I have several hobbies. One is making stuff. In the holidays I like nothing better than spending days at a time making stuff we really don't need to satisfy my crafty urges. We are overrun by cushions blankets and shawls. If I get bored of stuffing our house to the gills with soft furnishings and neck attire I make things for other people. I also make rag dolls and get a bit obsessive about them. At least one will accompany me on my next ride. The problem is, this is not a cycling compatible pass time. I can do a bit of crocheting in the evenings. Or a nice embroidery but I can't cart around my sewing kit and make a pretty dress. Or a new cushion. So in the holidays I would like to spend a few days making stuff. I also need to work. Nip into school, plan, the kind of teachery stuff we all moan about when people moan about our holidays. I need to do that. That leaves a day or two free. In that day or two I could visit some local sites and plan that charity ride I've been talking about.
But to be honest, the most pressing issue is financial. As holidays go, touring is generally inexpensive (apart from food - food costs a fortune 'cause you eat SO much). But when you're not camping it can be a bit pricey. (That's why they call it 'Credit Card' touring you see.) Well, I have blown the holiday (an craft) budget on a lovely new laptop notebook thingy. My old laptop is that heavy it is destabilising. I dread carrying it around. And the battery life is shocking. And...well basically that's it. It's not very portable. So, I got a new one! Last time, I got all caught up in technically spec stuff that made no difference to me and what I use a computer for. This time I was clearer. Something to type on, internet on, look at photos on...That I can carry without rupturing something vital.
So here I am. Its a teeny tiny Asus thing with Windows 8 (No comments, it works. And it swishes.) and a touch screen. Even with the charger its comfy to carry. Its lighter than my tent which is nice. (To put the minds of the more savvy amongst you at rest, I did do research and read some reviews and stuff. It passes muster.) I searched amongst the soft furnishings and found my old Office disk so I'm good to go and now (seeing as I have a cold and am feeling sorry for myself and ultimately, I have finished the most recent shawl) I am testing it in café conditions. I feel dead posh. It fits in my little Vaude courier bag (thank you TK Maxx - It fills me with joy when my wish list is available in store at half the price - got some Onitsuka trainers too) a treat. At some point I intend to don a bandana and swoosh into Ronda all modern and hipsterish. Whip out my funky little laptop (possibly with some obscure cycling sticker on) and google the latest Tour of Qatar results (thank you twitter).
None of this addresses my winter padding issues. Maybe I should get an exercise bike. That way I can knit, watch TV, cycle and have somewhere to hang my latest creations.
Until that happens I'll be the one commuting to work and haunting Edinburgh's cooler cafes with a swishy laptop and a comfortable layer of winter padding.
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