In my future I see myself out riding a bike. I'm not planning any huge, long cycles to faraway places, just leisurely rides to visit friends or pick up some shopping. I fancy a vintage bicycle with a basket on the front. When I was young I had a big, black Hercules with no gears. I never got the hang of gears.
My brother cycles every day. He tells me that it's best to avoid the cycle path as it's become busy with people out for their daily exercise during the Coronavirus pandemic. On the other hand, the roads are quieter. Almost every day he cycles from Old Kilpatrick to Bowling Harbour and sometimes on to Dumbarton to Levengrove Park, on the banks of the Clyde.
'It's a beautiful place. You would love it.'
'Maybe we can go together when I get a bike?'
'Sure thing.'
He is a bit of an ornithologist and says the species of birds you can see is amazing. He was thrilled to see swans swimming on the river. I enjoyed looking at his photographs although the swans were quite difficult to make out; they were so far away.
My grandson has a new bicycle and he too cycles every day. He is missing his football and has applied to start a sports course at college so is very concerned to keep his fitness level up. I haven't seen him for three months. I transfer money to his bank account.
'What do you spend the money on,' I ask.
'Pizza or sometimes chips. Only a few places are open.'
Hopefully his efforts at building his fitness are not being undone. He is at the secretive age so although I know what he has to eat, he isn't so keen to reveal where he goes but assures me that if he meets anyone he stands well back, observing the social distancing rules.
I've been checking out vintage bikes on eBay and have seen a few that I fancy. One is described as 'Stunning Vintage Original Hercules Women Bicycle Old Rustic For Restoration'. It would all depend on what 'restoration' means. A project with my grandson would be brilliant but out of the question if the bike was falling apart.
I am trying to build up my fitness too. I found an online class on YouTube that suits me very well: 'Gentle Chair Pilates for Healing, Strength and Mobility'. It only takes ten minutes. I'm going to start doing it twice a day.
I'm watching my diet too. It would definitely help with cycling if I could lose at least a stone.
And it would be an advantage to my recovery when I get my new hip.