Out knackered earlier after many days of crap sleep; thankfully, refreshingly with few neccessities on the itinerary.
A chilly start made moreso by my once-more-peephole trousers resulting from my failed repair attempt.
Into town along the tow path with the usual brief and courteous exchanges with folks en-route; as well as a few stops to trim errant brambles now erupting from the hedgerows.
No charity shops or supermarkets today but I followed pretty much the usual loop, trying to dodge looming black clouds heading in from the West.
Out north and back along the tow path for some more intense trimming before unexpectedly passing the object of failed past affections; a cheery ring of the bell prompting a short exchange of greetings
Feeling really good about not feeling really bad about how that whole situation had gone I continued merrily on my way until I met the only proper bellends of the day.
Approaching from behind two sets of parents and a stroller who were blocking the whole path; I slow and ring the bell in very good time. One of the blokes turns, looks straight at me then turns back and keeps walking. They make absolutely no effort to move so I ring the bell again as I get closer - several of them look but don't seem at all bothered about allowing me past.
Finally I have to brake and attempt to thread my way through them as they half-arsedly drift in all directions. One of the women apologises. The dickhead with the stroller utters "jesus" under his breath as I do the same. Beyond that I hold my tongue; adhering to the old adage of "if you don't have anything sufficiently eloquent and ascerbic to say, don't say anything at all".
Not sure what was wrong with these people - of the tens of folks I passed today these were the only ones who so spectacularly failed to grasp the concept of sharing a path with others.
Trying to salvage my mood I continue, stopping for some more trimmings and getting a hearty "Cio!" from a young presumably Italian bloke in a sleeveless denim jacket adorned with metal patches, as I stopped and stood aside to let him past.
It was evident that the tow paths had seen recent attention with the grass strimmed back on the verges; however it appears less attention was paid to the spiky stuff dangling from above..
Onward to the rings; donning earplugs to soften the infernal presence of children. Managed a reasonable showing considering recent efforts and was on my way.
Back towards town, stopping to check a Kubrick-themed sign outside the Phoenix Picture House which toute screenings that I'd predictably missed almost in their entirety. Next Sunday's Dr. Strangelove seemings increasingly relevant so I might give that a squiz...
Over to the Woodstock road via the lovely new Uni buildings...
Full of endorphins it was finally into town for a wrap; bumping into the source of recent surprise-daffodils for a nice, not-at-all-weird chat
Wrap in hand it was back to the Radcliffe Camera to retrieve the bike from the railings outside..
.. before heading home along the tow path; gleeful to discover in the face of no dinner that a recent Waitrose pie scored from the reductions was bucking the trend of its brethren and not having a problem with being cooked from frozen.
Everything's seemed like a bloody chore recently and I really needed a good, largely aimless waft
