Job done

Another day, another job on the list done. I've built a retaining wall in the garden and replaced the brickwork around the steps and begun to have a little more faith that it will stand up until the end of the holidays, as it is still stood there at the end of the day.

It didn't take too long which meant we got to have a trip out to Blashford Lakes this afternoon. We saw a heron close to one of the hides and watched it stab its beak into the water and emerge with a small fish which was gulped down in a single swallow. The woodland hide was busy but we spent most of our time by a small river where Maria was throwing sticks into the water whilst we had a coffee.

There was still time for a bike ride, just a short jaunt today but the best thing was the puncture repair seemed to have worked. instead it seems I've not quite got the wheel in the right place as the gears were slipping, hence the shorter ride.

Tomorrow will see the first report for the Monday night football with Sparkshop reborn as Werder Beermen.

Back on the bike

Having somewhat foolishly agreed to taking part in a charity bike ride in June, I had to get a bike to do some preparation in readiness for the 50 miles I initially thought would be a doddle. It was no time at all before I realised that was simply not going to happen and I managed a much reduced 25 miles instead. Not too bad I guess after so long out the saddle and with just a few weeks to get some semblance of bike fitness.

The best thing is that I have kept going and went out today and did over 12 miles cycling to the garden centre at Holt and back. That was after decorating the dining room including ceiling, walls and wood work and it made a nice break after being cooped up for much of the day inside.

The iphone is a blessing as I was able to see what I'd done thanks to a brilliant app which tells me I averaged a shade over 10mph for the journey, despite getting a puncture 3 miles from home. It also allowed me to listen to the cricket as I cycled, the phone pinned to the fluorescent top I was wearing. I must look pretty ridiculous but it is good to be back in the saddle after a long, long time without riding.

Update at last!

It's been almost 8 months since my last entry and quite literally nothing has happened in that time. Not only to me or anyone I know but also in the world at large. Thankfully this has meant I have missed nothing and can pick up again now that the summer break has finally arrived.

We seemed to be the last school in the country to finish and that gave Alison the chance to compile a long list of jobs to be completed and we've got straight on with them. Every hedge has been cut and it's taken 3 trips to the dump with the car full of bags, to clear the cuttings. We've also added slabs to the patio and that gave Maria the chance to play with some snails she found. There were a dozen of them and she also found a similar number of froglets which were emerging from the pond. You will also see the huge frog in the iris in the pond.