Daily Blog - 2024

  Thursday 30 May 2024 (Dry Day: 151, Days Left: 215 Pre-Gothenburg Blog Weather Weather was warmer today. Today’s Plan Thu: A quiet day, I am still recovering. I can complete the contract documentation on Locke Gardens (for Tracey at Newbold Solicitors). I could arrange a visit to Locke Gardens to sign and amended reservation agreement (new post code). What I did yesterday/today Thu: A quiet day, I am still recovering. I entered WMACS (6K cross country) and I continued with my Gothenburg documentation. There are new instructions for the Land Registry Issues which could delay my sale. What’s Next Fri: ASDA shop. Gibbs Road Sale issues. Gothenburg docs. Sign & return docs for Tracey at Newbold Solicitors.   June 03 (Monday)            Pilates (for a change) (09:15) June 04 (Tuesday)            Circuits plus a riverside training session June 0...

  Wednesday 29 May 2024 (Dry Day: 150, Days Left: 216 Pre-Gothenburg Blog Weather Weather was warmer today. Today’s Plan Wed: Mandy will be here; I will try to recover. Continue to refine my GOT documentation. What I did yesterday/today Mandy came. I was feeling a little bit better in the morning and a lot better in the evening. I worked on my Gothenburg documentation. Mandy signed my purchase contract as a witness. I have washed all my bedding. I am hoping to go to bed early if it is dry. What’s Next Thu: A quiet day, I am still recovering. I can complete the contract documentation on Locke Gardens (for Tracey at Newbold Solicitors). I could arrange a visit to Locke Gardens to sign and amended reservation agreement (new post code).   May 30 (Thursday)           Body Conditioning plus a riverside training session May 31 (Friday)            ...

  Tuesday 28 May 2024 (Dry Day: 149, Days Left: 217 Gothenburg Blog - In parallel with normal daily blog Weather Weather was warmer today. Today’s Plan Tue: Bannatyne’s class and riverside training session. Daniela massage. Continue to refine my GOT documentation. I have started watching Rebus on iPlayer (new series); I’ve finished The Imposter on Channel 4. What I did yesterday/today I went to bed at 10pm on Monday evening. I woke up at 2am with stomach/abdominal cramps. I knew that I was not going back to sleep so I got up and made a cup of tea. Half way through my tea I knew that I wanted to visit the loo. It became apparent that there was a large stool that wanted to get out. Eventually it did and that was followed by several bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting which lasted for several hours through the night. I dozed and drank fluids uncomfortably until about 8am. I may have then dozed a bit more, when I woke just before 10am I had a dull ache in my stomach/abd...

  Monday 27 May 2024 (Dry Day: 148, Days Left: 218 Gothenburg Blog - In parallel with normal daily blog Weather Weather was warmer today. Today’s Plan Mon: Bannatyne’s class. Update my GOT documentation with details of rail travel, STN hotel and flights bookings. What I did yesterday/today Mon: I did my Bannatyne’s class. It was a class with Bradley at a station in a similar format to Ed’s recent classes. That is, a pair of exercises, one weight based and one cardio based repeated 3 to 4 times. Then a recovery than three more pairs of exercises each repeated 3 – 4 times. I had a snooze when I came home. I left a message with Lovell’s marketing and sales team aboyt the post code issue. I messaged John Watkins and Daniela about my Hiatus Hernia. I did work on my Gothenburg documentation. It is looking quite neat. I am almost ready to put a draft nutshell together. What’s Next Tue: Bannatyne’s class and riverside training session. Daniela massage. Continue to r...

Sunday 26 May 2024 (Dry Day: 147, Days Left: 219 Gothenburg Blog - In parallel with normal daily blog Weather Weather was warmer today. Today’s Plan Sun: Possible LSR. Watch Leeds v Southampton. Pack some more stuff. What I did yesterday/today Sun: I did an 8 miles LSR. I watched Leeds v Southampton. I did more Gothenburg research. I have settled on traveling via Stansted and a one-night stay at the Premier Inn on the way out. I have booked a super saver return train ticket with GWR. I need to collect paper tickets from Newport Railway Station with my 4445 NATCC. I have booked a room at the Premier Inn at Stansted Airport. I have booked my flights with Ryanair. I booked a super saver return fare so that I am covered in case of a return flight delay. What’s Next Mon: Bannatyne’s class. Update my GOT documentation.   I have started watching Rebus on iPlayer (new series) and I’ve almost finished The Imposter on Channel 4.   May 27 (Monday)  ...

  Saturday 25 May 2024 (Dry Day: 146, Days Left: 220 Gothenburg blog - In parallel with normal daily blog Weather Weather not so good in the UK. Feels really chilly and there is the possibility of rain. Today’s Plan Sat: Possible parkrun. Check Gothenburg train prices and hotel booking. What I did yesterday/today Sat: I did the parkrun. I had a voucher for booking.com rewards so I cancelled my Gothenburg hotel and rebooked entering the promo code. I watched the Cup Final. A reminder that for Gothenburg. I have decided to fly to and from Stansted with Ryanair and stay at the Hampton by Hilton hotel. I need to book advance single train tickets. I put a couple of boxes together and packed some stuff in the lilac room. I found the missing Sharpie pen, I’m back to two! What’s Next Sun: Possible LSR. Watch Leeds v Southampton. Pack some more stuff.   I have started watching Rebus on iPlayer (new series) and the Imposter on Channel 4.   May 28 (...

  Friday 24 May 2024 (Dry Day: 145, Days Left: 221 Switch back to normal daily blog Weather Weather not so good in the UK. Feels really chilly and there is the possibility of rain. Today’s Plan Fri: Endoscopy then see what I am able to do. Shopping perhaps. What I did yesterday/today Fri: I had pre-booked a Veezu taxi to take me to the RGH. It arrived and I went. I had my endoscopy. It was quite uncomfortable. I had a throat spray (local anaesthetic). I had recovered by 11:00. I walked to Pierre’s for breakfast but their “traditional” breakfast hasn’t got bacon, so, I jumped on a 26C bus up to Beechwood Park and called in at the corner shop to buy bacon and eggs. I saw Steve and Wendy in the park. Fully sated (if that’s an actual word) after my bacon and eggs, I had a lie down. I went out and did two food shops, Jim Oliver and ASDA. I had fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries with cream for tea and then pottered about until bed time. I did some planning ...

  Thursday 23 May 2024 (Dry Day: 144, Days Left: 222 The Porto Santo trip – Unpacking washing review Weather Weather not so good in the UK. Feels really chilly and there is the possibility of rain. Today’s Plan Thu: Unpacking, washing, filing reviewing. Shopping (ASDA & Jim Oliver). Order boxes for moving house. Prepare for Endoscopy. What I did yesterday/today Thu: Unpacking, washing, filing reviewing. Ordered smaller boxes for moving house. Preparation for Endoscopy. Called Olivia at Medway Law re Land Registry issues. Noted that the postcode for Leading Reen Way has changed. What’s Next Fri: Endoscopy plus switch to normal daily blog.   May 24 (Friday)                Endoscopy at the RGH (09:15) May 25 (Saturday)            Mandy is doing the house today. May 28 (Tuesday)        ...

  Wednesday 22 May 2024 (Dry Day: 143, Days Left: 223 The Porto Santo trip – Travel Home Weather Partly cloudy, some sunny spells. Quite warm. Maybe 20 C. Weather not so good in the UK. Chillier and possibly some rain. Today’s Plan Wed: Travel home. What I did yesterday/today Scott suggested that we walk to the airport. It was a mile away and although Google said the route was mostly flat, it was actually mostly uphill, it was a gentle(ish) climb so not too bad. The walk took us less than 25 minutes. The flight left PXO early and took 15 minutes. The wait at Funchal was fine, the easyJet flight was good. I slept for a bit. I parted company with Trudy and Scott at LGW North Terminal. I took the shuttle to the South Terminal and then I got the train home (via Reading). The train journey was a bit tedious this time, more so than the outbound journey last week. The change at Reading was quick enough though, it was a bit chilly on the platform after the warmer weather ...

  Tuesday 21 May 2024 (Dry Day: 142, Days Left: 224 The Porto Santo trip – Test the taxi app and pack cases Day Weather Partly cloudy, some sunny spells. Quite warm. Maybe 20 C Today’s Plan Mon: Possible test the taxi app and definitely pack. Pay Mandy. What I did yesterday/today I tested the taxi app, it wasn’t great. It could not locate the apartment. It might be possible to book from the O Forno restaurant but maybe just as easy to walk along to the taxi rank in the town square. I did a set of 3 * 3 * 200 (30s, 5m) on the coast road and then walked back along the beach. I did some sunbathing. I got sunburned and had fluid build-up on my forehead/nose. What’s Next Wed: Travel home

  Monday 20 May 2024 (Dry Day: 141, Days Left: 225 The Porto Santo trip – Island Bus Tour Day Weather Partly cloudy, some sunny spells. Quite warm. Maybe 20 C Today’s Plan Mon: Possible bus tour of the island What I did yesterday/today We strolled to the supermarket, had a look at the pier and bought bus tickets for the tour bus. I had an ice cream. In the afternoon we did the bus tour, which was OK to good. At the end of the afternoon, I had a quick dip in the sea. I went to bed early. I have got a burnt head. I installed a taxi app. We might be able to use that to book a taxi. What’s Next Tue: Possible who knows? Maybe test the taxi app! Also, packing for tomorrow’s journey home. May 22 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie away May 24 (Friday)                 Endoscopy at the RGH (09:15) May 28 (Tuesday)       ...

  Sunday 19 May 2024 (Dry Day: 140, Days Left: 226) The Porto Santo trip – EMACNS Half Marathon Weather Partly cloudy, some sunny spells. Quite warm. Maybe 20 C Today’s Plan Watch the EMACNS Half Marathon What I did yesterday/today I watched the half marathon. At lunchtime Trudy Scott and I walked to Calheta at the end of the island. We had soft drinks and rolls (traditional Madeiran bread) and then walked back. What’s Next Mon: Possible bus tour of the island May 22 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements May 24 (Friday)                 Endoscopy at the RGH (09:15) May 28 (Tuesday)             Provisional Daniela (15:00) May 29 (Wednesday)      Dentist (09:15) May 29 (Wednesday       Amazon Cardboard Box delivery. May 29 (Wednes...

  Saturday 18 May 2024 (Dry Day: 139, Days Left: 227) The Porto Santo trip – EMACNS 3 * 2K X-C Weather Partly cloudy, some sunny spells. Quite warm. Maybe 20 C  Today’s Plan Watch the EMACNS 3 * 2K X-C Relay What I did yesterday/today I jog /walked 5K from the Airbnb to the EMACNS 3 * 2K X-C Relay course. I watched the events which were very good. I jog/walked the 2K course. I did an interval session on the way back to town. I did 3 * 700 + 3 * 300 (5m, 3m). I went to the supermarket, I diverted to the beach to have a paddle on the way there. I am now minded to go to Gothenburg to do the Cross country and the Gothenburg parkrun. What’s Next Sun: EMACNS – Half Marathon May 22 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements May 24 (Friday)                 Endoscopy at the RGH (09:15) May 28 (Tuesday)       ...

  Friday 17 May 2024 (Dry Day: 138, Days Left: 228) The Porto Santo trip – EMACNS 10K Weather It was another mixed day, some sun, but mostly cloud early, rain showers later. Today’s Plan Watch the EMACNS 10K What I did yesterday/today I watched the EMACNS 10K. I saw plenty of chums. The weather was poor later and there were quite a few rain showers. I managed to get some “rays” for about 55 minutes at lunchtime before the showers started. The rest of the day was quite lazy. After a blip in Funchal where I could see cold beers on a warm evening, I have not missed the booze. I was a bit tired today until I had a shower late afternoon which woke me up a bit. What’s Next Sat: EMACNS 3 * 2K X-C Relay   May 22 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements May 24 (Friday)                 Endoscopy at the RGH (09:15) May 28 (Tuesday)  ...

Thursday 16 May 2024 (Dry Day: 137, Days Left: 229) The Porto Santo trip – Funchal to Porto Santo Weather It was a mixed day, some sun and some rain. Today’s Plan Travel from Funchal to Porto Santo What I did yesterday/today We got a taxi to the ferry port. We got the ferry crossing. We were separated from our large bags until we reached the other end. The crossing was a little bumpy once we reached open water away from the island of Madeira. At Porto Santo we reclaimed out bags and got a bus into the town centre. We went to the supermarket and bought provisions. I did a 3K “run”. It was very tough. What’s Next Fri: EMACNS 10K   May 22 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements May 24 (Friday)                 Endoscopy at the RGH (09:15) May 28 (Tuesday)             Provisional Da...

  Wednesday 15 May 2024 (Dry Day: 136, Days Left: 230) The Porto Santo trip – Gatwick to Funchal Weather It was a grey day Today’s Plan Travel from Gatwick to Funchal What I did yesterday/today Met Scott at the terminal shuttle. Had a “Free” breakfast at the Premier Inn Gatwick North Terminal. Got the plane to Funchal airport. Got the aerobus to Mercado and walked to the hotel. We had a triple room in Residencial Greco. It was very basic. We had a short wander in Funchal and had an evening meal at the Dos Amigos. What’s Next Thu: Ferry to Porto Santo   May 22 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements May 24 (Friday)                 Endoscopy at the RGH (09:15) May 28 (Tuesday)             Provisional Daniela (15:00) May 29 (Wednesday)      Dentist (09:15)...