Pedalling around

Well, the Easter eggs are all gone – after a frantic chocolate eating frenzy, we're all feeling a bit heavier. Fortunately, the nights are lighter and I've started walking again and getting out more on the horses and my bike. Speaking of which, foolishly, some time ago I volunteered to do a bike ride in aid of the RNLI – it's part of the Three Shires Cycle Sportive – there are three rides, a 6km family run, a 37km Intermediate route and a 100k run which comes through Audlem. I thought the 6k one might be a bit tame and the 100k one would probably finish me off so I foolhardily said I'd do the 37k one!
When I signed up in January, it seemed like a good idea and I thought I'd have loads of time to train. It's now looming large and so far I've managed a couple of 6-8k training runs and a bike ride to the pub. The next two weeks are going to have to be a no pain, no gain fortnight, or I opt for Plan B – take it fairly steady and stop for a pub lunch half way round then get a lift home if it all goes pear-shaped...
Around the marina, we're starting to spot lots of ducklings, and the swans are nesting. It would be great to have cygnets – we really missed seeing them last year. One of the moorers has also befriended a pheasant which now runs down the jetty when called! It's so lovely walking home and seeing so much life unfolding around us – there is nowhere better than the Cheshire countryside in spring time!