Whilst getting up this morning at the usual time of 6:45 am, I ventured downstairs as per my normal morning routine to have breakfast (tumbler of orange juice and 4 weetabix). The sight that greeted me outside the kitchen window was truly amazing and it’s been a while since I’ve seen such a vibrant red sky. I quickly took a few snaps, which you can see below.
The red sky this morning – if you believe the old wives tale – would herald bad weather and although it wasn’t a wet day, it was most certainly very very windy. This I found out to my expense during a very tough and ardous 23 mile lunchtime bike ride.
Our route took us from County Hall in Swansea to Killay, Fairwood Common, Parkmill, Southgate, Mayals and Mumbles and took is 1 hour 37 minutes in total at an average speed of 13.9mph. The constant gale made it very hard work and for once the BBC weather forecast seems to be accurate!
My lunchtime run today saw me try out a new route down to Blackpill, with the added incentive of having some new faces to run against as well – which is always a good motivator (well for me it is anyway!).
The 4 mile route took us 40 minutes 19 seconds to complete and I felt quite happy with the time, considering I hadn’t done that distance for quite some time. Having said that, I think I could have done it quicker, as the pace at times seemed to be quite slow (and we stopped for a 1 minute stretch at the halfway point!!!).
Anyway, thanks R&P for the opportunity of an alternative run out.
I spent another day in Cardiff today and as such it meant passing Ninian Park once again – something which has happened far too often for my liking (as a Swansea fan) over the last couple of weeks!!
Having previously mentioned the parking issues of both Cardiff and Swansea, my experience today of the car park (if you can call it that!?!?!) on Lloyd George Avenue and the £4.50 price tag still leads me to believe that our capital city has a shocking car park problem (even leaving my Swansea bias aside!).
The never ending rain and win seems to have played merry hell with my Sky Digital Dish/Box and has consequently resulted in us losing ALL of the channels on the system. We’re constantly getting the “no satellite signal received” – which for those familiar with Microsoft Windows is the equivalent of the “Blue screen of death”. Sorry Bill, I just couldn’t resist that dig. I’m reliably informed that Sky will charge for £65 for the privelidge of getting it fixed, so I think some self-diagnosis and tampering is called for first!
One major milestone of the day however was that I successfully managed (for the first time) to put DDWT Junior to bed without any problems and perhaps more importantly without the need for Mrs DDWT to be present! Quite an achievement for me (I was sooooo chuffed) and too think its only took 34 odd months to get there …..
Despite still feeling very tired and extremely sorry for myself (aka grumpy sod) I decided to go for a lunchtime ride in the hope of giving myself a kick up the arse. Thankfully, the negative thoughts I had were soon out of my system when faced with the almighty gusty and sand strewn Swansea Bay.
With the wind at my back, the return leg of the 11 odd mile route saw me flying along at a rate of knotts (pun intended) and I returned to work in a much more positive and energetic frame of mind. It’s true what they say, the mind does rule the body and exercise most definitely does give you a lift.
Whilst on my way home tonight, I managed to get a couple of quick snaps – albeit not very good quality due to my Sony Ericsson K300i mobile phone camera – of the Winter Wonderland in Swansea. It looks like it might be worth a visit.
I’ve spent the rest of this evening packing various items (well 4 actually) which I managed to flog on ebay for a grand total of £16.49. I find the buzz of selling stuff on ebay as much fun as actually winning the auction, but the packing of stuff really does my box in.
I’m depressed today. Not for any one particular reason just a combination of a few – the main one being a distinct lack of sleep. It’s stupid really and I only have myself to blame – why do I go to bed at 1am in the morning, knowing full well that DDWT Junior will awake the house at 7am ‘ish without fail. Cue grumpy, short-fused and impatient Daddy all day. Not good.
My mood wasn’t helped by the tale of the scale either – 16st 13lbs, another 3lbs BACK on. Where did it come from, well quite simply it’s due to my over indulgence (yet again) on biscuits and numerous buffet bits (from my visits to Cardiff last week). My self control seems to have gone awol and with it my streamline self. I’m really p*ssed at myself to be quite frank and I’ll be pulling my finger out this week to order to stop the slide – pronto.
With exercise in mind, I decided to give the Morfa B&Q car park a miss today as my usual parking spot for the Liberty stadium – and opted for the confines of the EDS car park instead. Thus ensuring I had a brisk 10 minute walk to/from the game at least.
As for the game itself well it was a cracking 0-0 draw, if you can have such a thing and it was obvious (even before kick-off) that there was not going to be a repeat of last years 7-1 drubbing of the Reds (or Wurzels as us Jacks like to call them).
Numerous chances went begging at both ends, but the Swans will feel the most disappointed as they had most of the clear cut chances. Marcos Painter (the Birmingham loanee) stood out for me today and gave our defence a solid and balanced look – something which had been lacking. Kevin Amankwaah won the donkey award today and I’m really beginning to wonder if this guy sees himself as a defender or a free-to-roam midfielder, such is his apparent dis-interest in man marking. Anyway, a full match report is on the Swans official site for those interested.
Right, I’m off to reflect on what has been a disappointing end to what started out as a promising weekend. [Sulk Mode On] …..
The red sky this morning – if you believe the old wives tale – would herald bad weather and although it wasn’t a wet day, it was most certainly very very windy. This I found out to my expense during a very tough and ardous 23 mile lunchtime bike ride.
