Too Hot, Allegedly

On the bike again after our joint dog walking session. L with MD and the ball chucker, Me with Doggo and the morning smells.

Daughter lands another job interview, this time in Bournemouth and the day before the London one. Oh bloody hell. I’m not sure I can help her much with that one.

It’s too hot for squash, allegedly, but it’s not too hot for a Friday night. There's always a silver lining. It's also not too hot for L to work up a sweat in the gym first. There's always a silver lining.

(Thursday 15^th September)

Possibly The Last Time

I chauffeur L to her Parkrun at Forest Rec, chuck a few balls and then join her for a coffee.

Then it’s the match. Another win for Derby as they dismiss Bolton Wanderers 4-1. The big one, going head to head with league leaders Bournemouth, now looms large on Tuesday.

L changes the sheets on our bed for possibly the last time. She seems more hopeful than me that all these delivers will go to plan and everything will show up next week. Then she’ll be moving upstairs, she might even take me with her.

Saturday night out is spent in the Falcon, the Borlase and finally the Blue Monkey.

(Saturday 7^th February)

The Jury Is Still Out

This morning I head to my parents’ place at Aston-on-Trent and run the 8k into work from there. It was excellent at first but then the old calf started to get very tight about half way through. So not good. L asks if I’m going to come home and instantly withdraw my Peterborough Half Marathon entry? The jury is still out. I will see how the run back is tonight.

Oddly, on the run back, the calf got better as I went along. I had changed my shoes and put long socks on for extra ‘compression’. I don’t know if any of that made any difference.

I’m at my folks’ place because we’re heading off to the match later, where Derby finally break down an ultra-defensive Bournemouth and win 2-0.

(Tuesday 30^th September)

National Winter Ales Festival

On Wollaton Park today is the National Cross Country Championships, so the dogs and I disrupt that for a while. It’s massive and has taken over most of the park. We linger and watch three races.

Then in the afternoon there’s a match. Derby win with a late free kick against Bournemouth to continue their good run.

I drop into the National Winter Ales Festival on the way which is being held at Derby’s Roundhouse for the first time. 

I only popped in for the commemorative glass but at first they try and deny me that, saying they’re saving some for the evening session. I plead that this the only reason I came early and eventually I get one. 

We had thought of coming tonight but I doubt they’ll be much beer left by then and the already well depleted stocks seem to confirm that. I did manage to get a few nice dark ones whilst I was there.

Instead we spend the evening at the Horse and Jockey at Stapleford.

(Saturday 22^nd February)

Not A Job To Be Taken Lightly

Daughter’s visit home proves to be a brief one. This morning she’s on the train heading back to Sheffield for a job interview at Bramhall Lane football ground. Although I understand manager Danny Wilson’s job isn’t in jeopardy.

What this? Ah, she’s left us her suitcase to take up on Saturday. That’s nice of her. Looks like our ‘possible’ trip up at the weekend has become more definite.

I didn’t even get chance to brief her on the complex matter of dog feeding... It’s not a job to be taken on lightly. Munchies for Doggo, muesli for MD with a little water, not milk. Old git sprinkles for Doggo’s joints and bran sprinkles for both of them. Then there’s the biscuit for dessert. Forget that and MD will wear out the kitchen tiles with his pacing.

Daughter is soon texting me bank questions... so I assume she’s filling in a form, which sounds promising. Yep, she’s got the job. Starts Saturday, at home to Bournemouth.

Squash tonight, form the first time for ages. It goes ok, I don’t have any adverse reactions, injury wise. Score wise, not so ok.

More success at the cycling, another gold for GB with the women Team Pursuit trio breaking the world record twice on their way to gold.

(Thursday 5th April)