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)