Sid's Slimming World

Sunday 29th January 2012 to Saturday 4th February 2012

2012-01-30T08:50:00.002Z

Monday 30th January 2012

Knackered again but up just after 5pm. Finished off reading Stephen King's 'Bag of Bones' last night which was really good, ought to keep a record of what I'm reading. Also read Ford County Stories by Grisham in January - that was okily dokily too. Anyway, got the missus up and then a slow run up town and back. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/145837429

Sunday 29th January 2012

Tired as seems usual. Wanted to do a big run but could only manage a slow 9 miles.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/145837427

Sorting out a BT Fon connection issue for brother-in-law Jimmy took a fair bit of time but turned out to be a weak receiver in his Laptop really. Said I'd have a look for a booster thing I've got somewhere.

Sunday 22nd January 2012 to Saturday 28th January 2012

2012-01-22T15:21:00.008Z

Saturday 28th January 2012

Up at 4:00 ahead of the spangler. Took him to work as his moped is dicky. Played thirteen holes of golf then off to bed early. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/145837425

Friday 27th January 2012

Tired from Badminton last night. Played with Russell who is very good, probably 10 years younger than me. We beat some of the best whipper-snappers there so that was good. Anyway, up at 5am, an hour of good work then bit of a walk then off to work. All good.

Thursday 26th January 2012

Slow sort of a run round - I've got really slow this last month when I'd hoped to be getting better. Very worrying!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/144680724

Wednesday 25th January 2012

Up at 5am - did a load of work - am liking this 5am thing get more done in an hour than I can do in a morning at work. Most useful. Woke missus up at 6:20 then off for a run up town and back. All good, bit slow but didn't stop the clock when went into paper shop. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/144453728

Walk after tea: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/144680721

Tuesday 24th January 2012

Got up at 5am. Have been upgrading computers and wanted a 500gb drive out of one of the old PCs. Which got done. Then went quick run up town and back in the blasted run.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/144213323 Got home a bit late due to trouble with the Bullet at work as she is known to me. Had tea, went a walk for a couple of miles. All good.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/144453727

Monday 23rd January 2012

Up at 5am, worked for an hour, then walked up town and back - still got a touch of stomach ache but am hoping to be sorted tomorrow. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/143978395

Went a bit of a walk after tea. Couple of mile looking up at the stars. Marvellous.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/144213319

Sunday 22nd January 2012

Got up early but couldn`t get going. Went a bit of a run with stomach ache before I even set off. not to mention feeling knackered. anyhoo 13.2 miles and probably getting on for three hours later I was jiggered. will post details monday. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/143978393

Sunday 15th January 2012 to Saturday 21st January 2012

2012-01-15T13:36:00.004Z

Tuesday 17th January 2012

Got up early and got out on the road not long after 6am. Did five miles and back for just before 7. Thought it felt a bit better but still only averaging 10:45 miles. It'll get better though. First night of alcohol free nights this week last night so that's one out the way! Also did a 2 mile walk round last night as well looking at the stars before watching the rather good Stargazing Live which had the last chap to walk on the moon on it and such a nice bloke he was too.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/142422691

Monday 16th January 2012

Watched the excellent Sherlock til 10:30 so not up bright and breezy decided I walk up town and back after doing the big run yesterday. Didn't explain the two section approach to the run - I tried to split it into two halves so could stop and have a drink halfway - 500ml of finest lucozade sport to be precise. Getting old I am, you know!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/142160109

Sunday 15th January 2012

Got up pretty early (mind you went to bed about 8pm as well). Damned Watch crashed and was stuck at 6:40 so had to go run without Garmin assistance so had to manually map out how far I'd gone. The intention was to do 12 miles but I was having to guesstimate and ended up coming a little under three quarters of a mile short having done 6.51 miles in part two of the run and 4.78 miles in part 1 of the run. I had a two section strategy in mind from the off - with home being the start/end point in both case I did the first five mile'ish run around town so it was street-lit not that it was really needed as it was well frostily moonlit this morning. Then did the nice run round Mappleton in early sunlight - was unbelievably cold but that's what it should be this time of year. No idea of pace - still rubbish so if was to put money on it I'd say I was averaging 11 minute miles which as keep saying is okay at my age and weight!

Part 2 summary and map the nice countryside bit:

Part 1 map and summary: the steet lit bit.

Sunday 8th January 2012 to Saturday 14th January 2012

2012-01-09T06:07:00.007Z

Saturday 14th January 2012

Went bed at 8pm slept til 7:30am - must be getting old!! Anyway just a bit of golf to report on today and a bit of diy in the afternoon putting up mirrors etc.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/142160105

Friday 13th January 2012

Walked up town and back as was quate knackarred after badminton and 4.5 miles previous day.

Such is life

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/141218477

Thursday 12th January 2012

Struggled to get out of bed, but did so. 4.5 miles run this morning - slow but what the hell, 4.5 miles on a work day morning. That'll do for me damnit.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140995426

Wednesday 11th January 2012

Bloody tired again - went bed about 9pm up 5:45. Went run 6:10 ish I think and did 3.76 miles at about 10:45 pace which is a bit rubbish but at least it's more than have been doing.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140753418

Tuesday 10th January 2012

Did a wee bit of a run - 3.2 miles - pace was terrible but felt better than the computer says. Such is life. Day two of zero alcohol - also went bed at 9pm, knackered!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140529918

Monday 9th January 2012

Feeling it this morning so a mainly walk, little bit of running up town and back just so don't seize up completed. Anyway 2.7 miles covered and better than doing nowt at all. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140247947

Walked over to Mr Parker's and back in the evening 2.2 miles clocked up. All good.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140529914

Sunday 8th January 2012

Was told I needed to do a ten miler at the weekend for doing Grindleford Gallop in March. Mission accomplished although very tired. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140247942 10min 53s miles which was acceptable all things considered.

Sunday 1st January 2012 to Saturday 7th January 2012

2012-01-01T12:00:00.010Z

Saturday 7th January 2012

Saw Phil go first thing then back to bed. 15 holes at lunch time at 10 over, really good front nine at just four over finishing par, par, par, birdie which was solid but lost a bit of momentum on the back nine. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140247937

Friday 6th January 2012

Went to bed dead early last night so got up super early this morning. Watched Phil go, there was a concern about Frost but it was okay so he went on his ped. Wind had dropped too. Going to be putting things right tomorrow morning - there's stuff blown over all over the spot at the moment. Did a just short of three mile run this morning which was okay - still not sure bout the new trainers maybe they need bedding in.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/139246225

Thursday 5th January 2012

Up early watched Paul go in the howling gale bless im. Had to drop my parents off for a flight out of Manchester Airport so got into the office for just after 7am so I could leave early. No run - wasn't fit to with the wind and rain so wasn't too bothered about not running. Was knackered at the end of the day - went to bed about 8pm! Wierd, must be getting old!!!!

Wednesday 4th January 2012

Up early again, got some bits and bobs done. 3.5 mile super slow run, battery ran out on watch which was my fault - something to sort out later. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/139246223

Tuesday 3rd January 2012

Up early, saw Phil set off for work at 4:30, went back to bed, stayed there. Back is giving me hell today wityh the rain as well I decided to leave it.

Monday 2nd January 2012

Up with the lark at 5am got some bits done - could have gone a bigger run I suppose but didnae. Anyway, 3.33 is a magic number and that's the number of miles I did. So more than I generally ran last year but lordy were my legs tired? Am not sure bout the new shoes I have to say but will give them a few more miles before deciding whether they're not for running in.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/138214025

Sunday 1st January 2012

Start as you mean to go on. Up a bit later than usual but not to worry, it's a Sunday. 6 miles - just under 11min/mile pace. Yes, it's slow but two factors to consider - a. alcohol over xmas and b. breaking in some new birthday present shoes - Saucony ProGrid Guide 2's - will see how get on with them I had some ProGrid Omnis a few years back and they were excellent so hope these will be similiar. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/138214022

Christmas 2011 to Saturday 31st December 2011

2011-12-30T09:11:00.005Z

Christmas 2011

Apologies for the lack of updates - have been busy doing naff-all for too long. Not much to report over the Xmas break went a couple of walks but did no running nor any golf nor any cycling. Did a bit more decorating but that doesn't really count! Sorted out Itunes on my old pc so that we could load up the missus' Ipod which was interesting. Other than that have barely been out the house.

Was a sad Xmas really as first one without uncle Peter but there were many times where I thought of him (as always really) even on Christmas day there was a point where I took Paddy's hat folded it and stuck it in his coat pocket before hanging it up - that was what Uncle Peter always did. Sad without him, life goes on though.

Took Phil to see the new Sherlock Holmes film yesterday it was great although a bit long for me. So "Overt it's covert" was my favourite quote I think. A cracking yarn, t'was.

Friday 30th December 2011
44 tomorrow - how can that be? Anyway got up dead early to make sure Phil got off to work okay. Then back to bed for a bit, then up again, then went run at 6am for almost three miles at 10:40 pace which considering the weight and recent consumption of alcohol was acceptable. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/137410340

Saturday 31st December 2011

That's it another bloody year older. Not best pleased. Got up at 5am, did the bins, went out for a run at 6am - did five miles at 10:44 pace which I'm not unhappy with all things considered. It will get better. Can't believe how mild it is - 10 degrees first thing, it was ruddy freezing last year.

Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/138214017

Sunday 18th December 2011 to Saturday 24th December 2011

2011-12-19T21:46:00.005Z

Wednesday 21st December 2011
Up early; a couple of painting tasks. Then stuff out the shed and off to work early for setting up for the madness.

Tuesday 20th December 2011
Up dead early - 4:10am to set the bread maker off as we're a bit low on bread for the kids' sarnies. Back to bed for an hour and a bit. Up again at 5:30(!) to get oven on, made six bread rolls, good but not had none, mesen. Painted the stain removed bit of wall. We'll have to see how it works out, think it needs another coat really.

Anyway,after all that ran up town and back. A bit slow as knackered to start off with but that's acceptable.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/135683642

Watch wasn't getting a satellite position for much of it so it could say anything when it's finally loaded up.

After a bit more painting mullarky I went for a two miles walk.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/135683649

Monday 19th December 2011
Up early again. Ajaxing the back door. It come up lovely! A bit of tweaking to the powerpoint for the it meeting and then fetchee papers and off to work. Got the room setup with young Liz, powerpoint ready to go, handouts at the ready. Power cut. Awesome. Hottailed it to the place of power (or with power) the warehouse. Not bad talked through the release plan for XpressWeigh. All good.

Got home, decided to use some polycell stain remover stuff on a bit of ink that Lucy may have left on the wall in the dining room (put about 20 coats of paint over it to no effect). Will see how it paints up tomorrow. Also finished off the back door it looks quate good now but needs a bit of silicon sealant to finish it off.

Sunday 18th December 2011
Mighty tired but not a problem. Got up mega early and got the hall painted through out. Did the wood about lunchtime. Not much else too report, hoovered up did some bits and bobs. All good.

Sunday 11th December 2011 to Saturday 17th December 2011

2011-12-12T09:46:00.003Z

Wednesday 14th December 2011

Up at 5:20(!!) painted inside of kitchen door and door to hallway. Cleaned the brushes and out on the road for first time for a few days by 6:30 (awesome performance young Siddall).

Tuesday 13th December 2011

Up at 5:30 radiators and door jambs this morning and then off to work. Got back in good time, did shower room door and then got everything ready for morning attack.

Monday 12th December 2011

Up early (5am), glossed skirting board, put shelves up, put drawers back in place. Looks good. Got a band rehearsal tonight and then will be doing some snagging when I get back home just to finish off - it'll be well good!!

Sunday 11th December 2011

Decorating most of day apart from a bit of visiting the madhouse that is Costco.

Sunday 4th December 2011 to Saturday 10th December 2011

2011-12-08T08:36:00.003Z

Saturday 10th December 2011

Started the clearing up process ahead of decorating the dining room. Then a bit of golf, played with a young chap called Dan who kindly marked our card in a good way. Played fairly well to put a three under par card in off our three quarter handicaps. Got quite a few pars which was nice. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/134115444

Friday 9th December 2011

Bit of a run in the morning http://connect.garmin.com/activity/133471211

Thursday 8th December 2011

Forced meself out again.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/133304782

Wednesday 7th December 2011

Back on the road again. Slow, ill, what more do you want?

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/133156101

Tuesday 6th December 2011

Presentation on credit card processing. Went okay but more work generated from it, such is life.

Monday 5th December 2011

vision Day at the Derbyshire Hotel talking about the next generation of XpressWeigh - went quite well considering.

Sunday 4th December 2011

Not much to report. Felt like death warmed up so didn't do much.

Bit of a bike ride on Sunday but you only have to see the average speed to know it was poor!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/133156099

Lots of meetings and presentations at work which all went relatively well, all things considered.

Sunday 27th November 2011 to Saturday 3rd December 2011

2011-11-27T19:09:00.007Z

Friday 2nd December 2011

Knackered from Badmo and all. So decided to have rest day. Ha ha.

Thursday 1st December 2011

Quick run up town and back. V Tired but still under 11min miles.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/132000089

Wednesday 30th November 2011

Quick run up town and back then off to that London for a Microsoft Sharepoint seminar. Very good. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/132000085 Almost 10 min miles as well for a change.

Tuesday 29th November 2011

Possibly the final dog walk - his owner's family are all ill so we had the dog an extra day. So did the two mile loop again. Six minutes quicker than yesterday but there was one less pooper scooper to do so that might be related.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/131654937

Monday 28th November 2011

Think I mentioned we've been dogsitting this weekend, well we've still got the pooch into Monday so this morning was reduced to walking the animal 2 miles round the block and got nothing much else done. Such is life.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/131465550

Sunday 27th November 2011
Couldn't get out of bed! 8am! N'er mind 7 mile slow run round Okeover Park and what have you. 11min 30sec miles nothing to be impressed by but that's what I'm down to.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/131465545

Sunday 20th November 2011 to Saturday 26th November 2011

2011-11-21T08:41:00.007Z

Saturday 26th November 2011
Missus gone shopping, we got a lil wire-haired Jack Russell for the weekend called Pip. Should be interesting. Nowt much to speak of today. West Ham beat the Rams but it was a mercy victory really - you have to give a little bit of chariy to that poor fella up front for the hammers who loses his balance once in the penalty area - poor chap - a breath of air and he's on his arse.

Friday 25th November 2011
Interesting Badminton session last night - found out that I don't do the 'big to the back' serves right - sort of come around rather than under so need to get that sorted. That said, I didn't lose a single game so that's got to be good. Anyway, was totally jiggered last night and this crept through to this morning with a crap run up town and back with many short walking spells. I think there might be an outside chance am getting old. Was looking forward to a fishing session this weekend but looks like it's not going to be happening now, which is standard for me of late. Anyway details of run http://connect.garmin.com/activity/130771621

Thursday 24th November 2011
Couldn't get out of bed. Knackered. So late that made decision to just do a two mile loop. So tired so rubbish pace. Such is life
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/130590154

Wednesday 23rd November 2011
Dragged myself out of bed for 5:50. Got tidied up, got some bits together to send for Ebay mullarky and got them sorted. Went run, stopped off at bank to get some cash, picked papers up and then back home for 6:55. 3 miles done (forgot to restart the clock after papers for half a mile) close to 10min miles
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/130422479

Tuesday 22nd November 2011
Got up feeling a bit better than yesterday but still not brill. Did a two mile walk round the block last night then forgot to switch watch off when got home so it looks like 2.7 miles when it was actually a smidge over 2 miles. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/130249511

Anyway, back to today, did a bit of early morning tidying up then up town and back to fetch papers - getting really tired but first mile was around 10 minutes - it'll get better I'm sure.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/130249513

Monday 21st November 2011
Got up at 6am, stiff as a board - 13 miles on a Sunday is out of my league these days.
Anyway, did some tidying up - cleaned shoes, put breadmaker away, went run up town and back. Which as expected was a bit slow!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/130068876

Sunday 20th November 2011 Started off with a steady (read "slow") 7.5 mile run.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/130068862

Then rather rubbish golf in which I missed two putts from 18"
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/130068870
We ended up with a nett 76 that should have been at least four shots better if putts hadn't horse-shoed or been missed from laughably close up. Anyway another 6 miles to add to the total.

Sunday 13th November 2011 to Saturday 19th November 2011

2011-11-15T12:54:00.003Z

Sunday 13th November 2011

Did nowt pretty much. Washed cars. Went to Costco as requested. Didn't realise they did eye tests which should be handy I reckon for next time. Bought a load of junk we shouldn't have then come home. Nothing to add other than that!

Monday 14th November 2011

Got up and went for a spin on the bike. Am awaiting some innertubes coming from Ebayland before I start commuting proper again. Anyway a steady 7 or so miles. Got back from work watched the Other Guys with Phil - that Will Ferrell does make me laugh.

Tuesday 15th November 2011

Couldn't make me mind up today. Ended up running three miles - watch was flat so no record but it felt a steady pace. Then drove to other side of Alfreton and cycled in. Ridiculously I hadn't realised that the Leisure Centre wasn't a blue permit car park so had to rescue car with the help of Dan from facilities before it got a £60 fine!! Will know for next time though! Anyway three miles running, three miles cycling.

Wednesday 16th November 2011

Run up town and back. Right tired.

Thursday 17th November 2011

Watched ‘The Kennedy Detail’ til late last night so couldn’tget out of bed and have got badminton tonight anyway so that’ll have to do! The Kennedy Assassination has been anever-present in my life. I rememberwatching conspiracy theory programs on the old 14” black and white portable asa teenager and being outraged even though it all happened before I was evenborn. The program based on a book by oneof the members of the Kennedy Security team was very moving, these guys are nowin their 70s and are still emotional about it all particularly about JackieKennedy’s response to what happened. I’ll certainly watch it again if it’s on - interestingly they all said conspiracy theories were a load of bunkem - all the shots came from the rear right they said which would point to it being Lee Harvey Oswald in the book depository.

Sunday 6th November 2011 to Saturday 12th November 2011

2011-11-06T19:05:00.008Z

Saturday 12th November 2011

Phil's moped is off the road at the moment so up at 4am, took him to work then back to bed, lovely. Got up at 8am. Fetched papers and picked up an inner tube for the bike from Lumbards. £2.50 cheaper than the one I bought on Thursday from Alfreton Bike shop - must use Lumbards more often in future.

Golf was rubbish - started off nicely was 1 over after three holes but then it all went awry with a number of doubles that shouldn't have been. Anyway, no-one was marking our card so it didn't much matter.

Friday 11th November 2011

Tired, no run. got some jobs done, come to work. Have got one of the punctured wheels sorted, do the other this weekend, back on the road Monday.

Thursday 10th November 2011

Up late, no run. Average day at work. Badminton in evening, Lucy improving, me getting worse.

Wednesday 9th November 2011

Hacked off today, cycled in to work for first time for a few days, got to Clover Nook Industrial Estate and got multiple punctures due to some tosspot leaving a loaded of shredded paper with staples in the road. Then found out that some other git has been trying to defraud my credit card so I've had to make phone calls and now have to wait for a new card to come.

Bloody marvellous. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/127499152

Tuesday 8th November 2011

Up late last night trying to get a QQ Box satellite receiver working with the laptop. It will work with DVB Dream but not with Blaze HD TV package. Very frustrating. Anyway, up 5:55am and did the quick up town and back run again. Just over 10 min miles so okay. Am getting into the swing again.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/127302881

Monday 7th November 2011

Up a bit late, got a bit of work done. Then went run 2.5 miles - sub 10 min miles for first time in a bit. Into work early this morning for unspecified reasons.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/127095232

Sunday 6th November 2011

8am, ran the same 6 mile loop as last week through Okeover Park and back beautiful.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/127095225

Lunch at Nag's Head then did some pics for Jason at JJC Sporting Guns then walked back through Snelston over the hill to Sides Lane Mill and back home for a couple more miles for the day.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/127095230

Sunday 30th October 2011 to Saturday 5th November 2011

2011-10-31T08:43:00.009Z

Saturday 5th November 2011

Washed missus' car and the wretch's ped. Golf at 12 noon, first Winter League golf of the season - weather not bad but getting dark towards end! We shot a nett 70 off three quarter handicap in the betterball format which wasn't too bad considering we had bad holes at the same time; think I had five pars in total so not great golf by any stretch but it was what it was.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/127095222

Friday 4th November 2011

Decided I should have a rest day. Chucked it down with rain too so was glad I didn't go on the bike. Fireworks on Ashbourne Rec at 7:45pm - excellent as usual - weather was too still though and so some of fireworks were hidden in their own smoke! Such is life.

Thursday 3rd November 2011

Tired this morning. Didn't get on the road til gone 6:30 but ran up town and back, nice and steady and was back for more or less 7am.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/126156749

Wednesday 2nd November 2011

Up early, did a couple of emails then cycled2work - modified the Broadway diversion a bit - it works a treat. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/125951208

Looking at it the wind should be behind me at times on way home which will make a change! Will see if that's so later. Didn't feel like it was helping in all honesty but it wasn't as bad as it's been over the last few months so that's good!!

Tuesday 1st November 2011

Band practice tonight so drove to work. Ran up town and back to start day off. Garmin watch absolutely flat so not sure what that means. Anyway, it's on charge again.

Monday 31st October 2011

Cycle2Work with the Broadway shortcut again (not sure if it is shorter - certainly easier without Krays Hill. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/125488235 Will see what it's like cycling back in the dark!

Not much fun in the dark but my Amber Valley parking permit runs out at end of November anyway so only another four weeks. Trip home plus car journey here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/125951204

Sunday 30th October 2011

Clocks go back, aaaaggh. Phil gone to work at crack of dawn. Went for 6 mile run - very slow, lot's of walking! http://connect.garmin.com/activity/125488232

Wedneday 26th October 2011 to Saturday 29th October 2011

2011-10-28T07:46:00.003Z

Friday 28th October 2011

Back to Cycle2work - bit parky out and a bit darker but good fun and found a new shortcut through Swanwick - cuts out the evil that is Krays Hill which is double good as it's full bore loony roadworks down there right now.

Garmin watch fell to bits at Belper but such is life - have got all the bits! .

Thursday 27th October 2011

Up early but got asome work to do at home so didn't get out til 6:30 so just did a two mile round the block sort of thing. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/124619450

Got thoroughly embarassed at work with a presentation for 20 years service. Cripes, how time flies.

Wednesday 26th October 2011

Back to reality - woke up in my own bed, ran up town and back. Tired but not a bad pace.

Sunday 16th October 2011 to Saturday 22nd October 2011

2011-10-17T05:25:00.006Z

Thursday 20th October 2011

Got up about 5:30ish. A bit more snagging then got on with cleaning up my mess. Found a roller in the box that was wrapped in cellophane from last time we did any painting - it seemed to be still wet so cleaned that out before putting everything away. It's ready now for plumber and electrician to finish the job off.

Wednesday 19th October 2011

Getting tired'er. Got up 5:45, did a bit of snagging in the bathroom covering up little bits that got missed. Cleaned all the brushes and tidied up, fetched papers, running late. Got to Belper for 6:35 and then biked into office for 8:30, shower and then back to me desk.

At noon the forecast for 4pm is North Westerly Wind avg 13, gusting to 21mph - am going to see what it actually feels like and report back later. -- Wind was actually fine really set off at 5:15ish and back to car for 5:55ish so a steady ride back with quite a bit of pavement which always slows things down.

Did a bit more snagging on the paintwork before bed.

Tuesday 18th October 2011

Up at five thirty so a bit of a lie-in, which was nice. Didn't do any running or anything other than gloss skirting boards and door frames. Practice with the band after work. Back home for 8:30, another go at the skirting boards and then off to bed.

Monday 17th October 2011

Up at 4:30, third coat of paint on shower room. Just about there now. Going to cycle in to work in a bit. Cycled in to work and then back home against the bloody wind. Nightmare. Back to car for just gone six though so not the end of the world.

Funny thing was coming along the funny path after the Wimsey Way diversion I sensed a presence. Which turned out to be an oldish chap on a bike who used me for a wind shadow for the next couple of miles overtaking me down near the pub - nice to see someone else uses the same shortcuts I'll let him overtake next time there's a strong wind.

Have ordered a replacement strap for the Garmin which am missing already unfortunately. Put fourth coat of paint on the bathroom - it's done now - about time.

Sunday 16th October 2011

Not much to report. Got up early - put first coat of paint on shower room. Went to Nag's Head for Pad's birthday. It was alright. Back to golf club for nine holes. Worst for a while but such is life. Back home, second coat of paint on bathroom. Have I mentioned that the Garmin 405cx is out of commission until I get a new strap for the damn thing, thought not.

Sunday 9th October 2011 to Saturday 15th October 2011

2011-10-10T07:52:00.007Z

Saturday 15th October 2011

Going DCFC to see match against Southampton this afternoon so not planned owt else. Got up town, caught 12:25 Swift bus to London met up with Jason, few drinky poos and then match, 1-1 draw. Bus back at 6:30 after a few more drinky poos then walked home with a bag of chips. Poifect.

Friday 14th October 2011

Cycled into work.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/121407003

Thursday 13th October 2011

Early into work, badminton at night, moved lots of stuff about for the windows again.

Wednesday 12th October 2011

Quick (slow) run up town and back.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/121406998

Tuesday 11th October 2011

Tired again but giving it a go still. Ran up town and back slow - 11:30 miles.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/120625412

Monday 10th October 2011

Tired again but coughing better I think. Did a very slow run up town and back which is okay when your lungs are full of cak.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/120382084

Sunday 9th October 2011

Woke up with slight head pain and nausea. Nothing to do with alcohol, you understand. Did some work on my shed and moving stuff about. Played some v average golf in the afternoon just sneaking a slight win by a shot on John on the 18th green. Made two really long putts on the first and last holes for par so very streaky stuff really.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/120382086

Sunday 2nd October 2011 to Saturday 8th October 2011

2011-10-03T07:35:00.008Z

Friday 7th October 2011

Nothing today - weather was rubbish when I woke up and I thought - I've done enough.

Thursday 6th October 2011

Still not feeling 100% but Keep calm and carry on as people seem to be saying again. Got up early, didn't like the weather first thing but thought what the hell, wind can't be any worse than last night, let's give it a shot.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/119457274 Steady and although a bit nippy first thing, by the time I got to top of Pentrich I'd took me jacket off!

cycled home against the wind and it was worse then Wednesday. Nightmare. Got home, bite to eat then off to Badminton. Mega lightning at 10:30, well impressive.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/119637723

Wednesday 5th October 2011

Cycled to Work from Belper - averaged 13mph which was okay, not sure whether wind was with, against or across me this morning - very odd, am hoping it's not in me face going home!! Have added a light to me helmet for extra visibility this morning. Meant to take a picture of it - must try and remember to do so. Cycled up Pentrich hill again which is like a 160 feet ascent over just under a mile and I hate it! You can see the climb on the elevation chart on the link below starting just short of 5 miles and ending just short of 6 miles. Fun.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/119261339

Hard work against the wind going home thought!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/119457272

Tuesday 4th October 2011

Can't shift this cold. Such is life. Got up 5:50ish. Walked up town, ran back in bit.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/119046948

Monday 3rd October 2011

Up early. tidy up. Cycle2work.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/118813541

Cycled back to Belper against a 20 mile an hour wind which was a pain in the ass to the say the least. So where I got back in 40 minutes on Thursday night it took nearly 48 minutes last night.

Hard work but I did try a slightly different route through Swanwick to eliminate hills which was at best semi-successful.

Sunday 2nd October 2011

Coughing all night so up with the lark, tidying up a bit, soon as it was anything like light I got out tidied up a bit outside then weeded the border which was long overdue. I also pruned back this thing that I'm going to call Giant Hogweed that seems to be trying to take over the border. It's only been in about six months and the stems are thicker than bamboo and it's covered over no end of plants so I pruned that beggar right back. After that I got rid of all the hardcore that Phil left on a piece of wood on the lawn after driving the tractor into the fence (he had to dig the old post out the ground). All Good. When Phil was back from work I did some more on the shed getting shelving in down the ten foot side which was okay. Nothing much else to speak off other than a few trips down to the recycling centre to get rid of various bits of tat. Went to Stepping Stones with me mum and dad at lunchtime. I had a million free dessert with a main vouchers so we took full advantage of that. First time I've had a pud there and it was very nice indeed. Got back and got all of the stuff that's been sat in a tent on the lawn into the shed so that was good and all going to plan. Was about to take the tent down and it started to flippin rain which wasn't so nice. Set me mum's kindle up so she can get books now which was good. Went bed early reading my kindle - I nodded off and dropped the kindle on me face which was fun.

Sunday 25th September to Saturday 1st October 2011

2011-09-25T10:35:00.010Z

Saturday 1st October 2011

Bloody hell, it's October already and barbecuing weather to boot. World gone mad.

Got up dead early and as soon as it was light put another coat of paint on shower room ceiling as the tile people are in this morning.

Played nine very average holes of golf with John who was going to a BBQ and that was about it.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/118813533

Apart from, cutting wood to finish the floor off in the shed which was okay then cutting the remaining piece into three for shelves which was okay.

Friday 30th September 2011

Woke up dead early to do some bread for MacMillan Cancer Care World's Biggest Coffee morning only for it not to come out very well. Which was a disappointment, however bosskat did me a Victoria Sponge Cake and some buns so all wasn't lost. Walk/Ran up town and back slowly - mega tired! http://connect.garmin.com/activity/118034243

Thursday 29th September 2011 - Evening

Cycling back to Belper after work saw another milestone - averaging over 15mph all the way back which is ace. Lovely weather and a top ride.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/118034239

Was back in plenty of time to take the daughter to Badminton lessons - I was rubbish though - absolutely cream crackered.

Thursday 29th September 2011

Another day, another ride into work.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117836489

Wednesday 28th September 2011

Up super early. Sorted me sen out. Fetched papers, bike on roof, off to Belper, cycled to work. In the office 8:20. Coolio http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117625514

Ride back averaging 14 mph - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117836488

Tuesday 27th September 2011

Got up dead early. Did a load of work stuff. Went run up town and back. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117402901

Got to work nice and early, did a ton of work, went to a Logistics Expo thing in Doncaster that was a bit of a disappointment although we got a couple of ideas for the future.

Lovely evening so went to test a Ping 3wood I made up from a broken head. It last 4 shots before head came off due to the adaptor coming out.

Monday 26th September 2011

Went to bed with a plan, carried out on getting up. Milkman left gate swinging in the breeze so had to get up at 4:30 to go and shut it. Never mind, back to bed, up proper at 5:30. Loaded up the car with the drum set to take to work. Ran up town and back. 2.5 miles at a slow 'I've played too much darn golf' sort of a pace. Had brekko, off to work early, drums unloaded and put away into the Stock Office Meeting room. In the office for 8:35 - not bad except am already knackered and the working day's not even started!!! http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117173122

Went to an internet security thing at my daughter's school that was quite good at 7pm.

Sunday 25th September 2011

Tired, hungover not too happy about either of them two! Went to Jack's 21st last night, got to bed 2:00ish - way later than I'm used to and far drunker than is recommended. Head hurts and tired this morning. Not the best way to start the week!! Golf later - hope head sorted by then.

Golf was a disaster - am debating whether to upload the stats or not. 99 scored and 26 points as opposed to yesterdays 39 points. Abysmal from the off with only four pars to show any kind of dignity to it all.

Sunday 18th September 2011 to Saturday 25th September 2011

2011-09-19T07:47:00.010Z

Saturday 23rd September 2011

Sort of woke up around 7am to the sound of a scooter exiting the premises!! Phil off to work and I didn't even need to get up! Yay. Morning steady, wanted to bore out a Ping 3-Wood this morning but I reckon I've overdone it. Will see. Am going to fill it with Epoxy to see if I can rescue it but not looking promising!

Played golf with John at noon. Brilliant front nine, average back nine went out in 38 and came back in 47 I think for an 85. Stats below - have used the FreeCaddie Pro software I paid a few dollars for. It gives me yardages, measure shots, allows me to download most golf courses I've played. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117173112

Friday 23rd September 2011

Tried the diversion this morning wierdly it seems it's slightly longer than I'd thought. 10.01miles where it's normally 9.98 so can't work that out! Anyway it cuts out one set of traffic lights and a roundabout and it seemed quicker in terms of time although I ought to check that really.

Going http://connect.garmin.com/activity/116392882#

Coming back: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117173108

Another Shortcut - The Leabrooks Diversion!

Not actually tried this as yet but I've sort of checked out a bit of it! Anyway in my never ending quest to keep flattening the route and remove any unnecessary hills I've come across this one for tomorrow!

What's cool about it? Firstly it chops off 120 metres which isn't much but it's making it shorter. Second, it gets rid of 12 foot of uphill-ness. The coup de grace though (with no accents) is that it means I can turn off before hitting those traffic lights next to the Co-op! Anyway will see if it makes a difference tomorrow.

Below: the Leabrooks Diversion

Below: The usual route is the simple route up Krays Hill and then along the main road, stopping at the lights.

Thursday 22nd September 2011

As had bike all warmed up I thought I'd do a Cycle2Work today. It means I've got to get off bang on 5pm so that I can be home in good time for badminton lesson tonight. Anyway I went dead steady as my legs seem to be absolutely knackered at the minute. Good news is that for the fourth time in succession I cycled all the way up the hill through Pentrich and onto the top. It's a good test for the old legs and definitely better when you're going home and down it!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/116189265

Pounded back to Belper in 41 minutes, at Badminton lesson in mighty good time.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/116392878

Wednesday 21st September 2011

Hadn't mentioned this before but it was beginning to become a crisis. After putting up new shed on Saturday I mislaid the set of keys for my shed which has got my bike in it. So got up early this morning to try and find em so I can get back on my Cycle2Work park and ride roadshow.

Anyway by 7am I'd still not found em so went and got papers. Got back and had a feel down the side of Uncle Peter's chair as we call it and found not the lost keys but a spare key to the padlock. What's the chances of that? - probably not that low but I was chuffed. It means tomorrow I'll be able to go on bike again.

Put front light fitting onto Boardman, and then went for a spin to test it out, just 7 miles in the dark and the rain but it's seomthing!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/116189259

Tuesday 20th September 2011

Run up town and back v tired but got back to sub 10 min miles.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115767621

Went to Ursula's group after work which was good, got home at 10pm. There was a member there lost 10st - tiny slip of a girl, bless her - how could she be 10st heavier? Amazing.

Monday 19th September 2011

Got up on time. 5 mile run, v tired quate slow.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115537320

Phil passed his tractor test then proceeded to drive into our fence with the bleedin tractor. So that's given him something to do this weekend - put a concrete post and two panels in to replace the ones he's knackered.

Sunday 18th September 2011

Did pretty much naff-all all day really. Bit of baking in the morning, bit of car cleaning in the morning, car washing in the afternoon. Fetching Lucy who did 50 laps in BHF sponsored thing.

Sunday 11th September 2011 to Saturday 17th September 2011

2011-09-11T08:02:00.012Z

Cycle2Works - 3 out of 5 days

Saturday 17th September 2011

Made sure Phil was up at silly o'clock. Got up about 7am!!! First job was Homebase got replacement fluorescent tube and a screw fitting bulb for outside. When Phil got back to work we made a bit of progress with the shed - in fairness I done 5%, Phil done 95%!! Anyway by end of day it was up - just needs some better flooring and shelving putting in which Phil wants to do - so I'll let 'im.

Golf at noon, started off really poor, in fact whole front nine was.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115537314

Started off with a topped drive on first and only managed a jammy bogey on first after being in bunker and then chipping in, double bogey on second after finding bunker off tee and then basically hitting the ball right then left, left, chip on , two putts and double bogey ensure. Third hole no better, pulled tee shot but pin high, fantastic chip on, six foot putt for par, three putts ensured a double bogey though. Fourth got the ship sorted a bit, crap drive pulled along floor, nice fairway wood, 9 iron into green, two putt for bogey. Fifth - cracking drive, duffed second shot, chipped through green, crap chip back on, two putts for double bogey. Sixth - single bogey iron off the tee was just short, nice chip, five foot downhill putt for par, missed made the two footer back up the hill. Seventh - nice tee shot, approach just short, bad chip, two putts bogey. Eight - a par at last, good drive, good second shot (tried driver off the deck), chipped onto green, missed six footer for birdie but got first par - on eighth hole! Ninth - decent tee shot, pin high but in crap to left of green, chip and two putts for bogey. So 46 shots for front nine, 10 over = 20 handicapper playing and when you're supposed to be off 17 that means you've only got 15 points instead of 18. Rubbish

Back nine better from the off, nice tee shot, cracking second and a six foot putt for birdie that dropped. Eleventh is always a pig (stroke index 3) especially when you pull your drive but I still should have done better than a double bogey, scrambled a single bogey on the 12, (hardest hole on the course) but still not brilliant stuff. Thirteenth see a cracking driver, nice wedge in and a miss for birdie but made the par. Fourteenth chance to get some money back with a two after a nice tee shot but had to settle for a par. Fifteenth see another good drive, good second, okay pulled seven iron third shot and a chip and putt for par so three pars in a row which was nice. Sixteenth see a rubbish wimpy tee shot but a steady bogey resulted. 17th sees a load of rubbish, good tee shot then hit driver off the deck for second and pulled it into rubbish then tried to be Seve for three shots and ended up taking no points on this hole - the only hole this happened on. Eighteenth sees an angry tee shot thats okay, a cracking approach to about five foot and a missed birdie putt - but always nice to finish on a par even if it could be better.

So back nine much better than front with a 42 that would have been much better but for the eight on 17, added up to 88 which considering how shocking the front nine was is not a bad result at all.

Friday 16th September 2011

Up really early to make sure Phil got off to work, which he did. Then got up, did a bit of work for a friend's website and got that done. Then fetched paper, bike on roof, park and ride from Belper to Somercotes.

Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114688273

Going back home http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115537309

Thursday 15th September 2011

Slept like a babe last night - absolutely cream crackered. So as needed to get home on time to get the shed sorted out I thought I'd better go in the car and avoid cramp and the like. So this morning a very slow jog up town and back that just sneaked in under 11 minute miles!!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114464201

We got the ground levelled off and the base down for the shed project last night so that's progressing nicely. Some issues with the floor to resolve however, but we have a plan.

Wednesday 14th September 2011 Part 2

Cycled back from work to Belper using the two quality short cuts.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114464194

Took about 42 minutes into the wind at times so I reckon the shortcuts have shaved a couple of minutes off at least. In fact, looking back at times for this 10 mile trip it's at least three minutes quicker than previous bests in the last month and nearly ten minutes better than the worst one a couple of weeks back. Times recently have been 51:00, 48:42, 45:22 and 44:28. Even going back to the Giant FCR1 trips the times were around 48 mins so a combination of improving fitness and shortcuts getting rid of hills have shaved probably four to five minutes on average. Ace.

A new shed arrived last night. Me and Phil managed to empty the old one into a temporary storage facility - the new tent. We then ripped the old shed out and put onto back ready for transport to tip once Phil has got his tractor license sorted out. We then got the base built for the new one. The plan is to get the new one up tonight all being well!

Shortcut number 3: The Wimsey Way Diversion

Have found another cool alternative route that cuts a bit off the distance. Not sure just how much as the watch went bonkers on the way home for some reason - probably the bit of rain that was about. Anyway it means avoiding the Nottingham road through Somercotes pretty much by going right on the mini roundabout and down Wimsey Way (nice name). Before you run out of industrial estate there's a little jitty (see pic below) that takes you down between two industrial units onto a little track that gets you back onto Sleetmoor Lane which is my old route.

Above: the lil jitty, below the new route in red versus the bit it cuts out that I used to go along at times in blue yellow.

Wednesday 14th September 2011

Tired this morning and no mistake. Still up at 5:50 again, weather looking okay, breakfast, fetch papers, bike on roof, off to Belper. Cycled to work in Somercotes. Good news - cycled up that damn hill through Pentrich again so non-stop from Belper.

Details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114238247

Tuesday 13th September 2011

Up at 5:50, had a quick walk outside, decided wind had died down sufficiently to warrant a ride in to work from Belper. So fetched papers, bike on car roof, off to Belper. Cycle2Work 10 miles in 46 minutes which was good. The milestone being riding all the way up that hill into Pentrich (60metre ascent over 2km which sounds like nowt but you try it!!) for the first time in a couple of years which has to be an improvement! Anyway details are here:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114009505

Monday 12th September 2011

Got up a bit late as went to bed a bit late. Anyway, did some jobs then got on the road for a very weary jog/walk up town and back.

Details here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113775227

Was going to do something in the evening but the wind was still blowing a hooley with the backend of Hurricane Irene or whatever it was called hitting us.

Sunday 11th September 2011

Up early, did some shed research. Went a run on the old five miler route. Just sneaked in under 10 minute miles. Details here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113775224 Went over to Darley Dale, visited the festival of transport - a riot of excitement it was. Saw Eddy Brid with his Norton Dominator bike winning the best of show. Good for him. Then over to me mum's for tea which was very, very neece. Then watched Vantage Point on Channel 5. First time I've sat still for a couple of hours to watch a film in bloomin ages. It was a wierd sort of a film but still a bit good.

Sunday 4th September 2011 to Saturday 10th September

2011-09-05T07:00:00.008Z

Cycle2Works 2/3

Saturday 10th September 2011

Up early, wind up, raining. Proper Wales again. Went to Amlwch got bait into the water, heavens opened, drenched. Back to camp. Stops raining eventually. Sun out a bit. Tent got dried out, then it got packed up and we're back on our way to Blighty. We got tents up in fifteen minutes and down in ten. Cooker and cupboard worked well. All good apart from f'in weather!

Friday 9th September 2011

Off to Anglesey for the Autumn Camping Experience (let's call it). Friday not bad at all. bit of fishing with the boy, bed earlyish.

Thursday 8th September 2011

Up early doors to check weather reports, put a rear light on the boardman as I saw a guy whizzing along with one yesterday and thought yep, that's improved his visibile-ness no end. Then bike on roof to Belper and cycle in from there. Nice and mild this morning and wind not too bad. So all good! Details. Averaged between 12.7 and 12.9mph which is okay on the Boardman I'm coming to think. Am going to look to see if I can come up with a better route home tonight. Coming back into the wind was no fun at all: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113775219

Wednesday 7th September 2011

Weather not the best with light rain/drizzle all the way in but rode bike in from Belper into the Office for ten miles. Average 12.7mph on the Boardman. Details. Soon as have weight in order again am going to start having a crack with the Giant again to see what difference in time is... Ride back into wind was damned hard work. Details

Tuesday 6th September 2011

Run up town and back - steady if not awesome - less than ten minute miles. Details

Monday 5th September 2011

Played golf at Uttoxeter - steady 86 - 42 on front nine and 44 on back. Played well, lovely little course - holes all have a bit of character. Details

Sunday 4th September 2011

All over shop but not body magicing in any shape or form! Fetched a tent from Cauldon Lowe and a gas bottle from Kilburn. Am getting ready for a camping sess you think?!? Set the tent up - a Vango Gamma 450 and I reckon it'll be a great weekend tent - took us 15 minutes tops to set up and less to take down and it's pretty big if a bit low - 5'

So all good.

Sunday 28th August 2011 to Saturday 3rd September 2011

2011-08-29T07:16:00.007Z

Cycle2Works - 2/4

Saturday 3rd September 2011

Not much to report. Went to a group in Sale at the crack of dawn. Was there for 8:30 back early afternoon. Set up Halfords tent. We decided we no likey!

Friday 2nd September 2011

Ran up town and back. Was thinking about cycling to work again but massive cramp previous night made me think it time for a break! Details

Thursday 1st September 2011

Up early again. Bit of work, fetched papers, off to Belper, cycled in to work. Details.

Cycled back : details including car journey!!!

Wednesday 31st August 2011

Up early, did a bit of work. Got to Belper in the motor then cycled in rest of way. Have spent £80 on a parking permit that lets me park in any Blue Car Park in Amber Valley so am parking up halfway and cycling in the rest of the way. On the Boardman am only averaging a pitiful 12mph average but expect this will improve as get fitter again. Anyway spending the money on a permit means I've got to cycle in more to get me money back (sort of - by saving £2.30 on parking each time I need to cycle in three times a week for it to be cost-effective really!).

Details of inbound journey. Details of outbound journey from work.

Tuesday 30th august 2011

2.5 mile run to start the day off. Details

Monday 29th August 2011

Started off with a 3.5 mile run. Details . Golf at 12:30 over 16 holes. Details. Nothing else to report.

In Praise of Metro

I downloaded a free bit of software called Metro from http://nanika.net/Metro/

It sits on all sorts of platforms including Windows Mobile 6 which is what my phone runs on.

You tell it where you are for a given city and where you want to go and it works out the rest, start and endpoints can be underground stations or places of interest like Buckingham Palace. The cool thing is that it's an off-line app so no connection needed to run it. Was so impressed with I've made a donation on their homepage.

Sunday 28th August 2011

Woke up on London Hilton Metropole - am not sure whether it was a good deal or not really but it was what it was. A good location 100 yards from Edgware Road Underground so we were able to get anywhere we wanted in half an hour or so which was okay. After a big brekko we went up Knightsbridge as missus wanted to go to Harrod or "or Tenpound Stretcher" as I like to call it - as they can stretch anything to cost ten pounts including penny chews. Hey ho. Moneypit etc.etc. Then we went to Buck Pal and saw loads of emergency vehicle activity - ambulances and police cars but nowt mentioned in news so must have been a minor member of staff or something. After that we went on to Leicester Square and grabbed a bit to eat before heading to Oxford Street for more money haemorraging. Such is life. Late train back to Derby and we're home for midnight. Job done.

Sunday 21st August 2011 to Saturday 27th August 2011

2011-08-23T09:25:00.005Z

Satruday 27th August 2011

Down to London at crack of dawn - first class on train from Derby - first class is a bit crap now all you get if a coffee and a bit of leg room for twenty quid or whatever it is. We then hit London and pottered about a bit getting brekko sorted. Then over to Leicester square got tickets for a show. Then over to Hotel and dumped backage - nice thing about big old Hiltons is they're all organised for that sort of thing do even though you can't check in you can dump stuff so you're not dragging it around all day. Then back to Leicester Square for potter around MandM world! Lunch, Jersey Boys show about Franki Valli and the Four Seasons (better than it sounds) and then back to Hotel evening meal and off to bed.

Friday 26th August 2011

May have done a bit of golf but don't think so - got stuff ready for trip to that London in the evening though.

Thursday 25th August 2011

Not much to report. Got up a bit late - chucking it down with rain. In work early for monthly XW meeting. More stuff. Did a bit of golf later one which went 6th - bogey, 7th - par, 8th - par, 13th - par (should have been a birdie), 14th - par, 15th - par, 16th - bogey, 17th - bogey, 3rd - bogey, 4th - bogey, 5th - bogey - so six over for ten holes which is okay - plenty of pars there. Details

Wednesday 24th August 2011

Got up early, got all me bike stuff ready, fetched papers, went to Belper. Rode into work on the Boardman. What was cool about this particular choice of tactic is that Severn Trent have decided to do something about the leak at Sawmills (couple of miles from Ambergate) traffic was backed up for miles so I just pottered along on the pavement - didn't barely see any traffic until got to the lights at the Excavator turn which was grand! Details Coming back twas a bit wet and had to do a couple of miles on pavement due to Severn Trent's exploits at Sawmills. Details

Tuesday 23rd August 2011

Ran up town and back for first time in what seems like ages. Average pace 10:33 which is a bit rubbish but considering the shape I'm in I'm not too bothered! Details After work took Phil to Uttoxeter to fetch his bike back. We left a gift for the legend that is Big Jim who has helped us no end in taking Phil's Ped to Stafford for us - Lord knows why we picked Stafford as being the place for peds but hey-ho! Anyway I followed Phil back for a while making sure he got over the iffy roundabouts in Uttoxeter then left him at Rocester as 40mph tops is a bit boring after a while. So was a bit hacked that he'd not got home forty minutes later. Boss kat sends me out to find out where he is - a wild stab in the dark led me to the farm where he'd stopped off as he saw the vets car, could have called us but he's not like that. When he got back he was quite chuffed that he'd done his first assisted caesarian (can't believe he's got my genes in him - you'd never catch me within five miles of an assisted caesarian!!!).

Monday 22nd August 2011

Walked up town and back first thing, then off to work.

Sunday 21st August 2011

Back in the office - getting rid of emails and doing some warehouse move-in stuff. Set up a few PCs etc. etc.

Sunday 13th August 2011 to Saturday 20th August 2011

2011-08-16T10:23:00.003Z

Saturday 20th August 2011

Came back to work to help out with Warehouse move - did some old school IT work, taking down PCs, carting about office furniture and stuff. All good fun.

Friday 19th August 2011

Not much to report, me and bosskat went up for a walk from Youlgreave(ish) up to the Lathkill Hotel at Over Haddon. It was beautiful if a bit of a slow walk! Details

Thursday 18th August 2011

Thursday 17th August 2011

Nowt to report!

Wednesday 17th August 2011

Took Phil to work. Went for a spin on the Boardman round Mappleton picking up papers and stuff on the way. Details. Bit of crap golf later on. Details Lucy went swimming with Hanna and Abby so I went up on me bike to watch em with me mum for a bit. Details

Tuesday 16th August 2011

Took Phil to work - his ped is making a racket. Have got to ring them back at 12:30 and ask for Jim to find out if they can pick it up. Took a load of tat to the recycling again.

Over to see me dad on his Birthday and then back home and a bit of golf practice. Details

Monday 15th August 2011

Missus gone to Bakewell Market, I'm at home with kids and the plumber doing his thing. Have had to move Humphrey the hamster as the angle grinding and miscellaneous drilling is making him shake!

Took a load of tat to the recycling and generally tidied the place up a bit outside. All good.

Went and did three miles of average golf. Steady enough in the main but had some gip on the 16th resulting in a triple bogey, think overall was thereabouts. Details

Sunday 14th August 2011

Plumber is coming Monday to put new downstairs loo and stuff in on Monday so spent day ripping tiles off wall. All done. Two ton of tile tat took to the recycling centre which was good.

Sunday 7th August 2011 to Saturday 13th August 2011

2011-08-16T09:56:00.003Z

Saturday August 13th 2011

Drive back to sunny Ashbourne. Been a bit of a poor week all told. Such is life.

Friday August 12th 2011

Similiar sort of day to what we've been having all week - grey and miserable but at least the rain stopped. Did a bit of a walk to Llanfaethlu and back. Details. Bit of fishing later on.

Thursday 11th August 2011

Shot 89 round Holyhead Golf Course near Treaddur. Had been raining all day so didn't expect much and on first three holes we was wet but it dried up after that and was quate enjoyable at the end. Details

Tuesday 9th August 2011

Early start went to fish Hen Borth a location near Cemlyn, Anglesey. Here

Then went to Anglesey Show which was good fun sort of.

Monday 8th August 2011

am: Walk/run to Llanfathlu and back 4.2 miles, semi-hangover - as good as you could expect. Details

pm: Golf at Bull Bay golf course - £15 to tee off after 4pm. Shot 93 which included a ten on the second so all in all not bad and weather stayed dry enough. Details 6 miles plus which me dad didn't think it was but GPS never lies!!

Sunday 7th August 2011 to Saturday 20th August 2011

Have been away don't you know? Went to Wales and unfortunately it lived up to it's promise of being wet and windy so it did. Anyway did a lot of mooching, drinking and a bit of fishing - weedy and poor conditions made it a bit tricky to say the least also got a couple of rounds of golf with my uncle and father. Last year just played with my Uncle Mike and he beat me both times so there was a bit of unfinished business! Anyway, having difficulties uploading the stuff at the mo so in summary shot 93 round Bull Bay Golf Course beating all and sundry and then shot 89 at Holyhead again beating allcomers so good stuff! Did a couple of run/walks of 3 to 4 miles to Llanfaethlu and back on two days but generally weather wasn't becoming to such activities so did drinking instead!!

Sunday 31st July 2011 to Saturday 6th August 2011

2011-08-01T04:54:00.009Z

Golf Analysis

I output the watch data from the golf last night and put it into a bit of software called GPS MapEdit (or something like that). The figures are a bit skewed by the fact that I hit five good drives off the fifth hole as the light was going but overall average was 231 yards with all of them going at least 200 yards which I'm happy with.

Friday 5th August 2011

Got up a bit late - 6:10am - last day at work for a bit so thought had better be in nice and early. Arrived at 8:12 to be sent to the gravel pit to park! "The gravel pit? at 8:12?" I said, don't you know who I am? anyway parked in the gravel pit. Before that though I had a bit of a spin on the bike which was okay. Details.

Thursday 4th August 2011

Was going to Cycle2Work however weather and a lack of mudguards on either of me good bikes dictated that it wasn't to be. So went a quick run up town and back in rain to get papers. Just sneaking under 10 minute miles still so not end of world even though I need to get my arse into gear weight wise. Details.

Went up the golf course to test out the driver with the callaway shaft cut down a wee bit - it worked a treat although didn't feel as solid as with the short shaft it did go nicely - cut the corner on the 18th, went over the bunker on the corner of the 1st, hit it as far down the fifth as I ever have, hit it past the little rise on the fourth - I hit six shots off the fifth to finish with five of which were within twenty yards of each other so I might just measure them see how far they went!

Details.

Wednesday 3rd August 2011

Just a spin up town to fetch papers on new bike. Details. Did a bit of work on the new driver project - it's now fitted to a Callaway System 50 firm shaft - if anything seems too bloomin long now! Did quite a bit this evening - went up to Halfords to fetch the leccy bike which has been in for repair. Still hate it. Never mind. Weeded and watered garden. Went up golf course at about 8:45 to try driver out - shaft broke on second hit - not good. So came back, cut the tip off and tried again. Will probably test out on Thursday.

Tuesday 2nd August 2011

Got up fairly early ran up town and back in a bit of a loop for 3.5 miles at just over 10 minute miles. Which I'm okay with. Details Burn leg held up well although a little bit stingy as I write this a couple of hours later...

Monday 1st August 2011

First week of August. Still got the dodgy burn and it's still weeping - got a follow-up appointment tonight. Road up town and back to fetch papers. Details Got to appointment about five minutes late but apparently there's 10 mins either side leeway when I rang to say I was running late.

Sunday 31st July 2011

Up right early. Off to pick me dad up. Then to Derby, catch train to Nottingham, walk to Trent Bridge for Test Match. After two days where both sides been bowled out in under 270 runs, England were to sit there all day losing five wickets but getting the score up to 441-6 at close of play. Was a top day out apart from seats being more than a bit uncomfortable - sun was shining, couldn't have beer due to driving but sneaked a pint at lunchtime which was probably a good thing looking at all the drunk toss pots there were round us. anyway a good day was had by all, back home for 7:30.

Sunday 24th July 2011 to Saturday 30th July 2011

2011-07-24T16:11:00.010Z

Saturday 30th July 2011

Woke up dead early don't know why. Spangler Phil had gone to work at the crack of dawn bless him. Went and watered everything including neighbours hanging baskets as he's on holiday. Went out on bike to fetch papers which was okay as well. Details . Golf at 12:05 - set off brilliantly, par, birdie, then double bogey, double bogey, then par, then bogey then birdie, then another birdie, then a double bogie on the ninth for 22 points going out - all went a bit crap on the back nine with only 15 points and only two pars. Wierd game never mind. Details. Off to Trent Bridge for the test match tomorrow which should be fun. England have pulled back after Broad's hat trick, awesome stuff.

Friday 29th July 2011

Up fairly early, good. Phil off to work at 4:45 bless him. Didn't go and follow him to make sure he arrived this time. Good. Anyway, used the Boardman for it's intended purpose Cycle2Work and it performed admirably (if rather slower than the Giant). It's certainly comfier and lower geared than the Giant which is handier for hills and the bumps of sh*tty Derbyshire roads. Averaged 12mph overall, way slower! Details. Rode back from work 12.3mph average. Details

Thursday 28th July 2011

Could barely walk when got out of bed this morning. Have a follow-up appointment at the doctor's which will hopefully help. Went on a bit of a hill climb with the new Boardman, only four miles but by crikey it was tiring - was expecting to find a farm that sells haylage for my cousin but the directions given by Phil - turn right past Darley Moor were not as useful as they ought to have been. Details. Then I thought, if the leg can take that that it can take a bit of a golf walk so I went up the golf course as well. Hit it quite well - have made a driver out of an old Cleveland HiBore XL head and a really, really old Howson shaft (from way back when) - it's a little bit shorter than it should be but I've order a £3.50 extension rather than spend £30 on a new shaft (they seem to have got really expensive than they used to be). Details

Wednesday 27th July 2011 : Evening Updates

Reasons to be cheerful have two wheels generally...

Wednesday 28th July 2011

Forgot to mention that on Monday night I got branded by son's moped. So got an appointment with Nurse to have the burn looked at last night. Think it's infected so haven't been out running this morning. Been to Maccy D's though for breakfast that was belter! Such is life.

Tuesday 26th July 2011

Watched Phil set off for work at 4:45 on his lil moped. Asked him to text when he got there but he didn't so went out on bike to check he'd arrived. Never mind 7 miles on the bike to start off with. Details. When got back got changed and did three mile run at 9:55 pace. Details

Monday 25th July 2011

Tired but had to get up early so I did! Anyway got some work done early doors then ran the old five miler. Details. Got back from work; Phil has passed his CBT so can now ride his moped with impunity as long as rides it properly. Went out on bike to pay for some petrol for him. Details

Sunday 24th July 2011

Not much to report. Up at 4am to take Phil to work. Hopefully this will be the last time I have to as the young un is having his moped competency test thing tomorrow so next week he'll be able to take himself all being well!!! Donington Market at 10:30am - not overly impressed - got some bits and bobs but would normally pick up some magazine cheap but they didn't have nowt I wanted. Got some black spray paint for me driver project.

Sunday 17th July 2011 to Saturday 23rd July 2011

2011-07-17T15:13:00.009Z

Saturday 23rd July 2011

Up at 4am to take Phil to work. Damn tired. Golf at 2:04 only did nine holes as that's what John fancied. Tried the driver out and it went really well - however compared the shaft to my usual driver and found it to be 2" short! Such is life. Am going to pull the shaft that's in it now and replace with a good one - it goes really well but could do with a full length shaft I reckon. Am also going to respray it. Am debating spraying it black white to make it look like one of them R11s you see the pros using in the open. Details.

Friday 22nd July 2011

Knackered from badmo last night - more tiring than you'd think so it is. So nothing on the cards at all. Have fitted an old driver shaft to the Cleveland driver project. We'll see how it works out.

Thursday 21st July 2011

Knackered but gotta keep goin. Got up about 6:10, got run up town and back. Details. Had brekko, went up to Royal Mail sorting office to pick up a driver head which cost me all of £8.49 and will be transformed into an awesome Cleveland Custom HiBore XL driver. Will be last Badminton of the current term tonight so daren't miss another then am going to get working on the driver project!

Wednesday 20th July 2011

Tired but gotta keep doin somethin. Got up at 6, got out for about 6:20 up town and back. Wierd thing was I saw someone (bloke I think) sat under a tree on the 6th at Ashbourne G.C. when I came back from town he was gone, very odd. Details Was in a meeting all day at work which was sort of interesting!! Then back home, up golf course about 8pm but as it was wednesday medal it was a bit of a pig to get on never mind it added up to getting on for another 3 miles! Details.

Tuesday 19th July 2011

My lad is sixteen today bless him. So up early to stick up pictures and balloons and stuff. Running a bit late but still ran up town and back. Details.

Monday 18th July 2011

Washed out again. Chucking it down when I got up unfortunately so drove up town and then walked from Leisure Centre. Fed up with this rubbish weather. Have got 3 groupon vouchers for Uttoxeter golf club to look forward to though so hopefully better weather is just around the corner. Bit of golf practice in the evening - wasn't bad all things considered! Details.

Sunday 17th July 2011

It's odd when someone totally controls a major but that's what Darren Clarke did today. It's unfair to say he had some lucky breaks, though he did. The reality of it can't be overlooked that he played supremely good golf and was the best in the field over four days. Even having the luxury of bogies at the last two holes should not take anything away from what was such a well deserved victory. Well done Dazza Clarke, you dazzled em today, fella!

Well up at 4am. Tinkered a bit more with Ashbourne Fly Fishing Club's website. Link Here.

Took Phil to work early doors. Fetched him back at 9:30. Fetched un healthy brekky from the Picnic Basket on Buxton Hill - highly recommended!!!

Lunchtime'ish thought it'd be good to wash cars while sun out. Didn't last long - see pic above!!!

So am watching Open from Sandwich - come on you Dazza Clarke!!

Sunday 10th July 2011 to Saturday 16th July 2011

2011-07-11T07:58:00.011Z

Come on Clarkey!

Am hoping Darren Clarke's putter warms up tomorrow. He could be four shots or more better off if he'd been as good with the short stick as he was with his irons and woods. Still, if there's any justice Dazza will dazzle and hold onto his lead for another 18 holes. That would be a very welcome fairy tale ending!

Saturday 16th July 2010

Up at 4am. Took Phil to work. Listed a load of tat on Ebay. Our Andrew and Shona came. Lucy's Party. Loads of open golf. Went and did a bit of golf practice which was ace. Took driver out of the bad by accident and found out I was hitting the 3wood about the same distance anyway - how does that work??

Friday 15th July 2011

Was going to cycle in today but just mega tired when I got up and the missus has expectations so thought best to come in car. So did a tired walk/run thing. Details

Thursday 14th July 2011

Went to a nice group in Chelmsford last night. Stopped at a Premier Inn and then drove back up this morning. No exercise and am totally knackered now!! Never mind the golf's on the telly!

Wednesday 13th July 2011

Got up early doors, got stuff ready for driving down to Chelmsford this afternoon. Bit disappointed about this as it's my little girl's birthday but will make it up to her in due course! Did a v. tired walk/run this morning which is better than nowt! Details.

Tuesday 12th July 2011 continued.

Rode back to Belper from Work. Details. Got overtaken by a guy on a Boardman racer and a bunch of Cyclists although also overtook a commuter and a guy on a mountain bike still 4-2 defeat on overtaking terms! Had a bit of a walk with a 7-iron up the golf course that was okay.

Sad to hear of loss of BBC golf commentator Alex Hay at age of 77. He'll be greatly missed. He had an ace habit of giving players a great build-up only for them to go and cock it up. I remember him describing a south african player as being a genius at getting out of bunkers only for the player to leave it in the sand! Shame.

Tuesday 12th July 2011

Quick bit of a ride up town and back to get papers. Details. The drove to Belper, parked up and rode onto work for a total of about 13 miles so far today. Details.

Monday 11th July 2011

Bit of a run up town and back to start. Details. Into work in good time - going to cycle to work tomorrow. That's my plan. 7.5mile mini-bike ride to test FCR1 still in good shape. Put a bit of air in tyres and then off we went. Details. Then did some golf practice but forgot the watch as it was gettin a bit dark! Lucy gone to Duke's Barn bless her.

Sunday 10th July 2011

Start the day off with a proper hangover. Great Start. Helped the spangler major working on his many garden machinery items fitting a broken bonnet to a whopping sit-down mower that he later mowed the grass verges locally. Bit of golf practice later on.

Sunday 3rd July to Saturday 9th July 2011

2011-07-05T07:06:00.007Z

Saturday 9th July 2011

Bit of a walk/run thing to start the day off. Golf at 12:50. Black tie do at the golf club afterwards which was interesting.

Friday 8th July 2011

Ten days to go on the 2011 cycle2work project. Walked up town and back as I legs are seriously tired from last night's badminton in which I was regularly whooped by the bleedin kids. Such is life. Bit of golf practice that was a bit rubbish.

Thursday 7th July 2011

Ran up town and back, three miles and steady.

Wednesday 6th July 2011

Ran up town and back for first time in a few days. Was okay if a bit slow. Dentists at 9am, hygenist at 9:40am, got to work for 11am. Got told off for it too. Such is life. Final performance tonight and then drums to pack away again.

Cycle2Work Time Again

Am liking the look of this boardman that'll mountain bike or commute. V Nice.

Tuesday 5th July 2011

Got to leave work early so came into work early to make an extra three quarters of an hour before I start.

Monday 4th July 2011

Walk up town and back as toes on left foot hurting. Details. Did the kids musical thing - hills are alive with the sound of music and a bit of drum racket. Did a few holes on the golf course which was better - started doing that thing where you pull your elbows together which improved things quite a bit. Still work to be done but am seeing an improvement - maybe the stress of Wentworth past is helping!

Sunday 3rd July 2011

Not much to report. Did a few holes of golf not bad at all. Got drums down to village hall for kids school musical thing. Got a change of handicap notice from golf club down to 17. Swines.

Sunday 26th June 2011 to Saturday 2nd July 2011

2011-06-27T12:17:00.008Z

Saturday 2nd July 2011

Got up dead early. Watered the spud field. Went up town got Phil's provisional license application form and did that with him. Went played the medal at the golf club off the yellow tees and came back with a respectable 86 for a nett 68. Which was more than acceptable after the rubbish I did at Wentworth!!

Some Pics from Wentworth Wed 29th June 2011

First Tee

Every hole is treelined - See gps tracked image from Wednesdays' post.

Colleague Mike stalking the green like a tiger (without the spitting obviously - note car in background - three or four places where cars cross fairways).

How pretty is this course?

Very briefly (I'd imagine) I was holder of longest drive - only on account of being the only one to hit the fairway up to that point!!!

Mike takes a shot over the drink which he found on his first approach.

View from my hotel window!! Courtesy of Honda UK - finest car company in the world in my opinion!

Friday 1st July 2011

Absolutely cream crackered this morning. Walked/ran up town and back very slow but got back in time to water the spud field and what have you so all good there. Details

Thursday 30th June 2011

Tired - unloaded car, watered the spud field and then up town and back for a run and pick up the papers. Sub 10 minute miles was sort of impressive considering tiredness!! Details Badminton in the evening - somewhat rusty to start off with but played okay later. All good.

Wednesday 29th June 2011

20th Wedding Anniversary and I should be at home however, I'm at Wentworth on a freebie golf day in the most expensive (possibly) golf resort in the UK - £300 odd quid a round for the championship West Course, home of World Matchplay and the PGA events. So not in the best of books regarding that but such is life. Anyway it was a nice 8 mile plus walk with some poor golf thrown in. Managed to par the last with an audience playing an 8-iron over the water to about 6 feet from the hole. Details

Tuesday 28th June 2011

Am now officially panicing about golf has gone really bad. Have put two sets of clubs in car just in case! Might try both sets out at Wentworth. Anyway went up golf course at 5:30 and probably hit it just about as bad as I ever have. Such is life. Details. When got back I regripped the driver as the Karakal one seemed to be coming to pieces - think something to do with the solvent used to activate the adhesive but anyway it's replaced now.

Monday 27th June 2011

Bit of a run to start the week - very knackered. Details Went and did some more cak golf. Details

Sunday 26th June 2011

Walk up golf course, found a couple of balls had a few hits with the NVG2s. Was Ok need to decide what I'm going to be playing with at Wentworth on Wednesday. Details

Sunday 19th June 2011 to Saturday 25th June 2011

2011-06-21T07:49:00.006Z

Saturday 25th June 2011

No more golf today! Missus gone shopping. Anyway had a walk up the golf course with the old LCGs and it was okay. Details

Friday 24th June 2011

More and more golf!! Went to Bakewell GC as part of a Groupon deal. Me, Dave, John and Doug played 18 holes for £36 and also got a coffee and enormous sausage sambo on arrival. Everyone well pleased and weather stayed dry as well. Can't ask more than that! Ended up taking the money after scoring 35 points - only problem was I can't play the second, for some reason I keep blind-siding myself on the left of the fairway and then bashing the ball into the trees on that side - stupid! anyway - Details

Thursday 23rd June 2011

Absolutely cream crackered this morning hence a very slow run indeed. 11.27 miles which is not good but I'd got nothing in the tank and that's what happens! Details Went to Badminton after work and really enjoyed it, then... went up golf course for nine holes which did in 6-over with a double on 15th after finding bunker and then hitting out of the bunker over the green. More details

Wednesday 22nd June 2011

Watch fully charged - run up town and back. Steady. Details Drains all sorted everyone's happy again.

Tuesday 21st June 2011

Tired, watch out of battery. Ran up town and back all okay but no details!! Bloody drains blocked when got home at 7:30 - marvellous.

Monday 20th June 2011

Tired, tired, tired, stopped up listening to radio 5's coverage of Rory Mcllroy winning the US Open good on the wee fella says I. Anyroad walked up town and ran back. Details. Went for a walk up golf course and got severely rained - found a load of balls though so not all bad.

Sunday 19th June 2011 - Father's Day

Got a cheeky card and a Kindle which is what I wanted! Am going to Nag's Head for lunch which is always nice. Did a few holes of golf in the evening which was nice! Details

Sunday 12th June 2011 to Saturday 18th June 2011

2011-06-12T17:00:00.004Z

Saturday 18th June 2011

Tired as usual not getting over the hols and Journey very quickly but hey-ho am not as young as I used to be, just like you! Anyway got 14 holes of golf in - as there was no comp on we jumped from the 9th tee to the 13th tee and played to the end that way. For the first nine holes I was 6 over which was okay all things considered - I've been told I'm swaying during my swing so am bracing the back foot a bit more to reduce this and it worked real good - details.

Friday 17th June 2011

Tired, tired, tired, walked up town and then ran back. Details

Thursday 16th June 2011

Couldn't get out of bed, absolutely knackered again need to get some proper sleep as didn't get none in merseyside due to road traffic noise at hotel. Never sleep well in hotels. Had a good badminton session with Lucy though so not a complete blank exercise day. Lost 1.5lb this week as well after putting three on during holiday.

Wednesday 15th June 2011

Visited the Mossley Hill group last night and it was very good indeed apart from a Brazilian Samba drum band thing rehearsing two doors up - talk about noisy. Visited a group in Speke before driving home absolutely knackered when got back at 11:30. Stuff

Tuesday 14th June 2011
Been doing a load of getting ready for a trip to Merseyside for two group visits. Quick run up town and back. V tired due to being up til late watching Lethal Weapon last night which was very good, so a slow time up town and back. Details http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92317732
Am working in Merseyside for next couple of days so no posts til Thursday.

Monday 13th June 2011
Run up town and back steady considering. Details

Did a few holes on the golf course around 7pm. Started on 6th with a par, 7th a bogey, 8th a par, 9th a bogey, 10th a bogey, 11th a double, 12th a bogey, 13th a bogey, 14th a par, 1st a bogey, 2nd a par, 3rd a bogey, 4th a bogey, 5th a double, So 11 over for 13 holes is technically better than handicap – I should have done better really as was striking the ball pretty nicely in the main just some more putting – first putt went off the green on the 13th for example. Never mind greens are nice and quick and have a round at Wentworth on the cards for the end of the month which will be good. Details : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92317730

Sunday 12th June 2011
Knackered when woke up at 9am. Took some stuff to recycling then it started to rain and didn't stop. We need it though so not going to complain.

Sunday 5th June 2011 to Saturday 11th June 2011

2011-06-06T12:09:00.005Z

Saturday 10th June 2011

Still knackered!!! Did 13 holes of golf with John - was really slow so we jumped from 9th tee to 14th tee. Details

Friday 9th June 2011

Still shattered from Journey gig and I reckon a bit tired from holiday last week. Did a bit of golf after work but that was it! Details

Thursday 8th June 2011

Knackered after getting back at 1:00, up early and off to a group at Dronfield - it were alreet!

Did a bit of golf practice which was okay. Details

Tuesday 7th June 2011

run up town and back. Legs v. tired and didn't want to get out of bed so struggled a bit - 9m 51s miles; Details. Got back watered spuds and borders then off to work. Out of work at 4pm then off to Manc land for a Journey gig.

Monday 6th June 2011

Been for a 3.5 mile run to start the day off. Details

Back to work. four meetings before 3pm awesome.

Did 8 holes of golf - par, par, birdie, bogie, bogie, bogie, par, par, double bogie for four over. Details Watched the defenders on telly and watered spuds and borders in the ad breaks.

Sunday 5th June 2011

Nothing to report on the exercise front - was up early - - bashed a wooden bench to bits and took it to recycling centre. Washed my car. Cleaned fishing rods. Serviced the abu5500c3 reel which we took to on the Anglesey holiday. Saw me mum and dad when they came over. Went out for lunch. Washed the missus car when it went cooler. Polished it - and made it rain before I'd finished. Typical. Got stuff ready for return to work.

Saturday 30th May 2011 to Saturday 4th June 2011

2011-06-06T11:51:00.003Z

Was on Hols in Wales

Lots of walking, lots of fishing, lots of drinking. Went to a lot of nice new places.

Fishing at Freshwater Bay - Wed 1st June 2011

Beautiful spot - in distance you can see people on a rocky platform - they climbed down steps to get their - we're going to give it a go next time. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90562216

Cwymran Bay / RAF Valley

We fished here twice once at low tide (and the tide is seriously strong - be warned) and once from about an hour after high. Just a single wrasse for our efforts but both times were in daylight - next time may go for it at night time.

Sunday 22nd May 2011 to Saturday 28th May 2011

2011-05-23T07:45:00.007Z

Thursday 26th May 2011
Was up til late last night doing Phil's homework with him. Didn't get up til 6:20 so not on road til 6:30 not good. Slow 2.5 miles up town and back 9m 44s miles could have been better but it is what it is - I was tired so I was.

Wednesday 25th May 2011
missus wanted some bread making for a friend so I couldn't do the bike into work. So ran up town and back - steady 9m 12s miles was okay. Details. Got two multiplier reels off ebay came yesterday. Am going to overhaul them both later but they generally speaking work okay. Had a bit of a thrash on the playing field with the Okuma Magnetix MG20cs. Set it up on a telescopic 12 ft rod with a 4oz lead and was lobbing it out about 70 yards or something - the rod's not ideal so might take out my first Daiwa which is a bit more solid tomorrow night after badmo.

Tuesday 24th May 2011
Up in good time - didn't seem as windy as forecast so made decision I'd bike into work from Belper. Bit more windy than I'd thought. Am hoping wind will be with me on the way back but I bet it isn't! Details. Was really late from work, forgot to pick me coat up from gym changing room - set off and realised this about a mile out so didn't want to turn back. Weather looked a bit iffy so rode harder than normal - hence 15.7mph average. Am going to stick with this biking mullarkey - it'd be cool to see if I could get to a 16mph average over 10 miles. Well cool. Details

Monday 23rd May 2011
Up earlyish considering was watching Tin Cup til nearly midnight . Quick run up town and back. Details. Had a thrash with the sand wedge in the field. Sweet. Goes a good 70 yards when struck well. Went to do a mini-update for the Mona Villas Website last night www.mona-villas.fsnet.co.uk I'm no longer able to upload web changes for the original websites I did as I've not got an orange / wanadoo / freeserve account and made a bigger mistake when I found out I'd changed John's account to BT last year!!! So we had to set up a dial-up account for John just for the purpose of uploading the changes which only added up to about 30K in any case! Anyway it got done and it's off my list now.

Sunday 22nd May 2011
Not much to report. Went to Donington Markat early doors for some bits and bobs for hols. Got missus the new Whitesnake album in a special presentation pack for the princely sum of £3!!! Awesome. Also got latest Total Sea Fishing magazine for £1.50 and some others to keep me busy should it rain!

Bought a Taylormade LCG sand wedge clubhead from Ebay for about a fiver and fitted that to a shaft I had that was on a duff five iron so now have a full set of LCGs going from 2iron through to sand wedge. Excellent. Might give it a go in a day or two.

Went to Stone Cottage to upload their website changes later on. One of the first websites I ever did and it shows a bit. Never mind. www.stone-cottage.fsnet.co.uk Mini bike ride there and back.

Sunday 15th May 2011 to Saturday 21st May 2011

2011-05-15T11:46:00.008Z

Saturday 21st May 2011

Got up at 8am! That's not happened in a while. Cleaned cars inside and out. Hoovered up. Wheel is now falling off the Dyson which is a worry. Played not bad golf - 87 for a nett 69. Should have been much better but screwed up three holes with poor drives, all three ended up with triple bogies unfortunately. Lot of pars though - five on front nine and four in a row on the back nine just not quite consistant enough yet. Details

Friday 20th May 2011
Tired like nowt on earth this morning so nowt to report. Will have to do something this evening though.

Thursday 19th May 2011
Ride into work again - steady - got stuck in traffic a couple of times which took some of the fun away but am finding am arriving at work nicely refreshed because of the experience. Details

Rode back, steady 15mph average all the way - definitely seem a bit easier going to Belper. Then Badminton with Lucy in the evening. Knackered at the end of it all. Details

Wednesday 18th May 2011
Good stuff, up early. Got stuff ready, spuds watered, papers fetched, bike in a state of readiness on car roof. All good. Then drove to Belper, parked up, rode into work. Averaged 13.6mph with stops at traffic lights etc. Went through Swanwick which seems to be a bit easier from the route I did last time. There's one bit of steepness (excluding the hill up to Pentrich, which I push for a short distance) then the rest is a steady incline which works nicely for me. Details Didn't get out the office until 6pm but rode back to Belper nice and steady until got over took by some whipper snapper on a Cannondale so upped my pace a bit to try and stay with him - which will be around the 7/8 mile mark I think. Details

Tuesday 17th May 2011
Quick run up town and back. Steady if not spectacular as legs were aching bad. Details Then went to see about a website update for Stone Cottage. So went on bike for a mini-spin. Then at 8:30pm no less went to do a bit of golf almost in the dark! Which was okay - am getting to grips with irons again although the driver's gone south for thwe summer it seems.

Monday 16th May 2011
Steady start to the working week - four mile run, sub 10 minute miles. Details. Amber Valley have got back in touch. A three month car parking permit is £78 which means I'd need to use it three times a week to get my money back. Am thinking that I could do this and park close when I need to be home early, further away when I want to be getting in shape! It would certainly be an incentive so I think I'm going to give it a go. Did a bit of golf in the evening about 10 holes - 4 pars and the rest bogies was steady enough for me.

Sunday 15th May 2011
Not a bad start. Did a 20 mile tribute to the party in the park rides of recent weeks. Went up over Kniveton turning left at Knockerdown and across to Bradbourne, then down to Fenny Bentley, right at top of Ashbourne and over to Mappleton before coming back through Okeover Park and back to sunny Cliftonia. 20 miles in an hour and a half or so. Steady if not spectacular 12.5mph average. Baked a cake to take over me mum. Assisted the horror in getting the front lawn done. Yay. All good so far and it's only just lunchtime! Details of ride

Set up a website for Ashbourne Fly Fishing Club which has been interesting so far: http://www.ashbourneflyfishingclub.co.uk/index2.html

Sunday 8th May 2011 to Saturday 14th May 2011

2011-05-09T07:52:00.005Z

Friday 13th May 2011

Perhaps a daft day to do it but thought I'd get some cycling in. Parked at Belper then cycled 10 miles into Work and back. Okay apart from getting drenched on way back.

Thursday 12th May 2011

Quiet - dead tired - got up late - no run - badminton at night

Wednesday 11th May 2011
Same run up town again with a little bit added. Around 9:55 pace I think, not had time to upload as am going London Town to an InternetWorld exhibition thang. Details.

Tuesday 10th May 2011
Another run up town and back. Steady enough and a bit quicker than yesterday. Details Me any Lucy went out for a walk early evening before nipping over to the Park for a short time.

Monday 9th May 2011
Was happy overall with yesterday, absolutely shattered when got back home last night but got back into the running again with a likkle 2.5 miler up town and back. Sub 10 min miles which is good enough for me. Details

Sunday 8th May 2011
Woke up at 4am to the sound of pouring rain which was a bit of a bugger as I'd wanted to re-ride the route to check it was all okay. Didn't get that chance so the ride started at 12 noon. Only 4 riders on the 25K one, rode round with Claire Brackenbury (Margaret Miles-Bramwell, founder of SW's daughter) few problems with hills, punctures, head-winds and what have you but we got it done just took a bit longer. Details

Three hour drive home and then it were all done!

Sunday 1st May 2011 to Saturday 7th May 2011

2011-05-03T04:54:00.008Z

Saturday 7th May 2011
Sunderland 25K testing the route out went okay. Got lost on a regular basis so will need to sort out the courses thing on the FCR1 (maybe reading the manual might help!). There's a bit of the trip to the hotel bolted onto the end of this link but essentially that's what I done today.

Up at 4am to take Phil to work. Nice morning and when we set off at 4:30am it's already becoming light. Got back and thought I'd have a crack at programming the route for the http://www.bensmiles.com/ Sunderland Party in the Park 25K route which I've done using http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/ then outputing the course to a TCX file which has then gone into the Garmin 405cx watch. Am hoping it'll give me directions along the way but will be taking a map in the rucksack just in case. Did a quick spin on the FCR1 this morning just to check the chain is alright and apart from a bit of noise in second it'll be fine. It should be for £35!!! So will be dropping Lucy off at me mums in a couplde of hours and then all being well setting sail for Herrington Country Park to test the route out ahead of tomorrow!

Friday 6th May 2011

Not doing nothing today. Need juice in me legs for the weekend so will take it easy! Getting everything set up for the weekend.

Thursday 5th May 2011
Well set off with good intentions - rode most of the way ... to Hulland Ward before chain snapped. Great. Within minutes though a chap called Graham Soult stopped and asked if he could help - I was going to walk back home which would have been six miles but with a fair bit of downhill. Anyway, he said he was going to Kirby in Ashfield and could drop me off on the way. What a star. Offered him something for his trouble but he was having none of it - will find some way of repaying the favour I'm sure. He's a director of a company called SteveSoult.com who make coffins of distinction, no less and a top man in my view.

Wednesday 4th May 2011
Solid run up town and back. Sub 9 min miles. Details. Rode back home on the FCR1 - Details.

Tuesday 3rd May 2011
Up early, watered everything. Ran up town and back 2.5 miles in sub-9 min miles which was nice. Details

Monday 2nd May 2011
Big ride today (Well should have been!). Tweaked my brakes first thing so went on a spin up town to test them and found I'd got a very loose chain link. So off to Halfords and they put a new link in and it now feels good as new again. Went and did the 25K ride which went okay as the route was changed from Friday's!!! Problems with a puncture meant it wasn't the fastest of rides but it was for a good cause so not to worry! Details Check out the progress Ben Miles is making at his website http://www.bensmiles.com/

Sunday 1st May 2011
Not much to report. Went to Donnington Market first - got Phil some bits for his compressor got some sea angling magazines for diddly squat.

Sunday 24th April 2011 to Saturday 30th April 2011

2011-04-28T07:45:00.005Z

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Saturday 30th April 2011

Played golf in strong wind - scored something around 30 points off a 3/4 handicap - not very good but lost a ball and couldn't putt at all so shouldn't expect much more! Details

Friday 29th April 2011

Went and tested the 25K route for BenSmiles which is this ride Ben Miles is doing from Gibraltar up to Nordkapp in Norway - basically all of Europe. Anyway, can officially report it's damned steep! Details

Royal Wedding on so danced on egg-shells round that for rest of day. Aaaaaah.

Thursday 28th April 2011
6:30 before got out of bed! Not good enough really but am dead tired. Anyway up town and back - sub ten min miles will have to do.

Wednesday 27th April 2011
Knackered but a bit of a run up town and back was okay. Details

Tuesday 26th April 2011
Took Missus and kids and Anne to Melton Mowbray Market - it was something. Phil bought a load of junk, I got a couple of Magazines. No-one was injured. Went and did about fifteen holes on the golf course including two birdies which was nice - awful putting though in general.

Monday 25th April 2011
Again not a lot on the exercise front but a chunk on the diy/maintenance front - fencecared all the lane-side fence and the fence between ours and Verinas - knackered at the end of it but not too knackered to do 9 holes or so of the evening.

Sunday 24th April 2011
Not got much done today at all except learnt how to do yorkshire puds. Will have another crack at em next week. Mum and Dad over to lunch mine was fine but they had beef which were a bit rubbish so missus says.

Sunday 17th April 2011 to Saturday 23rd April 2011

2011-04-22T08:17:00.004Z

Saturday 23rd April 2011

Solid trip out on bike in preparation for BenSmiles.com ride next week. Steady 20 odd miles at 15.7mph - more than acceptable.

Good Friday 22nd April 2011

Run up town first thing. Details. Went into work - did a load of emails and a functionality brief for some changes to XpressWeigh.

Thursday 21st April 2011

Last day in paradise. Got up early as we'd got no bread - ran to Llanfaethlu and back - total of 4 miles not a great pace but okay. Later on we fished Amlwch Port again before making our way down the opposite side of the Island and back to dear old Ashbourne.

Wednesday 20th April 2011

Perhaps the highlight? we went to a place called Port Lynas which is not far from Amlwch. Beautiful spot - we climbed down the steep side when the clever money says we should have been on the other side - didn't stop my brother pulling in two cracking Wrasse - after I'd handed him my rod to look after while I climbed up first to bring bait down into the shade and then to fetch Phil a cookie out of Andrew's bag. Such is life - I'm not bitter. We fished the low later on at Church Bay which resulted in a solitary doggie for me.

Tuesday 19th April 2011

We went and had a crack at Amlwch Port which we quite like - dogfish, scorpion fish, a coalie, lots of pin whiting and lots of dogfish - nice thing about hear is you always seem to get bites. We went to fish the low tide at Penhros point - but as there's this inland sea there the low is probably an hour later than Holyhead so we were probably too early really. Never mind, got half a dozen razorfish which used for bait at the high when we got back to Church Bay later - resulting in guess what? More dogfish.

Monday 18th April 2011
Up earlyish. Dug some bait for later. We went to Mackeral Rock as it's called which is a short disatnce up from Porth Dafarch. Phil did his usual thing of catching first cast

Sunday 17th April 2011
Started off with a bit of a jog from Church Bay down to Porth Trwyn and back. Details here
We went and had a look at the beach on Porth Trwyn at low tide later, dug some lugworm for bait and generally did a bit of a reccy. We made the decision that we'd have a go at the right side of the beach which was where the lugworm seemed to be and therefore we felt that'd be the best spot. Speaking to Vic later on it would seem we'd have been better going for the right hand side and walloping out a long caste to the down slope. As it was we pulled in three dogfish before packing up a bit early as there was a nip in the air.

Sunday 10th April 2011 to Saturday 16th April 2011

2011-04-11T05:07:00.009Z

Saturday 16th 2011 Went to Welsh Wales - to Ty Newydd, Church Bay for a few days stay. Fished on the beach at low tide, Phil caught a nice plaice or flounder - never sure which is which. We could have kept it but returned it in haste. Saturday night we had a thrash at high tide but it was pretty much dogfish city and nowt else.

Friday 15th April 2011 Drove to Belper, parked up, cycled to work. 10 miles pretty much on the dot. Not a bad pace something round about 14mph average . Belper to work :details, Work to Belper: details.

Thursday 14th April 2011 Run up town and back slow slow slow. Tired, tired, tired. Details

Wednesday 13th April 2011 Tired as hell, didn't get on road til nearly 6:30, 2.5 miles at 9 min mile pace again. Not bad considering. Details Evening time after a crap day at work did ten miles on the bike in the dark hence the slower pace! Details Tuesday 12th April 2011 Up at 5.45 again, tired. Good run nearly 9 min miles for nearly 3 miles. Details Some madness again at work today and then I can get back into the swing of proper work again. Thank God. Monday 11th April 2011 Up 5:45, did some bits for work. A tired sort of a run. Details. Half an hour on the bike in the evening. Average 14.7mph which considering a very slow traffic light affected mile through town (6th mile averaged just 11mph) was quite okay. Backside certainly knew about it - I remember what it was I didn't like about cycling pretty quickly! Details. Done a bit of work on a website for Ashbourne Fly Fishing club, always fancied having a crack at fly fishing but cost of getting setup's a bit steep - £120 for kit. Anyway the mockup is here (although images and words will change). Sunday 10th April 2011 Up at 4am, took Phil to work, back to bed, slept til 9am, got up, got gardening. Got bikes out did three miles on the FCR1 to give it a go. Really fast pace considering not been on a bike in months. When got off though legs were like jelly so work to be done. Watched Masters til 10pm, soon as Rory was laying golf shots from people's houses I thought this will end up nasty and unfurtunately so it proved to be.

Sunday 3rd April 2011 to Saturday 9th April 2011

2011-04-04T17:39:00.006Z

Saturday 9th April 2011 - got up at silly O'clock, took Phil to work. Posted some Ebay stuff off. Fixed the hoover. Golf at 12am, a very average 35 points with a lot of poor putting. Lovely weather though. Masters on telly.

Friday 8th April 2011 Got up nice and early. Did a bit of research - a friend of a friend has asked me to do a fishing website which should be interesting. Ran up town and back 9:30ish pace. Details

Thursday 7th April 2011 Shins still a bit painful but not a bad run - 9:20ish sort of pace over the usual 2.5 miles plus. Totally knackered though. Details

Wednesday 6th April 2011 Think I may have shin splints or something, bit painful today so more walking than running. Details

Tuesday 5th April 2011 Struggled to get out of bed again. Quick run up town and back. Weather's a bit grim but at least not raining and not too cold. It'll have to do. Got to pick something up from Alfreton tonight so stopping at work til late - might go to gym - will see. Details

Monday 4th April 2011 Dragged myself out of bed at 5:50am and got out on road for 2.5 miles as normal, bit slow as right foot giving me some jip in the toes dept. Details

Sunday 3rd April 2011 Funny sort of a weekend this. Have spent last two days tidying up kids' bedrooms - Lucy's was bad enough but Phil's was a faithful reproduction of a world war II bomb site complete with powdered egg and spam stuck to the underside of his bed (poetic license to an extent but not much of an extent). Anyway a few hours on each and we could get the hoover in which was nice. Lunchtime saw us up at the Nag's Head for mothering sunday lunch. All very nice, bit sad as it was one of Uncle Peter's favourites but life goes on. In the afternoon went up the golf course a bit - very cold - wanted to compare the Ping i3 blades against the Taylormade LCGs (my old faithfuls) and to be honest I preferred the Pings - just need to get them firing but made improvements there as well.

Sunday 27th March 2011 to Saturday April 2nd 2011

2011-03-27T13:09:00.008Z

Was looking for a tackle dealer on way to Anglesey, Joker's in Colwyn Bay gets mentioned a lot - had a look for it on StreetView and am not sure at all now!!

Friday 1st April 2011 A whole quarter of the year gone already and what a crap one it was. Good riddance to Jan, Feb and Apr. Got up at 5:45 got as much ready as I could, went did run back for 6:50, got out by 7:30 took Phil to work, went to Tescos to buy some quality carb loaded sugarty junk as I've got a team member leaving in next couple of days. Then into work for 8:50. Hectic start for a Friday.

Thursday 31st March 2011 Good run this morning although the watch hasn't delivered the data I think it was sub 9:30mi/mile this morning, certainly was for first mile - which all things considered I was happy with cause of the poxy drizzly weather. At least me spuds and me grass are getting nicely watered I suppose and the rainy low pressure is keeping the frost away too which is good. Diabetic clinic at 5:30 everything good - blood pressure lowest for ages, good cholesterol good, bad cholesterol low, blood sugar low. Amazed really as I've done nothing to earn good results really.

Wednesday 30th March 2011 Steady run up town and back - 9:35/min miles for three miles. Ok. Details Did some lawn repairing where the slide used to be and even went over to field and hit a few balls - desperately need to get me golf sorted. Have bought some Ping I3+ blade irons which aren't really blades but they do have smaller heads - I don't know whether this is a good move or not.

Tuesday 29th March 2011

Ran up town and back quate nacely this morning. Sub 9:30min miles and felt pretty good for a change. Had half a pint of water before I went out - this might be something I need to do before setting off every morning - get a bit more hydrated. Details

Monday 28th March 2011 Walked up town and ran back. Surprised at how knackered I was from gardening - back, legs, everything ached - so walk then a run back. Details Spent an hour doing homework with Lucy found this awesome way of division called blocking that is so clever it's untrue it probably only works when the divisor is an integer but it's ever so cool. These primary school kids will rule the world one day. Have ordered a handle for Uncle Peter's spade from Ebay - going to be glued and screwed when it comes so it is. Job will be a good 'un then.

Sunday 27th March 2011 Clocks go forward and it's Phil's weekend at work so instead of getting up at 4am GMT we're getting up at 3:30am GMT (they adjust the cows by half an hour gradually apparently). So a bit knackered all told. Got back from farm, went back to bed up at 8:20am BST. Dug out me potato rows only about 10 x 10ft patch so this year's going to be a bit of an experiment. Spent a load of time trying to restore my Uncle Peter's spade which failed epically as my lad would say the top broke off - it had the consistancy of month old digestive biscuits inside unfortunately. Anyway, never say die I'll find a way to fix it somehow.

Sunday 20th March 2011 to Saturday 26th March 2011

2011-03-21T08:38:00.007Z

>>

Friday 25th March 2011
Absolutelty shattered after badminton last night - don't know why it wasn't as hectic as normal but hey ho. Anyway, up at 4am - bread machine on, back bed, up at 5:20am bread made into cobs. Made 2 running ledger rigs. Run up town and back - steady 9:53 pace which was okay all things considered. Details

Thursday 24th March 2011
Finished the book - bit of a page turner towards the end. Didn't get up til 5:30, made a Wessex rig up before went out for a run this morning usual up town and back run 2.5 miles paced at 9:40/mile - am getting really rubbish at running, need to get on track with weight loss again I know but am just not in right mindset currently. Made a couple more rigs last night - 2 hooked clipped without an impact shield but with two srt springs (well one cut in half - there's a recession on you know) and another Wessex rig.

Wednesday 23rd March 2011
Have a fasting blood test at 9am so nil by mouth since yesterday evening. Got up at 4am, set machine on dough setting, back to bed for 1hr 20m, up and sorted out bread cobs. Run up town; details. Finishing off the last millenium book The Girl who kicked the Hornet's nest. Made a clipped down big fish distance rig with a pennel ending in a 4/0 hook which is some pretty solid stuff I can tell you.

Tuesday 22nd March 2011
Had a lie-in, didn't get up til 5:40, everything tickety-boo, quick run up town and back, much better than yesterday at 9:47 pace. Details.

Monday 21st March 2011
Tired again, really tired went to bed about 8pm as well, woke up at 4am before alarm went so straight up, bread machine started, back to bed, up at 5:20, bread rolls in oven. On road about 6:15 very, very slow. Fortunately no details to share but was just jiggered so around 12 min miles for the most part I think. Details.

Sunday 20th March 2011
Not much to report - woke up dead early as you'd expect. Got Phil up at 6am as he was off to a car rally thing at Stafford with Steven Shenton. Made a load of bread. Made two cakes - a victoria sponge and a chocolate sponge thang. Took missus and Lucy to Donington Market which was okay, got about £20 of fishing and golf magazines for a fiver. Will go in a few weeks time before me go away in middle of April and get a few more. After Donington we had a visitation from Vic and Glenys. Then off to Darley Dale for dinner at me mums at tea time. Very good. Few too many drinks over the weekend so will need to get that worked off pretty damn sharpish.

Sunday 13th March to Saturday 19th March 2011

2011-03-14T08:34:00.009Z

Saturday 19th March 2011

Up earlyish. Bread on, run up town and back. Bread out. Work on spade. Hit a few balls in field, hoovered up. Went golf, texas scramble with John and Doug, 1 over we ended up with two birdies and three bogies. We played bloody ace really so it was a shame to not end up with a better score. Details here starting from second hole.

Friday 18th March 2011
Well Badminton was really good last night - can't say am improving but am enjoying it more so what more could I ask for. Lucy's got a new friend at Badminton who's of a similiar level so she tends to play with Harriet most of the hour we're there so that's good too. Went to group before going home and lost 2.5lb which is more than acceptable considering a bottle of wine and 4 cans of stella were consumed last weekend.

As there were still three bread cobs in the box from yesterday I made the decision not to get up at 4am to set the machine off, I'll do some more tomorrow. Anyway, got up at 5:45, quick run up town and back 2.5 miles at a just-under-the-radar 9:58ish per mile. Ok - Details

Thursday 17th March 2011
Knackered this morning but am getting into a routine of getting up around 4am, putting the bread on, going back to bed for 1hr 20 then baking rolls in the oven. All working quate well so t'is. Was a bit tardy getting out on road but have also settled into this routine of running up to paper shop and back each day so did that as well! Details

Wednesday 16th March 2011
Got an email from the customer services dept of Daiwa. My lad's got a 12 foot beachcaster rod for which the tip ring seems to have lost the insert. Daiwa are sending me a free replacement - great customer service - that's why I've got three Daiwa rods! Made a 2 hook clipped down rig last night - fiddly to say the least - I realised since that what you need to do is not secure any of the crimps until the hook traces are on, that way you can adjust positioning so that the tension's about right. Also need to find a decent knot for 60lb mono which is an absolute pig to get tie.

Wednesday 16th March 2011
4:20 this morning which was too late. Bread in, back to bed for 1hr 20mins, up rolls in oven, out on road, papers, back, breakfast, shower, work, on and on - there's a conveyor belt somewhere and I'm on it. Details to follow when watch decides to play ball.

Tuesday 15th March 2011
Back fairly early from work so gave uncle Peter's spade another coat of Cuprinol (or liquid gold as I like to call it) so it's now all the same colour. Am going to fill the woodworm holes tonight and it'll be good as new(ish). Anyway up at 4:10am, bread in, back to bed, up at 5:30, made rolls, into oven, out on road at 6:15ish and a really solid run up town and back in sub 9 min miles. Pleased with that, details here.

Monday 14th March 2011
Up at 4am, habit? Did a load of work and got it emailed. Put bread rolls in so they were ready for when family got up. Ran up town and back at 6:20, 2.5 miles in 10min/mile pace was okay. Details
Damn cold this morning though. Off to work, glorious sunshine today. Spring round the corner hopefully.

Sunday 13th March 2011
Nothing on the exercise front - goto up at 4am, took Phil to work (bloody dairy farms) went and helped me dad move some more furniture and a fridge out of Uncle Peter's. Fetched Lucy back from Grandma's and dropped the fridge off at the recycling center in Ashbourne. Washed both cars. Bought some Cuprinol woodworm killer to treat a spade have inherited from Peter's. It's dearer than malt whisky so it is. Anyway soaked the top of the handle (where the holes were) in the stuff for about four hours and it's nicely stained now so will paint the rest of the handle with it tonight.

Sunday 6th March 2011 to Saturday 12th March 2011

2011-03-06T20:48:00.006Z

Saturday 12th March 2011

Felt best I've been for a while this morning - got some things off my chest at work yesterday. Up at 4am to take Phil to work then made some bread. A bit after seven I ran/walked up town and back to get papers. Golf at noon.

Friday 11th March 2011

Up at 4am, bread in oven at 5:30 and done for 6am (slight fingers burnt issue but only slight). Walk/Run up town and back still a bit of grief in chest.

Thursday 10th March 2011
Pain again, just a two mile walk this morning, didn't bother recording it. Felt better by end of day though and really enjoyed badminton to round day off. Maintained at Janet's group but wasn't too surprised at that.

Wednesday 9th March 2011
Wowser, slept in til 8:15, luckily got up as we had a surprise visit from bosskat's brother Jimmy at 8:30. Did some bread, made a coffee cake, took missus and Lucy and Lucy's godparent Mark to Stepping Stones for lunch which was average. Took missus and Lucy up town to watch Shrovetide again at 1:45 (eventual score at this thrilling event was 2-2 so honours even). After dropping them off, came back loaded car up and went to play golf with John H, Doug and Doug's guest John, a 12 handicapper whom I'd met before, way back when. Played really solid golf for a change; only blot on the copybook was a three putt on the first hole for bogie, then parred 2nd and 3rd, bogied 4th, birdied the 5th, parred the 6th, bogied the 7th, birdied the 8th (was putting for an eagle) then parred the last for a one-over par 36 for 26 stableford points (of my very fair 18 handicap) in the Ashbourne Golf Club Wednesday nine hole medal. Was quite pleased with that after a 39 last Saturday.

Tuesday 8th March 2011
Little run up town and back. Then work in morning and then came home took Missus and Lucy up town to watch Shrovetide madness then came back and worked from home. Not best pleased at having to do that on an annual leave day but such is my life at present. Details

Monday 7th March 2011
Dodgy back again, muscle pain I reckon but if not gone by Wednesday it'll be off to doctors early doors I think. Anyway, up super early to put bread on, then back to bed, then up again and off for quick run up town and then back for 6:55 to put rolls in oven. Used Uncle Peter's measuring jug which was much better than the plastic rubbish you get today - very easy to read 300ml without having to hold it up to the light etc. Details of run.

Sunday 6th March 2011 Got up with a dodgy back. Not a good sign as we were due to help clearing out Uncle Peter's cottage. Anyway, ran 5 miles after only intending going up town and back to get some money out the bank so that was sort of better than expected. Still disappointed at losing yesterday's run. Can't be helped I suppose. Anyway, I've now got some top braces and uncle Peter's old knife. Dead pleased about that. Got a load of jobs that have been bugging me for ages sorted as well so all's well that ends well, I suppose.

Sunday 27th February 2011 to Saturday 5th March 2011

2011-02-28T08:52:00.006Z

Saturday 5th March 2011

Back giving me a right load of jip in the night. Was really uncomfortable on train coming back on Wednesday and it's got no better in the meantime so didn't sleep well at all. Anyway, got up fairly early, did a good run up town and back at 8:59/mile - seems like the watch hasn't downloaded the details for some reason?

Nine holes of golf at lunchtime in the miserable drizzle - steady 4 over 39 off winter tees. Details

Friday 4th March 2011

More trouble at the mill today but not to worry. Walked up town and back steadythis morning. Lost 3.5lbs at Janet's group last night - a steady start considering last weekend. Details

Thursday 3rd March 2011
Couldn't get up til 6:00am, cream crackered - it's caught up with me. Quick run up town and back 2.5 miles at about 9:40 I think (Details). Off to work early.

Wednesday 2nd March 2011
Up early, bread on, run up town and back, off to Derby Station, new NCP car park only £5 a day - very good. Down to London on to TFM&A conference interesting stuff about social media, and messages. Quite interesting got some good ideas from it. Back to St Pancras and then back to Derby. Trains now have wireless in firstclass so you can get your emails done - connection is iffy in the extreme but am sure it will get better. Details of run.
Tuesday 1st March 2011
Got up early, set breadmaker off on dough mode, went back to bed for 1hr 20mins, got up and made rolls and then steady run up town and back. 9.3omin/mi was steady enough. Details

Monday 28th February 2011
The missus' birthday and Slimming World's CEO Tony Whittaker 70th. Happy birthday to both. Got up early to do bosskats cards and presents, then a quick run up town and back. 9:40/miles was sort of acceptable all things considered. Am at that age where a long drive seems to affect my legs the following day which is not good really. Will post details when watch finally decides to upload them.

Sunday 27th February 2011
Second day of a two day stopover in Anglesey. Bit of fishing, lot of drinking, not much catching, weather nice if windy. Missed DCFC beating Sheffield which would have been nice and England turning over France which would have been better - can't have everything. Couple of Pics below.
Stopped at Ty Newydd, Church Bay Always like it there - walking distance to fishing beach, nice people - can't ask for more.

Sunday 20th February 2011 to Saturday 26th February 2011

2011-02-20T12:08:00.007Z

Friday 25th February 2011

Joined group again last night - hadn't put on as much as I expected so that was good. Ran up town and back - 9 minute miles v good for me! Details

Thursday 24th February 2011

Been up since 3am. Can't sleep. Hot caramelly chocolate options thing at only 40 calories is helping though. Can't see that being much of an offset against the whisky I had yesterday - should have left that in the jar I think. Walk up town. Details

Wednesday 23rd February 2011

The older I get the more I've realise there are no happy endings. Brian Peter Siddall 1934-2011 rest in peace. We miss you.

Tuesday 22nd February 2011

Up early practicing presentation. Practice doesn't make perfect but it does make permanent is that mantra - did the best job I could and was pleased to get first slot so it was over and done with early doors! Run up town first thing - good pace as well for me. Details

Monday 21st February 2011

A bit knackered from yesterday. Ran up town and back. Details. Have got bread going for when family wakes up. Everyone off for school hols. I can't get time off unfortunately.

Sunday 20th February 2011

After yesterday's washout I needed to get out. As it was I managed 10.83 miles so near as damnit 11 miles but not quite. Not a great run but acceptable. Washed cars in afternoon, made some more bread then put me feet up.

Sunday 13th February 2011 to Saturday 19th February 2011

2011-02-14T08:26:00.005Z

Saturday 19th February 2011

Up at 5am, did a load of work on XpressWeigh. Pee'd it down all night golf off, not going to go running in rain either. Was once stupid but am grown up now - no point in catching a cold. Hopefully weather will come good by tomorrow.

Friday 18th February 2011

Did badminton with Lucy last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. However it made sure my ankles were knackered this morning, I also made mistake of going out in old trainers that had had it really so my ankles particularly left one are even less impressed now. Details.

Thursday 17th February 2011

Still got a load of work to do but least did a run - 3.2miles at sub 10min/miles. Details

Wednesday 16th February 2011

Same as yesterday - a bit rubbish!

Tuesday 15th February 2011

Nowt done - been working from 4am.

Monday 14th February 2011
Ran up town and back - 2.5mile at 9:51/mi pace. Was okay, can still feel the pain in left hand side of chest but am getting a bit of confidence in it back and slept on right side for an hour last night which was first time in a week or more.

Sunday 13th February 2011
Nothing on exercise front. A sad day - we went to Nag's Head at Hulland which was nice but sad as my uncle, Peter Siddall would normally have been with us but passed away after a short illness on Friday. Very sad on all fronts, a really lovely bloke who will be greatly missed by us all.

Sunday 6th February 2011 - Saturday 12th February 2011

2011-02-06T12:01:00.010Z

Saturday 12th February 2011

Didn't sleep good again - pain is deffo muscular I'm 86.3% sure of that. Anyroad, took Phil to work at 4:30. Got home and then went back to bed for three hours. Fetched Phil back about 9:45 and told him about another very sad family bereavement. Golf at 10:20 we played okay, level par for front nine, then a nightmare 11th hole we dropped five shots on, a further two on the 12th and then the fightback began - John birdied 13th, parred 14th, I parred 15th, 16th and 17th. On 18th I hit a decentish drive and then blammed a three iron to the back right of the green, so far looking good but a short first putt put too much pressure on. The second putter was not far off perfect but the ball ended up behind the hole without falling in. We ended up with a shot under at 70 so another case of what might have been but at least we pulled it back. Details

Friday 11th February 2011

Same as yesterday but beginning to feel a bit better - still pain right under the ribs but think it's diminishing and the aching in shoulder is gone so think just something muscular. Will need to see if can swing a golf club tonigh or I'll be ringing John H to say I can't do tomorrow. Early start as well tomorrow.

Thursday 10th February 2011

Got up at 4:50, very tired but can't sleep so never mind. Going to do a mini run today as still got pain around sternum area. Such is life. Walked up town, ran back, not worth putting details up but I probably will when watch works!! Missed badminton as still not feeling nothing like 100%.

Wednesday 9th February 2011

Still a long way from 100% but never mind. Did a v slow 5 miles at 11:30 pace. Details. Left work early for Phil's parents meeting (used to be done in the evening when I was young, how things changes).

Tuesday 8th February 2011

Well, didn't sleep at all well, pain at top (not bottom) of stomach almost at sternum level. Haven't got a clue what it is but found can only sleep on back which I don't particularly like and consequently didn't have a good night's sleep. Thought caution in order so just waljked up town and back for a change to get papers. On the bright side (literally as Lucy would say) 8th February is first day I've driven to work without the need for headlights. Spring must be on it's way!!

Monday 7th February 2011

Went bed a bit after 8pm, up a bit after 6am. Only did 2.5 miles straight up town and back as very tired and had bits and bobs to do. No data as watch was saying on low charge - think am not switching it off properly. Never mind.

Sunday 6th February 2011

Started off well - slept 12 hours straight getting up a little after 8am. Got me stuff organised then out on road for the big run of the week. 2hrs 15mins later and 12 miles done - details here. Going swimming shortly - the target is 22 lengths this week, one more than last week. In the end we did 24 lengths in well under an hour so we're getting better, certainly felt like I was swimming more confidently which has to be good.

Sunday 30th Janaury 2011 to Saturday 5th February

2011-01-31T08:41:00.007Z

Saturday 5th February 2011

Got up fairly early. Ran up town and back. Details. Golf was dreadful never been so wet - we ended up with 76 which in the circumstances wasn't too bad. Think we'd have stopped after nine holes but one of the other two wanted to carry on so we all got soaked.

Friday 4th February 2011

Got back home 1am from the awards so Friday turned into a rest day so it did!

Thursday 3rd February 2011

Tired first thing so just quick run up town and back. Details.

Slimming World's XpressWeigh system (which I've had an involvement in) was a finalist in the Investors in Excellence Innovation specialist category. We didn't win but we went to the do. Highlight of which was Ranulph Fiennes mega politically incorrect speech. Very entertaining and a bit of a legend so he is!

Wednesday 2nd February

Ran five in the morning again which is okay. Details. Mega busy at work as well. Went to see my uncle in Calow hospital who is really in a bad way so didn't get back til late.

Tuesday 1st February 2011
A month gone and still a long way to go in the fitness stakes. Five miles this morning - watch played up by going into compass mode and making me think it wasn't working so stopped a number of times to try and get the damned thing into training mode somewhat unsuccessfully - as you can see though the first two miles were around 10min miles and then there stopping and starting making the overall average 10:45/mile which is really rubbish when you consider the ten mile hilly course I did yesterday. Ho hum such is life - details here.

Monday 31st January 2011
Up at 4:45 on road around 5am (madness I tell you), don't know what temperature it was at 5 o'clock but I can tell you it was officially damn cold, anyway got biggest run of year so far done on a Monday morning - 10miles in 1hr 47m which was a slow 10:40/mile pace but there was many a hill between start and end so am quite happy with it overall! Details

Sunday 30th January 2011
Up at 4:15 to take Phil to work then back to bed. Had planned to take Lucy swimming at 10am but had a call from me mum for some assistance to move furniture about as my uncle is due to come out of hospital in the next couple of days all being well so that took precedence. However, have been promising to take Lucy swimming for the past two Sundays so come hell or high water we was going! Ended up doing about 50 minutes and 21 lengths in total the neat thing while we were aiming at 20 lengths I was able to give Lucy some maths testing in fractions, decimal and percentages which is what she's doing at school at the moment which was pretty good. Am going to try and go swimming with Lucy at least twice a month if not more, need to improve at swimming as Lucy is currently a better swimmer than me and that's not on!!

Sunday 23rd January 2011 to Saturday 29th January 2011

2011-01-24T07:39:00.005Z

Friday 28th January
It's new day, onwards and upwards. Ran a decent five miles this morning am beginning to feel the fitness returning gradually. Yesterdays 6 miles was at 10:30ish pace I reckon I was a bit faster today but couldn't find the garmin sports tracker watch so I can't be sure but I'd be surprised if it wasn't.

Thursday 27th January 2011
Sad day, Aunty Joan's funeral. Ran 6 miles in the morning (Details) , went to the funeral, went to the refreshments afterwards, drank too much beer (not very clever I know but sort of helps me through funerals if I'm honest). Went to bed early as was tired anyway.

Wednesday 26th January 2011
Knackered again but still forced a solid five miles albeit with a bit of walking. Watch was flat as a fart so ended up running without timing but it was almost pleasant not feeling up against the clock.

Tuesday 25th January 2011
Very poor 3.5 miles this morning - really tired again after first mile, not good. Took laptop to see if it was the printer or the computer causing the issues with the wireless printer. It turned out to be Norton 360 on the laptop was the issue as mine worked straight away. There's some functionality in Norton 360 called My Network within that the printer had a 'protected' status which when changes to 'full access' fixes the issue and wireless starts again.

Monday 24th January 2011
Got up 5:45 unloaded car, ran quick up town (9:30 miles) and back. Off to work. Details Wanted to go to bed early but had to go to some friends' house to sort out a wireless printer which couldn't fix to work wirelessly - very odd - said would return following night and sort it.

Sunday 23rd January 2011
Nothing to report went fishin!

Sunday 16th January 2011 to Saturday 22nd January 2011

2011-01-16T08:25:00.006Z

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Saturday 22nd January 2011
Not much to report. Played golf with new captain Ken Bainbridge and Mark Knight - we played steady for a 66, the captain had 6 birdies and they ended up with a 62 - at least it wasn't matchplay; we'd have been slaughtered!

Friday 21st January 2011
Not bad - five miles at 10:20 pace. Details here

Thursday 20th January 2011
Rubbish this morning - had no go in me so ran/walked for about 3.5 miles, not a good sign. On a more positive note was 1.5lbs lighter than last week but that's bugger-all really. More work to be done. Badminton really good tonight in some ways.

Wednesday 19th January 2011
Same sort of distance as yesterday - 5 miles but at 10:30 ish pace. Waiting on watch to upload.

Tuesday 18th January 2011
Best run this year this morning. Steady five miles at sub 10 min/mile pace. Not bad considering it was slippy as well. Bloomin watch wouldn't upload the data so that'll have to com later! Details uploaded wednesday here!!

Monday 17th January 2011
Sold some bits and bobs on the bay yesterday so had to get all that sorted out in the morning. So a shorter run than normal but not a bad one considering. Details here. 10:15/mile pace.

Sunday 16th January 2011
A busy day. January not been the happiest month thus far so it was time for a break from the old routine. Was up dead early and at 4:30 took Phil to work. Came back pottered about. Did a Six mile run doing the Okeover Park loop - details here but generally a steady 10:25/mile pace in the dark I thought was quite good.

Then we were pounding over to Chesterfield to pick up me brother for a sea fishing trip up to Hornsea, East Yorks. Not a bad run - we were there in about 2 hours with a stop on the way for bait at Tescos' however the bait was all wrong and we caught nowt while all around were filling their boots. We got there around noon and on beach in water for 12:15 about 2 hours before high I think, old chap next to us gave us some advice but wrong bait and your chances are not high - next time lug worm and mackie need to be on hand!

Sunday 9th Janaury 2011 to Saturday 16th January 2011

2011-01-09T15:00:00.007Z

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Friday 14th January 2011
Come into work early as am hoping to leave early so run thus far. Will see what I can do later.

Thursday 13th January 2011
Taken a rest day, got badminton tonight.

Wednesday 12th January 2011
A slower still five miles this morning. Think am getting a bit tired. Details

Tuesday 11th January 2011
Another five miles done this morning. Details. Watched 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' last night with Keanu Reeves which was some quality hokum. This morning received news of a totally unexpected family bereavement which knocked me back. Not a good year so far.

Monday 10th January 2011
Bed earlyish and up earlyish - watched Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes over two sittings and very good it was too. Got all the shoes polished this morning as well which was good. Then at 5:55 went out for a five mile run which was also quite good. Details.

Sunday 9th January 2011
Went to bed 8pm last night but absolutely knackered again - 18 holes of golf and a three mile run too much for these old legs. This morning up early, did some work then out for a run a bit after ten. 6 miles it should be but forgot to reset the Garmin til I got to Mayfield so the first mile and a bit is on yesterdays golf. Ho hum. Got some nice pics as I went which will upload in due course.

2011 Start as you mean to go on!

2011-01-01T07:51:00.010Z

Saturday 8th January 2011

Up fairly early went for a run up town and back - really poor - dead tired, no go such is life. 10:39am teed off up at the golf club for first 18 holes in about 6 or 7 weeks. Played the new winter league format at Ashbourne Golf Club. Started off great - a very average drive but a lovely 5-iron to four foot on the first green for a three! Can't start better than a birdie, between us me and John had four birdies on the front nine for a nett 30, five under par. We ended up with a nett 65 for our best result thus far - maybe we need more snow. I don't think so!

Friday 7th January 2011

Last night of the Ashes last night, after going for a thrash at Badminton in which I played okay, I think. settled down to wait for the England victory only for rain to stop play so an early night for a change. Up at 5:30 this morning, obviously we won which was nice. Only did a quick run up town and back but better than nothing. Tested my new headlight out and it worked admirably.

Thursday 6th January 2011
Went to bed 12:45 last night couldn't see Australia getting England out anytime soon so what's the point! Got up 4:45 saw England get the new lad and Clarke out, did some work fixing a friend's laptop (typing this on it actually) then going to be going out for a short straight up town and back run at 6:20 (short because am back to Badminton tonight and that knackers me on it's own!!).

Wednesday 5th January 2011
Did same as yesterday went bed about 8pm, up again at 11pm, watching ashes til silly o'clock, back to bed, up at 2:30 coz our super-early doors milkman can't seem to shut the damn gate, checked score and Cook and Bell still sticking around piling on the runs. Back to bed and then up at 5am watched a bit more before doing the old five mile run - still a rubbish time (link to follow later) but at least the mileage is getting done - something like 25 miles done this week so far - which is quate good in my book.

Tuesday 4th January 2011
Went to bed early to get up at 11pm for the ashes, watched til 1:30 in the morning and we were making good progress. Was surprised to see two tail-enders putting on 90 runs but such is life, got up at 5am and saw first two wickets for England drop in rapid succession which was a bit irritating but we're still in a not too bad position going into the third day - I'd be darned surprised if it don't end up being a draw. Anyway, 6:15 set off and ran up town and back at a steadyish sort of a pace but got absolutely jiggered after first mile - still better than nowt. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/61953031

Monday 3rd January 2011
Bring it on - another six miler this morning. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/61740831
10:37 pace with some decent hills involved so quite pleased with that.

In afternoon did nine holes of social golf with John. Steady stuff shot 45 after starting off with two double bogies, then bogeyed every hole up to last hole which I parred which was nice. Details are here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/61777223

Sunday 2nd January 2011
Did one of my favourite routes this morning - through Okeover Park and round through Ashbourne, picking up paper and back to base. A little over 6 miles, not particularly fast at 10:48 but first two miles were hell on me legs reducing me to walking a bit after first mile but to keep it under 11min miles with some walking's acceptable for the shape I'm in at the minute. It'll do for me.

Saturday 1st January 2011 Happy New Year! Got up at 4am to take Phil to work - seemed nice conditions, mild, no wind, no ice poifect for running I thought. Got togged up, opened door, drizzling so went back got baseball cap and out for a run. Solid stuff too - started off with a 5.8miles at 10:35 pace run. Which last April I would have said was rubbish but as I'm so out of shape it's unreal at the moment that's not a bad run for me. Not going to beat myself up with stupid targets but am going to do best to put mileage in than I have been doing. Janette's friend Linda has fitted me new Strap to the Garmin so am tracking my runs again hence the link. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/61354630

Sunday 26th December 2010 to Saturday January 1st 2011!

2010-12-27T17:22:00.004Z

Sunday 26th December 2010

Tired from Christmasness and Ashes on Boxing day starting in early hours. Really pleased to see England comprehensively take Australia apart at 98 all out and then ease past them in style with Strauss and Cook putting on the runs without losing a wicket in the first day. Class

Monday 27th December 2010

Absolutely wiped out went to bed at 1:30 after watching start of Ashes, went to bed with Trott and Pietersen in place, woke up and Trott and Prior in but putting on the runs so okay. Still in control of this test and punter is losing it so all's good. Went for a run up town and back. Need to get back in to it. Too much weight gone on in 2010. Watched Avatar for second time in two days - bloomin magic film.

Tuesday 28th December 2010

Got up before dawn cracked to watch a bit of crickey. Not much to report on exercise front - ran up town and back in the morning as seems to be my new norm.

Wednesday 29th December 2010

Was up to watch end of ashes but only sort of. Went to bed, got up at 11:30, sort of watched the cricket in between nodding off - reckon I saw 20 minutes out of the hour and a half or so it took to finish the aussies off but at least I saw the last wicket which was nice. Then up at 6:45, ran up town and back then off to work. Brought a ton of drum pollution home with me from work. All good.

Thursday 30th December 2010

Same as yesterday but with no cricket! Ran up town and back then off to work. Got some good stuff done and then brought rest of them drums home. Good.

Friday 31st December 2010

Well couldn't get much tireder. Ran up town and back though so same old, same old to a degree but with added tiredness. Then waited for hours for horror to wake up and when he did we got a new satellite dish installed - which was easy apart from lining the bugger up - would recommend one of them signal meters I reckon if did it again. Any road it's all working now and we got a telly working upstairs for missus so she can't moan about not being able to watch what she wants no more. ha ha.

Sunday 19th December 2010 to Sarturday 25th December 2010

2010-12-21T08:38:00.002Z

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Wednesday 22nd December 2010
Not been out running this morning. Up with the lark, fetched papers in car, off to Tesco sorted out Christmas gifts for the Team. Cleaning cymbals gradually over space of today all being well.

Tuesday 21st December 2010
Ran up town and back. Steady. Rehearsing tonight.

Monday 20th December 2010
Ran up town and back. Work. More rehearsing - polishing begins

Sunday 19th December 2010
Not much to report - went rehearsing in the afternoon for a few hours for the annual Christmas bash - stuff coming together nicely.

Sunday 12th December to Saturday 18th December 2010

2010-12-12T07:26:00.003Z

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 15th December 2010

Quick run up town and back. Need to start getting my house in order and no mistake.

Sunday 12th December 2010

Can't sleep at the moment, I know why but little I can do about it. Anway, up at 4am so did a few emails and then went out for a run. Did five miles this morning - haven't gps'd it as am waiting for a new strap for the 405cx. Anyway was slow but under an hour. Been a bit of a keen frost overnight but a lovely morning for getting out on your own - clear sky and stars out for millions of miles. Nice.

Sunday 5th December 2010 to Saturday 11th December 2010

2010-12-06T08:49:00.006Z

Saturday 11th December 2010

Ran up town and back. Did a ton of tidying up and then took Lucy to SW Head Office Kids party which was nice. Lucy's last one unfortunately.

Friday 10th December 2010

Same again barman, up town and back.

Thursday 9th December 2010
Warmer again - didn't even need me had and gloves this morning. Pretty much ran up town and back to get papers, still a fair bit of pavement jumping but that's to be expected I suppose!

Wednesday 8th December 2010
Felt a bit warmer this morning I thought. Walk/Ran up town in similiar fashion to yesterday jumping back onto pavement when traffic approached, running on road when all clear - speeds things up tremendously. Got to work and missus rings up and says pipes burst in utility room - am I pi$$ed off with this bloody cold snap? Yes I bleedin am. Such is life, got some training to do this morning and then the annual rehearsal for Christmas Madness as i like to call it.

Tuesday 7th December 2010
I think I was up at midnight watching Ashes but am not sure - how wierd is that. Anyway got up at 5am to see whether the Aussies were still hanging on in there and as normal went to fill kettle for a cup of full strength coffee. No Water. So went to stop tap to begin sorting problem out and the stop tap was frozen so got hair dryer on it which freed the stop tap. However, water not back on unfortunately. Went up town and back to get papers - even did a bit of running on the main which was good but had to keep changing from one side of road to t'other to avoid traffic which took some of the fun out of it.

So have left oil-filled radiator working next to the stop tap pipe and come into work - car said minus 14 degrees centigrade at 7:15 this morning, have got missus putting a hot water bottle on the pipe which will hopefully help - had forgotten that top tip untuil I was almost in the office. such is life eh.

Left office early, bought a halogen heater got pipes going again. Happy days. Went to Lucy's school do in the evening which was most enjoyable.

Monday 6th December 2010
Got up at 5am, watched some more Ashes. Rain stopped play, walked up town and back to fetch papers. Got back for about ten to seven, had brekko and watched Ashes - magic. Cold is unreal it's -14 degrees centigrade according to my motor at 7am.

Sunday 5th December 2010
Next to nowt achieved today - got up at 4am, watched more excellent England cricket, took Phil to work, fetched him back from work. Helped other parents clear snow over at Clifton Primary School. Took phil back to work in the afternoon, picked him up at 7ish after work (he must be knackered bless him) went to bed early, got up at midnight watched ashed til 1:30am

Sunday 28th November 2010 to Saturday 4th December 2010

2010-11-29T09:37:00.006Z

Thursday 2nd December 2010

Up with the lark. Not snowing which was nice so cleared a load of snow off the road so I could get off the cul-de-sac. Spent a bit of time making a right good job of it then did a dry run up town and back - roads much better today so off to work at 7.10am and there around 8am - not bad at all. Sent home around 2.30pm as it was snowing like no man's business at work but not too bad at home. So no group and badminton off as leisure centre shut early afternoon. Ashes is back on tonight at 11pm which should be great!!!

Wednesday 1st December 2010
Was supposed to be doing interviews this afternoon - not going to happen. Weather is god awful. 6am I dug the drive out but no good couldn't get to work as lorries stuck all over the place, A52 at Brailsford, A38 at Alfreton etc. Fed up with it. Anyroad working from home. Trying to find some drum bits but can't find em anywhere.

Tuesday 30th November 2010
Went for a walk round the block for a couple of miles last night, got up early to walk up town and back to get papers. Loaded car up with bloody drums, fed up with em. Out of work early cause of crappy snow, walked up to M&S to get come Caster Sugar - notice on door that they were closing at 6pm due to bad weather but in actual fact they closed at 5:58pm the wretches. Will write a letter of complaint perhaps. Anyway - I carried on and walked up to Sainsbury's - put stuff through on self-service till - they're getting better and no mistake. So overall about 5 miles of walking done even if not planned.

Monday 29th November 2010
Did next to nowt yesterday recovering from Saturdays silliness. Took Lucy for a wee bit of Sledging in the afternoon, did a bit of baking, that was it. Sick of snow already. This morning was like an ice rink in places, have decided am not risking injury at my age so just a 2.5 mile walk up town and back.

Sunday 21st November 2010 to Saturday 27th November 2010

2010-11-22T08:46:00.006Z

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Saturday 27th November 2010
Was supposed to be playing golf at Ramsdale Golf Centre however the bloody weather put paid to that. A long story but ended up at work clearing the car park out with a bunch of lads from stock and facilities - all good fun then down to Nottingham Belfry for a Blues Brothers Themed Charity Ball that was different. Three inches of snow on ground meant a walk up town and back was all I managed.

Friday 26th November 2010
Knackered all day yesterday so off to bed at 9pm last night. Got up at four am though and just caught the fifth wicket going down. 147-5 at one point shame they managed to move it onto 220-5 but not a complete disaster. Anyway when they went off at 6:20 I set off up town and back for a quick run in shorts as I couldn't find me tracky bottoms - it was alright though.

Thursday 25th November 2010
Bloomin eck payday again. Blimey. Anyway, went bed at 1:45am after watching start to ashes, got up at 4:30 watched England collapse after getting it together - think if Cook had continued to a hundred we'd have no worries but hey-ho. Anyway watched Ashes til 6:20 then straight up and down run to get papers. Long day at work but quite good anyway. 9:47 average pace which isn't brill but you get what you get. Missed badminton as well last night as Lucy doing a coffee evening. Details of run here.

Wednesday 24th November 2010
Got the teeth mangling out of the way yesterday, with the scary trip to dentist and hygenist now done and dusted for another six months. So that cheered me up a bit and as missus was late getting back from helping out at school we ended up at the stepping stones for tea which was not the best move in the world. Am so far off the SW eating plan at the moment it's untrue - am going to start getting my head together soon as I'm planning to do the Grindleford Gallop again next March so need to lose a stone and start getting some big runs under my belt I reckon. Not rocket science. Anyway, this morning in the freezing cold I got another five miles done, third decent distance run in three consecqutive days. Not a mega pace but sort of a better run than of late.

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
Really slow run today - legs jiggered and right knee not happy for some reason. Anyway five miles done so can't be bad!

Went and did a computer job last night so didn't get much done. Went to a chaps to sort out his email and his Broadband had the princely speed of 120 kbs ? - ridiculously slow.

Monday 22nd November 2010
Slowish five miler to start the week. Details to follow.

Sunday 21st November 2010
Not much to report - baking, getting up early to take Phil to work. Sorting out fishing tackle boxes.

Sunday 14th November 2010 to Saturday 21st November 2010

2010-11-14T13:17:00.011Z

Saturday 20th November 2010

Rubbish at golf today. four putted the par five 17th after getting on in three. Rubbish. Missed eight or nine short putts at least. Rubbish. Rubbish. Rubbish.

Friday 19th November 2010

Still in bold. Can't get rid til next week. Maintained last night which was sort of impressive given the awards and drink and having been out three times this last week. Als got me self done in at Badminton - did two step sprints where you go from one cone to another as many times as you can in 60 seconds then rest 60 seconds, as many times as you can in 30 seconds then rest 30 seconds, then same for fifteen seconds - only problem was I was only getting 30 seconds rest and 60 seconds doing and fifteen seconds rest after 30 seconds but did alright. Knew about it a few minutes later with hamstring tightening up and then this morning aches and pains all over. That's getting old that is.

Anyway cause it's children in need day at head office was up at 5am to make bread so knackered to start with then a shortish 2.5 mile run up town and back aching like a bad un. All I could do. Slow and all. Details

Thursday 18th November 2010

Took Phil to Haper Adams University College yesterday, very good it was too, quate impressive. Think it's shocked Phil a bit into realising that getting good grades might be important. Good. That'll teach him. Anyway went out and di dfive miles this morning - sub 10 min miles overall so not too bad - Details. Apologies if this is all in bold - blogger's gone made and there's nowt I can do about it.

Wednesday 17th November 2010

Well am off work today so like an idiot i had a beer or two last night and consequently didn't get up any time early. Missus winged at me about not having papers so ran straight up and pretty much straight back at 9:30/pace. Which was okay. Details here. Taking the trainee Bovine Technician (Phil) to Harper Adams University College where they'll no doubt see his green thumbs and red face and welcome him with open arms. If me and missus time it right I reckon we can leave him there.

Tuesday 16th November 2010
Bloomin freezin fog this morning so slip sliding round at an average of 10:14 which was okay all things considered. Managed to stay on me feet all the way round with although the learning points are stay on the road as much as poss and avoid the pavement, shawcroft car park is too slippy as is the walkway from Compton to Sainsbury's both of which would keep Torville and Dean entertained for hours. Anyway it's another five miles done. Details.

Monday 15th November 2010
Mixed walking and golfin last night - steady walk up golf course resulting in recovery of three balls for the collection (like I've not got enough already!!). This morning up nice and early then a steady five miles round Ashbourne averaging around 10 min miles - not brill but carrying too much weight at the mo. And you get what you get. Details

Sunday 14th November Was at the mighty fine Slimming World Woman of the Year awards last night at Birmingham - we did a sort of show and tell with Slimming World Consultants showing them future developments for our IT Project XpressWeigh. Anyway the winner was something else and for the first time in many, many years we guessed the winner - who I'm no doubt will be in the papers tomorrow so I'll link to one of them tomorrow!!

Anywas, up early doors, breaky and on the road for 8am. Fetched kids back from me mum and dad's house and then back to the homestead. All good stuff. Feelin a bit tired so not sure whether to go run or bike or walk or golf. Certainly ought to do something!

Sunday 7th November 2010 to Saturday 13th November 2010

2010-11-07T07:10:00.011Z

Saturday 13th November 2010

Up early doors, big Slimming World do in Brummyland tonight so will be on road before 9am. Did a three miler - not very quick - legs have got no go in them whatsoever? Don't know why - anyway averaged under 10 min miles which was okay and papers (well the Times in particular) were dead heavy this morning - John Lewis catalogue and other assorted Christmas tat in the magazine not helping in that department. Details

Friday 12th November 2010
Got wiped out at badminton last night - the problem is the kids know I can't get from back of court to the net quick enough so they'll hit a big clear and follow it with a straight drop, I'll just get a bit of racquet on it but inevitably I'll end up lifting it for them to smash. Not good. Anyway late up this morning so only got a straight 2.6 miler up town and back. Details

Thursday 11th November 2010
Getting hacked off with this bloody weather. Was up at 5:20 (went bed dead early) put head out the door and got blown back in, wet. So nothing good to report as yet. Might have to resort to gym if I can get some time out to do it.

Wednesday 10th November 2010
Five miles, v cold and pretty slow. Never mind. Details

Tuesday 9th November 2010
Still bloody raining but done a five miler anyway; pace was 10:09 which looks slow but in the wind and rain I think it's acceptable. I hate winter - it's indisputably cak. Run info here

Monday 8th November 2010
Got up early doors as usual, had a look out the window went back to bed. Lord knows where the exercise is going to come from today. Think it'll have to be a late night run.

Sunday 7th November 2010

Tired this morning! Up at 4:10 to take Phil to work. He's knackered, bless im but won't get to bed early. You can't tell em, they don't listen. Made me laugh yesterday, we played with a father and son in the winter league golf - the lad was the better player, hit a beaut of a driver and was going for the par five fifteenth in two with a three wood. I could see it wasn't enough, his dad knew it wasn't enough and tried to tell him - "you can tee up, take your driver". Course, the lad's not going to listen, took the three wood, he ended up thirty yards short just right of the bunker. I said to his dad, Frank after; "you should have said take your three wood son, good choice - reverse psycology whould have meant he'd have to swap to the driver!!". Hey ho.

Anyway ran about 6.5 miles - had a bit of jip with gps - the bits that are dead straight were when GPs stopped work but i know the route is somewhere between 6.5 and miles. Had to walk a couple of times am definitely not fit enough at the minute. Can work on it though.

Listened to Desert Island Discs while I was running. The guy on it was Ian McMillan a poet who was so entertaining talking about his parents and their favourite songs as much as his own. Was dead impressed he picked a Captain Beefheart track as he likes stuff that unlistenable and Philip Glass 4mins 33secs of silence - he say everytime you listen to it you hear something you don't expect and it's true. I heard my feet pounding through my in-ear headphones. Grand. Anyway check his website and in particular his "In the end, it's hope" which sums up the English over-expectation of the national football side.

Sunday 31st October 2010 to Saturday 6th November 2010

2010-11-01T08:45:00.008Z

Saturday 6th November 2010
Funny day really, up at 4:10, took Phil to work at 4:33 (that's Phil's desired set-off time, don't ask). Came back, got a couple of hours sleep. Golf at 10:45. First of 2010/2011 Winter League at Ashbourne Golf club. A shame that this year it's a four ball better ball format instead of matchplay - basically it's your eight best cards from twelve. Me and John started off steady rather than pulling up any trees with a level par 71 off three-quarter handicaps. I played okay but couldn't putt for the life of me missing 6 or 7 five foot or less putts, it was getting to the stage where the carbite putter I was using was looking a likely candidate for sleeping with the fishes in the pond by the 18th but lucky for it, I dropped a four footer in at the last for par so it lived to putt another day. Other highlights were the three wood into the 17th which was absolutely pure after duffing my second shot, of course, I'd then follow that with a three-putt as I'd been doing most of the round. Also got a two on the six which was nice and I think the only birdie of the day for our group. We played with Frank Marshall and his son Max, both were pretty hot and got a round of 65 in - very solid play, the lad has come down from 22 to 11 in a single season and has a really smooth swing and a great short game - he'll go far!

Friday 5th November 2010
Hurt my foot at Badminton on Thursday night so not pleased about that. Was pleased to have maintained at group though that was a surprise considering the amount of booze and other badness at Anglesey the week before. Anyway, did a couple of miles on the foot, which was okay considering. Going to do a decent run on Sunday all being well. We'll see.

Thursday 4th November 2010
Bloody raining this morning. Finished off like a drowned rat but at least another five miles covered. When watch sorts itself it out (it was like a drowned watch as well) I should be able to download the details but I think the overall avg pace was around 10:20 mainly due to coat coming off after a mile then needing to go straight back on a minute later when it really started to lash it down. Such is life. Back to group tonight. Expecting a gain but not bothered am getting my head together again. Fixed Phil's tripod bag last night with a bit of assistance from the man himself and his angle grinder. Quate pleased so I am.

Wednesday 3rd November 2010
Putting the clocks back is helping. got up nice and early, on the road before 6am, struggled a bit first mile was 10:18, third mile was 10:something but got it back to under 9:50 overall. Wierd that. Will be interesting if I can maintain sub 10 min miles tomorrow. We'll have to wait and see. Gonna be doing some work on Phil's tripod bag tonight and then might make some rigs up for next fishing trip - looking at doing East Yorkshire in next few weeks - targeting the cod. Oh yeah. Details on run here.

Tuesday 2nd November 2010

Third day running (pardon the pun) I've done five miles or more. Getting better by the day at the minute - this morning averaging 9:43. Details

Monday 1st November 2010
November already? Blimey o'Reilley. anyway am on a mission now so last night I got everything readfy for running this morning and hit road almost bang on 6am. Five miles later and jobs a good un. Just under 10 minute miles was okay. Details here

Sunday 31st October 2010
Can't believe it's hallow'een already, where's the year gone. Any way up nice and early - clocks going back makes no odds to me. Out on road before 7am and a nice steady 6 miler done. Details here - ten and half minute miles not great but walked up that hill after you cross hanging bridge so not whoplly unexpected. Details here

Did a load of odd jobs too - cleaned both cars, baked cakes, fixed Phil's tripod case that I broke (poorly put together so I've improved it greatly!), put a load of stuff up in the attic.

Holding Page Sunday 24th October to Sat 30th October 2010

2010-11-01T08:43:00.000Z

Stuff to come here - was on me hols.

Sunday 17th October 2010 - Saturday 23rd October 2010

2010-10-18T07:32:00.005Z

Thursday 21st October 2010
Couldn't get out of bed even this morning. 6.20 before got out the house, 2.5 miles at I reckon 9:45 but bloomin watch not uploaded again this morning. Will sort later. Did a chunk of work on weight loss figures last night - fascinating stuff.

Wednesday 20th October 2010
Shattered again couldn't sleep, tossing and turning mullarkey - can't get comfy at the moment. N'er mind. Rubbish 2.5 miles at 11min/mile pace which is no good at all but feelin dead tired and had to scrape the car as well. Not ideal. Details

Tuesday 19th October 2010
Good and bad. Went out to Stepping Stones last night, had a couple of bevvies and food besides cause it was Pad's birthday so I had to, that's cleared that up. So this morning had to do a bit extra so I did a full five miles for a change - Details. Lunchtime - given a presentation to boss about learning points from Agile Project Management which I think went down pretty well but more work came out of it!!! Such is life

Monday 18th October 2010
Up dead early as usual. Run up town and back but with a bit of a loop which should have made it around 4 miles but watch went to sleep in Paper shop and didn't come round til just past where the old Nestle gates used to be. Ho hum. Details

Sunday 17th October 2010
Not much to report. Went to Nag's Head, Hulland Ward for lunch which is always nice - very welcoming spot that . Went walk in afternoon. Felt rough again at night so went to bed at 8pm which at least was half an hour later than Saturday night! Am read Frank Muir's autobiography 'A Kentish Lad' which is interesting so far.

Sunday 10th October 2010 to Saturday 16th October 2010

2010-10-13T07:47:00.006Z

Saturday 16th October
Lie-in, didn't get up til nearly 7am. Quick run up town and back, steady sub-10 min miles. Washed both cars early doors before Missus went shopping. Then fixed the carp rod that he in his wisdom tried to pump a 4oz lead with and broke the spigot in the middle. It'll need a bit of tape but I reckon it'll do a job with floats and light spinning when we go to Bull Bay again. Bad news today is me golf buddy John has got flu so golf is off. Never mind, I'm playing crap anyway - handicap up to 18. So made up some more rigs for next fishing trip - 4 Wessex Rigs (details) and a single clip-down rig which has a SRT spring and one of those clips that hook sits on til it hits the water and is then released. Sign of my age that I can't remember what they're called to save my life. It might come to me later. It didn't come to me however, using the power of the internet I found it on Breakway Tackle's website - it's called an impact shield. That's the scary thing these days how much I can't remember. I don't feel old but am definitely getting older which is better than the alternative.

Friday 15th October
Absolutely cream crackered again - my fault though - watched First Blood, the first Rambo film til half past midnight so only self to blame. Walked up town, ran the last mile back. Badminton on Thursday night didn't help but learned a new shot which was good - the reverse no less. It'll take some time before it's anything like natural. Put a pound and a half on last night a group - that's the back lash from a fortnight ago.

Thursday 14th October 2010
Made the mistake of switching on the PC before heading out - it instantly went into slow-mo mode and took bloomin ages to get going so it was gone 6:20 before I hit the road. Which meant i had to run solid all the way up town and back with no slacking - under 10min/miles I think but the darned watch hasn't updated Garmin Connect yet so I'll have to wait and see what it says tonight. Group and Badmo later. All good.

Meant to mention took all the apples off our little apple tree (think they're called ballerina apple trees). Any way. there were rucks on the poor tree, a good tub-full even after windfall taken away!

Wednesday 13th October 2010
Run up town and back slowly first thing, into office for 8:25. Fun and games no doubt today.

Tuesday 12th October 2010
Did a run up town and back in the morning. Got home from work and had to go back as someone had turned up for an interview that I thought was on the wednesday, such is life.

Monday 11th October 2010
Just a two mile loop in the evening.

Sunday 10th October 2010
Not much to report. Did a load of fishing tackle sorting. Fetched a chair and removed a chair for Janette's disabled brother. Ran to Sides Mill and back to see if any chestnuts about - not many too early I reckon. That's aboot it.

Sunday 3rd October 2010 to Saturday 9th October 2010

2010-10-04T18:31:00.006Z

Saturday 9th October 2010
Up at 4:20am to take Phil to work. Marvellous. Then little tiny run up to Marks and Sparks and back for about a mile. Then hideous round of golf that took four bleedin hours, shot a terrible 98 partly down to slow pace, partly down to taking four shots from the side of the green to get the damned ball in the hole. Hate the game not the player.

Friday 8th October 2010
Three miles up town and back - pretty darned slow but am absolutely knackered at the minute - up early tomorrow to take Phil to work as well so it ain't gonna get better in a hurry either!

Thursday 7th October 2010
Back to reality, slept like the dead, got up 6 with much reluctance, walked up town, ran back, work, more training, then onwards and upwards. Went to group - lost a pound amazingly - very surprised after the alcohol consumption of the previous week. Then badmo which made my ankles hurt but was good fun all the same.

Wednesday 6th October 2010
London walking around a lot, being trained a bit, walking around a lot, getting on tubes, trains and two hours of driving. Enough for one day.

Tuesday 5th October 2010
Thought I was tired yesterday - I am today - up at 5am, drove to Luton, on train from Luton at 8:12, St Pancras, Tube to Holborn then on to QA for agile management training - which has been a lot more interesting than I'd expected. Really good. Scoped out the hotel at lunch time and am now sat having a Coffee in room 614 Waverley House Hotel! Tea time soon I reckon.

Monday 4th October 2010
Up all night, really tired, worried about work and stuff had got to do but got biggest part of it done by lunchtime which was good. Walked up town and back first thing which was okay. Got a copy of Sea angler to read in hotel on Tuesday (am going down that London for a training course for two days).

Sunday 3rd October 2010
Things been quiet last couple of days! Been to Anglesey again for fishing and drinking so probably put a ton on this week. We went to Penrhos, Bull Bay, Cemaes, Church Bay all were good fun, didn't catch much but found a super new mark at Bull Bay. Anyway, wet overnight from Saturday to Sunday, bit drizzly in the morning but cleared up about 10am. Went on beach with Lucy then pack up and get off home - 3hrs 45mins coming back which was a whole lot better than going when it took us 5 hours after an hour sat on the M6.

Sunday 26th September 2010 to Saturday 2nd October 2010

2010-09-27T07:45:00.003Z

Thursday 30th September 2010
Walking dog as usual - have used yesterday's mapping as am doing same route pretty much every day! Up at crack of dawn, 3.5 miles, 2 miles walking, last mile and half running. Dog slowing me down but he goes back tomorrow bless im.

Wednesday 29th September

All quiet of late - been working hard and taking the dog out and about when not working hard. 3.5 miles seems to be the order of the morning and a shorter one at night. Details here.

Tuesday 28th September 2010
Early again took the Mutt out two dumps, a million wees and three and a half miles later was back at home. Walked 2.5 miles, ran the last mile and a half - quite good fun specially when he sees a rabbit - takes some holding back he does considering he probably only weighs three stone wet through! Took him out last night for a mile with PJ which was a lorra laughs - Phil will walk the mutt but draws the line and picking up the deposit!

Monday 27th September 2010
Up early - 3 miles with Charlie boy, a bit of running was good for the mutt and me. Same as last night in terms of dumps, he can't stop as much if you run him though!!

Sunday 26th September 2010
Not much to report on exercise front but got a ton of shredding sorted, done all the recycling, got a load of golf clubs boxed up and ready to go and all manner of stuff (even baked a cake!). Had a bit of a thrash up the golf course - need to get a more upright swing still - made some improvement but keep falling back to a flat crappy swing. Hey ho. 6pm Charlie boy the greyhound arrived. Talk him a walk before bedtime of about a mile or so - he did two dumps and about three hundred wees in that short distance. Amazin animal - you never see them do that when they're chasing a fake rabbit on a track do you?

Sunday 19th September 2010 to Saturday 25th September 2010

2010-09-19T09:24:00.009Z

Friday 24th September 2010
Badminton last night given me shin issues this morning. So walked up and ran back from Town. Forgot to switch watch back on after getting paper so mileage is a load of old rubbish. Maintained at group which was disappointing but such is life.

Thursday 23rd September 2010
A rubbish four miles with lots of walking. knackered. Did another two last night as well. Details

Wednesday 22nd September 2010
Didn't sleep well at all - back muscle really killing me. Anyway up early, did a bit of work then 3.5 miles up town and back to fetch papers. Details. Have been selling off odd clubs here and there and have invented me own triangular packaging which is well cool (perhaps invented is too strong a claim) but putting together a robust design has been good if long-winded fun. Any road up, details of this morning's run are here.

Tuesday 21st September 2010
Steady run up town and back - been making boxes for sending off individual golf clubs last couple of days ace fun if very unprofitable! Never mind - such is life. Anyroad up - three miles this morning at about 9:20 pace which was perfectly acceptable. Got a right pain at back of ribs on the left hand side didn't have it before set off am putting it down to having a second layer oon this morning. Detail

Some pics from run on Sunday 19th September 2010

In centre of this pic from Calwich Abbey is a folly where it's rumoured Elgar (I think I was told) was inspired to write something or other. Apologies for vagueness but I was told a few years back.

Below is pic of bridge at Norbury - just inside Staffordshire, a minute later I was running in Derbyshire again and feeling much better.

This is a weir near to Norbury a little futher along from the bridge. I was surprised at how boggy this little path has become - when me, Lucy and the missus walked along here in Summer it was glorious I'll be avoiding the path until next Summer though which probably about when me shoes will have dried out.

Monday 20th September 2010
Had jobs to do so the route was straight up town and back again. 9:30ish miles today as legs knackered from yesterday's exertions!

Below is the mapping of the golf from Saturday - what I found is that if the screen-saver or autolock comes on then it stops tracking and you get the straight lines as shown below. So it reckons I only did 4 and a bit miles which is normally works out between five and six. Lesson for the day might be to hit the ball straighter!

Below is the Sunday's run note - the start position and end position should have been the same which instead of it being an eight mile run would have been nine miles if I hadn't mucked about with the phone doing the tracking! Still it was okay as a record in the absence of having any charge in the phone!

Sunday 19th September 2010

Up early, not too much booze this weekend which is good. Going to go a run shortly and will be taking the GPS Sport Tracker on the HTC again to give it another go. Run was 9 miles ish and average speed was 5.2/5.3 which would equate to 11 minute miles which was okay as much of it was through meadows on the flood plain or through the boggy wood after Norbury.

Sunday 12th Sept to Saturday 18th September 2010

2010-09-13T07:46:00.009Z

Saturday 18th September 2010
Morning, got up early, did a bit of work. Got shed tidied a bit, got Lucy's bike and slow but comft bike out of shed. Did a ride up town, sent some stuff off from post office, did a bit of shopping, come back. Downloaded a bit of software called 'GPS SPORT TRACKER' to try out on the Windows smartphone. Took it golfing and it worked okay to an extent - it reckoned I'd only done four miles at the end so not quite sure bout that. Have output the file to GPX and will load it up on PC at work at the HTC doesn't seem to like my home pc. Such is life. Anyway, won at golf again 31 points off a 3/4s handicap was okay I reckon although I imploded on the 7th trying to be Seve Ballesteros and taking 9 on what should be a routine par 4 if you put the drive in the right place (which I didn't!). Three pars on front nine, four pars on back from 14th to17th sealed the deal but it was pretty much all square on the fourteenth so good stuff overall. Will see if I can get the map of the round posted tomorrow.

Friday 17th September 2010
Got up okay, had a ruck of mini-jobs to do and had to take Phil to work ahead of me going to work so time limited. Did a quick 8:40/mile pace run for 2.5 miles to fetch the papers. Details here. Lost 2.5lbs at group last night - about time - then did badminton lesson with Lucy which went okay.

Thursday 16th September 2010
Couldn't get up again - two snoozes - on road at 6:07, five miles and back to base. In work a bit late but had to stop for petrol. Details of run here.

Wednesday 15th September 2010
Strange day so far, bosskat is not well, she got shingles so is not sleeping well at all consequently didn't get up til 6:10 this morning. So a short run was all could manage. Details.

Tuesday 14th September 2010
Got up really early again, 5:45ish, head out of door, chucking it down. Waited as long as I could but at 6:15 decided to make a break for it - did 3.5 miles in the rain which had abated a bit by that time. Did a bit of work on my cable tie removal project - did three this morning.

Monday 13th September 2010
Got up dead early for a week day. 5:35 got ready for a six miler, but was raining so waited. Got out a 6:05ish and got a steady five miles in. Walked at start and then spent the rest of the mileage getting the time back to under 10min miles which in the last mile I did. Details Did a bit of work on the Ty Newydd, Church Bay Anglesey Holiday Accomodation project as well last night - documented a way to the nearest shop in LLanfaethlu

Sunday 12th September 2010
Not done much - got up 4:10 took Phil to work, back to bed, got up at 9:30. Fetched Phil back about 10am. Washed the cars, tidied shed up, put a load of junk on Ebay for free listing weekend. Went over to me mums to picl Lucy up. Went up golf course to get blackbobs and mushrooms and that were just about it.

Monday 6th September 2010 to Saturday 11th September 2010

2010-09-06T17:42:00.007Z

Saturday 11th September 2010
Took Phil to work at crack of dawn (well seeing as I took him at 4:20am and it wasn't dawn til gone 6 I took him well before dawn cracked. Never mind, ran/walked up town and back to fetch papers and got a bagfull of elderberries for a neighbour. Shot 90 off white tees should have done better not chipping/putting well at all.

Friday 10th September 2010
Chucking it down first thing, couldn't make mind up in end whizzed 2.5 miles in 22:20 which was good for me, sub nine min miles. Details

Thursday 9th September 2010
Up a bit late and knackered. Walked up town, ran back. Continue with the cable tie project. Details Back to Badminton last night - good fun, Lucy was really good at it too.

Wednesday 8th September 2010
Kathryn has mentioned doing the Belvoir Challenge next Feb which is essentially a marathon in all but name. Anyway it means sorting mesen out so must be a good thing. Did 6.3 miles this morning at about 9:30 pace and even stopped to get a few mushrooms on the way round. All good. Details

Tuesday 7th September 2010
Cream crackered this morning but lots to do. Went out did 3.7 miles at a slow 9:50ish pace. Not up for it this morning, no. Details.

Monday 6th September 2010
Off work. Ha Ha. Dropped off missus car for a £260! service at Pentagon Ashbourne. Yikes. Ran back - really quick - am a bit worried about the time - details here

After that we went to Conkers which is a 'theme park' near Swadlincote. I think the theme would be forest-based conservation and environmentally conscious recreation, in a word "dull" but sort of okay as well. We did a ton of walking and it was vaguely relaxing and most importantly Lucy enjoyed which trumps the lot. So a good day.

On way back we went to Burton for a bit of retail therapy - Home Bargains then the poundshop then the macdonalds. Totally, low-rent but quate enjoyable (sort of). Then picked up the missus' motor on the way back and paid a wad of cash. Good fun was had by all. Sort of.

Sunday 29th August 2010 to Saturday 4th September 2010

2010-08-30T06:22:00.009Z

Saturday 2nd September 2010
Sort of a funny muck about run with some cable-tie reclamation. Good for about 3 miles. Then golf at lunchtime - not a bad round really. Some solid driving, shot about 87 off yellow tees which was okay.

Friday 1st September 2010
Didn't find any mushrooms last night unfortunately so set off on a 6 miler round mappleton and found some on the way this morning. Not particularly fast but distance counts! Details Here

Thursday 2nd September 2010
Fetched papers as usual (made it 3.5 miles by looping down watery lane) also done some good deeds cutting down cable ties off lamposts and re-using them to repair a fence that bugs me. Details Did a bit of golf practice in evening. Used a few more of them cable ties to do so ad-hoc repairs to an old gate on golf course while I was doing.

Wednesday 1st September 2010
Blimey 1st of September already. Only whizzed up town and back this morning. Couldn't get out of bed, knackered again! Anyway did a good deed on the way - cut down a load of cable ties of post and used em to fasten back a bit of fence at tin-town. Good deed done. Details of exercise here

Tuesday 31st August 2010
End of the Summer as we know it. Did the same run as yesterday but with a little bit more distance added on as I couldn't shortcut through the tunnel on account of having not got a torch with me (lights come on at 7am I think). So, had to go up the big hill and then drop down into Ashbourne. Watch wasn't working so will have to look up a time when I ran it before and get a screenshot I think. Went out and got a load of mushrooms in the evening - probably only worth a mile and a half so didn't clock it.

Monday 30th August 2010
Am off running in a mo. Need to get my act together and that starts today! Taking Lucy to golf fun day at lunchtime, will see if the grumpy boy will go! Yay, went and did 6 miles round Mappleton as planned. And although a bit rubbish I did it in bang on 10 minute miles which is always acceptable In a Siddall's book! Details

Sunday 29th August 2010
Nothing tracked today but loads of walking in morning to locate the mysterious blackberries. Then bit of golf in the evening under the subterfuge of getting two tubs of blackberries and a tub of mushrooms (well the golf course is where the blackbobs and mushrooms were so had to have the camouflage of golf clubs on me)! Devious bleeder that I am!

Sunday 22nd August to Saturday 28th August 2010

2010-08-24T07:49:00.006Z

Saturday 28th August 2010
Bit of a walk in the morning. Golf at 12:52, played with two chaps not played with before Damian and Dave - shot 92 which I'd have been happy with a few weeks ago, however, I four putted at least twice and three-putted I don't know how many times so wasn't pleased with that aspect of my game to say the least!

Friday 27th August 2010
Just straight up town and back again. Need to start boosting mileage.

Thursday 26th August 2010
Knackered again, sick of cold. Straight up town and back in the rain. Not much fun.

Wednesday 25th August 2010
Knackered first thing this morning and it showed in the time. Did five miles at an average of 9:52 due to the first two miles being a bit rubbish. mile 1 in 10:18, mile 2 in 10:20, mile 3 in 9:41, mile 4 in 9:20, and last mile (well .8) in 9:39 Details here.

Tuesday 24th August 2010
Not feeling a lot better but don't care - five miles or nothing this morning and time-wise it wasn't too bad - under 9:30/mile which considering am coughing up gunge is more than acceptable. Details Did a bit of golf practice later on that was a bit average but played with the Golf Toy again - t'is a free WindowsMobile app called FreeCaddy - in it's free form it only does yardages to the green but the pro edition which costs a whole £10 (£9.65 at current exchange rate) gives you yardages to bunkers, scoring and the facility to measure the length of shots which I liked.

Monday 23rd August 2010
Not much to report felt like death - walked up town and back in morning for best part of three miles. Night time did a couple of miles up golf course. Hit a few balls. Played with new PDA toy - 123 yards with 8-iron. Details

Sunday 15th August to Saturday 21st August 2010

2010-08-17T07:34:00.006Z

Sunday 22nd August 2010
Someone banging like hell in middle of night so show 'oi' out the window and left it at that. Knackered this morning though but up before 8am. ColorMagiced the missus' car which have been meaning to do for some time. Got it for about 2/3s of Halfords Pricing off ebay which I though was acceptable.

Saturday 21st August 2010 Golf

Saturday 21st August 2010

Got up early doors as usual. Walk up town and back to get papers.

Friday 20th August 2010
Struggled to stop the alarm clock again this morning, snoozed three times, got up at gone six so only got three miles done this morning. Might have a 'walk' up the golf course tonight to make up the deficit!

Thursday 19th August 2010
Couldn't get out of bed so only a couple of miles done. Looks like the gps went a bit diddle too.

Did a bit of golf - have made a massive improvement in my golf swing - it's been far too flat so instead of taking club low to ground in the takeaway I'm taking it straight up (or at least that's how it feels) - results have been good so far longest drive on fifth was 274 yards, although only 225 yards on the second - irons much better in the main too. Details

Wednesday 18th August 2010
Knackered this morning and then some! Still did just under five miles in under 10min miles. Once upon a time I'd be happy with that but with the weight on and what have you I'm not pleased at myself at the minute. Need to get my act together. Details

Tuesday 17th August 2010
Ran the old five miles this morning - quate pleased. Details

Monday 16th August 2010
Walked and ran 3 miles in morning, another couple of golf miles in the evening.

Sunday 15th August 2010
Played golf with Stuart 'The Cougar' Cope in the Ashbourne Open and two of his pals. Him and Jim came second overall with a nett 63, me and his mate Barry got a nett 69 after three bad holes in the middle let us down - we were a shot ahead after nine, I'd got four pars and Barry had a couple on the front.

Sunday 8th August to Saturday 14th August - Hols

2010-08-17T07:33:00.003Z

Been on hols. Did some running. Did some fishing. Did a lorra lorra drinking and eating. Went to Anglesey County Show which was very good. Went and played Bull Bay and Holyhead golf course both of which were good too. Will update with pics in due course!

Sunday 1st August to Saturday 7th August 2010

2010-08-03T07:33:00.003Z

Friday 6th August 2010
2.5 miles walking and running - absolutely wiped out today. Going on hols soon though. Mwa ha ha ha ha.

Thursday 5th August 2010
2.5 miles

Wednesday 4th August 2010
2.5 miles

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
Good 3 miler this morning - at sub 9min miles. Which was ok. Details

Monday 2nd August 2010
2.5 miles in morning - slow though. A few holes of golf in the evening - played first five holes in two over which was nice - some good short game stuff and biggest ever drive down first - will have a look at how long it was later.

Sunday 1st August 2010
Not much to report. absolutely knackered from taking Phil to work at 4:23am for past five mornings. Cleaned out garage yesterday and valeted the cars today all spick and span. Nine holes of golf to finish things off. Golf improving I think.

Sunday July 25th to Saturday 31st July 2010

2010-07-27T07:25:00.004Z

Friday 30th July 2010
Another three miles, like yesterday I was up at 4:10 to take Phil to work then back to bed til 5:50, then on road, knackered so pleased with run in a way. Details

Thursday 29th July 2010
Three miles better than nowt, steady pace under ten min/mi. Mowed lawns and loaded up me new reel last night. All good.

Wednesday 28th July 2010
Got up early. Garmin battery was flat so just been a walk/run up to golf club then into to Town to pick up papers.

Tuesday 27th July 2010
A really slow 5 miles this morning - will have a look at the stats when I get a min but think it was something like 10:40/miles. Had PJ caddy for me up the golf course after work. Made the total mileage for the day something like 7 miles. Birdied first hole, parred second and third, double bogey'd fourth, bogied fifth, parred eighth, bogied ninth - okay stuff really just showing Phil the lay of the land for when he gets permission letter to go shooting there.

Monday 26th July 2010
Up late, 2.5 miles up town and back. 3.5 miles of golf in the evening. Nothing spectacular but not bad either.

Sunday 25th July 2o10
Did nine holes of golf and that was it! Bit of gardening but that don't count.

Sunday 18th July 2010 - Saturday 24th July 2010

2010-07-18T17:13:00.007Z

Saturday 24th July 2010
Up town and back in the morning. Golf lunch time - not a million miles off okay - 47 from front nine with a lost ball, 47 on back nine which wasn't going too bad until finished last hole with a nine - after being in greenside bunker for 2 - six putts I think although I may have given the wrong score if I think about it. Doesn't matter had blown the round by then.

Friday 23rd July 2010
Ran up town and back - sub 9 min miles I think

Thursday 22nd July 2010
Woke up late, really tired so just did 2.5 miles up town and back. The 405cx was absolutely flat this morning so no record but it wasn't particularly quick. Last badminton til September tonight which is a shame.

Wednesday 21st July 2010
Me dad's internet stopped working so said I'd pop over to Darley Dale and ay a look before went to work. So everything in overdrive this morning. Same old five miles - left timer on while I went into paper shop so the average willl be up but it was okay. Five a day is getting to be habit - can't let it drop. Went over to me dads and the problem had fixed itself - which was nice. In office on time. At lunchtime walked up to post office and back from work - 1.78 miles, in evening walked up golf course, did a bit of practice, 2.5 miles.

Tuesday 20th July 2010
Out for a birthday meal last night - three pints of stella and drunk as owt - no good ye know. Anyway a really solid run this morning considering - getting close to 9 min miles again. Details

Monday 19th July 2010
Up nice and early out on road for a slow five miles. Details here.
Quick walk at lunchtime to post office and back at work - 2 miles almost. Details

Sunday 18th July 2010
Not done a great deal - same as yesterday got up at 4:15am (!!) to take Phil to work, came home, went to bed, got up at 9am'ish for the second time. Washed both cars, sorted out the recycling, sorted out a second set of golf clubs for the trip to Anglesey in a few weeks, put some junk on Ebay to sell. Sorted out a cymbal stand and the chimes for Lucy to use in the end of term concert. Fetched Phil from work. Found a bag that had a load of fishing tackle in it. Wrapped up Phil's birthday presents. Watched another rubbish major on TV - why can't brit players putt? What's up wiv em?

Went out golfin with the holiday set -Taylormade R360 driver, Yonex 3 wood, Adams 5 wood, Taylor Made LCG irons and Cleveland wedges and an old Never Compromise putter. It was average sort of stuff really. Details here

Sunday 11th July 2010 to Saturday 17th July 2010

2010-07-11T09:51:00.006Z

Friday 16th July
Pleased with myself this morning was knackered after badminton last night, shattered so to get another five miler done this morning was really good. Have put on 3lbs in 2 weeks since last went to group so need to get myself going in that regard. Mentioned earlier this week that had set goal of covering 35 miles on foot this week - this was done this morning so might have a bit of a rest tomorrow and then start again on Sunday.

Thursday 15th July
Went for a bit of a walk last night up the golf course (!) for 2.5 miles and did another five mile run this morning. Had no go at all so was not displeased at averaging 9:50 miles. Details here

Wednesday 14th July
Nice to have a bit of rain but glad it was gone for this morning. Another five miles at a pace of 9:21 was okay. Details here

Tuesday 13th July 2010
Me and Phil been busy setting up a trampoline for Lucy's birthday. Went v. well after two hours we had the thing finished. This morning struggled to get out of bed then struggled round five miles - further exacerbated by not switching the darned watch on after had got the papers so only have 3.5 miles recorded towards the goal. Truncated details here. Anyway 17 odd miles of the 35 target are recorded with 1.5 miles off the radar. Got a new phone yesterday called a HTC HD2, have the HD mini last week and didn't like at all - couldn't text as the keys asre too small.

Monday 12th July 2010
Have set a goal up in Garm in Connect to cover 35 miles every week -did another 6 this morning and thus far have got 14 of those miles ticked off the list.

Sunday 11th July 2010
Starting training again. Set myself a goal of covering 35 miles a week. Have ticked 6 of them off this morning avg 9:42 which is not too bad when you consider I'd got some pain in me quads to start off with. Will post up details later. Bit of Golf at night 9 holes in under an hour - only four shots over par as well.

Sunday 4th July to Saturday 10th July 2010

2010-07-05T21:56:00.005Z

Saturday 20th July
Dead tired and ankles still hurting walked a bit and got papers. Did 18 holes off white tees and scored miserably. 95 which would mean I'd played to 24 handicap not the 17.1 I'm supposed to but I did last four holes in nine over so it looks worse than it was really.

Friday 9th July
Knew I'd be knackered today so walked up town and back for papers. Watered everything as usual, work again. Did a bit of crappy golf practice again.

Thursday 8th July
2.5 miles in morning, work, badminton with running relays (at my age), bit of golf practice.

Wednesday 7th July
A tired 2.5 miles then work, then wizard, bit of golf nonsense.

Tuesday 6th July
Bit tired but got into office for just gone 7am, not done any running as have to leave office at 12:30 to go do Wizard of Oz again.

Monday 5th July
Had a bad night with all sorts of sickness, stomach cramps and stuff. Hey Ho. Walked up town and back as didn't fancy running. Didn't go in to work as didn't feel good enough and had half a day booked off anyway. Sorted out kit for the big gig this week - Wizard of Oz with Clifton Primary School, piano and drums in acompaniment - it went great and the kids were just marvellous. Really inspiring.

Then went and did nine holes which was good fun - hit my biggest drive ever up the fourth (255yds) and thought it must be wind assisted, then hit a beaut down the fifth (240yds) as well so it might be something as simple as lightening grip and aiming out to right a bit - have been drawing the ball a bit of late which is most unusual for me. Scoring wasn't brilliant but was messing with swing so that's what you'd expect, really. Hit almost 250 on the first but seeing as how it pull-hooked onto the 15th fairway it's probably nothing to write home about in some ways - that said if you go that way on a medal and hit it 250 down the fifteenth it leaves you with a wedge to the first green - which is nice!

Sunday 4th July
Didn't do much at all after a v strenuous Saturday! Got Phil to work before 5am again. Did a few jobs, went to a family do. Not much else!

Sunday 27th 2010 to Saturday 3rd July 2010

2010-06-28T07:46:00.009Z

Saturday 3rd July
Didn't mention it yesterday but it's 3 years since I stopped smoking and I mean full stop. I should be rich as hell with all that money saved (where did it go?). Anyway, Saturday, got up at crack of dawn 4.15am to take Phil to work. Walked up town and back to get papers 2.5miles, carted a load of rubbish to dustmin lorry (2 old mowers, 1 enormous tree stump - don't know how I managed to get that bugger in the lorry!). Took the iffy Urban Mover back to Halfords for them to look at - bottom brackety noise? Did 18 holes golf, 8 pars or better, a two on the 14th which means I'll get my stake back and had chances for twos on 6 and 9 as well but didn't make them - played fairly well but lost 2 balls which puts you out of contention straight away really. Hey ho.

Friday 2nd July
No walking but only marginally quicker than yesterday. In fairness played Badminton with Lucy last night as well so cut me some slack! Details

Thursday 1st July
Slow, tired five miles this morning, walked a bit but still managed sub-10 min miles. Details

Wednesday 30th 2010
Five miles again! 15 miles so far this week. Details

Tuesday 29th 2010
Up nice and early which was a bit of a surprise as couldn't get to sleep at all, very close and muggy last night so t'was. Got the five miler done a little bit quicker at just over 9min 30sec/mile. Details here.

Monday 28th 2010
Slightly iffy tummy. Five miles none-the-less, Just sneak in at 9:48/mile. Details here. Watched a bit of Brazil and then went a walk up t'golf course at night. Only found one poxy Callaway Big Bertha golf ball which was a bit disappointing.

Sunday 27th 2010
Gardening, paddling pool, more gardening, more paddling pool, 60 minutes of Germany vs England, more paddling pool. Bed

Urban Mover UM33x - urban myth - first review

2010-06-22T07:23:00.005Z

The Urban Mover UM33x (snappily named dontcha think? me neither) is a battery assisted mountain bike style cycle that you can get on most company's cycle2work schemes (which is indeed, how I came to get one). It's good if you like a bit of assistance on hills but still requires a good degree of effort as it weighs lots (22.5kg) - I've not done the ride in to work that often as it's 22.5 miles each way but the bike did make it somewhat easier over the Derbyshire hills. As it was first trip I was keen to conserve battery power so pedalled unassisted for the most part which was probably the wrong thing to do as I still don't really know what the range is for it. It's quoted as being 20 miles+ (if you weigh the same as Kate Moss) but as I said, only used it for the bigger hills where it did a really good job, can't deny that.

I'm going to look at the stats tonight but I don't think it's saved me any time compared to the super light Giant FCR but we'll see - am not as fit as I should be so that's a factor but the bike is really heavy which makes it a pain when you're going uphill without assistance.

The 6 speed shimano gearset is also a bit of a limiting factor particularly downhills - as soon as you're past 20odd mph you cannot pedal quick enough but hey-ho it is, what it is. In a few months I'm going to swap the tyres for some sort of slicks, the tyres it comes with are good Kenda tyres but you can hear the resistance as you're pedalling along - winds me up that does same as when you're on a normal mountain bike I suppose.

That said, there's lots to be said for the Urban Mover, it has a clever battery releasse system, built in bike lock and a heavy chain is provided for even more security - mine is stored in the underground garage at work so am not going to carry the extra couple of pounds of weight for trips to work. I'm going to see what I can de to lessen the weight on it, might take the lights off for a couple of months.

The elongated frame makes space for the lithium battery below the seat-post, battery is said to be good for 20 odd miles, I used it sparingly on my 22.5 mile trip and there was plenty of juice left in it at the end . Note: also the integrated lock that jams the rear wheel and links to a heavy chain that is provided - it weighs a couple of pounds I reckon so you may or may not want to take it around with you.

Anyway this is first impressions only - I'm going to use the battery more on way back and I've just been told there's a high mode on it too so will probably give that a try going back.

Sunday 20th June to Saturday 26th June 2010

2010-06-21T07:35:00.007Z

Friday 25th June 2010
Tired again!! In fairness had badminton last night which was good as have improved my serve a little bit more. In August we're going to stop at an excellent cottage next to Church Bay Anglesey called Ty Newydd. I've been doing a bit of SEO work on it at www.sidd.co.uk/churchbayanglesey/ - anyway my uncle's stopping at the same place and he's very kindly taking my golf clubs for me so will be playing the likes of Bull Bay and Holy Head golf courses in about 6 weeks time! Ace. Anyroad up, did another slow tired five-miler this morning which was okay. 9:48/miles - details here.

Thursday 24th June 2010
Tired and hacked off before I start. PJ left his computer on all night and it was making a right racket at ten to six in the morning. Anyway, did a tired five miler at 9:40ish sort of pace. Got back, got told off for switching his pc off so came to work in a huff. Not best pleased today.

Wednesday 23rd June 2010
Legs a bit tired this morning after 45 miles of cycling yesterday. Only did 2.5 miles run up town and back. Which was a bit slow at 9:50ish I think, stats not uploaded for some reason.

Got panniers put on the Urban Mover at Halfords then went for a spin on the FCR1 racing PJ on the Urban Mover. Details

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 Cycle2Work Stats
Connect links here and here Total 45 miles, avg speed a tad over 14mph - loads of juice left in battery when got back so am going to have another go next week but use battery assistance more I think.

Tuesday 22nd June 2010
Rode the Urban Mover to work - took about 1hr 45m, which is no quicker than the Giant really. anyway, 22.5 miles down, 22.5 to go tonight!

The Mill at Belper - stopped to give Missus a wake-up call at 7am!

Belper Water Gardens - looked surreal - didn't really have time for taking pics - the clock was on.

Monday 21st June 2010
Longest day today - got up at 5:30ish did a five miler, no record as the Garmin had zero power in it. Going to cycle to work tomorrow. Did 10 holes of golf in the evening - 6 over after 10 holes and two birdies at the par 5s - yet on Saturday I couldn't hit a cow's ar*e with a banjo - how does that work?

Sunday 20th June 2010
Did next to nowt all day - bit of getting up at silly o'clock in morning to take Phil to work on farm, bit of bread making when got back, bit of going out for father's day lunch at Nag's Head, Hulland Ward (missus likes it and I think it's okily dokily).

Church Bay, Anglesey Self-catering Accommodation Search Engine Optimisation

2010-06-15T08:33:00.006Z

Am getting into search engine optimisation again and doing a favour for the folks who rent us the cottage we stop at in Anglesey.

Am trying to get Church Bay Anglesey Cottage Accommodation to feature high in the ranks so I've bought http://www.churchbayanglesey.co.uk/ as a starting point and we'll see what happens thereafter. The self-catering cottage is called Ty Newydd and I've started the project off at http://www.sidd.co.uk/ty_newydd/default.html but there'll be more to come, oh yes. Will keep you posted!

Update: done a video tonight which is embedded on the home page. Or if you go straight to YouTube it's here.

Sunday 13th to Saturdary 19th June 2010

2010-06-14T07:41:00.008Z

Saturday 20th June 2010
Got up at 4:30 to take PJ to work. Went run up town and back - 3 miles. Played 18 holes of absolute rubbish golf. Only saving grace was I drove well for the entire round.

Friday 19th June 2010
Bit juggered this morning following badminton last night. Learnt something though -you need to aim for the top of the net on the serve so the opponent has to lift the shuttlecock up. My serves weren't low enough and consequently the whippersnappers were killing me. Anyway as has been the case the last few days I couldn't get myself out of bed so only a little run again 2.5 miles or so. Details here for today and here for yesterday.

Golf Analysis - 15th and 16th
I can use the Garmin 405cx for all sorts of stuff not least looking at my golf. I switch it on at the start of the round and after drives etc walk a couple of yards up and down behind the ball so I can work out where it is. I upload it to GarminConnect and then from GarminConnex export is as a GPX file. The GPX file can then be edited in GPSMapEdit which allows me to work out how far I've hit the ball.

As of mid-june I'm driving on average between 210 to 215 yards so that's something to work on and putting needs to be better and chipping's not all it should be. So should be able to improve. Did 7 holes last night that was pretty steady until I lost my ball on the fifth - found three better ones while looking though so that's okay!

Thursday 17th June 2010

Same old, same old. Couldn't get out of bed so under three miles again. Least the SEO project is going well have got 'Church Bay Anglesey Holiday Cottage' up a page to page two so that's getting there. The target website is www.sidd.co.uk/ty_newydd which is a holiday cottage in Church Bay, Anglesey you see! Also got a domain for it at http://www.churchbayanglesey.co.uk/ need to some work on that too as it's domain forwarding at the moment which google don't like.

Wednesday 16th June 2010

Did another 9 holes on Tuesday night in 59 minutes! Golf was a bit rubbish so need to adjust the quality of golf to speed balance ratio a bit. Wednesday morning, late again another 2.5miles at 9:01 pace which was okay as am feeling dead tired at the minute. Details here.

Tuesday 15th June 2010
Up late, thought I would be so only 2.5miles run at 8:50/mile which was not bad for me. Details

An image of last night's golf mapping - 2.5 miles in an hour with scoring as follows starting on the sixth hole: par, par, par, bogey (with a three putt), bogey, birdie, quadruple bogey with two lost balls, par, bogey out of the bunker.

Monday 14th June 2010
Got up early doors, five mile run done. Good start. Did a bit of work then went for nine holes tonight at speed! Mapped it on the garmin here.

Sunday 13th June 2010
Got up early washed cars, brought the rain. Short bike ride with Lucy up town and back.

Sunday 6th June to Saturday 13th June 2010

2010-06-07T17:43:00.006Z

Friday 11th June 2010
6:15am before I got up so a bit late to get going. Consequently I didn't have time to do more than the 2.5 miles at 9:20 pace this morning. In my defence I had an hours badminton followed by 9 holes of average golf last night so was a bit knackered anyway.

Thursday 10th June 2010
Struggled to get out of bed again, but got out for about 6am. Did the five miler again at 9:31 pace which was okay - felt tired all the way round really. Still, need to make this a habit. Back to group tonight which is going to be a bit of a problem I reckon - if I scrape in under 16 stone I'll count that as a small victory!

Wednesday 9th June 2010
Got up a bit late, funny old night's sleep but was set on doing five miles if it wasn't raining so that's what I did. Steady sort of a pace 9:20ish which was okay. Come August I want to be at a state of fitness where running to Llanfaethlu and back from Church Bay is no problem at all. Details here.

Tuesday 8th June 2010
Went and did another 9 holes last night - steady golf quite pleased. Got up this morning at 5:45 and it's chucking it down with rain so plans to get the running back up to 5 milers again has been temporarily put on hold. Was going to run but went and did ten holes on the golf course instead, as you do.

Monday 7th June 2010
Off today as got to take missus to hospital appointment. Anyway, up a bit late but as nothing spoiling went for run up town and back at 7:30ish. A smidge over 9 minute miles but I'll get that together you see if I don't.

Did five holes of golf that wan't too bad but loads of folks in my way so didn't play that much.

Holiday Stuff - Church Bay, Anglesey - May/June 2010

2010-06-07T11:15:00.007Z

SeaSide Running
The image below is of my run from Church Bay on a three mile loop. I did this run every other day so a total of four runs over the week wasn't bad. Details here although there was a bit where I didn't run as it was negotiating slippery rocks so don't read nowt into the times.

Next time go I'm going to extend it to take in Llanfaethlu and pick a paper up every other day I think!

We stopped at Ty Newydd in the barn this time (conversion). More info at www.sidd.co.uk/ty_newydd/ and www.tynewyddchurchbay.co.uk Vic and Linda Clarke run the cottages and the excellent camp site which are only minutes from the beach.

Various pics from hols at Church Bay, Anglesey May/June 2010

Having a bit of a read - was too bright most of the time though.

Looking back towards Church Bay - was about 1.5 miles from finish at this point on me three mile run.

The beach at Church Bay, took picture one morning before anyone got there!

We went on a boat fishing trip one day - loads of fun!

Looking towards Holyhead I think from rocks on me run.

A dead boat I'd pass on my regular three mile run.

An oyster-catcher (according to me dad) on the cliffs at Church Bay Beach

Mesen with a decent-sized bass. Caught on the last cast and released to fight another day.

Plagued with dogfish this week, we were.

Sunday 23rd May to Saturday 29th May 2010

2010-05-23T14:28:00.009Z

Friday 28th May 2010
Knackered. Badminton last night didn't help although enjoyed it as am beginning to realise that head position is very important for clears, drops and smashes which I'd not really got before. Anyroad, this morning walked/ran up town and back. The garmin hadn't got enough umpf to run GPS this morning so thought I'd take it easy!! Hols tomorrow, about time.

Thursday 27th May 2010
Bed late, up late that seems to be the pattern of late. Anyway at least didn't need to water due to a good few mil of rain last night. Did a shorter run but pace good again. Details here

Wednesday 26th May 2010
Blimey, couldn't get up again, 5:40 before out of bed - watered everything as usual, tidied up some of my fishing pollution then got out on road. 3.5 miles at 8:48 pace which is good stuff. Details here. Made a couple of flattie rigs up and two sets of luxury mackeral feathers. It's all going on at Chez Siddall, oh yeah.

Tuesday 25th May 2010
Up a bit late again. Watered everything. Ran 3.5 miles at 9 min pace with me new Nike Moto 6 trainers. Well comfy they are too! Details here. Good evening as well me and Lucy went on a mini bike ride, then did 9 holes of golf with some really nice shots along the way. Then fetched some FootJoy golf shoes I won on Ebay for a mega £20, well pleased with em. Then made some mackeral feather for holiday. Might post up the details on them at a later point - I took someone else's idea and innovated on the production process a little bit!

Monday 24th May 2010
Couldn't get out of bed, red hot all night, think have caught the sun just a bit! Anyway, did eventually, watered everything as usual, cleaned all the shoes ready for school and work then out for a bit of a run. Details

After work had to sort my cousin’s computer out (instead of watching England v Mexico – perhaps an unexpected bonus by the sounds of it). Anyway it seemed as if the registry was a bit trashed so thought best course of action would be to do a system restore to an earlier configuration. Tried it twice to no avail, kept getting following message:
“System Restore did not complete successfully
Details: an unexpected error occurred”

“Details: an unexpected error occurred – how vague is that?

Anyway the way you can resolve this particular problem is to reboot the machine in safe mode and then do the system restore and it’ll work. All good stuff, as me dad says.

Sunday 23rd May 2010.
Got up mega early to take Phil to work. Didn't fancy a run as had a load of jobs to do. Fetched missus' car up, got that washed and then washed me own. Watered everything - getting bored with watering already but hey-ho. didn't do much at all, bit of a trip out on the bike in the evening but even that was just a jaunt rather than an all out proper ride.

Sunday 16th May to Saturday 22nd May 2010

2010-05-16T16:06:00.014Z

Saturday 22nd May 2010
Got up at 4:30 to take wee Phil to work at the farm. Then got home, watered everything (as you do), sorted the shed out. Got Lucy's bike and my slow but comfy mountain bike out, pumped tyres up (in process inner tube in my front tyre blue - which was nice, not). Tidied garden up, took stuff to the dustcart which comes every 6 weeks. Then got Lucy ready and we went up town to fetch papers and get breakfast at Busy Bees' cafe up near the bus station - well recommended, really nice people, nice simple food, no problems. Then we came home. Golf ay 12:20 me and John played in a betterball medal off 3/4 handicaps, we ended up 1-over I think which was okay, I missed some howlers and John struggled here and there. Doug, bless him, marked for us and didn't laugh too much ever when John found three different bunkers on the 18th. Anyway, I think I had 7 pars and missed some rotten short putts but... that's golf for ya.

Friday 21st May 2010
Three miles this morning - averaging 9:30ish I think - for some reason it's not uploaded. 9 holes of v average golf - lost 3 balls!!

Thursday 20th May 2010
Tired again and it showed. Least did the old five mile route but only managed to get round at an average of 9.58. Still coulda been 10 min miles!!! Details here

Badminton was red hot, played not bad against the whippersnappers. Took one of em to 21-15 which was as close I got to good.

Wednesday 19th May 2010
Walked up town and then ran back, knackered and ankle hurt so not as tremendous mid-week performance. Such is life. Did another nine holes up on the course last night, a beautiful evening so t'was.

Another pic from Sunday - this is the farm where Phil works at the weekend.

This is the other circular thang in the the River at Norbury.

What the flip is this?
Went a walk down near where Phil works at Norbury on Sunday. Saw this and another strange circular thang in the river a bit further upstream. Don't know what they are. The nearby road is called Side Mill Lane so whether this is linked, I don't know.

Tuesday 18th May 2010
Back to five mile runs. Not very quick but acceptable (my definition of acceptable will be sub-10 minutes miles) . Details here.

Monday 17th May 2010
Knackered this morning. Only did a three mile loop which I didn't keep a track of as couldn't find me watch! Nearly went headlong as I went along Mayfield Road. Same track I run pretty much every day and managed to hit a ever-so slightly raised manhole cover and still can't believe I stayed on my feet - felt like I was flying for a few milleseconds.

Went up for 9 holes of golf, not t

Sunday 16th May 2010
Got up early doors to take Phil to work. Got back, went back to bed but couldn't sleep so got up. Mucked about. Made a load of sea fishing rigs ready for hols in a fortnights time. Can't wait.

Got a gadget for cleaning and lubricating the chain on me bike so I've done that today. Took it out for a spin. Just short of ten miles at 15.5mph average not bad considering all the bloomin traffic and I chucked some hills in for good measure. All good but no run this weekend. Details is here.

Me, the missus and Lucy went for a walk down by the river at Norbury. Some wierd stonework in the river that I'll post up tomorrow.

Sunday 9th May to Saturday 16th May 2010

2010-05-09T10:21:00.011Z

Saturday 15th May 2010
You want tired, I'll give you tired! Woke up at 4:25 this morning to take Phil to work, if I doctor was about I'd have been certified dead - that's tired. Never mind, dropped him off, came home, got back in bed, up at 9am, that's more like it.

Borrowed a roller of one of our neighbours, Pete and rolled the grass seed I laid last week. Looks a bit better but no signs of growth as yet.

Missus went shopping for the day so me and Lucy pottered about and then went up town, got papers went to swimming baths for two and a bit hours (can feel it in my arms which is wierd as we didn't really swim as much as we used to do). Anyway, a good session I suppose.

Friday 14th May 2010
Cripes was I tired this morning. Bit jiggered which am putting down to the badminton lesson last night. Was a good session though. Bit disappointed about trip to doctor's which saw blood pressure up a bit so am going to monitor it at home for a week or so. It's nothing massive but higher than it was. Everything else okay though. Anyway the garmin was saying low battery so just did same run as yesterday. See pic below.

Thursday 13th May 2010
Am looking out the window at 6am and there's bloomin frost - we're halfway through May for heaven's sake, what's going on? - I reckon this is what you get with a coalition government and what's happened to the climate change folks? Going for shorter run this morning as need to be in office early doors to get prepped for a meeting.

Wednesday 12th May 2010
Up at 5:25, watered everything, ran the usual 5 miler which means 25 miles run by Wednesday this week! Gutted for Fulham, how bad to concede in last minutes of added extra time, they played super football too and had their chances, shame it didn't come off we need a few fairy tale stories in these grim days.

Tuesday 11th May 2010
Up before alarm clock at 5:30 so adjusting a bit! Watered me grass seed and then out for a run. Steady five miles a fraction quicker but felt slower at 9:31. Details here. Got out for a fast spin on the FCR1 last night details here then did five holes of golf to finish off. Not bad.

Monday 10th May 2010
Did a ruck of recycling, gardening and what have you yesterday so went to bed early (9ish). Woke up at 4:30 (thanks Phil) went back to bed for a bit. Got up at 5:25, put composting bin out for bin-men, watered the freshly laid grass seed, polished four pairs of shoes then out for a run (details here). Did 5 miles at 9:40ish minute pace which was ok.

Went up and played a few holes on golf course, popped into clubhouse to see Saturdays result and found I'd won the second division (handicaps 10 to 18), which was nice. But they dropped me handicap down to 17 now - it took three years to get it back to 18 and two goodish rounds to get it back down to 16.7 , aaaagh.

Sunday 9th May 2010
Have been up at 4:30am last two days to take Phil to work. Ace fun. Anyway got back this morning and went out for a run. Four miles in and got a low battery warning on the Garmin so had to use mapmyrun.com to get the distance worked out. Did about 9.5 miles in about 1hr 40mins so pace wasn't too bad, as soon as watch was switched off though I'm sure I dropped off the pace. Nice route this was though as saw nesting swans, canadian geese (one was wearing a rush T-shirt so definitely canadian!), a hare, some sort of big owl and millions of rabbits and ducks. A lovely morning too after the bitter cold that yesterday was. Got back, washed the cars and will no doubt be gardening soon.

Sunday 2nd May to Saturday 8th May 2010

2010-05-02T07:41:00.012Z

Saturday 8th May 2010
Not much to report. Put a load of stuff on Ebay for work - old PDA stuff and what have you. Played golf with Doug and John - played well again in windy conditions 41 points which including blobbing on 7th hole (taking no score) when lost a ball (pulled drive, then although I poleaxed a 6-iron bang on line I couldn't find the ball so it was either short and in the rubbish or long and in the field - still hit the ball really well). So reasons to be cheerful. Unfortunately not playing next week unless I give Andrew a ring and see if he can put me with anybody.

Friday 7th May 2010
Oh dear, Mr Cameron will be blubbing into his cornflakes this morning. Still, at least he won't need to roll his sleeves up and get grafting. Although, he might have to start working out if there's a way to prise Mr Brown out of no.10, I can't see him shifting in a hurry!

Me, on the other hand I was up early doors doing me emails then went out for a five miler as is again normal - tried to up the pace a bit and have almost got it down to 9 minute miles; details here

Thursday 6th May 2010
Went out for another five miler this morning. Steady if not quite as quick as I'd like - average 9:37 pace but I was right tired on the third mile and dropped down to 10min mile which was disappointing but was on the climb up the park which might explain it a little bit. Badminton tonight - played a bit on lawn with Lucy last night - she seems to want to smash everything at me which is competitive but not condusive to a knock-about in my opinion!

Wednesday 5th May 2010
Bit knackered still but did a five miler this morning - did a bit of fun running and footy with Lucy last night which hurt a bit (they don't half make footballs hard these days, don't they?). Did some more footy and running with Lucy again tonight then an awesome spin on the FCR1 where I just kept the average up nice and high and beat the virtual partner set at 15mph. Which for me is jolly respectable! See details here

Tuesday 4th May 2010
Stopped up til silly hours to get my name down in the London Marathon 2011 ballot, if I don't get in then I'll be hanging up the running shoes. In the meantime it means I'll need to keep up a reasonable level of fitness at least 'til October when I find out if am in or not.

Was so knackered this morning after chopping down the tree and getting to bed late (although I did watch Unforgiven on the box so that was a bonus) that I walked up town and ran back.

Also forgot to mention, played 9 holes last night which was okay again, checked out how I did in the May Medal on Saturday and came third - if I'd not three-putted on 13, not put a ball in the hedge on the 6th and if the putt on the 18th had dropped in instead of sitting on the edge of the hole I'd have won! That's golf for you.

Monday 3rd May 2010
I bought a mount for the Garmin 405cx watch so that it can work like a speedo/bike computer on the FCR1. Set it up this morning and then took it for a spin (details of which are here). I average 14.3mph which was okay as it was mighty windy if I do say so myself.

Rest of day was spent chopping down a Xmas Tree that was in a wooden tub for about 15 years and was bloomin massive. Of course the Tree had not seen the tub as being a limitation and it's roots had wrapped themselves round a paving slab and what have you so it took a good four hours or more to best it and I'm not sure I've won now! It's still locked into the tub with it's limpet-like roots. Hey ho.

Irrational (sort of) Purchases
Bought (sold a kidney for) pictures from MarathonFoto but since I probably won't put myself through 26.2 miles of pain again I thought get em. Anyway, some of which are below.

Sunday 2nd March 2010
A slow (cause it was damn cold) 8.5 miles this morning round Ashbourne. A bit tired after 7.5 miles so walked a bit and went for shortest route back home (as you do). Will do a bit more tomorrow perhaps if I fancy it or might go out on bike. We'll see.