Racing and Training 2023

  Sunday 31 December 2023 Weather Rain and strong winds   I weighed in at 11 13 last week so I lost a pound last week which is good.   I went to the Greyhound and had a Sunday lunch. Fulham v Arsenal was on the TV but it was boring. I did a lot of Duolingo Portuguese and I was in the top three when I paused because I ran out of hearts.   Football on TV   Fulham 2 Arsenal 1    

  Saturday 30 December 2023 Weather Cloudy, some rain in the afternoon.   I weighed in at 11 13 last week so I lost a pound last week which is good.   I had a lazy day. I was very tired after the football. I had six and a half hours sleep but my body battery was down.   I did some communications. I thanked Paul, Zoe and Emmie, I replied to Kay’s Christmas SMS message. I responded to Trudy and Scott. We are now in a WhatsApp group of three for Porto Santo.   My message to Zoe and Paul: A big thank you for yesterday, I had really a wonderful time. I genuinely appreciated Paul picking me up and dropping me off. I’ve been quite tired and stressed recently. I’m not sure that I could have driven anywhere yesterday without adding to the stress levels. When I got home, I went straight to bed, I was asleep before 11pm and slept for six and a half hours. The restaurant was really good, lovely to see Emmie enjoying that social aspect of the trip. The match wa...

Friday 29 December 2023 Weather Cloudy, some rain in the afternoon. I weighed in at 11 13 yesterday so I lost a pound last week which is good. I went to the gym to do Pilates, but it was cancelled without notice. I went to see Cardiff City v Leicester City at the Cardiff City stadium with Paul and Emmie, we had a meal at the Athenian Tree in Cardiff first. Paul gave me a lift to and from the game. He parked in a car park very close to the restaurant. I picked up that the waitress spoke some Greek (Kalispera) when she greeted some regulars at a nearby table. My Greek phrases came flooding back to me (Kalispera, ti Kanis, poly kalá, efaristó etc.) a glass or two of Retsina helped the mood. My Kleftico was really nice, I think all the food was really nice. There was a family from Leicester on the next table. I had a chat to them when Paul went to the loo. The match was good and we had a great view. My message to Zoe and Paul: A big thank you for yesterday, I had really a won...

  Thursday 28 December 2023 Weather Cloudy, some rain in the afternoon.   I weighed in at 11 13 yesterday so I lost a pound last week which is good.   I went to the gym and did body conditioning Football on TV   On Amazon   Brighton 4           Spurs 2 Arsenal 0               West Ham 2        

  Wednesday 27 December 2023 Weather Cloudy, some rain in the afternoon.   I weighed in at 11 13 yesterday so I lost a pound last week which is good.   Mandy came in the morning. I was really, really tired after only having 2- and three-quarter hours sleep last night. Leicester drew with Ipswich last night (a late equaliser from the home team), that tormented me a bit. I read the first story in my book from Kay (Collisions). Football on TV   On Amazon   Brentford 1         Wolverhampton Wanderers 4 Chelsea 2              Crystal Palace 1 Everton 1              Manchester City 3  

Tuesday 26 December 2023 Weather Cloudy, some rain in the afternoon. I weighed in at 11 13 yesterday so I lost a pound last week which is good. I had a huge sleep last night and a lazy morning. For luncheon today, I’ve had some beef pieces in a beef/turkey and onion gravy. Tomorrow, I shall do a cauliflower cheese and maybe have some more beef. Football on TV Lots of football including Ipswich v Leicester on Sky (19:45 kick off)

Monday 25 December 2023 Weather Cloudy, some rain in the afternoon. I weighed in at 11 13 today so I lost a pound which is good. I roasted a 3.75kg rib of beef this morning. It was excellent. Paul picked me up at around midday. We had an excellent Christmas lunch. They dropped me off in the evening and went on to Mark & Catherine’s. I went to bed early. As I said to Keith: I had a nice day. On Christmas Eve, I was relieved of Cauliflower Cheese duties because Zoe and Paul’s neighbour who is an electrician at a nearby Marks & Spencer’s food factory gave them a big M&S one for free. Meanwhile, I had been doing cauliflower cheese practice for a week! Consequently, my only morning job was to roast some beef. I had a 3.75 Kg two-rib special which only just fitted in my oven (£44 from Jim Oliver’s in Maindee). It was magnificent. It came out of the oven medium-rare just as Paul arrived to pick me up. It rested on the journey to Rhiwderin (as did I). As head of househo...

  Sunday 24 December 2023 Weather Cloudy, some rain in the afternoon.   My iPad ceased today. I could not repair it so I ordered on from Argos and collected it at Sainsbury’s superstore in Albany Street.   I went to Lynn’s for her traditional Christmas Eve party. Mabel was there. Lynn & Craig & xxx plus Jacob Toby and Sylvia and Jools and Lilli.   Football on TV   Wolves v Chelsea (2 – 1)

  Saturday 23 December 2023 Weather Light cloud and quite breezy   I have had a reply from the GP Surgery. I am on the list for a follow up appointment with Lisa. A medical note costs £40 apparently. However, I can have my appointments records for free.   Football tonight on TV is Aston Villa v Sheffield United. I have wrapped the remaining presents except for one tea towel.   I went to Jim Oliver’s and collected the Rib of Beef.   I watched one and a half episodes of Spaced on C4. I also watched the weekenders (Vic & Bob) which was surreal and not great.   Football on TV   Aston Villa v Sheffield United

  Friday 22 December 2023 Weather Light cloud and quite breezy   I cancelled Pilates, I am still not feeling very well.   I have had a reply from the GP Surgery. I am on the list for a follow up appointment with Lisa. A medical note costs £40 apparently. However, I can have my appointments records for free.   Football tonight on TV is Aston Villa v Sheffield United. I have wrapped the remaining presents except for one tea towel.   I went to Jim Oliver’s and collected the Rib of Beef.   I watched one and a half episodes of Spaced on C4. I also watched the weekenders (Vic & Bob) which was surreal and not great.   Football on TV   Aston Villa v Sheffield United

  Thursday 21 December 2023 Weather Light cloud and quite breezy   I cancelled Body Conditioning; I am still not feeling very well.   I have had a reply from the GP Surgery. I am on the list for a follow up appointment with Lisa. A medical note costs £40 apparently. However, I can have my appointments records for free. I watched the end of “The Other Zoey”.   Football tonight on TV is Crystal Palace v Brighton. I have wrapped Paul’s hoodie.   Next – Presents to be wrapped – Emmie Harry Potter book, Liqueur chocolates   Swim Wales / Medical Note is dependent on response from Beechwood Surgery.   Football on TV   Crystal Palace v Brighton

Wednesday 20 December 2023 Weather Light cloud and moderate breeze   I went to Sainsbury’s to collect my new printer. I installed in using the laptop.   In the afternoon, I collect Emmie from school then gave Paul a lift to Whitehead’s where Paul was an organiser of the GVD Christmas parties.   Football tonight on TV is EFL Cup, Liverpool v West Ham. I watched the first half.   Next – Presents to be wrapped – Emmie Harry Potter book, Liqueur chocolates, Hoodie   Swim Wales / Medical Note is dependent on response from Beechwood Surgery.   Football on TV   Liverpool v West Ham  

  Tuesday 19 December 2023 Weather Maybe clouding over with a spot of rain at midday but should be dry later.   I had very little sleep last night, due to my sore throat and bunged up nasal passages. I didn’t take paracetamol & ibuprofen last night, I will tonight. I cancelled my Body Conditioning session and as I was not well Daniela suggested that I postpone the scheduled massage. I had a Sainsbury delivery in the morning and I caught up a bit with two hours sleep in the afternoon. I sent an update to Beechwood Surgery; I shall await their reply. Football tonight on TV is EFL Cup, Chelsea v Newcastle, I watched the first half. Also in the EFL Cup Port Vale v Boro (0 – 2) at half time and Everton v Fulham (0 – 1) at half time.   My printer broke and I ordered another one. The same model, to be picked up at Sainsbury’s tomorrow morning.   Next – Presents to be wrapped – Emmie Harry Potter book, Liqueur chocolates, Hoodie   Swim Wales / Medical No...

  Monday 18 December 2023 Weather Maybe clouding over with a spot of rain at midday but should be dry later.   I had Pilates this morning with Claire. I was very tired and came home and had a snooze before going to pick Emmie up from school. I called in at the Greyhound for one pint. I had planned to watch the first half of Birmingham v Leicester on the TV but I ended up watching the whole lot.   Next – Sainsbury Delivery, Body Conditioning and Daniela Massage   Also, next - Presents to be wrapped – Emmie Harry Potter book, Liqueur chocolates, Hoodie   Remember - Swim Wales / Medical Note - outstanding   The film “The Other Zoey” is on Amazon Prime. The “dog house” episodes and Christmas special is on C4. The Weekenders (Reeves & Mortimer is on C4 as well. The gift podcast on DNA tests is on BBC Sounds.   Football on TV   Birmingham v Leicester City (Bham 2 – 3 LCFC)

  Sunday 17 December 2023 Weather Maybe clouding over with a spot of rain at midday but should be dry later.   I weighed in at 11:12, a loss of half a pound.   I left Westward Ho! at 08:45 and drove to Bideford Quay to collect flowers for Kay and her Mum at 09:00 from Blooms of Bideford. I drive to South Molton, parked up at Kay’s middle space and went to Kay’s Mum’s. In the afternoon we took Lucky for a walk at a really nice place.   https://www.strava.com/activities/10389731711   We had some food at Kay’s before going to Castle Hill Illuminated at the estate in Filleigh 18:30 (ish). It was nice. I took my big red coat and my inov-8 shoes. We had some food at Kay’s before going to Castle Hill Illuminated at the estate in Filleigh 18:30 (ish). It was nice. I took my big red coat and my inov-8 shoes. Kay stayed with me overnight in Westward Ho! (my car was in South Molton). So, we left Westward Ho! together and I then drove home from Kay's. Back in Wa...

  Saturday 16 December 2023 Weather Maybe clouding over with a spot of rain at midday but should be dry later.   I weighed in at 11:12, a loss of half a pound.   Next I left Westward Ho! at 08:45 and drove to Bideford Quay to collect flowers for Kay and her Mum at 09:00 from Blooms of Bideford. I drive to South Molton, parked up at Kay’s middle space and went to Kay’s Mum’s. In the afternoon we took Lucky for a walk at a really nice place.   https://www.strava.com/activities/10389731711   We had some food at Kay’s before going to Castle Hill Illuminated at the estate in Filleigh 18:30 (ish). It was nice. I took my big red coat and my inov-8 shoes. Kay stayed with me overnight in Westward Ho! (my car was in South Molton). So, we left Westward Ho! together and I then drove home from Kay's. The rest of the day was quiet. I watched Liverpool v Man Utd on SKY.   Next - Presents to be wrapped – Emmie Harry Potter book, Liqueur chocolates, Hoodie ...

  Friday 15 December 2023 Weather A chilly morning in Newport but not a bad day. Sunny Intervals and a gentle breeze in Westward Ho! I weighed in at 11:12, a loss of half a pound.   I drove to Westward Ho! I diverted into Bideford to order some flowers for Kay and for her Mum. I need to pick them up tomorrow morning at 09:00. This evening, I was a bit weary so I had an early meal at the Waterfront and had an early night. My body battery is at 5% it indicates a very stressful day.   Collect flowers at 09:00 from Blooms of Bideford. Drive to South Molton Park up and go to Kay’s Mums. Filleigh Illuminated tomorrow at 18:30 (ish).   Next - Presents to be wrapped – Emmie Harry Potter book, Liqueur chocolates, Hoodie   Next - Swim Wales / Medical Note - outstanding   The film “The Other Zoey” is on Amazon Prime. The “dog house” episodes and Christmas special is on C4. The gift is on BBC Sounds   Football on TV   Forest v Spurs ...

  Thursday 14 December 2023 Weather After early light rain, a nice day is forecast.   I weighed in at 11:12, a loss of half a pound.   I did Body Conditioning with Cara.   I received an outstanding Christmas order – a Hoodie for Paul.   I posted William’s cards & “T” shirt   I wrapped Kay’s outsider’s book   Next - Presents to be wrapped – Emmie Harry Potter book, Liqueur chocolates, Hoodie   Next - Swim Wales / Medical Note - outstanding   The film “The Other Zoey” is on Amazon Prime. The “dog house” episodes and Christmas special is on C4. The gift is on BBC Sounds   Football on TV   Nothing on my channels

  Wednesday 13 December 2023 Weather A nice day is forecast.   I weighed in at 11:12, a loss of half a pound.   I did Yoga with Chris.   I picked Emmie up from school   I have a Christmas order outstanding – a Hoodie for Paul which was a missed delivery attempt (by Evri)   Domestic Christmas cards have been written and posted. All except William & Zoe.   Next - Presents to be wrapped – Kay Book, Emmie Harry Potter book, Liqueur chocolates   Next - Swim Wales / Medical Note - outstanding   The film “The Other Zoey” is on Amazon Prime. The “dog house” episodes and Christmas special is on C4. The gift is on BBC Sounds   Football on TV   Championship 20:00 Boro v Hull City   Football Not on TV: LCFC 3 Millwall 2 🙂      

  Tuesday 12 December 2023 Weather Rain is forecast – perhaps easing off after dark!   I weighed in at 11:12, a loss of half a pound.   Supposed to do an easy run today but may stick with Body Conditioning. My back is still aching.   I did Body Conditioning at 09:30 with Bradley. It was good.   I have Christmas orders outstanding – a Hoodie for Paul and a Harry Potter book for Emmie.   Next – domestic Christmas cards to be written and posted Next - Presents to be wrapped – Kay Book & Bag – Liqueur chocolates Next - Swim Wales / Medical Note - outstanding   The film “The Other Zoey” is on Amazon Prime. The “dog house” episodes and Christmas special is on C4. The gift is on BBC Sounds   Football on TV   FA Cup Replay   19:45 Barnet v Newport (ITV4)   Championship   20:00 Sunderland v Leeds (SKY)  

Monday 11 December 2023 Weather A sunny day is forecast with a temperate around 9 – 10 degrees C. I weighed in at 11:12, a loss of half a pound. My back is still aching. I had Pilates in the morning followed by the school Christmas Concert. I met Zoe at Tabernacle Drive at 13:00. I got a delivery of Liqueur chocolates, presents for Paul and for Anne & Robert today. Next – domestic Christmas cards to be written. Next - Presents to be wrapped – Kay Book & Bag – Liqueur chocolates Next - Swim Wales / Medical Note - outstanding I am watching the film “The Other Zoey” on Amazon Prime. Football on TV There was a League one match on SKY. Pompey v Bolton – Pompey won!  

Sunday 10 December 2023 Weather Rain and very windy, with storm Fergus due to arrive late afternoon. I had a strides session to do. So, I went out mid-afternoon before storm Fergus arrived. It was still quite breezy. I ran down to Chepstow Road and did the strides there. My back is still aching after last week’s Pilates & Yoga. My Westward Ho! payment to the Waterfront via booking.com went out today (LOCC 178.00) I ordered some Liqueur chocolates, presents for Paul and for Anne & Robert. Next – domestic Christmas cards to be written. Next - Presents to be wrapped – Kay Book & Bag Next - Swim Wales / Medical Note - outstanding I am watching the film “The Other Zoey” on Amazon Prime. Football on TV There was some Premier league on TV. I watched a bit of Spurs v Newcastle. Tomorrow is the School (year 6) Christmas Concert  

Saturday 09 December 2023 Weather Heavy rain throughout the morning. Brighter in the afternoon. Sainsbury’s delivery set up for next Thursday at 17:30 – 18:30. I decided not to do parkrun because of the weather. I think I overdid the Pilates and Yoga last week because my back is aching. So, late afternoon I walked to the Greyhound and watched the first half of Villa v Arsenal on TV. I also had a chat to Ron & Marie. My Westward Ho! payment to the Waterfront via booking.com went out today (LOCC 178.00) I ordered some Liqueur chocolates, presents for Paul and for Anne & Robert. Next – domestic Christmas cards to be written. Next - Presents to be wrapped – Kay Book & Bag Next - Swim Wales / Medical Note - outstanding I am watching the film “The Other Zoey” on Amazon Prime. Football on TV 12 30 - Sunderland v WBA 17 30 - Villa v Arsenal Leicester played Plymouth and won 4 – 0 it was not on TV      

Friday 08 December 2023 Weather Rain through the day possibly easing off a little early evening (6 pm ish). Sainsbury’s delivery set up for next Thursday at 17:30 – 18:30. Today I had Pilates with Claire. I then stayed on for Yoga with Katie at 10:30. Katie was covering for Chris. ISF dividend was announced today. Westward Ho! payment to booking.com due tomorrow (LOCC 178.00) I posted the Canadian Christmas cards plus a tea towel for Catherine & Pierre. Swim Wales / Medical Note - outstanding Check training schedule (parkrun tomorrow?) I finished watching the film “Meet Cute” on Amazon Prime and started watching The Other Zoey. There is a championship match on SKY - Coventry v Birmingham – Cov were leading 1 – 0 at half time.    

  Thursday 07 December 2023 Weather Rain through the day easing off early evening (but after dark probably).   Sainsbury’s delivery set up for next Thursday at 17:30 – 18:30.   Today’s Yoga is cancelled. Chris’s daughter died of breast cancer. I decided not to go to free swimming. I am scheduled to do any easy run today.   Dell PC desktop memory (8 GB) received and installed   Canadian Christmas cards written.   Swim Wales / Medical Note - outstanding   Easy Run done   TBC - Continue to watch the film “Meet Cute” on Amazon Prime.   There were two Premier League matches on Amazon Prime   19:30     Everton v Newcastle 20:15      Spurs v West Ham   I watched some of each

  Wednesday 06 December 2023 Weather Rain getting more likely from late afternoon onwards.   I had an early morning delivery from Sainsbury’s (7am – 8am) it arrived at the end of that window   Mandy – MRI scan results?   Yoga – Chris’s daughter died of breast cancer. The yoga class was cancelled. I did Pilates instead with Katie (who was standing in for Michelle)   Emmie Pick up – Emmie went home with Freya because Paul was going to be late. My trip to pick her up was wasted but at least she was safe! I had a very brief chat with Suzanne Coles.   I had one pint in the Greyhound and, after arriving home, I walked up to the shop to get some treats. Wine, Guinness, Crunchie and Boost. I scanned in some old photos. Mostly, the T&C Annual Dinner from 1980 (or 1981). There was one of Me, Janis, Pete and Kay which I cropped and doctored with an AI browser based utility to unblur it. https://photoeditor.ai/   Possible PC memory delivery – sti...

  Tuesday 05 December 2023 Weather Maybe some light morning drizzle, forecast to clear later.   I slept reasonably well last night (7 hours 50 minutes) but my body battery was still low in the morning (52%).          ·          I went to Jim Oliver’s; I bought some provisions and ordered the Christmas Rib joint. ·          I did some strides in the park ·          I reviewed Sainsbury’s order and changed the delivery date & time (tomorrow 7am – 8am) ·          I started to rewatch the film “Meet Cute” on Amazon Prime.

  Monday 04 December 2023 Weather A very wet day in Newport.   I didn’t sleep particularly well last night. In the morning I did Pilates with Claire, I was feeling a bit “creaky” after two weeks away. I had a massage with Daniela at 1pm. She found some tight spots, particularly on the left side of my left leg, but not my IT Band. I had a snooze in the afternoon.

  Sunday 03 December 2023 Weather Cold and drizzly in Newport.   This evening I did my second run for a while. I did the Greyhound Farmwood Close loop again!  

  Saturday 02 December 2023 Weather Cold and foggy in Newport.   I haven’t got that much washing to do as I wore a minimum number of clothes items. Consequently, there were quite a few items that were surplus to trip requirements. I also didn’t need my multiple UK electrical adapter. I withdrew from this weekend’s swimming event. Due to health concerns. I have ordered a new passport holder. I shall hand over to the next trip (Torun 2024), and if I think of anything else then I will add it later. This evening I did my first run for a while. I did the Greyhound Farmwood Close loop. https://www.strava.com/activities/10317632875    

Friday 01 December 2023 Weather Barcelona – It was 16°C in the morning with some cloud. It felt much colder when I got to Bristol. A temperature of 1C was forecast.   I woke up early and pottered about before having a lie down and another snooze until about 6am. I planned to allow 90 minutes to check out and get to the airport. I actually checked out a bit earlier than anticipated shortly after 7am.   I walked to Marina Subway L1 (Direction Hospital de Bellvitge) journey for 17 min (12 stops) to Torrassa. At Torrassa change to Subway L9S Direction Aeroport T1, journey for 22 min (11 stops) to Barcelona, Aeroport Barcelona T2. I arrived at the airport at around 8:20.   It took maybe 15 minutes to walk from the T2 metro station to terminal T2C. It was quite a long walk (maybe 1000 metres). The was a fair wait to check in my bag. Then there was a bit of chaos at security. Finally, there was a queue for the passport control to enter the non-EU destination departure ...