down by the river

as I live in the city, most rides start along the river. I like the riverside because apart from the lack of cars, there is a lot of open space and it's a bit like a really long park. it's ceratinly a sanctuary amidst the madness of twenty first century city life and the sea of houses that is urban life. rivers are given their due respect and flood plains are allowed for before high, high levees. the plains are filled with tennis courts, baseball fields, croquet lawns, people fishing, (usually illegal) golf practice areas, seating for picnics and barbeques, cycle paths and, last but not least, nature. there's even a path that runs all the way from Kyoto to Nara if anyone is interested.

I went to visit the mother-in-law at lunch time today and chiefly chack - the family shihtzu. chack has a tumour of cancer inside him the size of a tennis ball and the wee man must be near the end. I have affection for chack but we've never been that close: he's furry and I have serious allergies - which is not the recipe for a great relationship. today was pretty sad - half his fur has fallen out and he's been bed-ridden for quite a while - his eyes were popping out his head he's that thin. sad stuff.

on the plus side today I managed to sort a training ride for sunday morning through the local bike shop/builder: looks like it's back to (very) early morning rises and pain. nice. also - on the way home the high grasses were being stripped away before the winter and I spotted a council worker watching a lawnmower. it appeared to be unmanned and then I realised he was driving it by remote control.