Thank you so much Cheree. Yes, we are against time but determined to give it a last shot, and really, really avoid injuries. Ooo I didn’t know there was a museum- we’ll go next time! Love to you both :-)
Lovely article, makes me sort of homesick for England. Sort of.
In re: the cycling. Does this mean you have become a Middle-Aged Woman In Lycra and therefore lost the ability to see traffic lights, stop signs and so on?
As darling Hugo said, it shouldn't be menopause but menoplay. Sadly I hate to admit it but I may be beyond middle aged but actually old aged (60) attired in Decathlon's best padded pants. Happy to report that the previously tilted seat has now been adjusted so it no longer catches on the baboon padding and attempts to debag me at every opportunity (its bad enough middle aged woman in Lyra, imagine fat old lady trying to stop shorts from being pulled down from lardy, (definitely not clad in La Perla) bottom. Still can't get off without falling over. Hugo can swing his leg and dismount with a ballet dancers grace. I have to vault off and hope for the best.
I'm not brave enough for the roads so we fight with the brambles on the cycle tracks. I try to avoid the river (foot)paths as I know for a fact the sooner or later I'm in the drink...
I'm sure 60 is not old aged. After all old age is twenty years older than me and I'm closer to 60 than 40.
As it happens I still have a bunch of Decathlon cycling kit that we bought when we lived in France and I'm familiar with the way bike seats seem to want to keep in contact with them when you'd really prefer that they let you go....
ha ha! Yes you are right, 20 years in the future is defo old age and I shall never get there! Wowser, living in France and Japan! I need to go back and read your back story- I'm guessing- diplomatic? Although I can't see an obvious connection between France and Japan! Most intriguing. How are you finding Japan?
Not a diplomat. My first real job out of uni I was asked if I wanted to work in the company HQ in the UK or in their Tokyo office. I picked Tokyo as one does. Left after 2 years to live in Silicon Valley and imported a Japanese girlfriend. At some point during the .com boom the company I worked for offered me the chance to live on the Riviera and She Who Must Be Obeyed agreed with me that this was an opportunity to be grasped firmly so off we went.
Then eventually the lustre went off Riviera living and for reasons we moved to ruralish Japan, close to my wife’s family but also close to an airport with 5 flights a day to Tokyo. Not planning on leaving except for short trips back
That is so interesting. So are you now an immigrant or still ex pat? Sounds like you intend to stay in Japan? Do you follow Eric Lyman on substack- recently identity and belonging cropped up and I said (without any authority) that Far Eastern cultures do not really accept foreigners - is this true- do the Japanese accept you now as being Japanese or as a foreigner in Japan (albeit a settled married one who couldn’t be more invested?) Or, it just doesn’t matter…
I guess I'm an immigrant. I'm certainly not planning on leaving. But I'm not a Japanese citizen and have no particular desire (or expectation) to become one.
I think Far Eastern cultures don't have a tradition of immigration at all, so they aren't really up on the concept. They accept you are a foreigner if you do your bit to try and fit in, but they don't particularly open the doors to foreigners who don't make an effort. On the whole I like that
I loved this delightful read. Fun. Funny. And it makes me want to get a bike, go outside, and stay up late chatting with friends and family. (Also, I really wanna see that cottage/house porn.)
Aww Great Catania- thank you! And get on that bike! Honestly we have gone from pottering around to the bakery and back (quicker and cooler than walking) to having a whole different view on the world. It’s just lovely (ok might not be so keen when it is cold and dark). Hugo will be 61 this week, and me in September so we are no spring chooks nor skinny as fleas by any stretch. Grab a picnic and bottle of your lovely wines and go half a mile. The wake up call for me was the quacks wanting me to take the weight loss drugs as all I do as a writer is exercise my fingers and pad back and forth to the fridge. When ever you want to to stay up late and chat with friends and fam there is always room at our table - we can do a wine tasting!
You are on the list of people I very much want to meet when I finally make it to Italy.
And here’s something fun. My husband lived in Italy when he was in college. There were two women that kind of took him in - they were like surrogate mothers to him. He called them his “pasta Mamas”. And one of them, who has passed in recent years, was named…. PIA! :)
Oh that is great!!! I chose it as my pseudonym (I needed to keep to my initials so I could keep my call sign Papa Whiskey) and really like it (even if my brain sometimes lags behind and I find I have signed off Pig instead of Pia) When you come over it’s sunset wine tasting at Segretto. I guarantee you’ll live it :-)
That was quite a tumble - glad you’re ok! Your new wheels sound lovely, my bike rides always leave my rear end screaming for a sitz bath. My hubs has declared his bike-riding days over, so I can relate to your wariness of the solo rides down remote paths full of the unknown. We tried to go to the Via Frang. Museum a couple times when we were in Lucca but always found it closed. Your summer adventures sound like great fun! Thank you for sharing I love your writing!♥️
One of your best!! I loved your feral youth. I want your life, except I’m too lazy. This was an absolute treat in every way. Keep enjoying and sharing!!
Thank you so much Cheree. Yes, we are against time but determined to give it a last shot, and really, really avoid injuries. Ooo I didn’t know there was a museum- we’ll go next time! Love to you both :-)
https://www.visittuscany.com/en/attractions/via-francigena-entry-point-in-lucca/
As always love your writing! Warm, amusing, human. Every time a great read.
You’re such a hoot! Love to read your stories 😊
Lovely article, makes me sort of homesick for England. Sort of.
In re: the cycling. Does this mean you have become a Middle-Aged Woman In Lycra and therefore lost the ability to see traffic lights, stop signs and so on?
As darling Hugo said, it shouldn't be menopause but menoplay. Sadly I hate to admit it but I may be beyond middle aged but actually old aged (60) attired in Decathlon's best padded pants. Happy to report that the previously tilted seat has now been adjusted so it no longer catches on the baboon padding and attempts to debag me at every opportunity (its bad enough middle aged woman in Lyra, imagine fat old lady trying to stop shorts from being pulled down from lardy, (definitely not clad in La Perla) bottom. Still can't get off without falling over. Hugo can swing his leg and dismount with a ballet dancers grace. I have to vault off and hope for the best.
I'm not brave enough for the roads so we fight with the brambles on the cycle tracks. I try to avoid the river (foot)paths as I know for a fact the sooner or later I'm in the drink...
PS I'm not sure I want to cycle on the roads in England. Too much traffic. Here in rural Japan though the roads are generally empty
Here's some photos of yesterday's expedition - https://substack.com/@francisturner/note/c-141707149
I'm sure 60 is not old aged. After all old age is twenty years older than me and I'm closer to 60 than 40.
As it happens I still have a bunch of Decathlon cycling kit that we bought when we lived in France and I'm familiar with the way bike seats seem to want to keep in contact with them when you'd really prefer that they let you go....
ha ha! Yes you are right, 20 years in the future is defo old age and I shall never get there! Wowser, living in France and Japan! I need to go back and read your back story- I'm guessing- diplomatic? Although I can't see an obvious connection between France and Japan! Most intriguing. How are you finding Japan?
Not a diplomat. My first real job out of uni I was asked if I wanted to work in the company HQ in the UK or in their Tokyo office. I picked Tokyo as one does. Left after 2 years to live in Silicon Valley and imported a Japanese girlfriend. At some point during the .com boom the company I worked for offered me the chance to live on the Riviera and She Who Must Be Obeyed agreed with me that this was an opportunity to be grasped firmly so off we went.
Then eventually the lustre went off Riviera living and for reasons we moved to ruralish Japan, close to my wife’s family but also close to an airport with 5 flights a day to Tokyo. Not planning on leaving except for short trips back
That is so interesting. So are you now an immigrant or still ex pat? Sounds like you intend to stay in Japan? Do you follow Eric Lyman on substack- recently identity and belonging cropped up and I said (without any authority) that Far Eastern cultures do not really accept foreigners - is this true- do the Japanese accept you now as being Japanese or as a foreigner in Japan (albeit a settled married one who couldn’t be more invested?) Or, it just doesn’t matter…
I guess I'm an immigrant. I'm certainly not planning on leaving. But I'm not a Japanese citizen and have no particular desire (or expectation) to become one.
I think Far Eastern cultures don't have a tradition of immigration at all, so they aren't really up on the concept. They accept you are a foreigner if you do your bit to try and fit in, but they don't particularly open the doors to foreigners who don't make an effort. On the whole I like that
How rude- I forgot to say THANK YOU for reading and the comment :-)
On the contrary thank you for writing such enjoyable prose
Glad you are ok.
Aww thank you- just a drama queen! Plus I have lots of padding :-) How are you doing?
I loved this delightful read. Fun. Funny. And it makes me want to get a bike, go outside, and stay up late chatting with friends and family. (Also, I really wanna see that cottage/house porn.)
Aww Great Catania- thank you! And get on that bike! Honestly we have gone from pottering around to the bakery and back (quicker and cooler than walking) to having a whole different view on the world. It’s just lovely (ok might not be so keen when it is cold and dark). Hugo will be 61 this week, and me in September so we are no spring chooks nor skinny as fleas by any stretch. Grab a picnic and bottle of your lovely wines and go half a mile. The wake up call for me was the quacks wanting me to take the weight loss drugs as all I do as a writer is exercise my fingers and pad back and forth to the fridge. When ever you want to to stay up late and chat with friends and fam there is always room at our table - we can do a wine tasting!
You are on the list of people I very much want to meet when I finally make it to Italy.
And here’s something fun. My husband lived in Italy when he was in college. There were two women that kind of took him in - they were like surrogate mothers to him. He called them his “pasta Mamas”. And one of them, who has passed in recent years, was named…. PIA! :)
Oh that is great!!! I chose it as my pseudonym (I needed to keep to my initials so I could keep my call sign Papa Whiskey) and really like it (even if my brain sometimes lags behind and I find I have signed off Pig instead of Pia) When you come over it’s sunset wine tasting at Segretto. I guarantee you’ll live it :-)
That was quite a tumble - glad you’re ok! Your new wheels sound lovely, my bike rides always leave my rear end screaming for a sitz bath. My hubs has declared his bike-riding days over, so I can relate to your wariness of the solo rides down remote paths full of the unknown. We tried to go to the Via Frang. Museum a couple times when we were in Lucca but always found it closed. Your summer adventures sound like great fun! Thank you for sharing I love your writing!♥️
One of your best!! I loved your feral youth. I want your life, except I’m too lazy. This was an absolute treat in every way. Keep enjoying and sharing!!
I meant to say it was cycling around at yours in Key West that got us back into cycling! x
Aww thank you so much Helen, I have not dared put pen to paper recently! Thank you xxx