Molly getting to grips with her own steed that I built and painted out of bits I found in someone's dustbin

Happy new year! Yes, yes, I know I’m a couple of months late but two months late is better than four months late – which it could quite easily have been. So be grateful for small mercies.

Well, you may or may not ask (and just in case you don’t I will ask myself) what’s been happening lately? Hmm, tricky one this, so to sum things up in a 15mm nutshell, here we go:

Amount of miles Molly has done in 6 months strapped to the back of my bike: 4122

Amount of miles I’ve cycled feeling as if I’m carrying a live cow strapped to the back of my bike: 4122

Amount of times Molly has signalled left when we’re really turning right: 672

Amount of times Molly has bleated baa (and occasionally moo) when we’ve passed sheep and moo (and occasionally baa) when we’ve passed cows: far too many

Amount of times I’ve been cycling along talking or baaing or mooing to Molly only to realise she’s asleep: worryingly (to those who may have observed me) – lots!

Amount of times I’ve cycled past passers-by in pouring rain with Molly dripping on the stern and noted their ‘what a cruel irresponsible parent!’ look: every time it rains

Amount of times I cycle along dreaming of the good old days pre nappies when going for a bike ride was a simple and fast mount-up-and-take-off operation instead of being the long drawn out logistical nightmare consisting of the accumulation and packing of baby paraphernalia and the chasing and cornering of escapee child in order to concertina wiggling and writhing form into various waterproof and helmet’ed apparel: too many to mention

Amount of times I think: I’d like to cycle from Alaska to Patagonia today and then don’t because I suddenly remember I have a baby and a builder who need feeding: 4672

Amount of times I think: I’d like to write another cycling book today and then don’t because I suddenly remember I have a baby and a builder who need feeding: 4672

Amount of times I think I won’t bother with school for Molly – we’ll go cycling around the world instead: minimum – ten times a day

Farm gates make useful headrests

Molly missing the view - again