Sleepless in Settle

The only reason I made it this far today was because I named my ride at 3am. At least I still had a sense of humour!  And a plan.

I'd realised at 1.30am that my bigger ride wasn't going to happen so I switched my alarm off then.

"You won't be able to cycle after eating that lot!" scoffed a lovely gentleman as he left Ye Olde Naked Man cafe (in a suit if you were wondering). When I told him I had a hill to do, he laughed and left with a, "God help you!"

Well, it wasn't the only time I was looked after today.  On the last run home to Bolton Abbey, I saw a great black pom pom heading at full speed towards my head.  It whacked into my ear with force.

I paused my pedals in semi-controlled anticipation, waiting for it to go.

It did not.  

I stopped fairly rapidly with what I thought was a bee still lodged in my ear.  The last time this happened, a bumble was wedged on the top of my glasses and, as I ripped my glasses off, I got stung on the eyelid.  So, you can imagine I was a bit wary.

With determined managed behaviour but a quickening of the heart, I paused and thought.  I wondered if it really was still there but was sure I could sense it. Nothing moved.  Desperately trying not to poke it with my finger to check, I gingerly took off my helmet hoping that would encourage it away.  

But no.

Step 2.  iPhone camera.  Without taking a photo, I could see something sizeable reflecting in the screen but wasn't able to tell what it was.  So I reversed the camera and took a photo. Trouble was, it was too bright to see.  So I texted Rich, then Liz with the photo.

At the very same moment of texting Liz the photo and asking what the was in my ear, there was a loud buzz, a distinct vibration and off he went.  

I think he was just a little stunned.  A bit like me!  And yes indeed, it was a bumbler.

Apart from rolling right through some highland coo poo, these fellas were no bother at all.

And that was the end of my own little feature movie.