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My pushbike hadn’t been out on the roads since last summer, and so it was with great excitement and apprehension that I loaded the newly-named Icarus onto the train yesterday morning.

We’d planned a spot of cycling in the Essex countryside, and as I can ride the trains with my annual season ticket for free, I belted the bike into the special cargo area of the train, and settled back for the 40-minute journey south.

I was surprised at how stress-free it all was. As it was a weekend journey, no cycle reservations had to be made. I turned up with two other cyclists, and after we’d loaded our bikes into the empty cargo carriage, we told the conductor where we were getting off, and then enjoyed our journey down the line.

When we arrived at our respective destinations, we unstrapped the bikes, and we were on our way. I was expecting it to be much more problematic than that.

It really was nice to get out and about on two wheels again. And, it was made so much easier by the 25-mile loops of lanes in Chelmsford, which are especially for cycles. Buildings turned into trees, and those trees thinned into meadows. The bike routes really are very well-planned.

Cutting through the town centre, snaking into parks, along riversides, and under viaducts, we only crossed one major road. Taking a bag packed with pencils and sketchbooks, we sat on a peaceful bank at Sandford Mill and put pencil to paper, sketching the barges which lined the edge of the algae-filled river, occasionally disturbed by an errant and excitable beagle pup, who was letting curiosity get the better of him.

Having not drawn for over 20 years, both of us were half-pleased with our results. It was much harder than either of us remembered, though, especially the perspectives.

Not like riding a bike, of course.

Meanwhile, our journey today took us on National Cycle Route 1 through the centre of Chelmsford to the beautifully scenic village of Writtle, where we enjoyed a lunchtime snack under the shade of trees in the churchyard.

And, all weekend, I noticed that the number of fellow bikers was much higher than I’d anticipated, easily rivalling those of bike-friendly Cambridge. With its 80 miles of cycle routes, the university city could claim to have more cyclists, but I think the county town of Essex would put up more than a good fight.

Shopping for gas fires (and learning lots about chimneys), fun al fresco family meals, and lounging in the garden have all played their part in the last sunny two days, too.

All in all – and as I was feeling the pinch a little this week – the weekend has been one of the most enjoyable, idyllic, and relaxed of the year so far.

What is going on in the minds of ecard website creators, when trying to create occasions or greetings?

Ugh.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Today has been a day of trains. Six if you include return journeys, and a total of eight hours travelling.

But, it has also been one of discovery.

Why? Well, the work team had a day out of the office and visited Cardiff, where Victoria permanently lives and works from, for part of the week anyway.

So, the remaining three of us met at Paddington and found ourselves zizzing through the countryside, crossing too many counties to count, on our two-hour journey west, eventually reaching the Welsh capital.

Now, following my admission last week about never having stayed for a meaningful time in France, comes the same declaration, but this time, for the country that is fabled for its leeks, among other things.

With only a four-hour window to explore, there wasn’t much time for Wales to make much of an impression, but make one it did.

The weather undoubtedly helped. Bright blue, unpunctuated by cloud skies, and warm temperatures really led us to believe that we were on a mini-holiday. Add the fact that most of the signage is dual-language, and that the native tongue can be heard spoken, too, and you really do get the feeling you’re abroad.

We even felt our day-to-day stresses melt away, thanks to the city’s relaxed atmosphere.

Using the allotted time to search out a geocache, and as my other three work chums were modern treasure hunt virgins, it was exciting when we found what we had been looking for, using the satellites from space to show us the way.

It turned out that I’d selected a well-judged cache, too. Starting in the commercial centre of Cardiff Bay, it took us on a walk around the bay itself, and then through unspoilt wetlands. The last part of the trek really was like being in the countryside, with views across to Penarth with its church spire glinting in the sun, and glimpses of a graceful heron.

Heading back to the bay side itself, we had a lazy lunch, and just like in France, I again chose mussels, but with a twist. Arriving in a Thai curry sauce with crusty bread, they really were tasty, and although not as plentiful as the moules which I’d eaten a couple of weeks ago, they did seem much larger.

I was looking forward especially to seeing the bay, as the newly developed Roald Dahl Plass has recently has a starring role in Torchwood, the BBC’s Doctor Who spin-off. With its bronze shell glinting in the sun, the Wales Millennium Centre looked like a large sleeping armadillo.

Fountain, Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff

The giant cascading fountain meanwhile, was proving to be lots of fun for the party of school children who were playing around it, and were, for all I know, trying to find the secret slab which gains entry into the secret Torchwood headquarters.

An ice cream satisfied our dessert cravings as we walked back to the station, where the antique tiled platform signs spoke of Victorian or Edwardian grandeur. There, we were waved off, ready to sit comfortably for the return journey back to London, and our respective Tubes and connecting trains home.

As we disappeared into the underground tunnels, I reflected on what a very enjoyable day it had been, and how Cardiff Bay had been a very accommodating host.

A long day, yes, but already I’m looking forward to going back.