A Stunning Victory

L has an infection but manages to get a GP appointment and antibiotics on a free pensioners prescription. As I am cycling later, Daughter helps out by walking the Lad but he’s not happy with that arrangement and downs tools on her. Mind you he does always cause a commotion when L walks him on a Monday, he really doesn’t like me cycling. 

Tuesday is Race Three of the Grand Prix series at Colwick where I find the speed bumps really hurt my knees until I have the bright idea to run around them on the second lap. It’s a shame that didn’t occur to me on the first lap. I have also gone back to my old training shoes for the extra cushioning for my knees but instead I get blisters. Now I remember why I bought the new shoes. This time I easily beat my rival. L comes to support and is looking a lot brighter. 

So much brighter that she is work, at the Gulag, briefly on Wednesday with a boss who clearly would rather be watching the cricket. By the way, England won the toss and are bowling. I’m sure L has a good book to hand and she does manage to escape to the gym by early afternoon. 

Thursday is the final race of the Grand Prix which is back at Holme Pierrepont as they are not able to use the Embankment this year. So, it’s yet another lap of the rowing strip but as it’s just 5k only one lap this time. I again beat my rival and easily beat him overall. I’m happy with a time of 26 minutes without a dog to tow me round like he does at Parkrun. Three of my runs have been slower and just one faster but I’m happy with that. We then go to the Embankment pub for a pint. 

On Saturday morning a really strange thing happens. The Lad doesn’t nag for his breakfast at 6am and we all oversleep. Then we realise why. He’s got himself stuck under the bed. I’m tempted to leave him there as a lesson for his own stupidity but we release him. We have to lift up the bed to do so. 

We then Parkrun at Clifton, I visit my dad and we have a night out at the Wollaton British Legion where there is a beer festival. Nottingham Brewery’s Obsidian at 7.2% is the highlight and seems more immune to the heat than the other beers, some of which seem to be on the turn. 

On Sunday we are back at Bilsthorpe for another Dog Show and where the Lad stuns everyone, especially me, with a clear round in the Jumping class. This included the twelve weaves which he does correctly at the first time of asking and at approximately 90 miles an hour as is his style. Given his blistering pace it is no surprise that he wins the class and we get our first ever win. 

He continues to be hopeless on the Agility runs and we get two Es there but he then has a very good Steeplechase, stays on the right course but has two poles down. He comes 5th. So it was well worth the trip to come home with 2Es rather than 4 and a winner’s rosette. Back home I crack open the best bottle of red wine we have.

(Sunday 6^th July)