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Went to see some puppies last night, put deposit on a beautiful little 4wk old collie lab cross to be picked up in April. Awesome little dude and can't wait
It was sunny when I went to work this morning and after coming back from great Enduro weeek in Spain I’ve signed up to some of the Welsh Enduro Series, forgot how much I love downhilling after you know what. Old and slow races again!
The big lights are off the commuting bike! It’s light by 06:30 and still light at 18:30 (on a clear day) which means I can commute in DAYLIGHT!
Always a huge psychological boost when I was commuting.
@frankconway will pm you the details later.
We’ve just taken our one week old, first grandchild out in the pushchair for a walk in the sunshine. Aaah!
i have booked an actually biking holiday to the Alps, with friends, for the first time in 7 years!
Last week of June and off to Chatel - and the numbers of particiapnts are increasing - it will also be my birthday when out there... woop woop..
McVities have righted their wrong; 12 Jaffa Cakes in a pack again
We’ve just taken our one week old, first grandchild out in the pushchair for a walk in the sunshine. Aaah!
McVities have righted their wrong; 12 Jaffa Cakes in a pack again
Don't make me choose!
You see, I don’t like Jaffa cakes, however, as that’s quite negative I’ll say each to their own and you enjoy them, all 12!
I've managed to bring in a couple of doozy projects at work, and in doing so halve our predicted end of year deficit at work... 😎
The husband of the lady who commissioned me for a £1,000 painting turned up to collect it and was absolutely delighted. Babbling on his phone to his wife how lovely the painting was and how wrong he was to ever doubt her judgement when she first asked me to do it.
This was after he had driven all the way down from Leicestershire to collect it.
Not surprised he was happy, that picture looks great
I got an unexpected annual bonus - I can buy some pickled onion monster munch now
😎
I've got the week off. Spent Monday and Tuesday on chores, went for a ride today in the sunshine. Lots of bulbs out and had a large deer cross in front of me.
Up at me Dad’s this morning with my sister waiting for a telephone call from a consultant. Knock on the door and the lady from across the road with a stew and three pieces of cake, she’s well into her eighties and not very well. Wonderfull!
While out riding today a skylark took off close by and started singing. Kept going upwards until it was just a dot in the very blue sky, still singing loudly. Vaughan Williams would have been proud. Then a passing woodpigeon took a detour to fly straight at the skylark, causing it to stop singing. Quick recovery and it cracked on with its song. Uplifting it was. 😁
Now the big picture is out of the way I have managed to compete another one. I didn't like the fact the horizon was exactly half way up the painting so added some foreground which corrected the proportions of the composition. Much happier with it now.
Was sent out for a ride by MrsMC and saw a barn owl
Finally had the news we've been waiting for, our new house is legally binding to complete on Friday. And on the 5pm women only tour de watopia ride I managed a 3rd outta 200 after an accidentally unheard of two days off in a row.
Go go GC!
I lost a free lesson today to supervise a Yr11 class who I've not worked with for a couple of years. We worked on 'Skeletons' and it was a blast.
Had an encounter with a dog walker yesterday while i was out re routing a trail and clearing fallen trees.
Really thought it was going to go the way these things often do.
Instead he thanked me for clearing the trees on the fireroad and said he thought it was great that folks were now riding in the woods.
The trails there are less than a year old so still fairly undiscovered for how close they are to a huge riding area.
After seeing our government’s approach to helping people fleeing from war I am very down. However, supposed to be a positive thread.
I worked in the garden in the sunshine, my neighbour’s, daughter’s dog had made a hole in the hedge and my terriers had a face to face meeting after months of barking at an unseen presence. A quick “hello” and it was ball time, I could relax. The dog (a black Labrador) then spent a good white whining at me as I worked. A quick tickle every now and then on her nose through the fence sent her into raptures. Simple pleasures- the best sort?
*edit, while, not white!
I spent the day sorting through paperwork relating to an environmental campaign I’d been involved with. This was after a chance meeting whilst dog walking. I had forgotten how long a campaign it had been and how much work we’d done. Hopefully the large amount of information should help the young woman with her dissertation and keep the flame of care for the environment and fellow humans going.
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Be more Geoff! He's always happy
My bike ride yesterday I saw a kestrel and 3 buzzards. I also appear to be fitter than I was and just all round had a really good day
MY mood has lifted hugely this week - not really sure why but it hellova welcome
Rode over the tops around hebden on Thursday, lambs, curlews, peewits, golden plover, and frog spawn in puddles! Spring is well underway 😙
News is generally awful, work is not going the way I want it to, I'm back to being under a cloud and doom-scrolling on my phone every 10 minutes...
But...
Mowed the lawn for the first time this year on Monday, Allium bulbs are starting to come up, got a close view of a (march) Hare on Tuesdays' gravel bike ride, finally got round to fixing the full susser's gears on Thursday and the test ride involved some fast dry-ish forest singletrack at dusk, made an awesome Arozz con Pollo last night...
Oh, and the days are getting longer, the sun is shining and there are blue skies today 🙂
We found some smoked salmon in the freezer (Xmas leftovers)
Posh lunch today!!
😎👍
We're skiing for the first time in 2 years and 2 months. At the age of 62 I'm chuffed to be still doing this and it's taken my mind off being a bit poorly and thinking of some scumbag man far away.
Being up a mountain in very fresh air really helps with getting to sleep (which has evaded me for 2 years).
Met my daughter in Ashover today - we don’t get to see her much as she’s a detective Inspector and hostage negotiator so very busy (sorry, but I’m very proud). Had a good up and down walk in the sunshine, wild garlic beginning to show and the birds singing. Dogs got on well together, finished with an excellent pint of Titanic Iceberg in the Poets. Perfect!
I had norovirus or something on Wednesday on my daughter's birthday, but today I'm feeling much better and can eat normally again!
I had a lovely cup of tea and a slice of cake this afternoon and it was delicious!
Today I discovered that Cut Gate is in fact excellent South to North.
thegeneralist - have you never done it as an out and back?
@wheelsonfire1 you're so right to be proud!
Feeling a bit down having somehow ruined my lower back last Wednesday and not left the house since, so very much appreciating the positive messages on here 😁.
Had some friends over for dinner last night. Cheered me up no end and reminded me how much friends and social contact matter.
thegeneralist – have you never done it as an out and back?
Not for about 20 years I think! It was great at that point, but when I went back about 10 years ago one evening after work it just didn't click and I ended up turning back on the grassy section just above the switchbacks at the North end of ladybower.
I was very much of the opinion that a good mountain bike ride involves only riding, and that if you're walking then that's a fail. Didn't see the point of slogging up it.
I think north to south is almost MTB perfection. Every bit of it is rideable, but linking it together is still a huge challenge.
South to North is compromised and so I generally just did circular routes with a North to south leg.
Actually, scratch that, I took the family on a there and back about 4 years ago, which was fun.
But not a patch on whizzing down the last bit to Langsett with @continuity just before sunset on a wave of adrenaline. That was amazing.
I agree, there seems to be miles of fast flowy downhill until the bridge at the bottom, a lovely stretch 🙂
Good walk/pub crawl today with my mate and his big black dog and my two terriers. Rowsley to the Flying Childers at Stanton, a few pints then the Red Lion at Birchover (Brew pub), a few pints then The Plough at Two Dales, a few pints, now home for curry!! What a lovely day. Got to bath one of my dogs though as she’s a dirt magnet / I treat it as a bonding experience..
Only me posting? I’ll start a personal diary if this carries on, I thought it might cheer people up if we all joined in - I’ve never been accused of being inspirational!
I realised today that I’m not strong enough to be lifting 1m concrete kerbs around the garden for various projects anymore and I’m giving them away to my mate who’s five years younger - it will mean me transporting them in the van, but, he’ll be pleased and I’ll cut my risk of injuries!
Saw the northern lights for the 1st time everlast night...
From my garden!
I brought in another good project at work today. More kids outdoors. 😎
I had 2 pointless Zoom meetings cancelled today
😎
There's a Pace RC627, Midnight Smurf, that's been paid for and on it's way to me, should be there when I walk in the door after my time away at sea.
Well after 3 days of heavy work my positivity is we've moved in! Also I'm only one part short of new bike day so it'll be maiden voyage this weekend all being well! And my best mate is coming over to see the house and help with some decorating jobs!
Excellent, we’re all getting the hang of this now!
The ride home tonight was just lush - birds singing, daffodils coming out to play, daylight and a smell of spring.... 👌
I heard a Chiff-Chaff up the garden, a sign that Spring is on the way. Also.. had left over jam roly-poly with custard for breakfast!!
Totally digging birds a lot more these days - don't know what most of them are, but just hearing them sing lifts my spirit.
How can left-over jam roly-poly even happen? 🤔
Ah yes bird watching is such a good hobby. Learning the songs too.
Been skiing on orange snow today (sand blown in from the Sahara), t'was weird.
I’ve never heard of orange snow, yellow, but not orange! Sunrise and sunset must be amazing! Every day a school day, have a good time.
Cracking afternoon ride, nice and mild. Also had a nice stroll about with the OH over lunch exploring some more of our immediate area!
Twas indeed a cracking ride home from work today - went cross country no lights needed and dry trails - mincing on the gravel bike all the way home......briefly very breifly felt sorry for those driving.
I had a day off from digging footings and trying to work out levels. Went into the summerhouse, started reading and then the rain started hammering on the roof. It felt so relaxing it cleared my mind and I nodded off until teatime!
Just under the wire for today - Kevin Bridges in Chezvegas, brilliant, lots of laughs, which is good as he’s a comedian!
I have worked in IT for over 25 years and I have worked for a few ar$eholes in my time and in some very toxic environments.
I started doing two days a week for a big charity and the people I work with are great and the clients are always so pleased to see me and very grateful for my work/effort.
Its made a huge difference to my overall mood and wellbeing. Less money but more happiness.
Son#2 and partner have a new dog,this is his first puppy.
Spoke to him last night and he sounds like a tired new parent,this made me 😊
Sorry no photos,but she's a bit like this with short curly hair.
Son#1 is playing so much Country and Western music around the house that I feel all those years of making him listen to Punk and Indie tunes may have been wasted. On the plus side I now find myself thinking more and more about getting a dog and a pickup truck with a gun rack 🤣🤣🙃
Cute pup!
It's sunny, it's Friday and we're visiting the in-laws this weekend for the first time in 2 years
Forecast is looking good. Our bikes are off to the caravan for summer (spare bikes).
Bought all the Techies Steak Bridies on rolls and lots of cake.
They were in an excellent Friday mood so the banter was top class 👍🤣
I’m sat in the garden wearing shorts and a T-shirt whilst reading my Uni work. Bumble bees are busy in the flowers around me, cats purring happily. Beers chilling in the fridge.
I will spend this afternoon checking over the "summer" road bike ahead of its first ride of the year tomorrow.
I will spend this afternoon checking over the “summer” road bike ahead of its first ride of the year tomorrow.
Mine is still in the attic,but it is a great and wonderful feeling,to know that (at the end of the month) all I have to do is pump up the tyres and it's ready to go. Thanks for reminding me 🙂
Spent the morning moving old hardwood railway sleepers and mahoosive kerbstones in the sunshine with my (only) mate. Talked nonsense and laughed at nonsense and felt better. An escape from a rubbish world. One positive thing a day can get you through.
A bit of dark humour- had to pick my Dad off the kitchen floor this morning, all good. Then went to see him again at 12.30. He needed the toilet so I helped him to the stairlift got him sorted and he agreed to shout when ready to come down. Bit later, heard a big bang and he’d fallen and ended up with his back to the door. After a bit of thinking and dredging stuff from my former job I managed to cut through the door in a way the falls team from Chesterfield Borough Council could get access (I’m capable but the restricted access needed two people). He had a cup of tea and a biscuit whilst we waited eventually we got him downstairs.
The positive bit - he enjoyed me using the hoover to get the sawdust off his clothes and particularly, out of his hair, had quite a giggle!
And that’s why your chain should always be sharp :0)
@Houns I did consider my chainsaw, big angle grinder, little angle grinder, dremel small saw thingy but went for my over 20 year old Wickes reciprocating saw. Used it in a plunge mode, long blade and short blade - after a preliminary hole so I could check what was happening inside, 1950’s panel doors aren’t that different from current doors, flimsy but complicated when someone is leaning against it! Luckily had an assistant- my wife.
I was just going to post my positive experience of the day - I’ve not had to lift my Dad off the floor today - when I got the phone call. Back now.
Positive experience of the day, donated a kneeling aid thing for gardening to a neighbour of my Dad. She was reet chuffed!
Just been for a short walk in the mountains and forests of the Tarentaise Valley. Saw and heard many birds. Lots of droppings from various creatures and foot prints in the snow.
Very uplifting.
@Bunnyhop that sounds nice, I’ve no idea where that is though. I’ve got nothing positive today, hopefully tomorrow.
Nor me directly, but just seen a homeless guy sat outside the entrance to a large supermarket.
A couple of Police officers were checking he was OK and when he'd last spoken to one of the support charities, a lady came out the supermarket and gave him a drink and a sandwich, and another guy stopped to ask if the Police were hassling him and trying to move him on. Everyone had a friendly chat and a laugh and parted on good terms.
I got into open water swimming last year. Yeah I know, so did pretty much half the country, and yes, I did buy one of those robe things too before you ask.
Anyway, it doesn't do much for my physical health as I doubt I swim more than a couple of hundred yards, but for delivering a mental boost I've never known anything like it. Swam yesterday at the Pittenweem tidal pool and came out buzzing. It's very much my new "thing".
I also checked if it was "swam" or "swum" as I got quite into pedantry as a new hobby during lockdown.
THREE MONTHS AFTER PROPER BREAKING MY WRIST I TOOK THE BIKE TO ASPLEY HEATH AND HAD A ROLL AROUND AND IT WERE MINT!
Nice, I remember the first ride after a big bang a long time ago. It was great!
Me and the dog got to the top of the mountain after work.
Ahh, the joy of dogs! In the short periods I’ve been at home today in between Dad care they’ve welcomed me back every time with waggy tails, just happy to be in my company or to be able to see me.
A beautiful Brimstone butterfly fluttered across the garden today…
A beautiful Brimstone butterfly fluttered across the garden today
Saw a few of those while I was out riding yesterday, had to Google to identify what they were.
Someone has placed a bench in the woods on a route I've not ridden in a while, which was very handy as it was right around lunchtime when I arrived there today. Beats sitting on the ground these days for mid ride snackage.
I also saw a skylark doing it's crazy high up singing thing on the same ride. I'm quite impressed I was able to identify it!
A pair of robins have nested in an empty plant pot in our back garden. It's great to watch them come and go (although there's less of that at the moment, I guess they're sitting on the eggs).