Just back from a few days in the Yorkshire Dales near Skipton in our aged motorhome. A lovely five van site on a farm with a farmer who gave you the feeling, and I’m sure he was, a very kind chap. He did though utter some racist words I’ve not heard for years and also liked killing things. I took my road bike and went out on it for short rides, the first time for several years. I rode right up to Malham Cove, on the footpath and met many happy smiley people (yes, I know it’s a footpath) I was on 28mm Bianchi Reparto Corse tyres and it was lovely. I had some other short rides around the area and had only courteous behaviour from other road users, perhaps because there were lots of other cyclists about people are used to us? If last week you saw an aged chap in full Bianchi kit, including matching socks, helmet and tyres around Airton, and you smiled and waved. Thank you!
I will go back to the same campsite and when I get to know the farmer better I’ll start to gently bring him into the modern world – or at least my version!
Take care you all.

All is good in the world when you can watch Bo ripping.
#kidsonbikesrock

Needs a bump.

Yes it is cold – but my word it is beautiful out. This morning has the clearest blue sky above us in Stirling.

Tru dat Matt,even saw some of the meteor shower early on,followed by a beautiful sunrise that will have had sheperds on full alert 😉
We are baking and prepping all day for the Xmas fair this weekend #scentofcake 😆

Oil boilers are a new thing to me, and all of a sudden I needed to fix ours.

Bit of YouTube, I’m in there cleaning out the soot, changing the nozzle, adjusting the electrodes and changing the photocell.

Guess what, it now works, and it’s been a lovely crisp clear day outside working on it.

Off to Wales tonight crampons and axes maybe for first time in four years!

Lovely day working in the garden, pruning some of the birch, ash, sycamore and oak to let a bit of light into the central clearing and to stop branches rubbing. Did it all from a wooden ladder that must be over 70 years old and using hand tools as I don’t like the noise from power tools on a weekend. The prunings will be shredded this week with my very quiet shredder/grinder or will supplement the dead hedge’s I’ve created. Lots of sunshine and birdsong, a very satisfying and uplifting day.
How are you all doing?

Trying to look after my health a bit more, weight down this last week but more importantly blood pressure readings consistently down as well, its all very slow but as long as the trend is down it puts a smile on my face.
Took the little un along Newbiggin prom, had some photos with ‘the couple’, then on the bikes around QE2 park to finish off a rather lovely day 🙂

Ah, Northumberland, one of my favourite places!

Great ride at dawn this morning.

Later today … fingers crossed… I should find out whether our 11 month 2 day wait to get our insurance claim is finally sorted. We already have a builder lined up and then we should finally be able to get on with rebuilding our house and moving back in. Will be happy with Christmas 2023.

Went for a ride on the road today on my aged “hybrid” Marin San Rafael. A circular ride from near Allonby to Aspatria and Maryport and then back along the excellent coastal bicycle path, everyone I met or encountered on the road and path were considerate and pleasant. Even on the section of main road, lorries, buses and cars hung back until safe to pass and give me plenty of room, no fast jets without hooters or bell’s either.
Well done West Cumbria, I am encouraged!
It was a bit uppy and downy though..

A full year on since I started this thread. I’ve been doing my annual bramble pull in the sunshine and listening to the birdsong. Retreated just in time to the workshop now as it’s hammering it down – still nice though being dry and listening to the rain on the roof.
Any other positivity flowing around?

Went out for a ride with my mate last night. By the time we got to the high point, the clouds had rolled in, scuppering our stargazing plans, then unexpected rain chased us home and soaked us through. But we got time before the rain for tea with honey JD and a jam sandwich and we gassed all the way round as we hadn’t been out in ages. All in all, it was a jolly good night. 🙂

My car has finally been cleaned inside and out. 😃 I have a feeling the last time it got a good going over was in autumn 2022.

Five months of biking and sailing circuit detritus is now gone. Scrubbed up pretty well for a 12 year old silver eurobox. Reminds me I don’t need a newer one. Small victories and all that but after a very difficult end to the week it’s good to get one.