Recycling.

 The EU is to allow fully vaccinated travellers shortly, but that's no good for us Brits who will have to quarantine when we get back, (unless it's Portugal which is on the UKs 'Green List').

I had planned to take a cycling break in the Dolomites last year, but of course that was out the question with the covid stuff, but reconciled myself with 'it will be ok next year', but that's looking a bit dodgy so far. I suppose the latest I could go would be September and I'm not averse to a last minute thing (as long as I have enough holiday days left), the question is when will I know it's on or not?  Given the success of the vaccine I have to assume that the prognosis will bet better, not worse so there is a chance albeit slim.  I might have more trouble fitting it in with the family, I know my better half has a few things planned in September so she might be assuming I will be at home to look after her animals.  I say 'her animals' because they're definitely not mine, except the big dog, who thinks he's mine but isn't really.

Still, it hasn't stopped me planning the bike rides, something that involves quite a bit of reading, perusing cycle holiday websites, personal experiences and tourist guides. So far, I've narrowed it down to 3 or 4 nights in Cortina or Corvara, possibly followed 2 nights in Bormio to take in the Stevlio pass and surrounding passes.  If it's not this year, then early 2022 it is. 

  

Potato Head

 Obesity is on the rise, or at least admissions to hospital for it are is the latest health news.  It seems that covid patients are more at risk if they are obese, but no-one is sure why.

But what to do about it? We've known about it for long enough, in fact I seem to have seen 'warnings' all my adult life and the statistics keep piling up (to use a sizeable description).  The term 'Coach potato has been around for years, and in fact a quick Googly leads me to learn that it was a cartoon drawn of 2 lazy blokes named the Couch Potatoes in the 70s and thereafter used as a term for obsessive TV watchers and general slobs.  Funny how words can become commonplace, I don't expect the original author thought that would happen.

In my experience, there appears to be some genetic influence on how obese we get, but I'm unsure how dominant this is.  I'm also pretty sure that there are some underlying metabolic 'things' happening that keep some people thinner than others such as the person who seems to eat what they like but doesn't pile the weight on as you would expect.

Because obesity is so widespread (see what I did there?), we can get fooled into thinking that the outlying reasons (see above) are an excuse for not doing anything, and a quick glance around us will surely tell us that when you get older, your life gets a whole lot less pleasant if you're carrying a few extra pounds/stones. 

Banking on it.

Big strimming day yesterday.  Not that I have a big strimmer, it's quite modest really.  I tasked myself with tidying up the dyke bank, not a job for the fainthearted.  Its about 3 metres deep with a trickle of water at the bottom, but around 60 metres long so doing both sides when I haven't done them for a couple of years is not the best job for an old bloke like me.  Those brambles grow very fast. Took the dog with me for a run this morning and when I stopped on the outskirts of the village to put his lead on, by back suddenly started aching to remind me what I had done yesterday and has been a bit stiff all day.

I ha e my car in to sure a 'knocking noise' (very technical) tomorrow, so I'm biking into work.  No big deal other than that rain is forecast in the afternoon, and it's been quite heavy of late as well as difficult to forecast.  I should be OK in the morning but I've hedged my bets by bringing my best rain jacket into the office today so I have the option if it is damp when I leave.

My workshop is taking shape at home, just need 4 more 8x4 sheets and the basic construction will be almost complete.  I'll put a door on before next winter to fill what will be a 4 ft gap. I need to think about where stuff goes though, and even though I've been quite ruthless throwing stuff away there seems to be an awful lot that needs a home.

Today is a major lockdown opening milestone when we are allowed back inside to eat and drink - well, we have always been allowed inside to do that, but not in a pub or restaurant.  There are plenty of 'oooh, be careful' types around and the left wing press have been particularly negative, dragging numerous 'experts' out their labs to warn us that it is a bad idea partly (I guess) to have a go at their least favourite politician Mr Boris.  As with all these things though, time will tell and the data continues to be encouraging with hospital cases below 1000 for the first time in months, and daily deaths hovering well under 10 a day. 

If I was to venture into predictions, I predict that we will be OK, unless we're not, in which case I'll be right either way.

Very Descriptive

 Flew home from the office yesterday.  Well, when I say 'flew', I mean 'the backwind assisted me with getting home in a much reduced time compared to normal'.  Flew seems much more descriptive, even though it's totally incorrect.  Some (annoying) people might have said 'literally' flying, but that would be silly, and even more inaccurate.

...which gets me wondering what other words convey the correct meaning, but actually mean something different completely.  Thought of any? No, nor me.  That was a short paragraph wasn't it?  I may revisit this if anything springs to mind.  That was dead interesting.

My plan was to go for a short run this morning, so set the alarm for 5:39 as usual but turned it off thinking I would doze for a bit and woke with a start at 6:30 thinking I might be late for work.  I obviously needed to catch up with my beauty sleep.

Delivery expected today for a few more OSB boards and timber to move my workshop refurb along.  I'm lining a corner of my tin shed (barn) to make it a bit more homely, less messy, cleaner etc. and putting a ceiling on it to stop bird mess and dust getting in.  So far, I've lined 2 walls and had a very, very good clear out of rubbish I have accumulated over the 25 years of it being there.  I need to get to the dump a couple more time, but at least there is now space to put things, wooden walls to hang things on and a feeling of a bit of space around me.  I'm considering a tool chest on wheels for (you guessed it) my tools which I can wheel to my work area without wondering where I put that screwdriver...just need to decide how much to spend on one, they seem to come in a wide range of prices and (I assume) associated quality.

Spin Cycle.

 Granddaughter #1 has written her first blog.  In common with most young girls she's keen on horses, so her blog is more of a newssheet reporting on equestrian news.  Even though I say it myself, for an 11 year old it's not bad.  However, she will have something else to write about now - she was bitten by a bat yesterday (the cat had stunned it) so now has 4 anti-rabies injections to get through.  I hadn't realised it could be so dangerous, so they're obviously taking no chances.

As for exercising, my 2021 targets of cycling 5000 miles and running 1000 miles are bubbling along below the necessary amounts, but I should be able to pull them back over the warmer months.  The cycling target is quite a stretch for me - I haven't done over 5000 miles/yr in the last 10 years and it's definitely pushed me out the door when I wouldn't have gone.  For instance, I started cycling to work (23 miles minimum) much earlier in the year than I would have done to make sure I didn't dip too much below the graph.  The running is suffering a bit because of the extra cycling, so I need to make sure I keep that up when I can.  I was over 1200 miles last year (highest for a while), so it's not that I can't do it, it's just that I don't make the time.  Both are tracking about 10% down, but gradually clawing the cycling back due to the biking to work.

It took me a while getting organised with a locker, bike shed protocols etc. and I'm still not happy with my locker.  Unfortunately I was spoilt at my last place of employment where there was a decent shower and I could use the server room to dry my gear in good time for putting it back on. Where I am now has a dodgy shower so I have to wipe myself down with, well.., wipes  - although I might give the shower a try in summer when towel drying might be more practical.  My locker is 'half size' i.e. not full length so my winter bibs drape out the door and I have to fold them and 'turn' them twice a day to make sure they are dry. I hang my jacket on a peg, which is OK, but my smelly, wet base layer hardly dries when hung over the locker door despite the turning.

Anyway, I mustn't complain really.  It's a decent place to work, and the 23 miles is just enough to get a sweat on and not too far to manage 2 or 3 times a week.  This week is looking good for 3 rides in (today was number 2) and I will have done 100 when I get home tonight (the target is just under 100 per week). That means if I do Friday I will be at least 46 up on the week, and getting back on track.

Access All Areas

Well, how about that.  Tried logging on from the company PC and works OK!  I was sure it was blocked when I tried it last (about a year ago) so I can now get back to daily updates!  Well, I say 'daily' when it will be more like 'when I remember' updates.

Anyway, watch this space.

Predictive Text

 A year last march, I thought that technology would be the only way out of this covid mess, and fortunately the scientists have pulled their finger out and come up with the goods.

To date, daily deaths are down to single figures as the number vaccinated ramps up to over 50+ percent of the population. The only cloud on the horizon is that we're surrounded by other countries who are playing catch up.  This is obviously restricting where we can travel, but we've mitigated this by investing in a brand spanking new caravan.  Might even venture abroad in it when we're allowed.

Just another year..

 It's been more than a year since my last entry (ooh err missus!).

The reason for the lapse, is that my employer blocks this website, so I need to sort out my phone typing and get back in the groove.

I was prompted to logon because my eldest grandchild (aged 11) is quite creative, so I'm encouraging her by e.g. writing a blog.  I'll keep mine under wraps for now, don't want her getting the wrong impression of her dear old grandpa.