Well hello to you!

It's rather difficult knowing where to begin with this whole blog-writing malarky, but a few people (who will probably be sorry for asking when they read these rather poor introductory entries) have requested that I keep a blog so they can keep abreast with my next adventure.

If you've followed a link to this blog, you are probably already aware of my impending trip to Canada, having most likely been bored to death by my talk of training, kit and so forth; I endeavour to take and upload many pictures so you can pretend to have read the blog (don't worry, I won't be offended) and have plenty to chat about if the subject ever happens to arise.

So. The trip to Canada. I have decided to cycle across this spectacular country this summer...well I hope it is indeed spectacular, I will be quite disappointed if it isn't.

Anyway. The usual reaction when I tell people my plans follows along the lines of 'are you insane?' and 'but how will you fix a puncture?'. This is the general consensus, however when the occassional positive remark appears (along the lines of 'woah that sounds amazing!') it very much justifies my own reasoning for this trip - to those people, thank you!

As for my reasoning? I wanted to do something a bit different with my time, step out of my comfort zone, and enjoy some travelling while I have the time and flexibility in work to do so. Why Canada? I suppose I chose it because it is absolutely mahousive and sounds impressive when I say I've cycled across it. Also because it will be relatively safe (notwithstanding the bears) for a lady (in the broadest sense) to travel alone.

Yes, reader, I will be travelling alone for this excursion, an experience that I believe everyone should undertake at some point in their lives. As much as it is wonderful to have a companion to chat to, share the experiences with (highs and lows) and to reminisce with over a pot of tea when the journey is done, I feel that those experiences are heightened when travelling alone - you alone are responsible for your well being, when you choose to call it a day, or to pedal on into the growing darkness (lights aglow of course!) because you are feeling strong and capable of tackling that extra 15 miles to get to the next town.

I also feel that, as a lone traveller, I am more likely to look beyond my party of one for new people to talk to. I find that by myself, I will chat more readily to strangers, and I find strangers are more likely to make conversation with me. I have found this to be the case from my previous trip to Italy, where by the end of the trip I found myself able to chat quite comfortably in Italian about my trip to the old chaps sitting outside cafes with their espresso - please, however, do not ask me to try and speak any Italian now, it all faded rather quickly I'm sorry to say!

Right, one final thing I feel I should clear up before I sign off this first post. The teapot. Why take a teapot on travels with a bicycle, where luggage space is such a commodity? Simple answer. I LOVE TEA! Plus tea is infinitely better tasting when it is properly brewed in a teapot.

The fondly named Tardis teapot will be trekking with me and holding his own as we delve into camping (yes, this will be the first time I properly camp; cue next post on my pathetic attempts on getting familiar with camping gear) and will no doubt be my salvation on those cold mornings when only a cup of tea will help me pack up my life for the umpteenth time and hit the road.

So I think that will do for a first musing. I will no doubt fill you all in with more exciting info as I get closer to my departure.

.......not entirely sure how to sign off........

.......byeeeeeee!