End Of Another Era

It’s the end of another era today, the council are collecting the old double bed today along with its lightly notched headboard. I did remember to remove the handcuffs first. I'm more sad about the headboard than the bed, which was truly knackered. I’d bought that headboard especially as the old one had nothing to grab on to, so I didn’t really see it as having much use. Ah, the fond memories.

I have a very eventful morning on the bike. It wasn’t the rain that was the problem, more the wind and the two punctures. I went down a rather large pot hole and punctured both tyres at once. Never done that before. It has to be said the roads are in a dreadful state at the moment but they don’t tend to start fixing them until late summer.

The Brunswick has its Damson Stout on at lunch time, which goes down very well.

Squash is off, as there are still no vacancies for a game this week.

I get back on the bike to ride home and cross my fingers. I can’t have any more punctures because I’ve used up all my tubes.

L heads off to do a duathlon. Running to spin then running home. She arrives home dripping with sweat. Very nice.

(Thursday 26^th February)

After Many Years Of Not Doing So...

I bike into work and finally, after many many years of not doing so, I cycle down the A52. This is the main dual carriageway between Derby and Nottingham. It is also a accident and pot hole black spot. However, as so many other cyclists have told me, the last mile or more up to Pride Park is almost totally static at rush hour. Yes I know. I’m often sat in it in the car.

So I give it a go and it cuts five minutes off my journey. L will be horrified but then it was her fault I was running late, so she can’t complain too much.

My latest injury, the recurrence of dodgy calf syndrome, survives the bike. I’m hoping to do a 10k on Sunday but will know better my chances after squash tonight. The pub lunch also helps to dull the discomfort. So now in an Abbot Ale induced haze, I’m all ready for tonight’s game. Bring it on.

I play at 80% effort to protect my calf, although this doesn’t do the score any favours. Then when nothing has snapped by game 4, I manage to increase my effort and win a game. Afterwards I’m well pleased with the workout.

(Thursday 11^th April)

A Not-so-slow Puncture

I’m on the bike in pleasant, near perfect cycling weather, although with slightly in-compliant legs after last night’s run.

Another first for Daughter today, as she breaks her internet ordering virginity using her visa debit card online for the first time. A slippery slope I believe. She seems thrilled when they arrive. I suppose with our post I'm always thrilled when something arrives, surprised too.

I cycle home and consider a post-work swim, although I haven’t checked in advance to see if the pool is open. It wasn’t last time and it would be just my luck if it wasn’t again. Suppose it will be a nice surprise if it is.

I put my rear tyre down yet another pot hole, which isn’t difficult considering the vast number of them around. The tyre doesn’t go down immediately and I think I’ve got away with it but then I realise I’ve developed a slow puncture. Well actually a not-so-slow puncture. I stop to blow it up but a couple of miles later it’s gone down again. It takes me three sessions with the pump to get me the rest of the way to the pool and then the mile home from there.

The swim went well, although I got reprimanded for not waving back at L who was in the gym. Oops. Unfortunately I had a bit of battle on with the guy in my lane, he was a bit quick. I was so preoccupied that I didn't even get chance to ogle the girls in the next lane, let alone check out the talent waving at me. Makes you wonder why I went really.

Despite the not-so-slow puncture I'm home in time for my appointment. I have an 8pm slot booked in my diary for with a client requiring a ‘tempo’ session. She’s my only client actually and she’s a bit bolshy tonight, shouting at me for urging her to go quicker on our first fast km. You don’t need it from your customers do you? She’s better after that though and does what she’s told. L seemed happy with the session.

(Wednesday 24th August)

No Escape

Despite last night’s long run/walk, I still manage to bike into work and then crawl up the stairs to my office.

The ride home culminates with a wheel in a rather large jagged pothole and the resultant puncture means a half mile or so walk home from there. I could have fixed it but it’s easier to do at home as I’m so close.

Tennis again tonight. For the second time in five days, due to me being busy on Thursday. I escape with a 2-6 2-6 defeat, which means we play four games less than last week, but then my opponent makes me play the missing games anyway, just for fun. I thought I'd escaped lightly. I’m not a great fan of playing tennis and I’m itching to get back to squash.

(Tuesday 2nd August)