Today saw me come the closest I ever have to displaying ‘bike rage’. Whilst riding towards Mumbles, I almost collided with three other riders (on seperate occasions) with them simply not being aware of me coming towards them. Obviously this resulted in us having words, along the lines of ….. “Excuse me” and the response being “Why the f*ck don’t you look where you are going!”. Those of you who are familiar with the route will know that the path is clearly marked with a lane for walkers and a lane for cyclists.
So I left the office quite chilled out looking forward to a nice bike ride and returned to the office in a strop (and not chilled out at all!). Anyway, I clocked up 12 miles which all helps in the bigger picture (losing weight and getting fit) and also gives me some decent prep for the BIG ride on Sunday.
I decided to try and tackle Kilvey Hill on my own today, but only succeded in getting lost! Next time I’ll stick to the route that we went along as a group last time, rather than trying to find my own alternative way (via St. Thomas).
Anyway, I clocked up about 7.5 miles on the bike so at least I had a workout. The other thing worth a mention was the bitterly cold and strong north wind that greeted me whilst out riding was more akin to winter than summer and I do really wonder what sort of summer we are going to get this year (if we get one at all!).
We went along to the Swansea County Show today in Singleton park for the first time ever and were pleasantly suprised on what was on offer in its twenty-fifth year. Amongst the horse and dog shows were lots of marquees featuring fashion, food, crafts and even an eco-zone. There were plenty of fun fair rides to keep the kids happy as well as a visit from Shrek – although DDWT Junior was none too impressed and burst out crying!
Here are a selection of pictures from our day.
After leaving the show we spent the rest of the afternoon in the Fforestfach retail park – enjoying a starbucks coffee (in the Borders book shop) and some light reading, whilst DDWT Junior had an afternoon nap.
I couldn’t bring myself to write for the land of blog last night after watching the Swans lose 4-3 on penalties in the League One Play-off Final against the Tykes of Barnsley. On a day that promised so much we left the Millenium stadium with nothing – except a load of if onlys. The game itself was for me (and Kenny Jackett judging by his after match comments) a reflection of the season, in so much as we created so many chances yet failed to take them. I should have guessed it wasn’t to be our day when the match programme I ordered via the internet, turned up on time – but for the wrong flipping game (nice one Programme Master – you muppets!).
In retrospect, I was bitterly disappointed but far from distraught as after all the season as a whole did (for me anyway) exceed expectations considering it was out 1st season back in League One. I mean two trophies and a play-off final can’t be bad can it. Roll on next season, the the rollercoaster ride that is Swansea City football club.
As for Bank Holiday Sunday, well I took my disappointment out on the ivy bushes that ‘were’ resident in our bank garden and continued the garden overhaul that started a few days back. I find it funny that I’ve filled the equivalent of 6 wheelie bins since I started pruning the garden – which is certainly testing the Council’s fortnightly garden waste collection service.
My usual Sunday visit to the bathroom scales showed a 2lb loss this week, so I’m not back at 17st exactly.
Well with less than 24 hours to go now before the big play-off final game between the Swans and Tykes of Barnsley I’m getting both excited and nervous in equal proportions. Having said that, I think I’m more nervous about getting the train to Cardiff, given the shambles that is the boarding pass system.
I’m sure though that once I do get there the atmosphere will be electric with 34,000 Swans and 23,000 Tykes vying for vocal supremacy around the Millenium stadium.
Back on track (no pun intended!) with the running today as I had a ‘normal’ lunchtime, so decided on a 24 minute meandering jaunt around Swansea Marina. The knee still seems to be holding up well, so it must have been all of the beach running that was causing me the problem.
It’ll have to be back on the bike for me next week though in preparation for the 3 Valleys Bike ride a week Sunday.
DDWT Junior did a sponsored trampoline bounce today to raise money for the mother and toddler group he attends. Fair play to the little fella, he was only meant to do 10 bounces – but ended up hogging the trampoline and doing in excess of 200 and raised £15 in the process, not bad for a 28 month old toddler. It’s no wonder he was fast asleep when I got home from work at 5 ‘ish, he must have been shattered.
