The Landlady: Rent Book Tales
Countryphile
One of my favourite things to do once the weather starts getting warmer is to get out on the Downs with my bike. Quite often, I will combine cycling with business and go to Hastings on the train with my bike and the Hoover, clean the communal hallway then cycle back to Brighton. Yes, I might look like a total nutter with a Dyson sitting on the baby seat, but I don’t really care what other people think.
Cubans are a hardy bunch
It seems that in The Cuban Boyfriend, I have found a kindred spirit, as he too likes nothing better than a cycling outing in our stunning Sussex countryside. Especially when it involves being with a cheerfully optimistic person like me. I seem to be able to combine a great deal of foolhardyness with not really knowing exactly where I’m going, which is not a marriage made in heaven when darkness creeps in, in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately, Cubans are a hardy bunch who have to remain optimistic and patient in the midst of various crises, so in him I have found the perfect person to lead boldly into disaster…
The Cuban Boyfriend is himself an odd combination of rash decision maker and totally anal cycle enthusiast. I, for example had to curb my impulsive side (the impulse being to strangle him) when it took him nearly an hour to attach complex saddlebags (transported all the way from Scandinavia, no less) to the rear of his bike. The only problem with this was that, because of the time taken attaching the sodding things, we set off very late.
Our lateness, combined with my typically optimistic approach to an impossibly lengthy route, led to us having to stay overnight at Cooden Beach. Pricey though it was, it was worth every penny, the only downside being that the saddlebags had to be detached for our overnight stay and, you’ve guessed it re-attached with much faffing the following morning. I’m sticking with the rucksack on the baby seat.
