WHEN I penned my last column a fortnight ago, I feared that when it came time to write this next one I might be surrounded by bags, boxes and bikes.

How right I was.

I am just a few days away from leaving Los Angeles to move to San Francisco.

I’ve lived in southern California since leaving the UK in January 2013.

I have truly loved my time here but it is time for a change and I am moving north to join my coach and team as of next week.

Clearing out almost two years of tri kit and equipment has required serious endurance – but fortunately the end is almost in sight.

The last two weeks have also been my end-of-season break, so I’ve taken time out to go to the beach, do plenty of baking, see some movies and catch up with friends.

Once I reach San Francisco, I’ll begin winter training, which we often refer to as base training.

The intensity and volume of training is a lot lower than it is in spring and summer and it’s a great time to focus on weaknesses and areas of improvement.

I’ll be returning home for three weeks around Christmas, which I’m very excited about.

I’ve not been back to the UK all year and as much as I love life here, I really miss my family.

Of course, there’s Skype, FaceTime and texting, but it’s never quite the same as the real deal.

It will also be an extra special holiday, as my youngest sister Susie is due to have her first baby – due on Christmas Eve – so there’s going to be a lot of family fun and celebrations.

I’ll be staying in Swindon for most of the time I’m back and look forward to catching up with old friends and seeing all my family, most of whom live in Swindon, Cricklade or Purton.

It will also be a great opportunity to catch up with two of my longest standing sponsors, Morris Owen Chartered Accountants, of Old Town, and Virtua UK, in Hook.

They have been supporting me for many years and I might even get the Virtua guys out on their bikes if I’m lucky!

Training in the British winter is definitely not among my favourite things to do, but I’m sure for three weeks, I’ll be able to cope.

I’m hopeful of a mild winter this year – well, just in the three weeks that I’m home anyway.

I’ll then return to San Francisco in early January and training will remain lower volume/intensity until the end of the month before ramping up for my first races in the spring.

I’ll be back in two weeks when I’ll be settling in to my new life in San Francisco. See you then.