Celestial mechanics, a cake disaster and and a big thank you.

It's March 20th and its the Vernal Equinox. That means there are exactly twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of night in both the northern and southern hemispheres and its all to do with the angle earth rotates at. I know this because Kate Humble was on the telly the other night with a really good programme about the Earths orbit.  We are at the mid point between winter and summer solstices. So its SPRING waaaaheeeey!

Apparently this happens in New York on the Equinox 

The guys at the bus stop near home got a great view of the sunrise this morning.  Honest!

I seem to have a spring in my step this morning, even after a long ride at the weekend (report to follow very shortly) and after I had a bit of a disaster this morning and I just had to laugh.

My Tiramasu cake last night

Last night I made a cake, as its my turn for Cake Tuesday. I spent ages (without any swearing) hopefully getting it just right. I then took a photo of it before putting it in the fridge with an upturned bowl on top to keep it from drying out. So you would think that when I came to remove it from the fridge I would be extra careful. Well the bowl started to slide off when i picked it up, so I tried to compensate by leaning the tray away from me but the cake slipped clean off. It was one of those slow motion moments ....noooooooooooooooooooooo as I dived to save it from landing on the floor. I don't know how I did it but I managed to catch it in my left hand before it hit the ground. Problem was it was upside down with all the topping oozing through my fingers. I won't repeat what I said but Monty was blushing. He'd come to see what all the fuss was about then saw the cake and thought "ooh cake" Again it was a nooooooooooooooooo moment as I was desperately trying to keep the dog from helping himself and also trying not to drop the cake from slipping out of my hands.

The...slightly wonky rescued version

A piece just prior to devouring

With all the commotion going on, Rosemary dashed in and removed the cake from my hand, whilst I picked myself up from the floor. We just burst out laughing. Unbelievably the cake was still intact but with half the topping either on the floor or on my hand. Luckily I had some ingredients left to make another topping. Phew! I was a bit late getting in to work but had a fully intact cake with me.

Cake! where? Gimme cake

Anyway what I actually started this post for was to say a big thank you to everyone that has donated to my JustGiving page recently. I have had some wonderfully generous donations and I am very grateful indeed. For some reason JustGiving don't always send me email addresses for me to personally thank people. So for all the people I have not thanked in the last week or so here goes.


Thank you very much indeed to Janet & Malcolm Fletcher. I was so chuffed when I saw who the donation was from. I was beaming from ear to ear according to Rosemary. Your donation really means a lot to me. My very best regards to you and your family. Hope you continue to like the blog Joseph.

From Anonymous - Wow! Thank you so much, that is very generous of you. I will think of your mantra if I am feeling low on the ride


Thank you Audio Technica in Leeds. Makers of fine microphones. Your donation was fantastic and much appreciated.


Tony Williamsom - The best window cleaner in the west. Thank you very much Tony and thank you for your kind words.


Ian & Doreen - My Mum's cousin - Thank you so much for your donation. It was very kind of you. All the very best to you.


Hopefully I have thanked everyone else personally. If not I am very sorry and please accept my apologies.