Seaside poppies

Since I will need to be able to cycle 40 miles solo in a day on our summer holiday in August, today we decided to start my training. A morning outing along the East Lothian coast was planned. We'd do just over 30 miles and be home in time for lunch.

In the event, I became desperate for a cup of tea at the 14 mile point. We couldn't be certain that we would find one in either of the next two villages on our route, so we decided to head inland to Haddington (where we found the Wee green hut and hoovered up tea/coffee, doughnuts, and bagels). As a result of taking this diversion, by the time we reached home again (at 2pm), we had cycled 43 miles. I guess that my training is now complete!

I spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden sorting out the cut flower bed (which recently featured in Winsford's journal). It now looks a lot tidier with the spent daffodils and tulips safely moved elsewhere and just three plants in the bed: gladioli, violas, and something that begins with L.

Then it was time to prepare for the arrival of Ridgeback13, Katharine and Jack for a jolly barbecue on the patio. After such a glorious day, it was quite a shock when a few raindrops fell during the meal, but this was only a very temporary inconvenience.

I photographed these poppies near Longniddry on the return leg of our cycle ride.

Exercise today: 43 mile cycle ride; gardening.