Didcot Power Station

After a bit of a tantrum at Great Western due to no bicycle storage on the Oxford train, Fred and I found a nice Great Western train conductress who let us take our bicycles on a guard's van without a reservation. We reworked our cycle route from our initial plan to accommodate cycling from Didcot, where the train with the guard's van had a stop (otherwise it was going nowhere near Oxford). It worked out well, with the sun shining at Didcot when we left the train.

We followed a Sustran's route called "The Hanson's Way". It wasn't spectacular, but it was off-road for the most part and had a few interesting views. Didcot Power Station is impressive. I like the shape of power station cooling towers. They generate electricity for more than two million people and burn both coal and gas, although they can also burn biomass (sawdust and wood chips). The towers due to be decommissioned in 2015 - I wonder what will happen to them then?

Our cycle was dotted at the wayside by fleeing, fat bunnies and above us majestic red kites wheeled and soared.

At historic Abingdon, we stopped for coffee and a snack, before pedalling onwards by the River Thames to Oxford. I mentioned to my brother Scott that I'd be at his house around four, but we realized that there was no way to negotiate the Southern Bypass to reach west Oxford and, after a few false starts, we headed to the city centre and headed out from there. So, a little late and a bit puffed from going up a massive hill, we arrived.

It was great to catch up over tea and cake and see the baby bump (could be a baby rather than a bump at any time in the next six weeks!) The parents-to-be were in good health and humour, although an arrival sooner rather than later would be great for the mum-to-be. She'd like to be able to put on her own socks now, please.

So, we'll wait by that phone... Exciting times ahead. I'll go make my aunt hat.