Welcome to my weekly Monday Musings  

Cycling in the sun –

Last week’s Musings on a Monday post was written while on the road (again) but this week I’m home.  YAY 🙂

We had a great week, enjoyed catching up with family and did lots of cycling in the glorious autumn weather. We rode our bikes around on tracks in the bush, down at our favourite beach, and in our nation’s capital, Canberra.  

I think we cycled nearly 100km in just a few days – it was all fantastic fun made all the more enjoyable by the amazing weather.

How’s the colour in the photo below?  I loved riding along under these trees 🙂

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I noticed a few things while on our big ride around Canberra, which I thought I’d share with you, because that’s the sort of person I am!

It was great to see so many people out enjoying the fresh autumn weather – whether it was walking, running or riding –  and it also became obvious to us that there were lots of different time-zones and characters.  Let me explain.

We started out just after 9am (it was only 6C by the way), so we had missed the Daily Commuters who ride their bikes to work each day.  We first noticed the Retired Gentlemen’s riding groups – lots of men over a certain age, (most with beards), out for a morning ride together.  They were quite serious and focused.

The next time slot was taken by the Mid Morning Mummas – they’d dropped the kids at school and were out for a chat with friends while getting their daily dose of exercise in the sunshine.

The Galloping Grandmas were the next group and they were chatting away so intently they didn’t hear our bike bell ringing in warning and when they did, they jumped in fright and started laughing.  They were keen to engage us in conversation as we passed by.  Fun ladies 🙂

As we rode on we encountered the odd Lone Wolf – someone content in their own company.  Morning tea was fun. We stopped beside the lake in central Canberra amidst a Mother’s Group – mothers with one or two babies tottering about, prams and all the other paraphernalia required when out with children – they were having a lovely catch up chat over coffee before they packed the children back into their prams and set off for their fast paced walk and talk.  I love seeing this camaraderie.

It was getting onto lunchtime by now and the first of the Lunchtime Warriors were starting to appear. Those committed souls who use their lunch hour to run around the lake, return to the office and hastily scoff their homemade sandwiches before settling back to their computers and meetings.  I admire their commitment but I don’t envy them!

While relaxing at our halfway point we witnessed a school group out riding around the lake.  Kudos to the staff and parent helpers who kept this large group in order.  There were actually 4 groups of about 30 students in each group and it made my heart sing to see the kids out and enjoying the surrounds in such an active way.

We started our return trip via a different route which took us through the Australian National University grounds. This was a busy happening place which we negotiated with some difficulty due to the number of people out and about.  There was also a school group of young children on excursion, looking decidedly out of place in a university!

It was a good ride back to our starting point and I was able to catch up with a friend over a late lunch and then hit the shops for some retail therapy. Win/win!

What we saw: Lots of places with the word National in their title – National Arboretum, National Zoo, National Museum, National Library, National Library, Australian National University ….Parliament House, the Governor General’s home Yarralumla, lots of autumn colour

What I wore:  (Because I’ve always wanted to write that in a post 🙂 – Leggings by SkirtsSports – these are great because they have two pockets on each thigh for my phone, tissues and lip gloss; socks and shoes by UnderArmour (the cost per wear is decreasing every time I wear them and they are the most comfortable joggers I’ve ever had). Favourite, pink t shirt which is nearly threadbare but can’t ever be thrown out.  White cycling vest.

Where we rode: Belconnen to Canberra City via Lake Burley Griffin on shared pathways and return trip  – approximately 40+km

What it cost: $8 for a cup of tea and a hot chocolate at a cafe at the lake.  We used up a load of energy and my legs enjoyed the exercise.

Blogging updates:

My favourite post from the last week was my guest appearance over at Bridesmaids Confessions where I shared my Mother of the Bride experiences just in time for Mother’s Day – please go and check it out!  I love hearing the stories behind weddings so if you have a tale to tell as MOG or MOB, leave me a comment!!

On Wordless Wednesday I shared a photo of the beautiful pink carpet of flowers at my parents- in-law’s place and the Weekly Photo challenge prompt of Danger  gave me an opportunity to share a local road sign that has had me amused for years.  I also managed to get back to Share Your World which I’ve missed for a few weeks.  It’s always a bit more difficult to post regularly when I’m away but I’m happy with what I managed to do.  I’m not that good at scheduling posts, are you?

Mondays are for musing and mulling over the week so feel free to join me.

I’d love to know what you’ve been up to.

Deb 🙂

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