Starting at the Beginning

“So what are you going to call this blog”, asks a friend. He’s been bugging me about it for months but I just haven’t felt ready.

“Well actually, I had this odd idea when out cycling that it was going to be a radio play”, I reply

Understandably, this quickly terminates that particular line of conversation….

Being an absolute beginner at this sport, I’m hoping that the writing of a blog is akin to writing a journal. Documenting events of the day has been a positive experience in the past – like nurturing a particularly supportive relationship. The plain pages quietly wait in friendly anticipation of observations and confessions, accepting each and every word with grace and a conspicuous lack of advice or criticism.

“That’s good for a start” a friend later tells me, peering over his glasses with a Burger poised ready at his chin

With my confidence boosted, I prepare to continue typing.

“Well, I haven’t said it’s rubbish have I?” he twinkles, rapidly diluting all previous praise.

Feeling somewhat deflated, another friend quietly reminds me that he has a love interest for whom he must rightly save ALL his very best compliments.

“How about: Life is Living in the Moment” another friend adds. I have a sneaky feeling that this would be a brilliant name for a blog that HE should start writing, so the pondering and lip biting continues unabated ….

“How about Wheely Two Tyred” I suggest minutes later, pointing at the folded Brompton by my side. Their expression clearly shows that I’m onto a non-starter with THAT one.

To put you in the picture: My life is based around a cute purplish pink folding bicycle, whether shopping for bananas and tea bags or heading for stimulating café conversation. I live on a riverside route, passing through local parkland that fortuitously occupies over half of my route to my favourite coffee stops. I’m in the saddle for at least half an hour a day, come rain or shine, whether good or wonky days if at all possible. Belle and I (yes, I do consider her beautiful and no, I am not beastly) are joined at the hip, so to speak. I’m left feeling incredibly vulnerable if she’s not in my sight at all times. Without her, my life would fall apart. For now, I consider myself incredibly fortunate. More about that later, because the serious stuff is just for friends and people who are ready to hear it. Come back if you are and in the meantime, have another slice of zucchini cake won’t you?! 😉 ….

I return home, deciding to check out what the world of blogging is all about and discover a wealth of talented people writing from their bedrooms and home offices who, to be honest, knock my socks off. I’m beyond impressed with some of them and can’t really compete, although I wouldn’t want to. Instead, it makes me realise that my blog will need to reflect what I am most passionate about.

Otherwise, I’d rather just knit bed sheets.