of British cycling velodrome.

  

  

  

I popped in and talked to the receptionist to see if I could have a peek.. the British team were training so she said that I couldn't go onto the floor but up to the grandstand. After a little chat she let me go in for a quick peek (while she looked after my bike). Fabulous to be so close and watch one of the men training with the motorbike pacer. The women were warming up. When I came back she said I could have a look at the only completely indoor BMX Stadium in the world. The centre also has a path that links to a huge mountain bike path. I then headed off to follow the Manc route but my wahoo went flat so I made it up, went around in circles a few times

  

Fabulous photos of cyclists explaining why they ride

  

 

 

.Then the blessing of deciding to stop in at a cycle workshop for some route guidance. Lovely Chris let me know that I was actually right at the start of the Manchester cycleway and right next to a renovated old railway station that has been repurposed as a cycle cafe! He locked my bike away in the staff bike storage shed and I enjoyed a beautiful lunch with views of the cycleway. I managed to eventually find my way back, 45kms later . Finished in the rain but lots of smiles as I have no timeframe so no issues if I get lost. Got to get my device charging routine happening

27/06/2023 Manchester Free Walking Tour

Manchester - I spent a fascinating 4.5hrs on a Free Walking tour.

 

The history of this city that was once the largest industrial city in Europe. In its heyday it had 1000 textile mills operational and has the symbol of a worker bee to represent the busyness. 1/4 of the mills were destroyed in the 40's in the Blitz. The empty warehouses were used for the music industry, rave parties etc. And now many are being turned into funky apartments.

Liam Gallagher used to live here

 

Went to the site of the 1996 IRA Bomb memorial. This indent had occurred not long before I came to UK to live. The area was barricaded off at the time and so interesting to see it all re-vamped.

 

 

BA cabin crew new friend Julie

Manchester is now quite a vibrant city with a mix of new modern buildings and grand old buildings.

Nearly 15kms walked today.

26/06/2023 Dovestone Reservoir, Upper Mill and family catchups

 A fabulous day for me today. I took my lovely new bike up into the hills and visited Dovestone reservoir. It is a series of reservoirs stepped down the range, surrounded by the moors. I rode right up to the highest which meant riding up steep gravel inclines. I am so happy with how my bike and leg handled the terrain. The air was fresh, breeze blowing, wildflowers in bloom. Great to see so many out hiking on a gorgeous day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I then continued riding further to Upper Mill a quaint village with a canal and canal boats running alongside it. I had lunch in a gorgeous cafe and chatted with other cyclists out enjoying the day.

 

 

 

The day was topped off with reunion with Lynn, Emma and Claire and kids (after 21yrs) before cycling back to Oldham. I met and chatted with 4 different cyclists who guided me to short cuts and shared local knowledge.

 

45kms of hills and nature - my biggest ride since injuring my leg.