Rhubarb

There was a welcome splash of sunshine today, reminding you of what autumn can be like when the rain clouds keep away. I was inspired to get the bike out and tackle the Middlewood Way, which was pleasant enough; though, being a defunct railway line, there isn't always much of a view over the cuttings, save for occasional glimpses of fields, and the odd cow. (I mean an infrequent cow; not one that is particularly unusual in its appearance; although there may have been a few of those around too: when cycling I tend to be quite focused on the potholes in front of me; and may occasionally miss a passing cow, however odd it may be.)  It was another of those cycle routes which are helpfully straight and flat, which is a great advantage at my age. There were several cyclists with expensive-looking mountain bikes, and expensive-looking cycling gear. In contrast, I deliberately cultivate a less formal style, and ride a somewhat unglamorous bicycle, trying to be coolly understated; as if I could make the effort if I really wanted to, but I somehow find it more chic not to bother. Though whether anybody else accurately picks up on this is hard to tell.

I bought some rhubarb today. I presume it must be in season. I never really know when fruit and vegetables are in season, other than there tend to be more things in the supermarket in summer than in winter. Except when they get flown in from the other side of the world, in which case they are there all year round. Clearly no-one bothers to fly rhubarb in from the other side of the world. Maybe it doesn't travel well; or it doesn't thrive in sultry foreign climes; or they can't find any overseas farmers who are inclined to cultivate it, thinking no-one in their right mind would want to eat such an oddity. I bought it on a whim, as it seems years since I last bought and cooked any (clearly not helped if I don't know when it is in season). I didn't get as far as preparing a crumble, which would have necessitated a greater degree of strategic planning than I felt capable of, though I did remember to buy some custard.