If that young slip of a thing can climb Everest..

Went to an amazingly inspirational lunchtime thing at the Norwegian Church Arts Centre today - Tori James telling a small but rapt audience (well I was pretty rapt I can tell you) about her incredible achievements: she did the North Pole race with 2 other girls and then climbed Everest. And then cycled North to South New Zealand. And next she's planning on cracking the South Pole. I mean seriously, she looks about 16, is petite, pretty and absolutely charming - never in a million years would I have pegged her as an extreme adventurer. The photos where completely breathtaking but what lit up my little world was her frank admission that she never thought she was the type of person who could do these things. I scribbled down a few tips and left feeling inspired all over again and at least willing to nibble some elephant toenails - top tip of the year, thanks Tori!

Back home from home

A divine week of relaxation in Nova Scotia but shamefully no cycling whatsoever - my best friend was starting up her training plan for a run so we did lots of brisk walking and a bit of gentle jogging, the rest of the time I was making the most of my gorgeous godson's company - he's the best. Then reluctantly back home and a post-holiday dip during which I convinced myself that this whole north to south ride idea is totally beyond me. I'm kind of over it but my progression back up the enthusiasm ladder was rudely interrupted by a run in with an unfortunate jogger when cycling in to work last week. She was kindly forgave me for running her down but my punishment for not anticipating her sudden change in course was a black and blue wrist and elbow and a week of feeling fragile. Mind you, what better time to be a one armed invalid than the weekend just gone - glorious sunshine and the perfect excuse to flop into a deckchair with a book. So now its back to planning and training - oh and shopping! Vouchers from Bike To Work have arrived - yay!

Coming home to Nova Scotia

Well at last it's here - the night before we fly to our beautiful Nova Scotian home for a blissful week of total relaxation. Two friends and my gorgeous godson Eddie are coming with us, always a pleasure to watch first timers fall in love with the place like we did three years ago. Today I was showing someone at work where we are on the map and realised how little of the country we have yet seen, or rather (cup half full and all that) how much we still have to look forward to visiting! That said, there's a long list of places in the UK I haven't been to yet - never done Derbyshire, the Lake District only once and just a taste of Scotland and Ireland. Plenty of time for all that though - what I am really looking forward to is seeing Cape Breton to Cape Sable Island on my bike this time next year. Must start seriously thinking about some fund raising - must not forget the real purpose of this trip - must get organised - must go get some sleep now so I make the plane in the morning!