~ Preparations ~ Week 5 ~

~ Monday ~

~ Ice cream and conversation ~

The last week in Rome before my summer adventure, means lots of good byes, if only for the summer. My dear friend and I met after work for a quick Ice cream, quick however, is not how it ended up! She is one of those friends who you can talk to for hours about the depths of your soul, the developments of your life and the dreams you have for the future. We were discussing this trip I'm about to take and plans for the future of Project Life Coach as well as her plans to move in with her boyfriend, which is a big change for her. Of course we both enjoyed a sweeeeet Ice Cream in true Italian style (on a bench at the side of the road) 

As adventure and opportunity comes into your life so to does change. It is easy to be scared, to fear the new and different. But it is and always will be part of living. What ever is it, if you fear it, it's OK, don't let it stop you. As you continue with fear by your side eventually the feeling of fear will also change. 

20 km on the bicycle.

~ Tuesday ~

~ Promotions ~

Today I had a regular day at work enjoying spreading bicycle love with the children, its a beautiful sight to see them getting the most from their bikes.

I also began the packing process, Saturday I will be departing and leaving my room and wonderful house mates behind soooo I have separated everything and it's ready to be spread among friends for the summer, until I return in September :D 

Then I decided that I should make a handy handout for this beautiful project so I can have something handy to spread the love and so I got to work.

16.6 km on the bicycle 

~Wednesday ~

~ Fireflies and friends ~

A few weeks ago, I returned from the farm late, when the sun had disappeared and the streets were dimly lit by street lamps. I took my usual route which lead to a park where only darkness remained. 'AAAAAHHH! It's really dark' thought I slamming on the brakes, to think out my next step. 'it's only a few minutes, to the other side!' reassuring thought said, 'but there's always homeless, drunks, who may attack you and steal your beautiful bicycle' responded fearful thought. 'I'm going' interrupted centred thought as my body moved swiftly onto the darkened park. As I sped through the dark strip of gravel combined with mud, I saw a flash. 'So small... there is another one, another... WOW!' I slowed the bike to a stop in the centre of that darkness, just able to make out my hands, I stood there in silent awe, surrounded by a wall of blackened trees which sparkled like a clear nights sky. 'WOW, so fireflies actually exist!' I thought or maybe said aloud in the darkness! As they flew around me I realised I was no longer scared, I was happy to be there, grateful and honoured to see natures magic.

Since this original meeting with the fireflies, I have introduced a couple of friends to them. Today was another occasion, with blanket in hand, flask of tea in the other, not forgetting the bicycle between my legs, me and my lovely house mate visited them again and what a pleasure it was.

Here is a song for you :D

20 km on the bicycle

~ Thursday ~

~ Crafty table making ~

As I mentioned on Monday, my good friend is soon to be moving in with her wonderful boyfriend and what a beautifully good match they are (LOVE) Due to my departure, I'll be missing all the action of first days in new house shinanigans, so I wanted to make them a gift for their new home. As I looked around at my bits and bobs, which I often recycle into new things, I was inspired by an old bongo drum which has been sitting waiting to be repaired. 'OOOO, what use am I like this' he moaned, 'There is no balance in my life, I just spend my days here alone, waiting for people to come along! When they do, they're not interested, I'm just a broken old drum!' sobbed the little drum. 'Ah ha, I know what will restore the balance to your life little bongo drum!' I replied with enthusiasm, 'How would you like to hold a yang and yang? To serve as a small table for coffee and cakes, be admired by all who come across your path!' of course the bongo drum agreed and so I took him to a little shop where three old Italian men, fumbled around their workshop, managing to create a small circular top and attach it to the top of the drum. I then used old magazines and PVA glue to design the ying yang. Not only was the little bongo happy about the big change in his life but my friends also really loved it :D happy happy happy.

This took up most of my day along with the preparations of a buon estate (happy holidays) dinner and so the bicycle was happy to have a day off!

~ Friday ~

~ Bye bye bicycle ~

During my working day the anticipation grew, I knew as I lay my head on my pillow this night, the beautiful bicycle that has served me well for the short period of 3 months, will no longer serve me. Reassured that she would be taken care of by a beautiful friend I managed to make it through the day. After work I went for a quick cup of tea before heading to my friends house to bid farewell. Love you training bicycle :*

20 km on the Bicycle

I went to sleep with my room deserted with only my bags packed ready for my departure.

~ Saturday ~

~ Departure ~

Took the metro to work for the first time in a long time today... 'I miss my bike' thought I.

Then worked from 8.30 - 5, walked to termini, where I stopped for my last slice of Italian Pizza and a cup of cappucino (If I'm honest, I think I chose the worst place) then I used Terravision bus lines to arrive at Ciampino for a 10 pm flight. After coming through passport check and then collecting my baggage it was already 1 am so I decided to sleep at Stansted airport until the buses and tube were running and I kind of love sleeping in airports, its quite similar to sleeping in the wild :D

0 km on bicycle

~ Sunday ~

~ A Lazy London Day ~

Today I spent the day with my very good friend, we watched the great Frozen followed by the beautifully scripted series Derek. We ate good food, talked a lot about the past 6 months of our lives and generally spent the day around the house. 

0 km on the bicycle