Free Wheeling

This year's resolution is to aim towards parsimony rather than extravagance so, with this in mind, on Sunday, I unpacked my trusty Raleigh Pioneer, donned my bicycle clips and set off on the 6 km journey to Mumcular. I had intended to go to the market, but the attraction of an electric blanket and a hitherto un-heard audio book on my headphones resulted in a late start. The bright sky soon clouded over and before I was half way it started to rain. I was tempted to turn back, but having given in to temptation once that morning, I thought I'd better serve my penance and keep going. We also had nothing in for lunch and the car was in Bodrum tending to the builders. By the time I got to town, there were a few stalls still selling so I filled up one pannier with veg and filled the other at DiaSa supermarket. I love DiaSa. We now have no need to go shopping in Bodrum, as the guys in Dia are so helpful. Last summer I asked if they ever sold Schweppes tonic, and a day later it was there in spades . Despite the crate I bought, it's still there now as I don't think many Mumculites are partial to G & T. When I inquired about brown sugar for Danish pastries, they got that too.
On the ride back, the sun came out so I decided to record my trip and got my bike to pose beside a water container.  Back at home, I was extremely pleased with myself on several counts:
1. I managed 12 kms without falling off.
2. I could still walk
3. I had saved at least 3 TL on petrol
4. I hadn't been able to buy any non-essential, fattening treats because there wasn't room in the panniers
5. I hadn't been killed by a dolly minibus or a twelve year old driving a tractor.
6. If I kept this up I would be saving £35 a month on Gym membership.

After an hour or so, I started to get a very strange pain in both my calves. Fearing embolism or worse, I looked down to investigate to find that I was still wearing my bicycle clips.