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16.

 

Very quiet week this week as it was the run up to the CarTen

 

Monday was a Bank Holiday, so after the few shandies on the Sunday I took it “easy” today and lounged around doing, “not a lot”.

Tues I booked the bike in to be sorted with the clicking noise, so I cycled down to Chepstow which is only about 12 miles away then I met Sian in Tescos for a lift home.

Weds was swimming day, so managed to squeeze in 35 mins, which should be approaching the 1.5K mark – I deliberatly did not check the lengths, but didn’t stop.

Thurs I had to go into Cardiff because work has decided to do this stupid “colo” mandate where you have to attend a central office. Its a real pain in the behind, so I was there for the majority of the day, then I had to drive all the way back and pick my bike up – then reset up at home to do another couple of hours to get on the right calls. So no workout at all.

Friday I also did nothing, as Sat was the ride.

Sat – rode from Cardiff to Tenby as part of the CarTen. 106 miles, 8hrs 20 mins on the bike. Full write up is on this blog somewhere..

Cycle: 120 miles

Run – none

Swim – 35 minutes

Beers: 1 x Bud, 1 x San Miguel, 1 x Carlsburg, 4 x Stella cans, 4 x San Miguel bottles

 

 

CarTen 2013

The CarTen, sounds simple – ride from Cardiff to Tenby in a day. One Hundred miles, three stops, free brekkie, free liquid, no time limit – yes, I’ll have some of that.

Up at 5:30 in the morning, too early by half but needed to get the bike on the car and some prep ready to leave the house at 6:20. Got down to the Cardiff City stadium around 6:50 and already there were a hundred or so there. So unpacked and tried to find John, then stood in a queue to register. Once registration opened we found that we didn’t and indeed shouldn’t have our bikes, so a hundred bikes were dumped to the ground or any available lean post as we filed up to our registration slot, I was number 177.

Little bit of faffing around and we made our way to the start – and found ourselves first. We noticed that quite a few had already set off, but we are good boys so waited for the tape to be stretched across then dropped and away we went. It was quite odd to seem to be leading the CarTen at this point, and as the first group of 8 or so rode off we had our first pratt in a car honk and shout – luckily there were not too many of them.

The first part of the ride took us through the edge of Cardiff and out to Culverhouse Cross, where we met the first hill. Dropped a couple of gears and the field started to overtake, John was just in front, but as I cycled past I thought he had missed a gear so on I went. This is “his” hill as he lives at the top, so I was not surprised to see him zoom past me slightly further up, I tried to keep pace but couldn’t. Once at the top I started to settle into a rhythm and kept at the back of the pack to be pulled along to Margam.

I was giving it some, not all, but some to try and catch him, but couldn’t get there, so resided myself to the fact he was too fast I kept with my new pack buddies and cycled our way through Wales. Just before Margam it poured down and the wind was more noticeable  it felt just like the majority of yearly cycles I do – I must be a jinx. Sooner, rather than later and I was in Margam, thirty miles down the road,  after almost getting lost after “my pack” buggered off too fast, but I got to breakfast and looked for John. No sign of him.

In the food place I could barely see thanks to my rain splashed, steamed up glasses, but I found the bacon rolls and had a cup of tea with 4 sugars. Back out to get the roll down me neck as fast as possible and who should roll in, but John. It seems that it wasn’t him who passed me on the hill, and he had been behind all the way! So I was chasing after him like a berk, when he was behind me all along. Oh – how we laughed ;o)

So after a short while we took off in search of lunch, at Bury Port – another 30 miles down the road. This section was not nice. Getting to Swansea was a pain through the back end of Port Talbot, the Swansea front along the Mumbles was okay, and the long but gentle ascent into Gowerton was pleasant – there was a road closed, police vans and what looked like a police blow up bouncy castle in the street. But after this section and on the way to Llanelli was a welcome to a world of pain.

We knew it would be windy, but at worse I thought it might me the sort of wind which worries you when you have an umbrella, a little strong and gusty. It was more like the wind you dream of when you are a child and you want to jump off a small wall with an empty bin bag so you can be blown to another country. It was not only strong, but relentless – as the wind was coming from the West, as it often does, and we were heading due West it caused a problem, normally when one cycles you do a circuit which is only fair that you get the wind in your face for half the time – this run was just dedicated to direct you straight into the wind, at all times, for ever and ever and ever.

From Gowerton past the sign to Carmarthenshire on the bridge before Llanelli all the way to the lunch stop at Bury Port I cried silent tears to the God of Wind to please give me a break. 13 miles of in your face drafty conditions which really broke your spirit. Across Llanelli front, which is always shit as far as I am concerned, the amount of exertion I was putting in to do 8 miles an hour was criminal – if there was an email address to “Wind” I would have drafted (!) a strongly worded letter. People looked at us with pity as we strained on our bicycles through the torrent, if we had been going the other way we could have sailed through at 30 mph…

But we got through and then in Bury Port we had a Burger, Chips and half a coke – refilled a water bottle, and soon(ish) later we left to continue to laugh in the face of the wind. The next section to Carmarthen was windy and hilly, we had some down, and quite a lot of up, but it was okayish to Carmarthen and just after we went off the main road onto another cycle route. This meant we met a hill, a steep one, and really steep first gear straining type of hill, the type of hill that makes you forget that its windy, or that there is an existence outside of you, the bike, the pedal, your knee and the road. People were pushing! These were the “expert” cyclists with all the kit, who can do 40 down a hill whilst sucking at their stupid energy gels – and they pushed up a hill – ha ha ha is all I can say. I was passing them, albeit slowly, and they were taking their bikes for a walk whilst shoveling “energy” down their stupid, lazy, give up faces. It was steep though.

The detour took an age, up and down a lot, but as with all things it came to an end and we got to St Clairs. Short uphill through the town took us out onto the main road and a couple of miles later we where through Whitland and we hit a real hill. This was a hill to sort the men from the whinny, shandy, look at me with all the kit and no legs brigade. This hill went from 78 ft to 626ft over two miles, which I must admit is not as difficult typing it as it was in real life. It was a biggy, people were pushing, people were crying, people were praying to their imaginary friends. I didn’t get off.

Top of the hill in Tavernspite was a crappy pub, so I just got some normal liquid in me for the trip to Tenby. Once JB was sorted we set off for the final 12 miles into Tenby. This was a good run, the hills were okay and the wind was not too bad, at one point we were cruising along at 20+ mph for a couple of miles. Before we knew it we were descending into Tenby. I had stopped to warn the family in case they missed it, and there were people cheering, so I did my Bradley Wiggings winning the Tour de France impression and then I stopped. That was it, finished. Time to pick up a polo shirt and get me a pint in.

106 miles, 8hrs 20 mins – average of only about 13 miles an hour but the CarTen was finished.

Some things I learned there:

A lot of cyclists are arses, they deliberate ride in the middle of road “because they are on a bicycle”, they run red lights “because they are a cyclist”, and they drop their empty stupid energy bars/gels/liquid/pixie dust whenever they feel like it. They are not nice.

 

 

15 and nothing to show

 

Yet another week flies by, the weeks are going so fast, the weight isn’t – this week is a prime example why not!

Monday – I was going to have a day off today after the exertions of Sunday, but I felt okay this morning, so thought I would keep the legs in a do an old 3 miler. Its flat and I tried to push the pace, but actually was more tired than I thought – so only a 9 min mile pace.

Tues – The swimming day, I am not really doing enough swimming, but due to the timings it’s difficult to get down there as often as I want, from after the CarTen I will have to swim a bit more. But got down today and it was reasonably quiet, so swam and swam and swam – not much quicker I don’t think, but managed 84 lengths, which I think is a combined distance of around  1512 meter – so in the pool, with turns every 18 metres – I can manage the 1.5K

Weds – feeling good, back into the normal run, which is the 4 and a bit miler up and down dale. However, because I am such a crazy character I decided to do it backwards!!! Man I am mad. I don’t mean I ran backwards, I ran the course the other way round. I nearly didn’t because the start of the backward is the start of the old 3 miler, so I nearly just did that – but, gotta be tough, gotta be strong and I plodded around. It was quite good, obviously not with the big hill at the start, but more uphill running over time. Quite enjoyed it, forgot my watch so didn’t know if it was quicker or slower.. As the day turned out so nice, and Sian was off on the afternoon, we took a quick spin out to Redwick and sat in the sun, having lunch – and very nice it was too. An “omlet” (sic) at the rose with a beer went down very well thank you very much.

Becs came around later and showed us where some tw@ had run into her car when parked down the station (although not in the station carpark where there are CCTV, but over the bridge which is now the overflow) – didn’t leave a note or anything the tosser.

Thurs – work means I have to be in Bristol on a Thurs, so no training at all today.But I did some planning the sun with a beer – great.

Friday – 4 and a bitter, backwards again, with a watch. And whatya know, its the same time. Bully for me. We snuck back to Pembs this evening to surprise my Mum for her birthday, which was nice.

Sat – In Pembs so did nowt.

Sunday – Got home earlish, so went for a cycle, out for around 28 miles – not too many hills, but not flat either – clicking still there and making me mental, got Sian to click it whilst I sat on the ground, just couldn’t see where it was coming from – will have to try and book it in next week…

Once back from cycling I spent the entire day drinking Stella in the sun.

Swim – 1.5K

Cycle – 28 miles

Run – 12 miles

Beer: 3 x Amstel, 2 x Stella pints, 1x 1664, 15+ cans of Stella.

 

14th Week, already

 

14 weeks of “training”, and two months to go – picking up the work a little now ;o)

Monday was back into the running, usual route up and down (http://routebuilder.org/bi7) around 4.2 miles, around 40 mins – nice and easy – the hill at the start is getting no easier, but its worth it. Knee’s hurting a little today from the giant hill session yesterday, but still nothing like when I was training for the marathon – so no worries. Daughter was stopped by the police on the way back from school today because she didn’t have her helmet on – she’d 11 and the PCSO’s was not pleasant to her, threatening a visit to the house and that she might not pass Cycle Proficiency – I was completely furious, but by the time I got down there they had buggered off. So I did what anyone in the internet age does – I wrote a strongly worded letter to their Sergeant! (I did try the police station and the Caldicot police station, but there was no one there and the Sgt was on a “rest day”..

Tues was swim day and was a bit of a shambles – got there in the morning and it was packed – have never seen it so busy, so had to get down again in the afternoon – didn’t have much time but at least it was quiet and I managed around 50 lengths.

Weds is mystery pub day, so needed to get out and run in the morning – normal route up hill and down dale again – mystery pub was down Mathern – which is where that blue light you can see from the Severn Bridge lives. Its a navigation aid – did you know?

Thursday I was tired again, too many cans, hopeless. So I took the bike out for a 7 mile spin. Had taken the peddles off and replaced them with the old one to see if the annoying clicking would go – it didn’t. And it was odd cycling without clipons. Bike will get hit with a hammer if it doesnt watch it.

Friday – another run, and Sat was a day off….

Sunday – big day on Sunday – got down the pool at 7:00 and swam 85 lengths (40 mins), then came home and took the bike out for a 1hr, 17 miles cycle ( http://routebuilder.org/bi8 ) – then immediately got my shoes on and ran the usual morning route (and in the same time amazingly). Really felt it on the start of the run, I find breathing for the first mile the hardest thing with the transition, but made it okay. And amazingly haven’t really felt too bad after. Did get down a few pieces of bread and a great bacon sarnie though, then feat up to watch the footie in the afternoon – Arsenal gave Man U the honor guard – but I think Man U have probably given up now they know they have won the league – can’t imagine Fergie is too pleased with that tho…

Run: 16 miles

Cycle: 25 miles

Swim: mile and a half

Beer: 1 x heiniken, 2x Amstel, 4 x Stella Cans, 1 x Strawberry Blond, 5 x Stella pint

Other Pubs – Mystery Tour

 

So over the last couple of weeks I have been visiting some pubs I have not been to before with Paul.

First up was the Portskewett Inn, which is Inn, Portskewett. Odd little entrance to the car park, and the pub itself on the side, slightly old fashioned, rather than olde worlde decor. Bar staff seemed friendly – although Paul knowing most of the old timers helped, and the 1664 was drinkable. Not had 1664 for a while and it went down well. Also had a Foosball table which I won, by “cheating” – I didn’t realise you were not allowed to spin the players..

Food seemed to be going down well, and the bogs were white and roomy and cold.

6/10

 

Next was the Carpenters Arms, which was not called the Carmarthen Arms as I had first put, which was in Shirenewton – a place I thought I might want to retire too – after seeing it some more, not so sure anymore. So this pub is on the main road which by-passing the village on the way to Usk from Chepstow, and by god it looks grotty. I didn’t think it was open at all, and not just open today, but ever. But it was, it has a single old fashioned heavy wooden door, and straight into an interesting pub. Little rooms and tables stuck about the place, with a teeny  tiny bar. Just Carlsberg (I think) on tap but a very interesting place indeed. Food smelt heavy on onions and grease – but in a good way. A few discerning couples where in there eating, so it cannot be too bad. Great bar man, with wispy hair and a good all round place. Probably made nicer due to the fact I was expected a shitehole.

6/10 – would like to go there for food

 

Mathern was next up, two pubs here, one on the main road and one more in the village.  Millers Arms is the place, and looks great, inside and out – nice bit outside and looking at their website they really get the flowers moving in the summer – didn’t notice any for us. Lovely pint of Heineken taken “al fresco” – would like a lunch down here one day. Only downside, the inside smelt a bit of disinfectant – if that is there the next time, then thats a no-no.

7/10 – food here some time in the summer.

 

Second pub in Mathern was the New Inn, been to its car park in the past but for some reason didn’t go in. Crap beer garden for starters. But the inside was better, looked like it had been here for some time, and it had, but was upgraded and looked good. Amstel on tap with an Amstel glass is always a good thing, but we were not here long, so will maybe come back and have some food next time?

6/10 – may re-adjust on return.

 

Brizzle

Over to Bristol today. No real reason, just fancied getting out and Bristol is close and has some stuff there.

Took a different route today, as usually we go by car, so took the choochoo out of Severn Tunnel and 25 mins later we were in Bristol. Blumming train was packed again – as usual, so we stood up all the way, then we had to buy our tickets once arrived as no one bothered walking through the carriage – 12 quid for the three of us is cheaper than driving.

Took a quick look at the triathlon shop, which was smaller and hotter than I would have liked – spend 20 seconds looking at the wetsuits then nearly fainted so had to get out into the air ;o) Off into Bristol proper, and as another change, we headed over to the docks. It was quite chilly, and  went past the Ostrich which I bet is packed in the Summer, then over to M-Shed. Nearly got run over by a 50 ton loco, travelling at 1.2 miles an hour and had a quick look in the M-Shed museum, then, as it happened there was a boat race today, so we watch Bristol have their arses handed to them by someone I thought was called UWE (but then realised that UWE is actually Bristol).

Into town proper and time for nosh, saw an interesting band on the other side of the dock, but it was too cold for any nonsense so we walked to Cafe Amour – which is supposed to be great – but we didn’t know how to work it. It has a counter where you queue, and two floors and loads of Higgily Piggley tables, none of which appeared to be free. But we didn’t know if you got a table first, then ordered, or ordered then found a seat – far too complicated, as if you found a table a- then went to order then table wouldn’t be there when you got back – odd.

So Kate had a quick Greggs, then we went to this place in St Nicks market which is supposed to do great pulled pork. It doesn’t. It didn’t look great, so we went to the pub for a livener first – then tempted fate. I have been waiting 20 years for a pulled pork roll – and it was okay, but nothing more. Very disappointing. Then we walked around for a bit back into the center and I bought a fruit bowl to use for my chinese and Indians. We watched a quietly, shouty Aussie do some “magic” in the street – then headed back to the train with a thought of having a cheeky beer if we had to wait for the train. As luck (or not) would have it there was a train waiting on the platform for us – to whisk us on our merry way home.

Like Bristol, not happy with the pork. Will have to be sausage and mash when I return on Thurs…

 

13.

 

Another week in the life of a weak trainer.

Back to it this week though, even though I still had the remnents of a cough on MOnday, and I was shattered for some reason, so started anew on Tues..

Did’nt feel like running in the morning, so set off for a cycle around 9:30 into the cold and wind. I have been wearing my tights under my cycling shorts whch keeps we nice and toasty and it really helps when you dont have freezing knees. So set off on a 14 mile route I have devised which takes me down five lanes and to Caldicot and back, taking in a the hills on the way. It was very windy today, going down five lanes there was a gap in the hedge and the wind nearly blew my helmet off. Nice run though and it was good to get back into things. Have a clicking from the bike which is not nice.

Weds was out running the new course, up Dinch hill to start then over the motorway and back to Rockfield. This week I have extended it a little and am running down the back of Undy past the church and where Ders used to live. The old shabby house which was next door to him when he lived there looks like it has finally been bought as the outside is beginning to get cleared – I think that will make a great house.. As I ran past “Zion” I saw Bec’s mate standing in the street, I thought perhaps Becs was taking him to the station, but then realised that Becs was off this week. Next thing she trundles past in he newly fixed car and I remembered that they were off up to Thorpe Park for the day – no wonder she was up and out  at 7:15 on a day off. New route is a little over 4 miles I think, so I’ll keep this for a couple of weeks before moving up to a fiver. Went for a walk down toward Shirenewton and nipped into the Carpenters which was far better than I had imagined.

Thurs was a cycle again – same route very very gusty today – luckily you don’t notice it for most of the route, but today the wind was so bad turning on to the main Caldicot road I had to stand up to peddle. Coming back I nearly ran over a couple of ladies taking their dogs for a walk down the lanes – three abreast and my dinger obviously isn’t loud enough. Then I saw Paul at the shop and he seemed a little confused as to who this sweaty, fluorescent person with a stupid cycle hat on was.

Friday was another run day, same old same old – same route as Weds, no Becs today…

Saturday was a day off as I had a pathetic hangover from drinking too many cans at the quiz on Friday (we lost – badly)

Sunday was a big cycle, planned a 40 mile route over Wentwood to Usk, then across and down to Devauden then through to Tinten, back to Shirenewton and home. There was surely more up than down on this I was pooped. 40 miles in 3:10 ish – I think around 13 mph average. It was hilly – very.

Run: 3x 4.3 miles average 40 mins

Cycle: 70 miles in total, average around 13-14

Swim: None

Beers: 2xCarsberg, 8 cans of Stella

A Dozen Weeks

My goodness three months into the training. It is not going well – I have another cough again, started last Monday, got medicine yesterday and it may be mostly over. Had a sore throat, a little on Mondays night then a bit of a cough, then by Thurs it was a keep you awake cough – bloody thing.

So only managed to get out for a couple of runs this week, maybe three I think, no swimming, no cycle. Rubbish.

Made myself get out on Sunday for a normal up the hill run, just managed to get round as the rain and wind has been bad this week, way too much rain and wind to cycle this weekend. Although that is a crap excuse for training.

Really need to get things going tomorrow, maybe a swim, but slightly worried it will make my cough worse.

 

Cycle: None

Run: 3 x 4 miles

Swim: None

Beers: 2 1664’s, 4 stellas, 2 Amstels, 8 Stella cans

Bath

Off to Bath today – it was wet.

Looking on the trainline suggests a straight through service which takes over an hour, by nipping into Temple Meads and picking up another train there it only takes 45 mins – odd, so that’s what we did.

We sat outside Kate’s gym for an hour waiting for her to finish, and I felt the feeling of needing a wee raising – this was only after 20 mins. Still I am not quite too old yet so I managed to wait until be finally boarded the train. £19 and six tickets later we were on our way to Bristol, with a seat, together. So we ignored each other and read our books! In no time at all were at Temple Meads, then a mad rush to the Paddington train to get the connection to Bath. It was bust, so we stood in the Buffet Car – feeling hungry but not rich we didn’t sample the fare.

10 mins later we arrived in Bath, and decided we needed a late breakfast  the first place we saw was Giraffe, which I had heard of, but never been – I had thought it was child focused, but that didn’t seem to be the case. I had a quite Delicious scrambled egg and bacon and toast concoction with a diet coke – the coke being a bad idea. Our waitress said too much and they automatically put the tip on the bill which I was going to remove to make a point, but then didn’t because I didn’t want to make a fuss – how terribly British…

Had a good walk around all parts of Bath, in the drizzle, and went to get Kate some shoes from a place which had tickets like you used to get at Tesco’s meet counter. The counter said 19, we picked 28, but there was no one there. Then a slightly pleasant, but odd lad came to serve us, and repeatedly said to Kate – Stand up big and tall for me, we found some shoes in reasonably quick time, but then tried 20 sizes to get one that matched her wide foot. The ladies there had quick disconcertingly high heels on, which seemed really stupid for a shoe shop.

There was a band playing upstairs in the street, in the drizzle, and a couple of older spoons had a little dance and a jig – that’s what I used to do – now I just felt sorry for them.

Once we had had enough of walking around we stopped at the Griffin, behind the Theatre for some drinkies – seemed like an okay place, a little small, but it was nice to have a sit down and a beer. By this time it was too late to have a late lunch if we wanted to catch the next train, so we hightailed it out of there and got the busy trains back home.

I like Bath more than it deserves I think.

 

Week 11

 

Well on the way for the training, but am i getting better? I just don’t know.

So this week, had the Bank Holiday Monday off, as I was coming back from Pembs. So went out on Tues and took the hilly route – which is so knackering, but really the right thing to do – unfortunately it is not quite long enough, so I will have to extend the course a little, which shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

Went down the pool on Weds, I was a little late, and got there about 7:00, and it was quite quiet, then after 5 minutes some fat twat came in and started splashing about between me and the guy swimming next to me. Then about 3 mins after that another bloke pitched up, and it was people everywhere, so I got out, after doing just 11 mins… By the time I had a shower the fat rubbish swimmer (not me) had got out anyway. Crap day.

Thurs – had a lie in for some reason, just tired perhaps? But took to the bike around ten and went for a hilly 12 mile run. It was cold, and so windy – but luckily the wind was from the East, so out was hard, but reasonably sheltered, back was okay. It actually started to snow whilst I was out and it was cold man.

Friday was a swim, a good one this time. Got there slightly earlier, but it was reasonably quiet. Did 80 lengths, which is approx: 1440 meters, so I should have done another three lengths for the 1.5K. But it was okay, I only stopped twice, to re-adjust the nose clip – I think that might cause me problems on the real day. Took me about 40 minutes, which is not bad, although the pool is a different proposition to the sea – from one point of view it might be better in the sea because you don’t have to turn around all the time – the bad side is that there will be 250 people trying to kick my face off…

Sunday was a brick session. Sian was away, and I was up early and got on me bike with tights and shorts and headed off for an easy run past the brewery. Kept up a 15 mile an hour average around and back home – 8 miles and 30 mins later I arrived, where I took just over a minute to change into running shoes, and I was off for a four mile run. Wobbly legs, but not too bad, the worse things is being so out of breath for the first mile. Wasn’t fast and about 40 mins later I was home. Felt good.

Run: about 8 miles

Swim: about 2K

Cycle: about 20 miles

Beers: 6 pints of Stella, 2 cans.

Pembrokeshire

Back to the sunny ‘Shire this weekend for Easter.

As I was working half day on Thurs we managed to get away around 13:00, with the boot full and the cycle strapped to the back we had to take it steady back as I was scared of loosing the bike. I don’t think I put it on right, as once we were up to about 50 miles an hour the bike rack (Bones 3) raised up. Luckily the straps held fast, but I felt myself loking back every 30 seconds. Driving an under 80 is scarey, and far more dangerous than just zooming along in the fast lane. But we made great progress and in a little over 1.5 hrs we were passing a closed Mill-Ford arms and into town. We had a nice relaxing evening, no beer, and a fantastic fish stew (thanks Pop’s if you are reading this!! ;o) Then early to bed ready for the cycle in the morning.

 

By 9 I had had a number of slices of toast, and got on my bike for the Tri route. Sian was off also, down to Manor Park with her mum. I was back in the house about ten to 12, so after a shower and a load of bacon sarnies I was outside Mr Bradleys house, suited and booted and looking forward to an ale or two. He wasn’t ready. He had only been waiting 7 months, but no, he ponced around a while whilst I drank water (good job really). Finally he was ready and off we trotted. After a disagreement about the Glen, we settled on the Georges for the first pint – not great, and I sat on the formica table whilst Ders regaled me with tales of exciting new ventures. Down into toen next, and a 10 minute wait to get cash – we decided to head to the Fishguard Arms, it was full of dodgies and many kids, so we headed around the corner to the Farmers Arms. Last time I was here it was the new opening with the landlady I knew at the time – this time it was half full of locals – who stared at us as we entered. Well used to that I suppose. Drinks bought we retired around the corner to an empty table.

After there we went back to the Fishguard Arms, still had a number of slightly wierd looking people in, but less children, so we braved it. I asked for a Stella after spying the Chalice glasses, and she looked at my, then at the Stella, then at me, then she picked up a Carling glass. Hmm I said, looking at the glass – In that case, I’ll have a carling.. Was I too scared to ask for the “right” glass, or was I scared of Stella – I don’t know – but it was a cheep round – just six quids. Starting to get a little tipsy now, and was accosted in the toilets by a “ruffian” “You not from around here, but”, “Yes” I squeeked, “Originally”. This threw him so he repeated – “You not from around here, but” no from Magor I said – “Where’s that too” he remarked – “The good side of the Severn Bridge” – “Ah” he relied “Good match wasn’t it, but”. So we then chatted like great mates about how “we” defeated those rascal English. He seemed quite content.

After the Fish, and neding a little wee-wee we set off for the County, only to be told it was residence only. In the old days we might have just booked a room there and then to spite them and have a drink anyway, but those days of excess are long gone, so still needing a jimmy-riddle we set off the miles it took to get to the Milf. I had told Ders it had been shut the sday before, but we went anyway – it was shut. Damn. He suggested I might have a tinkle behind the garage, cos the bloke who runs it was a “Tw@”, but I thought I could wait until the Trader.

Once at the Trader I ran to what was once the Gents, but which had a sign mentioning “Art Gallery” I burst through anyway, Jackson Pollocks, it was still the Gents – aaaahhhhhhhhhhh. Sat outside here for one, the the Fuse came and regailed us with tales of paint and scaffold, and we had anothewr two pints. Then off to the Wetherspoons (no idea what it was called) were we had some okay, but cheep beers and a wine for the poof and sat in the Window seat. I think we had another one or two here, it was starting to get a little bit blurry now, and Fuse had a fake fag which enabled him to blow “smoke” everywhere, which seemed like a really fun thing after a few beers.

Fuse left to look after his family at this point, so we headed back to the Trader to finish up. I realized at this time that I was going home at 5:30, which left me with minus two hours to go, so Ders ordered a bottle of wine for himself and I had a beer. Arranged for a life home at 8 and I slipped down the final beer and left Ders, outside the Trader with a large glass of Pinot and a big smile on his chops.

Next day was pretty quiet.

We did go to The Georges and had the pork special in a hot, spicy Creole sauce which was nice. I had one pint all day – Yes, the shandy man can.

Next day was with Sian’s family, where we ate, drank, hid, then searched for Easter eggs, played games, ate again and went to bed.

In between all that we did managed to go for a little walk through Haverfordwest, we started at the Green and walked down passed the old Forum, which is now just a load of homes – oh the old days there, 50p to get in and 50p for a bottle of Pils. Ders walking around with a pint of Vodka and Coke – one day he tripped, fell forward and banged his head on the table – but still managed to not spill a drop of his Vodka.. Walked down Tower Hill and passed the Mariners and the Greyhound, up past St Martins to the Castle. I cannot even remember being here before, but I must have been. Then down into town and a quick call into Costa (perhaps my second only visit to a “coffee shop”) for a cupachar. Across town to the Trader and up to the Parade. We had a little look around here, and spend a few minutes watching an imaginary game of crown green bowls, our claps and murmurs of “Good shot, sir” got a strange look from the locals. Back up passed the leisure center and back.

Monday was home time, we waited for Kate to get up – picked up the bike from mothers in a hurry to get home. We got to St Claires and realised we didn’t have the %^$£% $£%£^% £^£^£^ &&*&^%% %%%%%% key for the house. So went back to meet Becs. Bike rack stayed put this time, and we got home slightly faster.

Good weekend – it flies.

Ten Weeks In

 

10 weeks – already…

Another odd week, as it was a very short working one, with Easter at the tail end and a day off at the beginning. So once back from being away I did a run, a swim and a run – on the Tues – Thurs. Run was up and over the back of Magor and over the motorway – real big hill at the beginning (route here: http://routebuilder.org/b5u ) less than 4 miles, but a good session for the morning.

Swim was quick a “normal” 60 lengths, 30 minutes and one pause really. Getting fed up with the swimming as it seems to be getting busier in the mornings even though I leave the house at 6:30 now – I might have to get back to 10:30 swims I think.

For the cycle this week, I did the Tri route down in Pembs – well we didn’t bother going down to the Haven itself, but started in H/west (well I had to cycle up to Shipmans lane to meet Greg first – and that hill past the Glen was a killer, before we even started ;o) Once I got to Gregs we hung around for a couple of minutes waiting for Liam – Bradleys son, who does Triathlons all the time (well, junior ones at the moment – but he could wipe the floor with us).

We set off just after 9 and Liam led the way up the start of the route towards the Haven road, we had told him we were slow, but he was plodding along at 9 mph, so I over took and set what I thought was a good pace of around 18. Once we had passed Portfield Gate, and was about a mile out, Greg took the lead, at a hell of a pace! He was pushing us out there at around 20/21 mph, it thankfully it was quite downhill. First hill just before Broadway and we re-bunched and set off on the rest of the route. I found the hills grinding, and felt my legs really burn on some of them – but they were not hard – I was especially surprised at the route out to Dale, as it was “easy”.

The way back wasn’t. We had the wind in our faces and it was quite uppy, and unfortunately the downy bits had steep bends at the bottom so it was difficult to keep the momentum (although mental case GD hurtled down them with no concern for his own safety!! ;o) There was also a large, very steep section, which Liam breezed up, I didn’t.

Once we got to Tiers cross the going was okay for the final couple of miles, then 1:35 later we were back, having covered about 25/26 miles.

I had thought we had further to go than 25, but I think that will be about it – I am very happy that I did it, it doesn’t hold as much fear as it did previously.

Run: 2 x 4 miles

Swim: 1 x 60 lengths

Cycle: 1 x 30 miles

Beers: not too sure, around 10 pints and 6 bottles

 

Moreton-in-Marsh

What an odd name – I keep calling it “in the” makes a lot more sense. So, as Sian is off, and I had taken a day off on Monday anyway to get my holidays down we decided to look for somewhere to visit for a night. Its always a bit complicated finding a place, and a room which is big enough but not too expensive – so took a while investigating TripAdvisor – I narrowed it down to the Cotswolds, and wanted to visit STow, so after some investigation and a chat with a bloke we agreed on a night in Moreton for a very reasonable £99 for a “delux-junior-suite” – which was nice.

 

Moreton is about and hour and a half away, so we set off on Sunday around 10:30 ish – which was quite good as we had a few drinks (and a couple more) at a birthday party the night before. But before we knew it we were in Stow. I had passed through many times on the way to Milton Keynes, but had never actually had a look around. Worryingly as we got closer to Stow the snow on the ground got worse – at one point it was right across the road and a rather unfortunate car had obviously not slowed enough and was on its roof in the field. We took it easy.

Once arrived we filed out of the car (after paying for parking – on a Sunday!) and realised quite what -2 feels like. Also the wind – it was bitter. Stupidly, yet again I had not brought my “big” coat – which was so silly as I could have left it in the car had I not needed it – but anyway, I had a scarf – so I was bound to be toasty. We had a quick glance around the town – which is very nice, had a look in the flea market – which wasn’t. Why is it that flea markets think its okay to but a 5 pound price tag on a useless old piece of shit. just cos its old doesn’t automatically make it worth anything you dopey idiots. But it was okay as there was a bus full of yanks who were cooing over everything – “Hey doe-reen, see this old British drinking cup”.

We soon left and went for nosh – first stop on the trip away was Huffkins, which was a nice, if expensive tea shop. I had the Old Spot sausage which was lovely, with some home made tomato sauce which was great – Kate didn’t approve. Washed down with some chippy chips and some tea. Once full but 30 quid poorer we had a look in a sweet shop. Not sure why? Then back to the car to get to Moreton.

Four miles later we were there. Moreton is a street, with some buildings, a couple of hotels and seven drinking establishments. It was around 1:30 – plenty of time to sample the goods.

We had an initial look up and down the strip, and decided to start our endeavors in the pub which was furthest away. They had a duck house on the pond which was nice. Arriving at the counter we were met with a little hostility I felt – it was like walking into a cave of halfbreds. But once water and after a read of the paper we left on good terms.

We checked in next – the hotel (http://www.redesdalearms.com/index) was really rather great, the room was also pretty fab, with a separate lounge which Kate stayed in – she had her own TV! Cool! Nice, nice, nice. Back into their bar for the most expensive round of fdrinks of the day then once done we ventured out to sample the delights of the rest of the public establishments.

The Bell- very quiet, Stella in a squat chalice. Not great. We sat next to a hydrant and someone asked us to watch his bag – we though of some fun we could have – but we were not drunk enough yet – so didn’t do anything.

The Black Bear – one pissed local, long bar, dartboard over the fire – which was roaring. Had a black bear and three TV’s. San Miguel – impressive toilets un-becoming the establishment.

The White Hart Hotel – nearly stayed here, big open fire, the fish smelt good, Amstel – quite nice.

The Manor House – really nice place, and had a plug to charge my phone (which wasn’t connecting – stupid Facebook app), Amstel (I think), great toilets again.

The Swan – odd, Stella Tortoise, was a bit like a Labour/Social club – too many children and dopey parents. Can’t remember too much of it.

The Spice Room – Ruby Murry, Mongoose, Starter and Vindaloo which was not very hot. Stuffed as a stuffed thing.

Tesco Metro – Chocolate peanuts, Water and Pork Scratchings.

Bed – pooped.

Next day we had a great breakie, then checked out and headed for Cirencester. Car was missing and really feeling rough, then the engine light came on and it was panic time. Checked to see if someone had stuck an apple up the exhaust and continued – then the light went off and it was fine.

Cirencester is a nice place, it was cold again, we had a look around – nearly bought a statue – should have picked it up on the way back round but forgot. Had a sarnie in Cafe Mosaic which TripAdvisor said was brilliant, but wasn’t.

Home James.

 

The Ninth Week

Another odd week – where I am not really doing enough.

Started running a little extra, and up some hills – so I start off up dinch hill then over the motorway and around the back – takes around 35 mins and seems to be around 3.5 miles. Ran that on Tues and Friday – although on Friday I had to turn back around the half way point because the road was so water logged. Probably did a little more then too. Also ran on Sat, because it was wet and I wasn’t going to bother doing anything, then had a twinge of regret and went out around one of the “old” routes and ran about 4.5 – 5 miles.

Did swim, I suppose must have been Weds and Monday maybe, cannot really remember – been having some problems with my nose clip, so ordered a variety which I will try out this week – just the 60 lengths or so this week. I was tired.

No cycling at all this week – but hope to do the Tri course on Good Friday. Did managed to get some beers down on Weds, Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week. We went away for a day, and it was Dawn’s birthday.

 

Cycle: none

Run: 3 x 4 miles (ish) 35,38,46 minutes

Swim – 2x 60 lengths ~ 30 mins

Beer: 12 Stella, 5 x Amstel, 14 Stella cans (ish)

 

8th Week

Two months in – bludy hell…

So after a couple of months and I am still here, getting better, stronger, fitter, faster, fatter. Was a little ill this week yet again, but not as bad as before, so had Monday and Tues off. On Tuesday I had to go into work as they were interviewing graduates and I was playing a role of someone they had to have a meeting with to discuss ideas. It was fun. My lot were a little nervous, one in particular – but they did a reasonable job – it is interesting seeing how naive they are. Was in Bristol on Weds, so took the early train and had no time to go out, also accidently had five Amstel’s (or was it six) whilst running our planning meeting. Good day.

Thurs saw me in the pool, and was there for 45 mins  and managed to get 1.5K swim done a little slow, but at least I seem to be able to do it, 45 lengths of my little pool. Although I didn’t really stop for breath but did stop because my silly nose clip kept coming off – so I have ordered a new couple – for checking out this week i hope.

Went for a run on Friday, nothing on Sat but out for a big 34 mile cycle on Sunday – which was a lot easier than last week. Still plenty of hills, maybe not quite so many as last week. But a good run – out to Caerleon, Newbridge-on-Usk back passed Celtic Manor into Newport, through Goldcliff and back home.

Cycle – 1 x 34 (28miles in 2hrs)

Run – 1 x 3mile (27)

Swim – 1 x 1.5 k – 45 mins

Beer – 6 Amstel, 4 Stella, 8 Stella tins

Mother’s day (week 7)

It’s Mother’s day again today. Got all my stuff sorted mid-week, and luckily the children have sorted things for Sian. My treat was McDonalds in bed which I picked up after my swim this morning – was there as they opened at 7:00, only 60 lengths today, as I am not too well again. I have been taking vitamins for 6 weeks now, and I have been ill for four. I am very rarely ill, so I blame them.

Good week this wee, been out running three times and swimming, got up to 70 lengths now which is 1260 meters so another 13 lengths and I’ll be cracking the 1500m target. Not particularly speedy, but on target for 40 mins or so – but this is in the pool – the sea will be a different ball game all together…

Also went for a long cycle on Saturday, 33 miles to Usk and back – very hilly route which I hope is something like the tri route – 28 miles took me around 2hrs, by the time I got back I was wacked. It was chilly out, and up in the hills the fog/mist was so bad you could barely see 30 yards ahead. There is a bit, once you have climbed to the top which takes you back down over around 3 miles – sounds great – but when its freezing I could barely peddle when I got to the bottom. So after that cycle I would have needed to run six miles – a scary thought….

Going to extend the runs this week to a four mile route if I can find one, with some hills in it – its getting ever closer.

Run – 3 x 3miles (27 mins)

Cycle – one 33 mile – 2hrs 20

Swim – 3 x 60, 70, 60 lengths (around 30 – 35 mins)

Beers – 6 Stella, one strawberry blond (which was lovely)

 

Oh yeah – Tom got smashed on Rose, and managed to get to work the next day! ;o)

I’m back.

 

Been ill for a week – not any more, although I do still have a bit of a cough and a little short of breath. But after doing nowt for a week, was itching to get out and do something. Plus I am off for a beer later so it makes me feel better to get a run in.

 

So a run, this morning at 6:40 – its getting light early now, 28 mins. Done.

5th gear

Week 5, already…

Really bad week for me, been a little poorly.

Went running on Monday, then was in Bristol on Tues so didn’t do anything, then swam on Weds morning and went for a quick cycle Weds night, just around Redwick. Went for a run on Thurs, but felt a little ill in the evening. Then missed out on Friday, Sat and Sunday – so poor show.

It was Kate’s birthday this weekend, so took 8 children out to Cardiff Bay, for bowling and Nando’s. Then walked over to the barrage  which didn’t go down brilliantly, but also spent time in the park. It was freezing with a little snow, and I didn’t have a coat. It was quite chilly.

Sunday was Kate’s birthday proper, but I spent some of it wrapped up in bed – until Pizza time ;o)

 

Swim – 2 x over 50 lengths in 30 mins

Run -2 x 3 miles, 27 min pace

Cycle – 1 x 7 mile ~15 mph pace.

Beer: 7 Stella, 1 Fosters.

4th Week on that training plan

 

Here we are again, in the fourth week of the training – slightly odd week this time with being in Cardiff one day, and picking up the bike on Thurs. Still managed to get 3 runs (I think) in and 3 swims – one of the swims was with my sister in H/west 25 meter pool.

The H/west swim was at the end of the week, and we were down there at doors opening – they have a great set up there for changing rooms, its all in together with little cubicles for everyone, and two shower blocks – its a great way of doing it I think, although my sister said the cops are up there quite often due to “pervs”!!.

Got in the slow lane to start with, but by the time we had done two lengths it started getting busy – so we moved to another lane, which had a b0d already in and we started the anti-clockwise swim session. I think we did 40 lengths in the end, I had some problems with my nose, and did a fast length for one which really knackered me out, all in about 30 mins. Also saw GD getting his practice in, had a quick chat but had my ear-plugs in so couldn’t hear anything – did suggest we could meet up after but had to get back once dry so missed him.

Picked up the bike on Thurs as it had been down for the new wheels to be put on – I bought some Shimano RS80’s, so cycled back from Chepstow at around 16:30 on Thurs. Not sure how good the wheels are yet – seemed okay, maybe better – will really need to get out and give it a real good go over the next few days.

When I was out in Pembs I deliberately tracked the cycle route to see what it looks like – its bloody hilly! I hope to get around it over Easter when we get down there, because I think the route is quite challenging.

Swimming – 3 x 1000 meters in 30 mins each time (ish)

Running – 3 x 3 miles

Cycle – 1 x 15 miles

Beers – 10 stella

 

Swim Fiend

Wanted to create a specific entry for the swimming because I cannot believe the difference three weeks make.

In total I have been around 10 times to the pool, and every time it is a scary experience, but once in the water it is amazing the improvement one can make. First time I could barely do two lengths – I was huffing and puffing way too much. It also helped a lot when I got a nose clip, the feeling of water  up the nose was not pleasant.

After the first week things didn’t seem to improve too much, it was very difficult to keep a breath whilst swimming, I think it must be all about gaining a rhythm. I seem to be lucky in that I started to swim from scratch and have made myself do “bilateral” breathing, which for me means I breath on every third stoke – either side, which seems to be doing me fine.

The real improvement was noticeable when I went to Ipswich, in the big pool the stoke started coming together and although I was only really do one length at a time due to traffic, it did seem easier. The the last two times have really taking it up a gear. Sets of six, with 40 second breathing breaks are very do-able now, and last time 16 lengths with no stop and this time 20. So I was up to nearly 1000 meters in the pool today, in around 30 mins.

 

Really pleased with how this is going, I feel a lot more confident in the swim now, although I do realise just how difficult putting them together will be.

Week Tri

 

Been away this week, off across to the East, in Martlesham – which is where I used to work at the beginning of my BT career some 16 years ago – now that is a scary thought… Was up there for a workshop, but the hotel I picked had a David Lloyd next door, so on MOnday evening, after I arrived I headed straight over there. I had to bring a towel from the hotel, and worked out from the girl at the counter how to get in, and was told it was “quiet” – it must get very bust then, then I was given a lock and key and away I went.

 

Massive changing rooms with a variety of people in various states of undress – some people are real exhibitionists, unfortunately  found my self a locker, and got into my swimmers. Remembered to take my glasses off, but then felt a little deaf and dumb with my ear plugs in and my glasses off. I stumbled around trying to find the exist it the pool, found it, then remembered I needed to get a shower first,m so stumbled back out again. Then to the pool proper. There were a number of lanes, one said “slow”, one said “fast” and two large lanes were full of children and parents. I felt a little lost.

Anyway, decided I should probably get into the “slow” lane, along with four other people – luckily with the pool being a full 25 meter, it was quite easy to get into a slot. Also after I was swimming for a bit I scared two of the people away. Had a reasonable session, no idea how many lengths  but was doing two at a time – partly down to my uselessness, but also because the lane had a bottleneck and I had to pause occasionally. So spent around 25-30 mins in the pool, then stumbled back into the changing rooms. It was now then I realized  after I took my key from my pocket, that there was no number on it. The woman had just given me a lock, and I had just picked a locker at random – how I had thought there might be a magical number on it I don’t know, but I didn’t really know which locker was mine. And there were people around, looking at me, as I tried a lock or two. Not being able to see very well doesn’t help this enterprise I can tell you. Anyway I found it (thankfully, otherwise I would still be there) and after a quick shower and a shuffling change of clothes I was back in the hotel.

That was the last I saw of David Lloyd – I had intended to go each morning – but, well, I didn’t. I did have two lots of burgers and six pints though – so not all bad eh?

Due to being away I had to run on Weds night when I got back – but I was tired after the long drive so just did two miles. Went down the Hilton pool on the Thurs morning – it was busy, I swam quite a few lengths – a few sixers. Went out for food with the in-laws on Thurs night down the Old Barn, but up in the morning to have a three miler in the morning.

Rained on Sat and Sun, so I shyed off the cycle or run on Sat, which was bad of me, but at least we went for a little walk down the wetlands. Then had a great session in the pool on Sunday. Got there about 7:30, and there were only a couple there, started sets of six. Tiring to start with, but I kept up, six lengths then about a 40 second break – each set taking around 3 mins. Did six of these after each other, then after the final pause I did a set of 14 lengths to take the total up to 50. So that was in about 30 mins – with pauses though but feeling a little more relaxed about the swim – even though that was only 900 meters and not in the sea, and not under pressure, and not competitive etc etc it still feels good.

So this week:

Run: 1 x 2 mile, 2 x 3 mile

Swim: 3 sessions – 6 lengths at a time, max 50 lengths in one session

Cycle: Nowt (although I have ordered £300 pound wheels

Beer: 17 Stella, 2 Fosters (thanks Ant)

Weak Two

 

Here we are at the end of the second week of the tri-training, and I cannot say I am any more confident! Been out running and swimming and cycling again this week and things are not currently getting much easier, but I suppose that is to be expected.

Went for a 9:30 swim on Tues, so started work at 6:30, got there and it was full of wrinklies again, luckily I kept to the edge and no one seemed bothered, quite a few of them seem to like to just stand in the pool chatting and then nip into the jaccuzzi on occasion  Only one shower working this week, so I waited whilst one bloke can out, then quickly ran in trying desperately not to glance at any white skin, I showered quickly, and it seemed like the guy from the shower was just waiting outside the cubicle, so I showered a little longer, still there, then longer again – in the end I just had to come out I couldn’t understand what he wanted, only to realise as I came out it was actually another codger shivering in his budgie smugglers waiting to get in the shower.

Couple of early runs this week, both normal three mile route passed Undy Football Club, both times dark, one time wet both times knackering. Seem to be running a 28 minute time for the three mile at the moment which is not great, but it is early in the training.

Had a 17 mile cycle again, bought a new seat this week, a charge something, not sure if its better than the stock seat, but it is red – and that matters. Really tiring again on the cycle, well at least the first few miles, I was stopping a truck overtaking in the first few miles so really had to work hard to gain 1`5 miles an hour up a hill, so was pooped from the start – but after five miles or so we get into a routine. Am currently looking at the possibility of getting new wheels, sometimes the interweb says it is the best thing you can do, other times it says you would be better off being fitter and getting new bar tape – who’d’ya trust these days, way too much information.

Bec’s birthday yesterday, so had a few extra beers, and the rugby was on – Wlaes lost to Ireland, so eat a load of crisps, also had a curry in the night, and we are off out to the Old Barn tonight so diet not brill, was 13:2 this morning, so amn actually getting fatter even with all this “training”.

Final session for the week, was not in the pool – as I am in Ipswich next week and may get some sessions in (and I couldn’t be arsed to get up and wet so early this morning) so did a “brick” session instead. This involved doing a cycle, then a run – sounds like a piece of cake – it wasn’t.

Only did a 7 mile cycle around Redwick, 22 mins (ish), which was hard going on the way thanks to the wind, but not too shabby on the way back. Got to the house and put my running shoes on and set off immediately. I had taken the precaution of wearing my TRISUIT today – once I managed to pour my big gut into it, so was ready for anything. Well, what I wasn’t ready for, was what they call in the tri trade “Jelly Legs” – I had read about it, but when it happens its a little odd – Its a bit like when your arm goes to sleep and you try to do something with it and it feels like it belongs to someone else, but with your legs, as you are trying to jog down your street, it full view, looking sozzled.

It took me a good half a mile before I felt anything like normal, I couldn’t breath and my legs were gone – but after that it got a little easier, although easier is a relative word. I also got sharp pains in the muscle in the front of my leg – hope that eases, or I might have to do some stretches in transition. 18 mins run so a 40 min session – it was quite tough.

 

Run: 2 x 3 miles: 27/28 minute pace

Swim: 2 x 35 mins – max 6 lengths in one go

Cycle: One 17 mile in sometime over an hour

Brick: 7 mile cycle, 2 mile run: 40 mins

Pints: 13 and counting ;o)

 

Biking today.

First day back on the bike so pumping tires and searching for gloves.

Set off about 8:30 and decided to cycle down to Nash. First 10 minutes was a piece of cake, but then it started to get a little bit more dificult. On the way out it almost seemed like i was cycling uphill, which isn’t the case, managed to get around and on the way back it did seem to get easier, so did 17 miles, which isn’t bad for the first attempt, but it took over an hour.

Got back and by legs were like jelly, really will have to practice cycle then run straight away. I have to say, and i know its only early, but i am feeling a little worried ;o)

Training this week:

Run, 3 times 3 miles – 28 minute runs
Cycle, 17 miles – 1 hr
Swim, 3 times (80mins)  max lengths in one go – 4

Pints – 10, Stella

Brockwier

Off to Brockwier today. We had been meaning to go here for ages, but mostly end up going to Tintern. A walk had been described in the times last weekend, so thought we may as well do it. Arrived into the brockwier inn car park around 11, expecting a 6 mile, 3hour walk and expected to be back in the inn for a late lunch.

Following the instructions from the paper we started well, opposite the inn, follow the road to orchard cottage, then up the restricted byway and up, up in the mud. Been walking uphill for about 20mins now, so I figured it was about time I passed a  snowball to Kate, it went down her back – she wasn’t delighted.
About now things went wrong, the write up said that we would get to a t junction, go left young man it said then follow the offas dyke trail. No darts, couldn’t find this track so wandered up the wet boggy track. We have never been able to find offas trail, ever, never – perhaps it doesn’t exist.

The trail turned into a stream so we decided to cross some fields and see if there was a road way. As we crossed the field we realised it was sort of like someone’s garden, but luckily no nasty farmer shouted. We hopped a hedge and found ourselves on a road a little lost, we decided to head back to brockwier, but bumped in to the farmer who looked at us with a little bit of disdain as we said we were lost and had no map. Anyway, he said we probably went wrong when we crossed his field!
He pointed us in the right direction and we headed off. Not to Offas but down the ramblers path to the river. So the walk wasn’t quite 6 miles and we got ourselves back the pub by about 12:30 after spending some time trying to hit a stationary wife with snowballs, and wading through more mud.

Back into the pub and a pint, cheesy chips a fish finger buttie for me and a tuna sarnie for Sian, great filling food, and 18 quid for the lot.

Might have to examine the route in more detail if we are to return.

Swimming is not fun.

So, went for the first swimming session today, with my new gym membership. It’s all icy still, but nipped down for an early lunch just before 10 – have not been looking forward to it much – but luckily when i got there it seemed as if there was no one there. So got scanned and got my towel and followed someone through the door…

Tried to juggle all my stuff around, what do i do first? Pick a locker, put my bag down, take my shoes off? Anyway, after much faffing I got into my shorts, got my gogs and ear plugs and jumped into the shower. Once I had finished I realise whilst walking back into the not completely empty changing room I still had my spectacles on. Like an idiot I had a shower with my glasses on – way too nervous..

So finally got in the pool, and a couple of wrinklies had materialized  but there was plenty of room. Gogs and ears in I started the stopwatch, took a deep breath and started my 1500m..

50 seconds and two lengths later I came to the surface spluttering and coughing – I was totally knackered. I cannot believe it was so bloody hard. I deliberately swam in a “proper” way head down, breathe out, turn breathe, cough, splutter, no oxygen, water up nose and could not believe how much out of breath I was…

So spent another 20mins going up and down slowly trying out this new swimming style. So after 25 mins I gave up and braved the changing rooms and the wet – dry dance of the cold bare swimmer.

Next swim Thursday, can barely wait.

Snowy Magor

 

Didn’t go anywhere this weekend as we had a load of snow, so we made the most of sitting in the warm. But, on Sunday, we decided to take a walk down Magor Marsh to trample through the snow. And get a beer! ;o)

 

Set off around 11:00, as we had someone come and pick up a table we have sold before that – the day was grey, slightly chilly and some dusting of snow. Set off around the corner and walked down to the tracks, there wasn’t too much snow about, and we mostly stomped into the puddles breaking the slight amount of ice. We got to the first field and it was slightly muddy under the snow and ice, me and Kate didn’t care as we had the wellies on, but Sian had to take things more carefully.

We had a bit of a snowball fight, and somehow Kate landed in the snow, we saw some very grey swans but we had a mission in mind so set off for the pub. Not sure why we didn’t have any lunch, but had a beer or four. Service was crap. It does blow a little hot and cold there to be honest.

The back for the footie and another four pack. Not sure how good an impression we are making to the children, case in point was Tom, who nipped out for a little bit on Sat night then sent his monther an email at midnight which read “I may be home late. I accidently got very drunk.” Well done!

 

 

So it begins – again

 

First week back into “training” this week. Went out on Sunday, Tues and Thurs – just taking the old short course of just 2.5 miles taking around 23 mins, which is not too fast. But at least it means I am back out on the road, in the early chill and getting back to business.

Took some time to arrange a membership of living well this week also, after some mucking around I finally agreed on a price of £180 for the minimum of six months. They wanted me to sign up for a year, but they were not about to turn down the cash!. Managed to get a 9 pound a month discount thanks to the boys being employed in the Hilton Hampton, so £30 a month peak time user.

My problem is when to go when it will be quiet, looks like Tues and Thurs are best days, so need to reschedule meetings in work to make sure I can get down at the right times. I went there just after two, and there were a load of wrinklies in the pool and multiple people using the gym. One of them, who was particularly ripped took a casual glance at me, probably feeling sorry for me. But then he did the same later on, made me a little self conscious – although I think he might be one of our postmen, so he may be thinking where have I seen him before – otherwise I shall be careful…

Gog’s came yesterday and seem pretty good, although my eyes are so bulbous they touch the inside of the glass, which isn’t great. But we’ll give them a go and see. Final piece of the puzzle is the ear plugs which have taken a while to get here, hopefully will be able to get down there next Tues.

So to start:

13st 2lbs

I shall Tri

I said I was going to do a Triathlon this year. A baby one, which they do in Pembrokeshire. Well – I am not. Instead I am doing a real, full fat one, at Broad Haven beach, June 29th.

http://www.pembrokeshire-tri.org.uk/pct.htm

I am scared. I cannot swim and I will have to do 1.5 Kilometers, and my knees hurt.

So its 1500m swim, in the sea – 43K cycle around lumpy Broad Haven and a final 10K run. Gosh.

Crickhowell

Saw Crickhowell mentioned in the Times yesterday, and although we have driven passed it many times we have never stopped – to be honest I didn’t think there was much there…

There wasn’t.

Only just over half an hour away, we are really spoilt for nice towns to visit, and we arrived on a crisp Sunday morning with a temperature hovering around zero. Took the most roundabout route to the car park, and had to pay, even on a Sunday;. Arrived at 10:30, which was about 3 months too early to be honest. Had a little walk down one of the streets, and as it was so chilly and nothing was open we nipped into No. 18 for an overpriced coffee, hot chocolate and a tea. With hindsight I should have had some brekkie. Drinks were fine, chair was wobbly and the place was doing a decent  (fair) trade.

 

Once warmed we walked round the outskirts of the town down to the bridge and had a quick game of pooh sticks, but for some reason none of our sticks seemed to appear on the other side – perhaps it was a magic bridge? Once sated, we walked up around the other side of the town and into the center, when we arrived we realised that the center, and side streets and shopping arcade are all just all one little street. With four shops on, and a bank with no cashpoint.

After about 40 seconds of browsing the high street, we walked over to the castle. Which is were we found a cashpoint – woop. The castle was a pile of bricks, but there was a mound just next to it, which we scaled. Then on the other side we spied a park, so Kate took off down the side of the mound, I stayed on the path – my knees groan just looking at a drop higher than a curb these days. We had a play on the round-a-bout, the see-saw and some climbing stuff, then it was time to head back to the Tourist Information Depot. They had a gallery there, with paintings from local artists – selling from £70 to £900 and they were shit. (mostly). Some had a little charm about them, but they mostly looked like a baby had painted them – art is stupid.

Once our inner artist had been cheered, off we went – home.

Probably better when the four shops are open, and you can take some time to have a pint. Its nice, quite pretty and has some nice walks around, but today, early and in the cold – not so good. Perhaps we’ll try again.

Hay-on-Wye

 

Its the New Year, another year – so started early with the visits this year – first up Hay-on-Wye.

Have been meaning to go to Hay for ages now, and have never got around to it before. Its only about 50 miles from us, but the roads are not great, but anyway it took around and hour and a quarter to get up there with some idiots on the roads.

Not a great day, and it did look like rain at one point, but it held off, and although a little cold it was pretty okay all day. As you get into Hay there is obvious parking, and after coughing up a couple of quid for four hours we headed up to the first shop. This was a crystal and candle shop Kate loved it, I didn’t, the Candle Cave just stank.

Across the road and the first mention of a book shop. Down a little alley and into Hay proper. Hay itself is not very big, a few roads and a little center which holds the Thursday market, you can walk around the lot in an hour, but what it does have is quite a few book shops. We went in some.

First stop though was a cuppa in the Cafe. We got ourselves a table and I went to the counter to queue – they were slow, then after ages I released I was queuing at the wrong end of the counter. So after getting myself more in tune with the vibe I got us some stuff. After stuff we headed out into the town for a look around. We spend quite a lot of it either in “Antique” shops or book shops. Although Antique shops is really just a grand title for bric-a-brac crap store. One book shop was so big it even had a toilet – I felt abliged to buy a book or two just because it was so big, even though they didn’t stock anything I wanted.

Almost lunch time, so we had a look round for the right place to eat, and picked the wrong one. We went to Oscars which was okay, but really just okay, Panini was okay, it should have had nice crisps and some red onion with the tuna, and the jacket potato had garlic butter which was odd.

We noticed that Hay has a downer on Kindles, one sign even suggested that Hay should “ban them” – fools.

The bookshops tended to have an underlying arrogance to them, especially the ‘keepers – but when you think about it, they need to get off their high and mighty steps and realise that actually they are perpetuating a system and commercial activity which goes out of its way to prevent authors from getting money for the books they have written. The second hand book market only lines the pockets of the booksellers themselves.

 

Give me a kindle any day – second hand book sellers – boo.

 

Hay is quite nice though, would be good to stay over and sample the pubs, we were going to – but they obviously have a specific tariff because even the day before, at the beginning of January the tariff was generally £135 a night for the three of us, even tough I am pretty sure they would not have filled the rooms at such a last minute. Anyway, we went there and back and were back in the local pub at 3:15 – tidy darts.

Non Electricity Day

So another Christmas comes close, which means its time for the regulation Non Electricity Day, still not sure why we don’t call it No Electricity Day but anyway.. So the purpose of the day is to have a day with hardly any electrical powered devices and exists with gas and candles. We have done it for a number of years now and is a bit of a Christmas event, even though most of the children now have other things to do…

So it begins in the morning, with no TV, no kettle – use the gas and light with a match. Luckily I can use my watch as it is clockwork and no battery. We use the heating, even though strictly speaking it uses electric, and we keep the fridge on (but remove the light) and turn the oven and microwave off so we have no electric light in the house at all.

We mostly drive somewhere for a walk, which is a bit cheating again, but this year we decided to keep more in the spirit of things we would walk to the next village. We only had Kate and Becs with us, as the boys were revising, Sian gave them dispensation to use a calculator. We set off around 11:00 to walk the three miles or so out to Redwick, and had a beer in the Rose. They were only doing Sunday Lunch, so we ordered one each and sheltered in the pub. It poured.

Luckily after food (the beef was good i thought) it had stopped the torrential rain and we went down to the sea wall to walk back. It was quite muddy on the way down, and unfortunately it was right next to the farmers slurry pit and he didn’t care where he spread his sh1t. Anyway, soon on the sea wall and a fine view of the Severn Estuary.. For some reason running along the edge of the sea wall made me run like an “old man”, oh dear it might just be me now.

It rained a lot and we got wet, but we were soon home. Then it was time for Pictureka, then frustration whilst I had a doze like an “old man”, then a couple of games of Uno. It was dark now and the candles were lit and all was good. But before we knew it, it was time to go down the village for one before ordering a take out. The joys of non electricity day.

Nosh, noshed and then I had a little sit down, Ant went out and I think I must have fallen asleep again.. Kate wasn’t feeling too good and was sick, so she slept on the floor for a while. Then at about 9:00 I had to go to bed, and that was that for non-electricity day. I actaully am an old man by the looks of things…

Six Bells

 

So the folks were up this week, so we looked at a little bit of the culture and industry of Wales which doesn’t really exist much any more – mining.

First up though was a fantastic Christmas Fair, well when I say fantastic I mean small, it was run by the scout group Kate is part of, it consisted of five or six tables with some second hand toys, second hand cakes, a tombola  and a hoopla game and a great smell of bacon. We bought some stuff for a quid, won a couple of drinks and were out of there – perhaps we were too early, perhaps it was just rubbish.

Off to Abertillery then to see the Six Bells Guardian. This was a memorial commissioned a few years back to commemorate some real grafters at the Six Bells colliery at Abertillery. It is a massive steel statute made up of “slices” of steel in the shape of a miner. From a distance it looks almost transparent, up close it is solid, and quite remarkable. The definition of the miner is amazing, its pretty large, one finger is the size of your arm, and it stands proud over looking the valley. It was a chilly, frosty morning and it was magnificent.

Just across from the car park is Ty Ebbw Fach, which is a little tea house and small museum which served a selection of hot and cold food and coffee and stuff – really nicely made out, all good.

After this we headed over the hills Blaenavon and “BIG PIT”. Big Pit is a museum which is a mine. 300ft pit which you tour around, for the princely sum of no pounds – now that’s value. Even the parking was on £2. We ambled though and within 5 mins we were being kitted out with our helmet and light, then told we could no bring any contraband into the pit – this is mobile phones, lighters, smoking materials, watches anything like that – even though they are not in production they still have to adhere to the rules on mines. Into the tight lift and down we went.

Rob was our guide and a very pleasant bloke he was too, the tour just really walks around in the mine and he regales us with information and stories – some a little fabricated I figure. But it was great. I had my comedy moment when he pretended to electrocute me – I made a comedy howl, and my wife got it, but it would appear I was too good an actor and the rest of the team thought I was a gaylord.

Once out of the pit we continued over the hills and down into Abergavenny. We had a look around and some nosh in the Hen and Chickens again (Taverners Chicken this time) and bumped into Paul who was down for a Christmas sleep over. Back to the car then headed home.

Really good day, a couple of fabulous things to see, and all for no money – now that’s incredible.

 

Final West Wales Properties exchange

 

..I hope.

So they now on the one hand take no liability, nor answer my questions and offer a £2000 settlement. On the other they suggest we should go to court. Really disappointing, after the last conversation with Neil Evans the MD I was thinking that perhaps they were all above board. Not now.

They are, of course in the right, I signed the ridiculous sole sellers contract and never shall I again, but they should have tried harder to get a good solution. To only leave a message with Bovis and not have the courtesy to call me back is inexcusable. But that’s business.

 

So West Wales Properties, you will never have any business from me or my family again, and I will ensure that everyone who asks will get an truthful account of your business practices. You are not a nice business, and people will be told…..

 

House Demo

 

Ohh its getting all exciting – had our “house demo” today, where they show you somethings in the house. Took and hour and a half and they go through a lot of stuff, nothing really amazing, but a couple of interesting things which I have probably already forgotten  Both places look good, they are doing a final clean, but in the most part it looks okay, a couple of things noticed on first pass, which will get sorted, but only a couple of days and we’ll get the keys…

In other news the building cert came and sent to Solicitor, she also needed to get confirmation from Sian that she was happy for the money from the mortgage goes into my private special account and not the joint one ;o) Looks like there is nothing outstanding, and Bovis have confirmed they will pick up the West Wales Properties cost.

As far as West Wales goes, Neil replied today, although I left a message previously – so I just put all the facts down, again, and asked for the final charge. Hopefully that will be that.

 

Sian is back to Pembs to pick up the rest of the furniture on Friday, then we just need to drop the keys off and that’s that. Just waiting for the carpets now.

 

 

 

Abergavenny

 

Bit of a miserable day today, but we decided to head up to Abergavenny for a few hours to get out of the house. We are very lucky in that we have lots of decent places within half an hour drive to visit, from cities to towns to just walks in the forest.

On the way up it completely poured down, which didn’t bode well, but when we got there it was okay, no rain at least… So we walked up the main street until we got to the Angel Hotel, I needed to book afternoon tea for us on the 8th Dec, so took the oppertunity to book it in person. The only time they had was 4:45 on the Saturday, which was quite surprising. She also looked at me a little odd when I said i wanted a table for 5 but only three would have the tea..

Had a little stroll through the town, but it was 12:30 and I wanted some nosh – I had checked out a place on the net that did beef and dripping sandwiches, so delicately directed Kate and Sian in the direction of the Hen and Chickens. Its one of those places where when you first walk in you think, Uh ho – this is not were I want to be, how can I leave. But in the end we were very pleased with it. They had plenty of food to choose from (they also did Sunday Dinner), we had soup, chicken burger and faggots for me. They could have done with a bit more gravy, which I am sure they would have brought if i had asked, but they were very nice. They have a jazz band every other Sunday, we were on the other weekend unfortunately but a good place – I would return. There was a bloke in there, who was with a girl when we arrived – after half hour or so, the girl had left and he stayed with his pint. The bar maid came over in due course and said “where is she”, he replied “gone”, “shopping?” she asked, “no for good” he said.. Made me chuckle a little inside…

After grub we continued around the town, and then into the market and then that was it. Would quite like to come over for a good drink one day, it could be a nice place for that.

 

Carpet – Right?

 

Carpet measurer came today – he likes his job. Very professional. Slightly odd. But he knows his carpets and his measurements, and how to make off cuts from no where and add them into the built in cupboards. We are in safe hands?

Had a look at the kitchens for the first time today, and the tiles in the bathrooms – looks really good. Flat is far better, the house is fine, but the bedroom is teeny-tiny. All really coming together.

Price of carpet has expanded by 3 hundred quids now the full measure has taken place, but we know what we want from there and its still 1200 cheaper than Bovis quoted – so can’t be bad?

 

Christmas in Cardiff (already)

What a splendid day. Light and crisp and even – frosty and clean this morning so dragged my fat gut out of bed and got on the road for a five mile jog it was lovely.

Waited for Tesco to deliver – they said 11 – 12, by 12:30 they still had not turned up, so the boys were home now so off we went. (The delivery driver quit half way through his shift) Half hour into Cardiff, and we could tell it was busy as we drove down Newport Road, as we got into Cardiff the signs said three of the car parks were full! Parked in Knox road which was the car park I used to use when I very first started to work in Cardiff a scary 14 years ago. Bit chilly.

Walked down the central drag and came to Santa’s Grotto and lots and lots of people. Then down the Hayes where I happened to spot a large German sausage seller, then some beer, then some pig roast – things were looking up. After sampling some cheese and having a look into all the little Christmas sheds we headed back to the sausage man – yummy. Big thick and delish – Kate had a Greggs and a quite nice eclair.

Full of German goodness we braved Hamleys which has now opened in Cardiff – same as any other toy shop but with a 20% Hamleys mark up. It was packed. Off to the Lego shop to spend Kate’s voucher then over to Marks for a “coffee”. This is new for us, never go for “coffee” – so I had a tea. Odd.

More walking in the cold, then back in the car.

Got home expected the smell of cooking pork, but the Tesco man had not delivered it – he said it was not available and there was no alternative – no alternative to a pork loin, in a massive Tesco’s! So we had to phone a curry. Stuffed. Bed.

 

 

Carpet and Insurance

 

Got the house insurance, £132 which seemed okay – rubbish guy on the phone. I phoned him back when his quote specifically stated “No accidental damage”, and he insisted that it did. No energy to argue so took it anyway.

 

Initial quote from Carpet Right was £2300 for both – seems okay? Bovis wanted £3700 so should be okay. Called into a carpet place in Caldicot and he finally rang back to say what a dope I was for measuring the houses!! After two days that was all he had to say, not an approx quote, just that I was stupid ;o) well…

Also finally arranged a joint account – aren’t I all grown up, never had one before. So joint houses and joint account – nearly all sorted.

Have we made it yet?

 

Contract exchanged – sorted, all done yesterday, with a confirmed Completion for the 30th November. Finally.

I need to get the buildings insurance sorted now – first quote was £140 which seems pretty good to me.

Next is the carpets, Bovis charge £1700 per house – hope that Carpet Right is cheaper – need to agree whether we do full vinyl (with a wood effect) or do the normal carpet route.

Need to hire a van for Becs so that we can pick up some beds and the table from H/West, running out of weeks now, so might have to do this next week.

Need to speak with the rental dudes to make sure the house is marketed as soon as possible – ideally to get someone in for Jan 1st – which is looking difficult at the moment…

In other news, insured the car for the boys – £988 this time, and Tom will have his test in a couple of weeks. Nearly Christmas ;o)

 

Nearly Exchange Time

Went over to see the flat and the house to measure up today. Flat looks great, had a look at a different one with the kitchen already in – looks pretty good. We also went to see the house for the first time – its tiny!!!

Although it is not finished, it doesn’t look very big, but I suppose with just two of you cwtching down in there it would be fine. Bedrooms are not large, but the bathroom is bigger than the last Hilton bathroom we had.

Also spoke to the Solicitor, Bovis are ready to exchange, but only if the electrics are signed off. Whch they are not yet. So looks like they will push back the exchange due to this – they don’t seem too bothered about the actual building cert – just the electrical sign off. Can’t get in touch with Jase at the moment unfortunately y.

So we have the measurements ready to look at the carpets, and we may well be able to get the keys on the 30th November! Coolio.