Mutterings for the Minority

No I didn’t self diagnose any ailment or injury, I was merely referring to yet another Saturday spent DIY-ing. You’ll remember the dishwasher problems I had last week, well the required part (i.e. a compressor) duly arrived and I went about fitting it with gusto this morning.

The compressor part …

Before fitting …After fitting …Result – a working Candy CD950 dishwasher and a very happy Mrs DDWT – not to mention a heck of a saving on dishwasher repair mans labour costs!

I did watch the first half of the Wales v New Zealand All Blacks rugby game, but felt the desperate urge to go and do something else at half-time, rather than see my fellow compatriots get anymore of a lesson in rugby. Was I one of the few who hadn’t been taken in with the ‘we are in with a great chance of beating them (the All Blacks)’ media hype? I really shouldn’t be surprised really, as the media seem to make such profound statements everytime we play the worlds best – whatever the sport.

DDWT Junior continues to amaze us with his now seemingly incessant ramblings. Although his habit of using a ‘w’ instead of a ‘th’ or ‘s’ can be a little embaressing. Take the example of when he wants to say ‘Thank you’ and you catch my drift.

Still it’s fun just to hear him copying words and using them to make sentences. One of my favourites is “Oh don’t whorry Daddy” in response to me complaining about something.

The title says it all really – apart from the fact that I must have been nuts – in undertaking a bike ride today in monsoon conditions. My thinking was that the somewhat ‘enclosed’ bike path down to Gowerton would be a better option that the ‘open’ path down to Mumbles. Yeah right.

I got absolutely soaked and ended up with what felt like two pails of water in my shoes and a go faster mud stripe along my back. Thankfully upon my return, the cleaners cupboard – complete with refuse sacks – was nearby and the sacks proved to be very handy!!

So purely for the purpose of my training log, the vital stats of the ride were a 14.5 mph average speed and a top speed of 25mph over the 14 mile ride.

Despite the seemingly gale force wind that was in full flow around Swansea bay today, I went out for a run lunchtime which for anyone watching must have been quite comical. The wind so strong and in my face initially, made running feel more like moving in slow motion and yet on the return leg, more akin to Linford Christie (my movement I mean not my lunchbox).

On the subject of my lunchbox, it contained 4 rather large tuna and spinach sarnies stuffed into some nice wholemeal bread. Anyway, the 22 minutes training on the beach – although not substanial – was 22 more minutes onto the training total and to quote Tesco ‘Every Little Helps’.

DDWT Junior was at his creative best today in play school with this lovely painting.

I think he’s captured the rather blusterly weather theme very well don’t you *wink*

Whilst I spent another day in our capital city on local government duty, Mrs DDWT and DDWT Junior headed off to the wild west (aka Aberaeron) for a visit to Nanny. It’s quite amusing to think that in terms of total travelleing time it took them longer to come back from there during the rush hour traffic (if there is such a thing in Ceredigion) than it did for me to go to and come back from Cardiff! Country roads by damn.

I took the opportunity to make yet another visit to Culverhouse Cross on the way back and invest some time (and too much money) on Christmas gifts for the whole family and by that I mean everyone. That’s the trouble you see when you were brought up by the Marks & Spencers appreciation society that is my family. Joking aside though, much as I used to hate the shop when I was a child – which had nothing to do with my one and only ever slapped arse for the comment of “I’m not going into that b*stard shop” at the tender age of 7 – as I’ve got older I’ve appreciated the quality of their shirts and suits in particular. Geez, reading that back makes me sound so old fashioned and anal. Anyway, I couldn’t help but also give a mention to the wonderful selection of quality and delicious food ranges on offer.

You’d never have guessed I was a jilted by M&S for a ‘student placement’ in previous years would you.

It was great today to get back to my lunchtime training after taking a week out with the flu, which is still clinging on unfortunately. It was running duty today and we (my training partner and I) trotted around our usual 3 mile route in 23 minutes 11 seconds, a time which I was suprised at given my layoff and phlegm laden sinuses.

Not wanting to lower the tone too much (hey what’s new), but I think you could actually trace my route around Swansea Marina and SA1 merely by following the greeny-tinged phlegm deposits which I unloaded on my way around. Yuck. Still at least my chest felt clearer aftewards, so it must have done some good and besides, it’s supposed to rain tomorrow anyway!

Talking of leisure activities, I couldn’t help but take a closer look at the work being undertaken on the new Swansea Leisure Centre today as I happened to be passing by this afternoon. I took a couple of snaps – much to the annoyance of the workmen nearby.

Believe it or not this isn’t a spot the difference competition! In all seriousness though it’s good to see the work being done and if the video I’ve seen on the Swansea Council website is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat with all the new leisure centre will have to offer. Roll on 2008!