We have around a dozen acers (Japanese maples) in our garden. They give a spectacular display of autumnal colour but this only lasts for a short time. They don’t all change colour at the same time, though, so we do get a few weeks of delight at this time of year.
Treading water.
Because I can’t now put any strain on my heart, due to a malfunctioning heart valve, I can’t have any aims in my mountain bike riding. I ride for fresh air, some maintenance of fitness and just to get out there. I’m treading water until I can have my valve fixed and the time scaleContinue reading “Treading water.”
Flower of the Week, 11th October 2023.
As in the picture above, our garden is starting to gather its strength to brave the winter. A garden must rest before it can exhibit the joys of spring, but what about a gardener? Do we need a long break in the darker seasons? We will leave the garden alone at some point but firstContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 11th October 2023.”
Enjoying it.
Since my diagnosis with a heart valve problem I’ve had to radically change my priorities. Yesterday I had a better mountain bike ride on a carefully planned route. I aimed to keep the climbing to a minimum to avoid raising my heart rate. At worst I could trigger an incident of atrial fibrillation, where theContinue reading “Enjoying it.”
I need to invent a new sport.
I rode my mountain bike yesterday but stuck to the roads, except for a tarmac section through a park. With my recently diagnosed heart valve problem I am encouraged to exercise but have to keep the intensity low to avoid putting strain on the heart. This means that mountain biking, as I always thought ofContinue reading “I need to invent a new sport.”
Riding for maintenance.
I’ve mentioned that I’m awaiting a heart valve repair. The timescale is likely to be many months, since only a few surgeons have the skills to perform such keyhole surgery. In the meantime I can still exercise but have been advised not to push myself too hard. I’ve been for a couple more bike ridesContinue reading “Riding for maintenance.”
Flower of the Week, 8th September, 2023.
Autumn seems to be coming early, after an unusual summer. June was very hot whilst July was both the coldest and wettest since records began. August wasn’t much better but in early September we have a mini heatwave. If this is climate change then it needs to decide in which direction it’s changing. Hotter orContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 8th September, 2023.”
Good for the soul.
Yesterday I rode another fairly easy bike ride. I’m waiting for a heart valve repair so mustn’t put any significant strain on my heart until then. I rode down to the Leeds/Liverpool canal because the level bank is always going to be easy. Riding south I reached the White Bear Marina where hundreds of boatsContinue reading “Good for the soul.”
A Gentle Bike Ride.
I’ve mentioned in a recent post, around a month ago, that I have had a heart valve fail. I’m waiting an uncertain amount of time for an operation to repair it. I was given little guidance as to the level of exercise which I should undertake in the meantime but after a blood pressure checkContinue reading “A Gentle Bike Ride.”
Flower of the Week, 22nd August 2023.
A garden, consisting mainly of perennial plants, is a metaphor for life. When one thing fades away, something else comes along. Above, our white and yellow Shasta Daisies have been replaced with the intense yellow of Black Eyed Susans. They are not a daisy but a rudbeckia, which brighten things up considerably. Below the GauraContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 22nd August 2023.”
Mountainbiker 