July 9 - Day 91 - Out of damp and gloomy days, out of solitude, out of loveless words directed at us, conclusions grow up in us like fungus.' Friedrich Nietzsche

You will have noticed (I hope) that there is a day missing. This is due to me working from home yesterday - partly planned and partly because I got absolutely drenched on Wednesday going home and everything (and I do mean everything including the bike) needed time to dry out.

When I last said that I must have got through the worse weather conditions, nobody told me what it might be like cycling through flash flooding in a foot of water while being splashed all over by cars attempting to do the same. Not only could I not see where the potholes were or if the drain covers had stayed on but I was cycling a different way home after a meeting, and stupidly attempted to do a shortcut. I completely lost the sense of where I was and because I couldn’t see much, ended up cycling in what appeared to be a large circle for a while. To add to the pleasurable experience, as I got out of Sheffield and headed uphill, it began to thunder and lightning and I have to say you do feel very exposed on a bike.

Now, if at this point you are asking why I didn’t stop and get some dramatic pictures of the scene, rather than trying to get home quickly and safely, you might get a slightly rude response. So - moving on….

Today’s journey to work was much better and I was able to stop to take the picture of the fungus. I have, however, sadly spent the last hour, partly while eating my lunch, trying to identify it correctly. After exploring several websites and pictures of brackets, and getting in a complete muddle - not least because they can change appearance within weeks, I decided the safest things was not to attempt to give a name. I also know that there will be people out there who will be quick off the bark with an identification.

So as we approach the weekend again, a big thank you to all our supporters, including the generous anonymous donor who has brought the current total of ‘Sponsor a Spin’ to an amazing £4600. Who wood have believed it?!