I DID say a few weeks ago that I was going to take part in the Sue Ryder charity bike ride on Sunday, and I did, and have the aches and pains to prove it. My sister decided to join me and we set off for Palace Green bright and early on Sunday morning and

I DID say a few weeks ago that I was going to take part in the Sue Ryder charity bike ride on Sunday, and I did, and have the aches and pains to prove it. My sister decided to join me and we set off for Palace Green bright and early on Sunday morning and were welcomed by Beth Rigg and several of her colleagues from the charity. We decided not to be too ambitious and opted for the 10-mile ride, which took us out past the community college, and then through Little Downham and Coveny and back into Ely. There were a couple of naughty little hills through Little Downham (I thought this part of the country was supposed to be flat!). But the scenery was beautiful and the feeling of free-wheeling down a after the climb reminded me and my sis of when we were kids and we used to go for long bike rides and take jam sandwiches and weak orange juice in a Tupperware container. The only difference now is that we have old bones, stiff joints and the following day we felt every turn of the bike wheels. Now, I like to think I am quite fit, I do a bit of yoga and I like to swim two or three times a week, but nothing prepares you for two hours on a bike saddle on a warm day. I don't want to go into too much detail about my aches and pains, but put it this way, even typing my column this week is painful and it's not my fingers that ache! What is it about saddles that makes them so uncomfortable? I guess if you shop around there are special saddles that make life for the cyclists more bearable, but why oh why don't they make gel filled saddles or even bean bag saddles when they put bikes together?

Anyway, the less talk of my bottom the better, as it was great fun, and I really don't mind being sore to raise some money for Sue Ryder Care which is a fantastic charity that does great work for people with brain injuries and brain conditions such as dementia. I also have to say 'well done' to Beth and the team as the organization on the day was spot on. The route was well sign-posted and easy to follow. And when we got back they had cheese sandwiches and drinks and cookies waiting for us. (Maybe next year, we can have little cushions as well?)

The French market on Saturday was delightful. I bumped into our new mayor Shelia Friend-Smith, who helped me cross the language barrier and buy some cider, thanks Sheila.

My mum is now home from hospital with pacemaker intact and ticking away and she tells me that as long as she stays away from electric fencing and airport scanning machines the pacemaker should behave itself. It is great to have her home. Home is just not the same without your mum, is it?

If you fancy a cream tea and a tour of Ely Cathedral's monastic precincts on Bank Holiday Monday, then pop along to the cathedral at 2pm. This area of the cathedral is usually closed to the public so it is a fantastic opportunity to have a peek at some history and then enjoy a nice cup of tea and a cream scone afterwards.