Long run from Blenheim

Tash went off to yoga early in the morning and I pottered around and got jobs done and then we went over to Charlotte's and in turn went to Blenheim Palace so they could do a long run to end the week.

They were going off to Milton Keynes shopping for Charl's birthday and needed Tash's car so instead of taking two cars I decided that I'd just run home instead, sounds a long way but it's only 6 miles so a perfect distance. I was with them in the Blenheim grounds not for long but to view some of the amazing cars they had there on show for something going on - God only knows how much money was on display for all these beautiful cars on display.

So anyway, off I went and it was okay, I did stop for a few seconds because of a really annoying Airbnb person (Meredith) contacting us, thank goodness she leaves today - she's been hard work. But otherwise I then stopped at the Dog Kennels roundabout for 5 mins, I was knackered and it was only 4.8miles! Not ideal.

I then ran the rest of the way home pushing my legs although I so wanted to stop. The thought occurred to me that having done that once, I'd have to do it 4.5 times to complete a marathon - this is quite a challenge we've taken on!! Think I'm regretting it a bit. Hopefully it will get me fitter though so there's a motivation behind all this!

I then had the afternoon to myself and was a bit lazy for an hour or so and watched cricket and hid from Meredith until she left. Then I decided to get things done and worked on sanding the dining room table, it's very battered and worn so we're hoping that sanding the top varnish off and re-doing it will give it a new lease of life. I only used the handheld mouse sander as my belt sander would be too heavy duty and it worked fine but was time-consuming, dusty and quite hard work to be honest. But slowly I got it done and then covered it in case of rain - which is exactly what happened! 

Tash called late and said they were all going to come over to ours and have a Chinese take-away as no-one could be bothered to cook and they got here about 7.00pm, same time as Miles and the food was excellent - really lovely. Watched a film, Chilren of Men, which I sort of enjoyed but no one else was fond of it so that was disappointing and then Charl and Miles went home as they wanted their beds this evening which of course was fine. Not a boozy evening at all and an early night in the end.

A decent day all told.

Tiff's Kids Over for the night

 Normal day at work, got jobs done in between and even made it out for a run - bloody hot at 12.30pm but I managed a few miles, I am going to find this marathon really hard to be honest, I am not doing well with this initial training.

Tash has Tiff's kids tomorrow and is taking them down to Bournemouth for the day as she's off with her new boyfriend (Aaron) for the weekend, yep, she's got a new bloke in already...no further comment from me on that though, it's none of my business.

Anyway, Tash was in Bicester in the afternoon so thought it best and most convenient to pick the kids up today instead of in the morning and have them sleep the night.

No Brendan, but that's not a surprise, he's almost 18 now, so Dulce, Ellwood and Ivy came over and they were full of beans and energy from the very moment they arrived, they're really lovely children and it was fun having them over. Dulce is so cute and cheeky, so like Charlotte. We ate so many treats and crap I felt quite sick by the time for bed - even stopped the ice cream van too.

Took them to the local park when walking Bess and Dulce kept asking to carry the poo bag and was eager to pick up any poo when Bess next went (she didn't go) but that was both amusing and odd. I said she's going to be a vet!

We got them settled down, much later than they would normally go to bed, Ivy and Ellwood shared Charlotte's bed and Dulce said she wanted to sleep with Tasha - so I ended up sleeping on the sofa! That wasn't ideal I'll be honest

So the evening finished and everyone went to bed except the Airbnb we have staying who sat at the dining room table whilst I watched the end of my Viking series, she was still up when I settled myself down to sleep, but it was uncomfortable and I woke up with a real pain in my back - not nice

But it was lovely having the kids - they really are great and they look out for each other so well.

Run Club again

Not much to report in the day itself, took the old dining room chairs to the dump at Ardley, that was a bit of a shame throwing those away!

Tash came back from work and went out with Anna and Cathy down at the Medley pub along by the Perch so didn't see much of her.

As agreed, I went out to run club in Bicester and met Charlotte - just us two today. We did 12 mins together, then for the next two intervals she ran on ahead - I struggled to be honest but it's good I was out there. I really just need to keep putting in the time and hours like I did with walking and preparing for Kili.

I have had an odd muscle strain for two days now which I think is from golf and sitting down too much - really painful to touch and yet wasn't a problem for me when running - most odd.

As I came back home I felt I needed to do a bit more so popped in the gym for perhaps the shortest time ever! I did 3 mins running and then 10 mins rowing - then left..

Relaxed at home and watched some episodes of Vikings Valhalla - I am nearing the season 3 end which is where it stops I think, pretty sure they're doing season 4 though. 

New dining room chairs

I bet Samuel Pepys didn’t get to write about such things in his diary! 

Pretty nothing day today, I was feeling well, I’ve got a cold and couldn’t concentrate on my work. Luckily it’s still not very busy. 

As per the intriguing headline, we had new charis for the dining room delivered and I put the legs together and were pleased with them. See how long these ones last then. Sadly I’ll take the others to the dump tomorrow. 

Charlotte came over in the evening to bring back the camping stuff they borrowed for their festival (Creamfields) at the weekend and we caught up on each others news. They had a fantastic time with such great DJs, of course I was jealous!! She stayed quite a long time and had dinner with us so that was lovely. 

Walked Bess, had a bath because my left leg is absolutely killing me and I should have gone for a run but sucked out of that. 

Bank Holiday Weekend away in Braunton

 Went down to Braunton for the long weekend with Wayne and Kerry. They arrived at ours around 6.00am and we were on the road 10 mins later, the run down to Devon was very good indeed, we didn't need to stop and the traffic was busy but kept at a steady 70mph so that was great.

Sadly, the weather wasn't great so instead of going straight to Baggy Point for the walk, we stopped in Barnstable for breakfast with the intention of delaying a bit and giving the weather a chance to improve, and to be far it did.

We drove through Braunton and on to the coast and through Croyde to the National Trust car park, got sorted and then went on the walk around the coastline - it was excellent, so dramatic and the weather was good so we had great views and no rain.Very enjoyable, walked all the way around to Putsborough Beach which is the south end of Woolacombe (which we could see in the distance) and then had lunch on the beach. Bloody windy which meant the surf was huge and it was exciting, really wanted to get into it!

We made our way back to the van and then onto the campsite just in Braunton, seemed nice enough and we got sorted out - I set up the awning but it was very windy, storm like, but it was needed so we took the risk.

It was a small site, right next to a cricket pitch but flat and decent. Had a few drinks and a relax and then got dinner on the go - Kerry had cooked spag bol so that got heated up and we played cards outside until late. Tash was a bit tipsy and kept winning at crib which she made the most of celebrating and rubbing Wayne's nose in it! Was funny to be fair. Walked the dogs and went to Tesco and they found some pillows as they'd left theirs in Oxford - then hot drinks and bed!

The wind was howling but the awning held fast so that was a relief.

Sunday we emerged about 8.30am, so convenient and comfortable and warm in the van, makes hell of a difference. I cooked breakfast, I had three hobs on the go and it worked really well, got it all delivered hot at the same time and though I say so myself, it was lovely! Made packed lunches for later in the day and then tidied up and got on the road and went the few miles down to Westward Ho. I like it here, it's a real seaside town, parked in the dunes and then went for a walk past the "haunted house" along the cliff edge. It was very, very windy and then sure enough, it started pissing down with rain! We'd got a decent distance and then decided to turn back and return to town.

Wayne attacked the sweet shop and then we had drinks in the pub garden nearby as the sun shone (very fluctuating weather!!). After a bit we made our way back to the car and Tash and I decided that we'd definitely like to get out in the sea and do a bit of body boarding. We ate in the car, it was raining again, and then braved the elements, got changed into wetsuits, made our way over the boulders and into the sea that had gone out a long way. Thankfully Wayne and Kez looked after our jackets and the dogs and we ventured into the sea - surprisingly it was mild and not a shock to the system.

Tash first and then she went back, then me, the waves were decent but I didn't do any good boarding - no idea what's wrong with my technique, but I just don't get pushed along by the waves sadly. I felt conscious that they were all waiting on me but I'd happily have stayed out there a lot longer that the 15/20 mins that I did. But we did it so that was good.

Back to the car and got changed back into dry clothes (the dry robe is great for warmth and also as a cloak room pretty much!) and then back to the tent. 

Cricket was on so everyone relaxed with a book, or slept, I got a few beers and watched the cricket - it was a shit standard but they enjoyed themselves. Tash made dinner, butter chicken curry and rice and did it well. Wind and rain again and we decided to play cards in the van this time - walking the dogs didn't take long because it pissed down with rain again!

We did get a bit of a break with the weather so I quickly took down the awning so it didn't get damaged in the evening - we also decided to buy another side panel to make it more enclosed next time we use it.

Cards in the van was nice and it was a bit more even this time with Wayne and I making a comeback but the girls still won 3-2 for the weekend. We were all a bit tired so it was an early night and not too much drinking but that was fine with us. 

Next morning, as predicted the weather was nice and sunny, we got packed up and as we were about to make a move Tash and I decided we'd visit Saunton Sands quickly and walk Bess but Wayne and Kez wanted to get going so we said our goodbyes and agreed to catch up later to play golf depending on when we got home.

We were only at the beach for 20 mins just to say we'd been there and avoid parking charges and then we were on the road. As expected for a bank holiday Monday the traffic was pretty bad and tough going - I think I might have been caught speeding in a 60mph zone, pissed off about that but nothing I can do about it now!

We had a new Airbnb arriving today and she got a bit shirty with us about the checking in time - sill girl as she's with us all week, very odd. Wound us up a bit to be honest.

Anyway, got home about 2.45pm and unpacked etc and then I cheekily sneaked off and played Wayne at golf. I didn't have the best round but still got 34 points and hit 97 and I was disappointed with that so I know I can do so much better!

Back home for dinner and more sorting out of things and then Tash had an early night and I just watched a film and then wasted time on my phone.

A long weekend but really enjoyable, look forward to getting out in the van again soon.

Bit of nothing day

Work is quiet at the minute which means I've had an opportunity to catch up with house-keeping and such like.

Didn't do any long run (or short run for that matter) but did exercise so need to keep that going

Went out for a walk with Tash in the evening when she was back and Jack and Jodie came over for dinner after they'd been out for a spa day which they'd enjoyed - didn't have a pool or anything so was very much focused on the spa/sauna type rooms and relaxation which worked for them.

Played Monopoly Deal after their dinner and I got well and truly shafted - didn't even have a property at the end of the game - horrible!!

Knackered so had an early night in the end.

Busy weekend ahead so go prepped and sorted for that in the day too

Normal Work, nice lunch and Run Club

Being back at work this week has been okay, it's been a quiet Summer break thankfully meaning we've been able to catch up with work and tasks which is always appreciated, even had a bit of spare time to work on other projects - I've now set up an app called Notion (seeing Jack using it) which is similar Trello and might not be necessary but if it's going to help with planning things then it's worth giving it a go!

Jack was around at lunchtime so the three of us went to Summertown and had lunch together which was lovely sat in the sun and chatting - Tash made us laugh when answering Jack about coming to Summertown more for coffee she replied "I don't have time,  I work three days a week!!" Seriously?

We set out for Bicester Run club at 5.30pm and hit the usual traffic, it was that slow at one point I even got out the car to remove a burst tire from the A34! 

Run Club was quite busy - not as many people as last time I went but there were the four of us (Charlotte was there direct from work) and we did 5 mins on, 2 mins off - I was slow and at the back again, not a surprise but I did it.

Back home Charlotte and Miles came over and so did Mum and we had a nice spag bol and two bottles of lovely red wine - didn't need it and felt guilty because of exercising earlier, ah well..

Jack went off to Jodie's around 9.30pm as they have a spa day organised tomorrow which sounds lovely and the evening ended around 10.00pm when everyone else left to go home.

A nice day and good to have the kids around

A week in Cyrpus

 Been back a few days now but had a great week in Cyprus last week. We went on the Saturday morning (Me, Tash, Charlotte, Lewis and Emily) and following us was Zoe, with Niamh and Kate Millar - we met Laoisa there as she could get the train direct

Left quite early and had a good run down there although a bit of a problem for us as the van was too high for car park 5 but we sorted and it and were on our way.

The hotel was very nice and we settled in quickly - it was all inclusive and it was also adults-only which was noticeable.

In the coming days we had Jason and Sharon turn up late (after midnight) on Sunday and then all the Holdens arrive on Tuesday evening (Wayne, Kerry, Nicole, Dan, Paul and Pauline) - so all 17 were there

We relaxed during the day, sleeping, drinking, eating and messing about in the sea - that was a challenge to get into, Tash had a horrible fall on the first day when she and Charlotte tried to get in using  shortcut and badly bruised her leg for the rest of the holiday.

The weather was very sunny and very hot all week - sweating and keeping in the shade as much as possible. I played a table tennis tournament but only came second - but was happy with that. Played Lewis the following day and he beat me comfortably - didn't get to play against Wayne in the end, couldn't be bothered I don't think.

Evenings we would have dinner in the main buffet area or in booked restaurants - we managed 3 of the 4 so that wasn't too bad, Greek, Italian and Asian. Better food in those as you'd expect.

Each night we would do a round-robin announcing our highlights and lowlights from the day which was fun

We went out to Paphos one evening after lunch, just wandered around and then went to Bar Street which is their "strip" - not much to it but we also chose a shit bar to sit in but it was a night out.

The highlight of the holiday was easily the boat trip, whilst still in the UK Tash (who else?) organise a 3hr sunset booze cruise, we found the boat at 4.30pm and he let us on straight away, Sharon put her Boat Party playlist on and from the first 10 seconds we were on it - singing, dancing, drinking - we'd not left the harbour and you could tell this was going to be a great evening. 

And it was!

We set out and stopped a couple of times, first time we were diving off the boat but the current was so strong, I found that hard initially but otherwise everything was great. As the trip went on we got more drunk and the playlist was open to everyone - ah - it was amazing, we had a such a good time, everyone got totally hooked into it.

We saw the sunset and made more and more noise with our singing, even when back at the harbour at 8.00pm and everyone sat in their nice restaurants with us all singing at the top of our voices!

I wanted to stay out and go to a karaoke bar but was over-ruled so we all went back to the hotel to get changed and eat. I wasn't happy about that because I knew most of us wouldn't go back out and the opportunity had passed. About 6 of them (the kids) did go back out but they were finished by 2.30am we heard in the morning. Still, it didn't detract from such a brilliant day.

Didn't have a heavy head on any of the mornings which was a pleasant surprise, I guess we did drink (and eat) in moderation throughout the day to be fair.

So we were only there for the week and left Saturday around 7.20pm, Holdens and Millars waved us off and the airport was busy and not well organised but eventually we got the plane an hour late and back to Gatwick in the early hours, no problem getting the van and said our goodbyes with Carrolls and got home to bed about 4.30am.

Such a lovely time - really enjoyed it, even if it started off a bit rough because of my idiotic antics on Thursday night/Friday morning - I so regret that! 

Scafell Pike

The alarm went off at 5.25am as planned and we got up and sorted - made hot drinks and left Bess in the bedroom but I had doubts that she'd stay quiet in there for long, and Lewis confirmed in the evening when we returned that he had her in their bedroom not long after we'd left!

We drove over to Jack's house and got there bang on 6.30am as planned but he made us wait 15 minutes! Irritated me..but he'd not got in from the boxing event until 1.30am so fair enough. He went in the back and went straight to sleep and Tash slept in the front as I drove the next 2.5hrs up North and into the Lake District. 

The last hour of driving was painful as it was along these tiny, winding roads that just seemed so needless but then we were beside a lake and the views were stunning, I was in awe of people that were just pitched up and camping there, I definitely need to look up whether it's legal or not as it was beautiful.

We got to the car park and got sorted no problem and were on the move by 9.45am, even after 100yrds I was puffing and we had a stop a couple of times to remove layers as in the car park it was quite chilly but the walk was immediately upwards, and this was the theme for the whole hike, not once was there any level ground, it was steep uphill all the way. 

I was struggling to be honest, the sweat was pouring off me and I had to stop so many times, I just wasn't up to it, very disappointing to be so unfit, not good at all. Anyway, I trudged along slow and steady (ish) and as we progessed it got mistier as we ascended into the clouds and it got windier and colder. We were well prepared and got the layers out so it wasn't a problem, but seeing some of the people go past us I culdn't believe how little or flimsy clothes and walking shoes they were wearing.

We made it to the top after about 2.5hrs and took some photos of course and made our way down the way we came as we were on a bit of a time limit to get Jack back home as he had football in the evening but he wasn't looking forward to that as he was feeling the fatique too!

The descent wasn't too bad, but it was hard work on the knees, and we stopped at a decent point for some sandwiches and drink and then made it back to the car-park for a coffee, changeover of clothes and then back on the road to Manchester which was uneventful and they both slept again!

Got Jack back and said our goodbyes and wished him luck with footie and also a meeting with his business partners tomorrow as things aren't too rosy with R2R so there needs to be a meeting to clear the air and determine next plans there.

Tash drove to Lewis's and I got some zzzz's and we didn't spend too much time at his, said thanks and appreciated them having Bess for us, sounds like she got on well with the cats so that was a relief. I then drove us back down to Oxford and we got home and sorted around 9.45pm.

It's been a long but enjoyable weekend, we do push ourselves it has to be said, but well worth it as we're trying to live life to the max!!

Surprising Jack and time in Manchester

So we were up at 5.30am and on the road 30 mins later driving up to Manchester, Jack didn't know this but Tash wanted to turn up and surprise him at his run club. Tash wasn't well in the night and was sick a number of times and felt sorry for herself on the journey up there.

The journey was great, hardly any traffic for a long way because it was so early and we got to Media City about 8.30am, only one problem..Tash had left her running shoes in the house! So we found a Sports Direct and as soon as it opened at 9.00am she was in there getting some new ones, said she needed them anyway..yeah right!

Got to Media City square where crowds were building and Jack turned up so that was funny. I walked off with Bess as I wasn't bothered about being involved and Bess wouldn't have been able to cope either so I still did a long wander around the Quays/Dock and I was walking back I saw them doing their circuit - a lot of people involved.

I met them when they'd finished, wasn't long, only about 5km I think, we had Costa Coffee and chatted, mostly about his issues with the business and they then had to leave so Tash and I jumped into the van and drove to Knutsford. The houses on the way in (Mere) were astonishing, so much money on show! And Knutsford itself was very impressive, I was surprised for some reason, if it's somewhere Lewis and Emily are looking to move to then they could find far worse places to settle in that's for sure!

We parked up next to a nice park and had our lunch and then wandered around the town and Tash got her nails done (not one to waste time!) and I had a pint and watched the world go passed. We then set off back to Lewis's house and we had a BBQ in the garden which was nice, and finished off the evening watching some of the Olympics that is being held in Paris. 

Early night in the end because of an early start tomorrow morning - Saturday and Sunday should not be having alarms set for 5.30am!!