Day 2874 All in one day.

28th June 2025

It was an action packed Saturday, the large side tables were picked up, always a great start of the day. Even better news was we sold the side tables that were posted yesterday, now that was epic. We had to deliver them, but it was local, so no problem. 

To celebrate, we went on a bike ride, deciding to ride to Kollen Park, the first time this year.

We set off with the metal straws rattling in our water bottles. 

Along South Shore there is a cycle lane running alongside the pavement, normally we use the pavement because it gives us more distance from the traffic.

On this occasion we had to use the cycle lane because of pedestrians ahead. Once we cleared them, ahead was a jogger, so we had to get ahead of him. 

I watched as Kelli set off, legs moving like mad person trying to catch up and overtake the jogger. The jogger was setting quite a pace, I wasn’t sure Kelli could match it. Her legs were going faster, almost invisible, but slowly she edged ahead. Finally, when there was a large lead she was able to pull on to the pavement, rapidly slowing down to her normal pace.

We took the normal route past the pickle factory, the smell of vinegar permanently hangs in the air.

We carried on along the broad walk, behind me I heard a “tink” having no idea what it was I carried on. However out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of another cyclist trying to pass. I of course let him by, the sun glistening of his polished head, he sped off as if his ass was on fire.

As we followed the edge of the lake, passed the Asian people trying to catch their dinner, I could see the shiny head cyclist coming back. Luckily we missed him, instead taking another pathway for our return journey.

There was an event going on in the park, and I was curious to see what it was all about, I noticed that MillerKnoll had a booth, so I wanted to see what was going on. 

As we got close to the path leading to the event, Kelli noticed the pride flags, oh no, not the crazy inclusive lesbian show? we veered off the path just in time, we could face that bunch of crazies.

Heading back we came across a large plant on someone’s driveway with a “Free” sign next to it.

This was a fine specimen of what ever it was, and Kelli wanted it.

How were we to transport it home? It stood three feet tall and the spread of the leaves was over five feet, so it was fairly significant.

Well I had the saddle bags. I guess it was down to me to get it home

I managed to squeeze the pot into one side of my bag, the rest of the plant standing erect. With a bit of help I managed to mount the saddle, and by moving a few of the long tongue like leaves I was able to set off.

Immediately it was like being whipped by a thousand strokes.

At that point Kelli burst out laughing, almost continuously as we made our way along the path. I was not aware what it must have looked like, I was to frightened to turn round for fear of poking my eye out. The laughter continued, I even tried to accelerate, but I could still hear it in the distance. It was a good job the leaves were green, if they had been red it would have looked like flames coming out of my bottom.

No one took any notice of me riding a bike with a big plant growing from it, except from a guy working on the power lines who said “ Nice plant”, I wasn’t sure if he meant it or was just taking the piss.

We finally got back home, Kelli was exhausted, and not from the ride.

The plant, who I called Robert, was undamaged, and a drink of water helped it recover from its ordeal.

As we entered the house, Kelli screamed, “ there’s something in my hair” as soon as my hearing recovered, I felt around, and suddenly a spider fell out. This being her worst nightmare, was swiftly dealt with, as I carried it outside to go and scare someone else.

She had said something on the way down but I could find anything then, but it must have been resting all this time.

After a brief pits stop we then had to deliver the side tables. Of course not to miss out on something free Kelli informed me that we were picking up a planting table, she could see my level of interest was sinking, she said it was free, and was similar to one we got a few years ago, that was a pile of crap, and this one didn’t disappoint. 

We pulled into the driveway with this wreck ahead of us, it had seen some action, there were extensive teeth marks on the legs, probably the result of a werewolf attack, but with a bit of help we loaded it into the truck and headed back.

The excitement ended with a float in the pool, I found a leak in the float I was using, really these things don’t last, bloody cheap Chinese rubbish. 

What a day, never a dull moment, now we have the problem of where to put Robert the plant.