May in Review: #WBOYC
Dear friends. What a scorcher! May 2026 was the hottest May on record, with temperatures in the last week in the 30s in London.
It was a busy month for me, including a gravel cycling break in Scotland and trips to the David Bowie immersive and Queen Elizabeth: Her Life in Style exhibition.
Friday May 1
Day started with a Teams test call. We'll be doing one with the tour company organising our Scottish gravel holiday. I haven't used Teams since I was working. Sunny. Did Pilates at the running club. During the class a woman stumbled in: she was lost in the forest and desperate to find her way back to the station.
In the evening we saw the new David Bowie immersive at Lightroom followed by dinner at Granary Square Brasserie. Both were excellent. The David Bowie show lasts for an hour, and you hear him talking and explaining concepts throughout. It looks at what inspired Bowie. There are some eponymous moments, like the appearance on Top of the Pops in 1972 (below) which for many of us was the moment we became fans for life.
Saturday 2 May
Sunny and warm. Wore a new violet cycling jersey, first time this year for a short sleeved top. Did 37 miles. Coffee at Ongar. Got a badge for a personal best for a 40k ride
Sun 3 May
Rain didn't materialise. Did Shellea workout and weights. Roast chicken. Spurs won crucial relegation match.
Mon 4 May
Did a bike ride, Lee Valley via Theydon. Very hilly (not one of my favourites). Bumped into 2 Orions at the cafe.
Tues 5 May
J's new bike came from Spain. He picked it up from Leyton where it was put together by a bike shop. I went to see The Devil Wears Prada 2 with Rachel Leah. It was in a cinema in Piccadilly which I'd never noticed before. It's in the basement. Film was a 7 out of 10.
Weds 6 May
Cloudy, cold breeze, 13 degrees but felt cold. We set off on a ride but only managed 3 mins as there was a problem with Js new bike. He had to take it back to the shop, leave it and return later. Had my hair cut. J's brother came over to take a bike away. We have a "new bike in, old bike out" policy.
Started taking Elavate collagen in warm milk. More on this in a few weeks' time.
Thursday 7 May
Sunny start. Polling day for the local government elections. Delivered the last batch of leaflets. Bike ride to Lee Valley, 20 miles. Stopped to see roses in Waltham Abbey gardens. Voted.
Friday May 8
A different political landscape today. Our local London borough council is now run by the Greens for the first time ever, although our part of the borough remains Conservative, as the local councillors do an outstanding job. In local council elections, that's what it should be about. Good luck to the councils with new Reform and Green control. You will need it.
Did most of my packing for the gravel cycling holiday. I always find packing the worst aspect of a holiday, even though I write lists.
Planted dahlias, begonias and nerines at Shed Corner.
Saturday May 9
Sunny. Went to a local farmers' market and flea. J was busy fitting gravel tyres to our bikes.
Sunday 10 May
Off to the Trossachs National Park in Scotland. Early start, 4am. Made porridge for J. Left at 5.30. Weather was fairly good. Stopped for a rest and EV charge 3 times. Arrived at accommodation at Aberfoyle (25 miles from Glasgow) at 2.20. Had dinner at our accommodation, a set menu of mackerel pate and king prawn linguine followed by ice cream. Slept v well.
Below: spotted from the car
Below: bluebells in the garden at our Aberfoyle hotel Below: Basil the hotel cat has heard it all before.
Monday 11 May
A bright start and the forecast rain didn't happen. Quite cold however. Did loop ride, ended up being 36 miles as we had to go back to the hotel for my extender battery as the main battery won't stay in its compartment.
The ride took us first through wooded trails and to a Victorian Aqueduct, built to supply Glasgow with water. Didn't see very many other people. The gravel stretches required a lot of concentration. I've never cycled on gravel before. We returned via road which was much better.
Had Cullen skink for lunch in the Pier Cafe, Loch Katrine. Had a nice chat with 2 fellow ebikers. There were no other shops or cafes on the ride. Returned to Aberfoyle, had a hot chocolate and Scottish tablet ice cream at a cafe which used to be a train station.
For dinner went to the Faerie Tree pub. Had fish n chips. Fell asleep very quickly.
Tuesday 12 May
Another bright start, amazing after last week's dire forecast. Battery problem now dealt with.
Off to Callander and new accommodation today, 28 miles. Revisited part of the loop from yesterday, going over the Aqueduct this time. Nice cycling around Loch. Back in Aberfoyle for lunch. It was only 12 ish so I wasn't hungry, but regretted it later.
Got to Callander a bit early for 3pm check in, but waited patiently in the sun. In attic room. Dinner in restaurant, confit rabbit and Highland burger (venison and haggis) was nice but with hindsight, a bit heavy and sat on my stomach. The attic room was very hot and didn't sleep well.
Below: the Abbotsford at Callander.
Wednesday 13 May: Callander to Killin
Still same weather, cold, sunny intervals, a few showers. Upset stomach. Not too much gravel of the gnarly variety, though maybe I'm more confident now.
Went slightly off route to ensure we had coffee. Found the Golden Arches, where we had delicious soup and toastie. A brief shower then ensued as we got back on the bikes.
Was a shortish day, 28 miles, and didn't pace it well, setting off too early and consequently arriving a bit too early to check in. It was nice cycling into Killin over a disused railway path and viaduct. Saw a red squirrel briefly.
To kill time before check-in we had coffee in the River Inn and then a hot choc in another place. I explored the village, famous for the Falls of Dochart, a series of cascading falls. Photographed the tin church.
Nice set up for ebikes at b&b with two new sheds in the garden, fully equipped with sockets and bike stands.
We returned to the River Inn for dinner. I had a lighter meal of butterflied chicken with salad and tzaziki.
Thursday 14 May
Terrible sleep, J snoring and it was hot.
Longest day today, 42 miles to Aberfeldy with a 4 star hotel for 2 nights. Was a road route, undulating, above a loch. Loved flying along the deserted roads. Wind quite cold. Arrived at Aberfeldy for lunch. It didn't seem to have many hostelries suitable for ebikes but fortunately we found The Watermill. Had an amazing vegetable curry. Just the job, as I was chilled to the bone.
Fortified by this and the wind, we travelled very fast to arrive at Dunkeld House. What a beautiful location! Unfortunately they have a new policy of No Ebikes. Including Bosch powered legal ebikes.
Saddle Skedaddle quickly arranged for a local bike shop to do our charging overnight. We followed the hotel's lovely porter Geo to the shop and he drove us back.
Dinner was relaxed. Had smoked salmon with rye bread followed by sole Veronique. Today was only day we didn't fall out (#KeepingItReal).
Below: the Watermill, Aberfeldy.
Friday May 15
Had good sleep score, comfortable bed. Sunny but cold wind. Eggs Benedict for breakfast. Delish. Taken to bike shop in van to collect bikes.
Did a loop ride which started with some beautiful scenery as we climbed through a forest past a famous beauty spot, a waterfall called The Hermitage.
The ride involved a long steep ascent and a ghastly gravelly descent. 25 miles. A bit of a white knuckle ride.
Had lunch in hotel, more Cullen Skink for me. A wedding was taking place, with the men in kilts.
Relaxed afterwards, had bath. Good to know I won't need to wrestle with bike, bruises and lycra for a few days. Nice dinner of haggis bon bons, fish with tempura batter and chips, hazelnut and pear frangipane tart.
Saturday May 16
Fairly poor sleep but a good energy score. We were picked up promptly at 9.30 to be driven back to Aberfoyle to be reunited with the car. After loading up the bikes we stopped for a last coffee in Station House.
A bit less windy and cold today. We broke up the long drive from Scotland to London with a stay at one of our favourite Lake District hotels, the Borrowdale Gates. Had a new room, very comfortable, but tiny bathroom. Dinner is always a treat. Had lentil and coriander soup, sea bass and tempura prawns with pak choi and Jasmine rice, and rhubarb cheesecake with ginger.
The acid soil in Scotland and the Lakes is perfect for spectacular displays of rhododendrons.
Sunday 17 May
Slept well in new hotel bed. Cloudy start. On road by 9.50. Just one charge needed which we did at Grantham North (new). Home by 5. Got a few bits at the Co Op. Below: my food highlights from the holiday. Top: Cullen skink (Scottish soup with haddock and potato), Scotch egg. Below: vegetable curry, rhubarb cheesecake.
Mon 18 May
Didn't sleep very well, probably down to not having any exercise at the weekend. Walked to Woodford to donate blood. Unfortunately the team had arrived late because of road problems. I was turned away. Walked home, which came to 5.5 miles. Carried on doing washing and took some photos for a blog post.
Tues 19 May
Showers. I didn't fancy cycling. Went to the gym, first time for weeks. Very busy so I ended up using free weights and fuming because I could have done that at home. After lunch we did a 10 mile bike ride to test the new tyres. V windy. Started watching Dutton Ranch (Paramount).
Weds 20 May
Quite windy, sunny spells. Had hair done, T section colour/highlights. Buses weren't running on way home because of an accident. Did ironing and some housework. Sorted trip to Lightroom with a few ladies.
Thursday 21 May
Promised heatwave not materialised yet. Mostly cloudy. Did 35 miler to Ongar. Did more in eco. New tyres. Nasty wind on way back. Fastest 40k yet. Did a books post.
Friday 22 May
The heatwave is here. Ordered AC unit. Published books post. Walked to Pilates, wasn't sure if it was on, but was.
Saturday 23 May
Sunday 24 May
30 degrees. Did short walk. J was not feeling great and I had a terrible sleep (14!). Salmon salad. Started process of buying a new car. We have been sharing a car since 2023 but the latest car is very big and I don't like driving it or parking in public car parks (its predecessor was "doored"). I'm going to buy a VW ID3, a small hatchback. It's an EV as we wouldn't go back to an ICE car.
Monday 25 May
Bank holiday. Very hot so set off early for bike ride to LV. Slalomists were out when we arrived but then they stopped the white water. Started two new programmes, Dear England (iPlayer) & Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (Apple).
Tuesday 26 May
32 degrees again. Poor sleep. Did walk in forest, shady. Got bus to S Woodford to get salad stuff. Had CT scan at dentist to see if I have grown enough bone for implant. Unfortunately, while the roots are great the socket doesn't have enough bone yet. I could wait another 2 months or have a bone transplant from a dead person. Who knew? Which option did I go for? Update later.....
Meet Pinguin6, my air con mobile unit. I love it. I just couldn't sleep in the tropical night time temperatures. It's a little noisy but drowned out by Boots' excellent silicone earplugs. J installed the window seal, bought separately on Amazon.
Wednesday 27 May
I bought a new car! Nipped round to the VW showroom to drive a demonstrator. Started completing the paperwork for a white one which has just arrived in the UK. Then they showed me a grey one, also newly arrived with same spec, and offered a free panoramic roof as an incentive. I know they were meeting sales goals but I'm not too bothered about colours and the price is extremely good. Plus will get it in 2 days.
Thursday 28 May
Tiring day. Did longest local ride this year, 43 miles. It was 30 degrees, a pleasant breeze but quite challenging. Got back by 1 and had to rush into London to see dermatologist Martins for Baby Glow. Various things to sort on PC later for car purchase.
De Longhi saw my post about the AC unit and asked how my sleep was. Much better. Felt energetic today, have passed a milestone in training.
Friday 29 May
New car day. Still hot. Went to Pilates then fast turnaround to get to Loughton for car handover. Saw the car immediately, it had a red bow on the front. Very pleased with it.
Saturday May 30
New car went on its first outing - to the garden centre. Temperatures reached 27 degrees. We were there soon after opening but it was already busy. Haul included four phlox, 2 salvia, 2 erigeron, 2 geraniums, 2 dahlias, 2 fuchsia, 3 heuchera. Planted them. Still not enough for the new borders.
Sunday May 31
Heatwave is ending: it was mostly cloudy, but still hot at 25 degrees. Did a 28 mile bike ride today to Lee Valley plus cycle path 1, which takes us through fields and a short stretch of canal. Had lunch at the Royal Forest.
That was my May, how was yours? Do tell in the comments.
FOR MORE MUTTON
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