After a hot and mainly dry June, we’ve settled into what has become a familiar pattern. The jet stream has looped southwards where it is likely to resolutely remain for some time to come. The garden may be helped by the rain but the spirit of the gardener is not so favourably affected. Things areContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 12th July 2023.”
Another boat trip.
Yesterday I took my pedal powered catamaran out again to the Leeds/Liverpool canal. It’s hard work to pull the boat on its inbuilt wheels. I have no way to weigh it but from the materials used I estimate 50-55 kg. That’s OK on the level or down hill but I have a descent and subsequentContinue reading “Another boat trip.”
Back but not 100%.
I’ve had a bad cold which settled on my chest. According to a neighbour, if a cold is above the throat, you can carry on as normal. If it’s below the throat you need to rest. Yesterday I hadn’t done any exercise since my last pedal boat trip 6 days ago, which had completely exhaustedContinue reading “Back but not 100%.”
Time for a rest.
I’m not well. This is difficult to admit by someone who’s virtually never ill. I noticed 8 days ago, on the Saturday, when I rode my mountain bike that hill climbing felt extremely hard. I think I was already starting to suffer from the beginnings of bronchitis, hence my reduced performance. I only exercised onceContinue reading “Time for a rest.”
Flower of the Week, 29th June 2023.
Daisy like flowers have started to bloom but they can be misleading. Shasta daisies are a true daisy, related to the smaller, wild Oxeye Daisy. The perennial Anthemis has the right appearance but is related to the sunflower. We also have the Black Eyed Susan, a rudbeckia, to come in the next few weeks. AgainContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 29th June 2023.”
Slower but still progress.
I took my boat out again yesterday and lost about 10 % of my speed compared to my last trip. So how can this be progress? I’d hoped that by raising the paddlewheel, which propels the boat forwards, I could reduce inefficiency caused by drag of the paddles in the water, whilst still retaining sufficientContinue reading “Slower but still progress.”
So tired.
I’m having new bearings fitted to the rear wheel of my Boardman mountain bike and I won’t get the wheel back until next week. This gave me the opportunity to ride one of my classic bikes and I chose the 1996 vintage Proflex Attack LE. It has around 3 inches if suspension travel at eachContinue reading “So tired.”
Successful Boat Test.
I’ve been a little worried about the lack of speed I’ve achieved so far with my home built, pedal powered catamaran. I’d expected to be slightly faster than I was in my previous dinghy but so far, I’ve been around 10% down on pace. Last time out I had a length of rope trailing inContinue reading “Successful Boat Test.”
Flower of the Week, 21st June 2023.
Today, rather than photographing an individual type of plant, I made a short video of our back garden.I only did one take, after all I’m not looking for a regular TV slot. After a month without rain we’ve had a months worth of rain in a few days but most things have survived well. I’dContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 21st June 2023.”
Sixth trip in my new boat.
I’m still in the testing stage with my new boat so each trip is a learning experience. Today I pulled the boat down to the canal and noticed a grinding sound from one of the new wheels, which has made only one such journey before. I had to replace the wheel with a spare forContinue reading “Sixth trip in my new boat.”
Mountainbiker 