Daily Blog - 2024

  Tuesday 14 May 2024 (Dry Day: 135, Days Left: 231) The Porto Santo trip – Travel to Gatwick Weather It was a grey day Today’s Plan Aim to get to the Wok Inn at 09:30 Catch a bus into town at 09:37(number 6), 09:39 (number 73) or 09:44 (number 8C). Walk to the station and catch the 10:33 Paddington train to Reading (arrive at 11:45) Change at Reading for Gatwick airport (11:54 to 13:25). NB. I have an off-peak return ticket – I could travel an hour later (or more) Transfer from South terminal to North terminal. Check in to the hotel (from 15:00). Meet Trudy off the plane. Glasgow to London Gatwick - Flight Number EZY864 Departure           18:05 Tue 14th May Arrival                    19:40 Have some food What I did yesterday/today I changed my travel plan slightly, in particular I set out to get a later trai...

  Monday 13 May 2024 - The Porto Santo trip final preparations Weather Wet weather Today’s Plan Summary Mon: Body Conditioning at 09:15, then pack for Porto Santo trip (I leave for Gatwick tomorrow on the 10:33 train). Get a short list of my chums who are running in PXO. What I did today Body Conditioning at 09:15 with Ed & Bradley. I corresponded with Newbold Solicitors; I had a quick phone call with Laura Hurd. I e-mailed Laura & Kathryn at Lovell’s, Locke Gardens Sales & Marketing suite. I started packing for tomorrow’s Porto Santo trip (I leave for Gatwick tomorrow on the 10:33 train). I got a short list of my chums who are running in PXO plus an events timetable.   I avoided alcohol (day 134). What’s Next Tue: Catch the 10:33 train to Reading, change at Reading for Gatwick airport.   May 15 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements May 22 (Wednesday)      Me away – che...

  Sunday 12 May 2024 Weather Dry and sunny morning, Thunderstorms in the afternoon.   Today’s Plan Summary Sun: LSR 6 miles.   What I did today LSR 6 miles, and some planning for Gainesville (March 2025) including booking my accommodation. I did a training review. I took some curtains down. I watched some football on TV. The Championship play-offs were very dull, Arsenal won 1 - 0 at Old Trafford. I completed my Porto Santo nutshell doc and printed off some bag labels. I consolidated my knowledge of how to get to the Airbnb.   I avoided alcohol (day 132).   What’s Next Mon: Body Conditioning at 09:15, then pack for Porto Santo trip (I leave for Gatwick tomorrow on the 10:33 train).   May 14 (Tuesday)            Porto Santo Trip May 15 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements May 22 (Wednesday)      Me away – check...

  Saturday 11 May 2024 Weather Dry and sunny.   Today’s Plan Summary Parkrun, tip trip. Football on TV.   What I did today I did a parkrun in just over 30 minutes, the tip trip with Zoe and watched some football on TV. I also did some early planning for Gainesville. Checked flights, accommodation and event schedules and locations.   I avoided alcohol (day 132).   What’s Next Sun: LSR 6 miles   May 14 (Tuesday)            Porto Santo Trip May 15 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements 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 (We...

Friday 10 May 2024 Weather Dry day, sunny intervals. Today’s Plan Summary Circuits – maybe a swim What I did today I did circuits with the young lad whose name I do not know. I tidied the garage and got some stuff ready for tip trip. I avoided alcohol (day 131). What’s Next Sat: parkrun May 14 (Tuesday)            Porto Santo Trip May 15 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements 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 2...

  Thursday 09 May 2024 Weather Dry day, sunny intervals.   Today’s Plan Summary Thu: Body Conditioning with Cara. A training run and an ASDA shop (my first using their iPhone apps). Maybe try and speak to Laura Hurd at I am sold and to Kathryn at Lovells.   What I did today Body Conditioning with Cara, then a training run and then an ASDA shop (my first using their iPhone apps).   I avoided alcohol (day 130).   What’s Next Fri: Circuits – maybe a swim   May 14 (Tuesday)            Porto Santo Trip May 15 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements May 22 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements May 24 (Friday)                 Endoscopy at the RGH (09:15) May 28 (Tuesday)        ...

Wednesday 08 May 2024 Weather Dry day, sunny intervals. Today’s Plan Summary Wed: Mandy & Emmie and cardboard box delivery. Book a haircut and speak to Laura Hurd at Kathryn at Lovells. What I did today Mandy came. I had a quiet morning. I needed a rest. I got a delivery of large cardboard boxes for packing. I emptied three “Curver” plastic crates to hole my Vinyl albums. I booked a haircut and I had it done. I booked an endoscopy for the Friday when I get back from Portugal. I got no answer from Laura Hurd at I am sold or from Kathryn at Lovells. I avoided alcohol (day 129). What’s Next Thu: Body Conditioning with Cara. A training run and an ASDA shop (my first using their iPhone apps). Maybe try and speak to speak to Laura Hurd at I am sold and to Kathryn at Lovells. May 14 (Tuesday)            Porto Santo Trip May 15 (Wednesday)      Me away – check Mandy & Emmie arrangements ...

  Tuesday 07 May 2024 Weather Dry day, sunny intervals.   Today’s Plan Summary Circuits at 09:15 – then a run. Daniela later. Maybe an amazon delivery to collect at the P.O. Buy more cardboard packing boxes. Book for Allie Bailey.   What I did today I did circuits with Aaliyah. I went for a run afterwards. I’ve had a couple of tough days of training. I had a massage with Daniela. I really needed it. Everything, hips, glutes and legs were extremely tight. I cancelled the Amazon order for vinyl boxes as the delivery was put back to May 18. I shall try cardboard boxes and see if they are strong enough to hold my vinyl collection. I booked my ticket for the Allie Bailey tour at the Redgrave Theatre in Bristol (neat Clifton College).   I avoided alcohol (day 128).   What’s Next Wed: Mandy & Emmie and cardboard box delivery. Book a haircut and speak to Laura Hurd at Kathryn at Lovells.   May 08 (Wednesday      ...

  Monday 06 May 2024 Weather Bright early on, light rain in the afternoon.   Today’s Plan Summary Bannatyne’s for Body Conditioning. Then a run. Maybe some more packing. Football on TV later. There are some playoffs on Sky then Palace v Man Utd at 20:00.   What I did today Bannatyne’s for a Body Conditioning with Ed. Then a run. Some packing panning. Football on TV later. Palace v Man Utd at 20:00.   I avoided alcohol (day 128).   What’s Next Circuits at 09:15 – then a run. Daniela later. Maybe an amazon delivery to collect at the P.O.   May 07 (Tuesday)            Daniela (15:00) May 07 (Tuesday)             (Delayed) Amazon Vinyl Boxes pick up (at P.O.) May 08 (Wednesday)      Emmie May 14 (Tuesday)             Porto Santo Trip May 29 (Wedn...

  Sunday 05 May 2024 Weather Bright early on, rain from late morning onwards.   Today’s Plan Summary Bruce Springsteen concert. First, I might go for a run? Maybe a lockdown lap. parkrun. I ought to start some more packing. Maybe some stuff from the kitchen that I will not be using.   What I did today First, I might go for a run? Maybe a lockdown lap. parkrun. I did some packing. Some stuff from the kitchen that I will not be using until after the move. I went to see Bruce Springsteen in concert at the Principality Stadium with Paul. We met up with Paul’s friends Robin Street and Geraint Hughes in O’Neil’s bar before the concert.   I avoided alcohol (day 126).   What’s Next Bank holiday Monday is next.   May 07 (Tuesday)            Daniela (15:00) May 07 (Tuesday)             (Delayed) Amazon Vinyl Boxes pick up (at P.O.) ...

Saturday 04 May 2024 Weather Light rain possible all day, moderate breeze. Today’s Plan Summary parkrun. The last day of the Championship. Extra Emmie. travel to Rhiwderin to arrive by 4pm. Food preparation. steak roast veg.   fruit and cream. What I did today So today I did parkrun in 33 minutes and a few seconds. I watched the LCFC versus Blackburn game on the TV. It was awful. I then looked after Emmie from 4 pm in the afternoon while Zoe and Paul went to see Michael McIntyre it’s just before midnight now, I’m back at home just going to have some cheese and tomato and creamy coffee and go to bed. I avoided alcohol (day 124). What’s Next Bruce Springsteen tomorrow afternoon. First, I might go for a run? Maybe a lockdown lap. parkrun. I ought to start some more packing. Maybe some stuff from the kitchen that I will not be using. May 05 (Sunday)              Bruce Springsteen May 07 (Tuesday)...

  Friday 03 May 2024 Weather Light rain possible all day, moderate breeze.   Today’s Plan Summary Circuits with Brad. Rearranged Matisse pickup. Collect my repeat prescription. I have contact details for JJ removals.   What I did today I did circuits with Aaliyah then a shower. I got some petrol and some fruit and cream (Strawberries and raspberries). The Matisse pick up happened with a Scotsman with a van. I collected my repeat prescription. I had an afternoon nap. I transferred a Bruce Springsteen ticket to Paul. I tested the journal app on iPhone.   I avoided alcohol (day 124).   What’s Next parkrun. The last day of the Championship. Extra Emmie. travel to Rhiwderin to arrive by 4pm. Food preparation. steak roast veg.   fruit and cream.   May 04 (Saturday)           Extra Emmie May 05 (Sunday)               Bru...

Thursday 02 May 2024 Weather Light rain possible all day, moderate breeze. Today’s Plan Summary Get the bins back in, Bootcamp with Cara, Amazon pick up from P.O. Extra Emmie. What I did today I got the bins back in, I did bootcamp with Cara. I followed it with an adapted 3 * 3 * 200 session. Basically, I did 3 * 3 * 200 (30s, 5m) except that my rest between sets was 3 minutes. Also, my 200 metres were actually 50 metres walk followed by 150 metres run because I couldn’t run the full 200. My Amazon pick up from P.O. was delayed until Tuesday May 7. I did an extra Emmie pick up today.   I rearranged the Matisse pickup for tomorrow. I need to collect my repeat prescription tomorrow. I avoided alcohol. What’s Next Circuits with Brad. Rearranged Matisse pickup. Collect my repeat prescription. I have contact details for JJ removals. May 04 (Saturday)           Extra Emmie May 05 (Sunday)     ...

  Wednesday 01 May 2024 Weather Rain later, moderate breeze.   Today’s Plan Summary Mandy – new pay total. Two hours for today? Holiday pay also. So maybe £108? Emmie in the afternoon. Sainsbury review and Bins out. Sell the Matisse.   What I did today I did circuits with Cee-Cee and then a training run 700 + 3 * 300 on the river side path. I came home and sold the Matisse. The lady will come back as she needs her husband’s van to collect it. I had a Sainsbury delivery and then I picked Emmie up from school. I put a load of stuff out for the bin men.   I avoided alcohol.   What’s Next Extra Emmie on Thursday. Bootcamp with Cara. Bins back in again. May 02 (Thursday)          Amazon Vinyl Boxes pick up (at P.O.) May 04 (Saturday)            Extra Emmie May 05 (Sunday)             ...

  Tuesday 30 April 2024 Weather Rain later, moderate breeze.   Today’s Plan Summary Progress house move. I need to work on packing and on my Porto Santo trip. I need to sweep some junk off the floor of the garage.   What I did today I did circuits with Bradley. I did some tidying. I boxed up stuff from my wardrobe. I decluttered some electrical items. I boxed up some cables and keyboards.   I avoided alcohol.   What’s Next Mandy – new pay total. Two hours for today? Holiday pay also. Emmie in the afternoon. Sainsbury review and Bins out. Sale of the Matisse.   May 01 (Wednesday)     Emmie May 012(Thursday)          Extra Emmie May 02 (Thursday)           Amazon Vinyl Boxes pick up (at P.O.) May 04 (Saturday)            Extra Emmie May 05 (Sunday)     ...

  Monday 28 April 2024 Weather Rain later, moderate breeze.   Today’s Plan Summary Progress on house move. I need to get rid of Zoe’s clutter. I need to pack some Porto Santo stuff and also pack some “T” shirts.   What I did today I did a body conditioning session with Ed & Bradley. I continued to declutter etc. I did a 10 * 80m session on the top field of Beechwood Park. I listed the Matisse on Facebook Marketplace. Leicester v Preston was on TV. It was o – 1 to Leicester at half time.   I avoided alcohol.   What’s Next Progress on house move. I need to work on packing and on my Porto Santo trip. I need to sweep some junk off the floor of the garage.   May 01 (Wednesday)     Emmie May 02 (Thursday)           Amazon Vinyl Boxes pick up (at P.O.) May 04 (Saturday)            Extra Emmie May 05 (Sunday)  ...

  Sunday 28 April 2024 Weather Light rain, moderate breeze.   Today’s Plan Summary Watch some of the Newport Marathon.   What I did today I watched the Newport Marathon from a vantage point on North Row. It was a one mile walk from where I parked my car to where I watched the race. I came home and watched some football.   I avoided alcohol.   What’s Next Progress on house move. I need to get rid of Zoe’s clutter. I need to pack some Porto santo stuff and also pack some “T” shirts.   May 01 (Wednesday)     Emmie May 02 (Thursday)           Amazon Vinyl Boxes pick up (at P.O.) May 04 (Saturday)            Extra Emmie May 05 (Sunday)               Bruce Springsteen May 07 (Tuesday)             Dani...

  Saturday 27 April 2024 Weather Light rain, moderate breeze.   Today’s Plan Summary parkrun. Clearout UK at 13:00. Some premier league football on TV. Plus Hull v Ipswich.   What I did today I did parkrun. I was around for Clearout UK to take a load of stuff away. Zoe came over to sort the stuff out in her room.   I avoided alcohol.   What’s Next Newport Marathon tomorrow. I need to support Bethan Jackson.   May 04 (Saturday)           - Extra Emmie May 05 (Sunday)               - Bruce Springsteen May 05 (Tuesday)             -Daniela (15:00) May 14 (Tuesday)             - Porto Santo Trip May 29 (Wednesday)      - Dentist (09:15) June 10 (Monday)      ...

  Friday 26 April 2024 Weather Cloudy with gentle winds. Low chance of rain.   Today’s Plan Summary A Bannatyne’s class. QPR v Leeds on TV. House move stuff (?)   What I did today I did Circuits with Bradley and then I had a short swim. I added a daily 10 minutes house moving task to my daily routine. I emptied the display cabinet and backed the glasses in a box using “T” shirts as padding. I watched the first half of QPR v Leeds. The half time score is 2 – 0.   I avoided alcohol.   What’s Next parkrun in the morning and Clearout UK at 13:00.   May 04 (Saturday)           - Extra Emmie May 05 (Sunday)               - Bruce Springsteen May 05 (Tuesday)             -Daniela (15:00) May 14 (Tuesday)           ...

  Thursday 25 April 2024 Weather Cloudy with gentle winds. Low chance of rain.   Today’s Plan Summary Body Conditioning with Cars, Sainsbury Delivery. W14 run 2. Brighton v Man City.   What I did today Cara’s Body Cond at 09:15. I got my Sainsbury Delivery date wrong so I adjusted the delivery and the best I could do was between 8pm and 9pm. It came. I had fruit and cream and a creamy coffee!   In the late afternoon I did my training run. I did the 1K lap course in Caerleon. I was feeling very leggy! Garmin Connect has been upgraded and at the time of writing my run activity has not been synced to Strava. Let’s see what happens when the next activity happens!   I avoided alcohol.   What’s Next I should have a Friday class at Bannatyne’s but at 21:15 on Thursday evening the Bannatyne’s app is not playing ball.   Saturday:             Clearout UK   May 04 (Saturday...

  Wednesday 24 April 2024 Weather Cloudy with gentle winds. Low chance of rain.   Today’s Plan Summary Mandy, Emmie School Pickup   What I did today Mandy came. We are going to reduce her hours to 3 per week at Gibbs Road. I need to pay her for two hours next week. I went to Body Conditioning which was a circuit with Aaliyha. I did Emmie’s School Pickup. I put the bins out. I reviewed my Sainsbury’s order. Desi Jones suggests that I cut back on the meat and eat more salad.   I avoided alcohol.   What’s Next Body Conditioning with Cara. Sainsbury Delivery. W14 run 2.   Saturday:             Clearout UK   May 04 (Saturday)           - Extra Emmie May 05 (Sunday)               - Bruce Springsteen May 05 (Tuesday)        ...

  Tuesday 23 April 2024 Weather Cloudy with gentle winds. Low chance of rain.   Today’s Plan Summary Optician (09:30) then W14-R01 & Daniela (15:00). Also do my post office business (four things) because I missed doing it yesterday. Finally, LCFC v Southampton   What I did today I went to the Optician and all was OK. I did my Lockdown lap as a Fartlek and added a loop of the park to make the run more than 5K. I did three things at the Post Office, (1) Amazon parcel collect, (2) Catherine photos send, (3) I bought some parcel tape. Note that when I want to do a redirection, I can set it up on-line.   I had a massage with Daniela   I avoided alcohol.   What’s Next Wednesday:       Mandy, Emmie School Pickup Saturday:              Clearout UK   May 04 (Saturday)            - Extra Emmie ...