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.”
Flower of the Week, 13th August 2023.
Because we grow mainly perennial plants in our garden, we find theat the colours change as the season progresses. Annual flowers may persist for months but perennials have a shorter season, knowing that they’ll have another chance to reproduce the following year. We had a good show from the rose, the Lady of Shallott, inContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 13th August 2023.”
My Life May Never be the Same Again.
A dramatic title to attract attention? I only wish it was so simple. I’ve become ill for the first time, of any significance, since my youth and have no idea where this is going. On Wednesday, 21st June I noticed some blood in my urine in the early evening and onward towards bedtime. In theContinue reading “My Life May Never be the Same Again.”
Fitting a ride in whilst busy.
My wife and I have retired early from full time work. We think it’s better to be less well off but have time to live the lives we want. I’ve often heard retired people saying that they have no time to do things and frankly it’s annoying. Surely with no work to do each dayContinue reading “Fitting a ride in whilst busy.”
A Complete Change of Plan.
I’ve been forced to completely change my plans and targets for this year’s mountain biking. I had a cold in May which persisted for a while. Then in late June I had another cold, which only seemed to last for a few days. What I didn’t know was that this cold would settle on myContinue reading “A Complete Change of Plan.”
A return to trail riding.
I’ve had a cold which settled on my chest and has prevented me from maintaining my usual activity level. Yesterday was the first time in more than 2 weeks when I felt I got a good ride in, with some real training value. I rode towards Rivington Pike but didn’t climb the last steep partContinue reading “A return to trail riding.”
Flower of the Week, 12th July 2023.
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%.”
Mountainbiker 