Monday 6th October 2014 to Sunday 12th October 2014

Monday 6th October 2014
Up early, raining, waited til 5:50 to see if it would stop (it wouldn't) .  Little dog went 20 yards from car, had a wee, turned round and then went back under car - enuff said!   Got papers, went home, got ready for work.  Talk her a better walk in the drizzle so that made it alright.   Into the office for 8.20.  Busy day at work.  Nipped into Aldi - no pound for a trolley so got what was needed in a basket - no queues really at 5.40 either which was nice.  Also bought a sledge hammer that had been reduced to a tenner - saves me having to keep borrowing me dads!

Anyway, back home for 6.30, tea, then dog walked then into Phil's shed to find a heat gun I bought. When we met Paula and Darren yesterday he suggested it and I'd totally forgotten about the heat gun so gave it a go and it worked a treat (apart from briefly setting off the smoke alarm).  Anyway a few more nights and we'll have the skirting boards and cupboard door all sorted.

Tuesday 7th October 2014 - end of week 1 of Stoptober/StaySober or whatever it's called!
Up at 5:40.  Dog walked (fee constipation issues for pooch to resolve - perfect way to start the day).  Back home, showered, shaved, breakfast then off to work.  All good stuff so far.  Looking at Thursday and Friday for cycling again - right miserable start for October.  Funny sort of a day - didn't get out of the office until gone 6pm then had to fix Doug's Ipad Mini's email problem on way home (done and dusted in five minutes - brilliant), then quick tea, then dog walk, the up stairs and finished stripping one of Phil's cupboard doors.  Getting there slowly.  Watched last two episodes of Count Arthur Strong and then bed for about 10.10

Wednesday 8th October 2014
Up at 5:40, knackered again - need an early night soon I think!  Dog walked, papers fetched, ready for work and at desk by 8am.  All good.  Not to mention first week of no-alcohol completed.  Bloody grand.

Cracking full moon - be a good night for fishing somewhere!

Thursday 9th October 2014
Up at 5:24.  Yikes, it's early.  Dog walked, papers fetched, all good stuff.  Cycle2Work day nice and steady; just over fifty minutes to do the ten miles with the killer hill that is Wood Lane into Pentrich (a 300 ft climb over a mile doesn't sound bad but my legs would argue differently).   Weather forecast for going home doesn't look too promising but then again it's supposed to be chucking it down now and it's nice and sunny in reality).

Despite the crappy weather forecast I got home nice and dry.  Got home, had tea, took dog walk, got working on Phil's cupboard doors.  Almost done going to do a last sweep over it tonight and hopefully get it nicely sanded down and then start on skirting boards.  Getting there slowly!

Friday 10th October 2014 - Ten days of zero booze.
Up at 5:30.  Dog walked, papers fetched, half decent weather forecast so Cycle2Work day!!

Misty morning - turnoff for Back Lane at Pentrich (not that I've ever been down it!)

Moon over the Chevin Road Ridge (I ran along there in 2013 Rugby Rover - them were t'days!)

Good day in the office - lots done.  Then cycle home - supposed to have been best day of week but copped for the rain on the way back. Same view 11 hours later...

Think we watched the end of Count Arthur series then bed.

Saturday 11th October 2014
Up early, dog walked, paper fetched - damned nippy out - about 4 degrees when me and pooch went up town.  Back early missus and Lucy off to London.  Did a load of jobs outside tidying up - took down the little greenhouse, chopped back the brambles on the back.  Moved the bbq and waterbutt from the front to the back.  Took the little shelve things down for greenhouse project next year.  All good stuff, couple more walks with the dogs then off to play golf with John and Doug.  Played okay think it was 29 points on 3/4 handicap - got four pars on the trot and missed a shortish putt for a fifth one - hit some cracking drives.   On way back picked up a Knog Blinder front LED flasher from Halfords, it's USB rechargeable and works a treat so have ordered another for the road bike.  Watched Doctor Who and thoroughly enjoyed, stayed up til about 11 but had to go to bed after that.

Sunday 12th October 2014
Up at 6:30, took dog walk.  Pottered all day really.  Took Lucy to her friends at Wirksworth at lunchtime. Me and the missus and dog went for a walk at Middleton top - bloody grand up there in the sunshine.

Then back home, did a bit on the lotty - wrapped up the IBC against frost.   Missus had the broccoli and we got a tub of raspberries - plenty of em about this time.  Got back went to Stepping Stones for tea which was okay.  Then walked dog.  Then as dog wouldn't go far enough I got the bike out and went in search of chestnuts.  Not many yet but need to be on me toes as it won't be long...

Watched the "Caretaker" episode of Dr Who - very good.  Bed late again at 10.30.  Tired