Karen writes: Pests

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I got out of the house for my last long ride before Taupo as soon as it was light enough to see.   I nearly didnt go, my body was sore after yesterdays deep tissue massage, usually I would allow at least 24-36 hours before exercising after something like that.   But I wasn't going to get my ride if I didn't go Saturday morning, so off I headed for the planned 100km.

Got to the bottom of the driveway, left was the flat route, right 'there be hills'.   I went left, but a km along the road I told myself off and turned back the other way.

A little way along the road past Beachlands I saw something grey scoot across the road, it was a large rat.  Now the roads around there have big drains alongside them, this rat was going so fast it leapt the drain but miscalculated and crashed head-first into the the clay bank and rolled inelegantly down.   I just caught a glimpse of the bedraggled rodent having a bit of a wobble and then sprinting off into the scrub as I passed, and thought at least my day is going better than that!

Not for long...then came THE magpie


A cyclist had warned me
Then I saw you on the pole
Surveying your domain, 
You didnt deign to see me


I rode hurriedly past
Pleased to miss the Whitford terror
The sun was behind me, 
Then so were you


A thump on the shoulder
Feather scrape my cheek
When I stopped squealing, 
I heard bird laughter


But don't think you've won
Piebald menace, sky scourge, 
When there's 20k between us, 
I'll call you rude names and wave my fist at you!

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