Chuffed

Happy at the moment, not just because my life is generally ace, but because of:

1. Bils – he’s just got a promotion after about 12 years of working at the same grade;
2. Richard Hannaford and Liz have just have a baby called Isobel;
3. Liz Thompson and Alan have just had a baby called Edie;
4. I just can’t stop singing this, which means I must be in a good mood;
5. I’m off work tomorrow and doing some manly things like chainsawing in the garden.

Clitheroe Crits

Aaaaghhghh…. Bike racing, eh? You work so hard and sometimes it pays of, sometimes it doesn’t. Rode the Clitheroe criteriums last night – part of the national series – fantastic atmosphere and course. I managed to scrape 8th place in the supporting race. 54 starters. I could so easily have slipped off the front with what turned out to be the winning move, but I’m not sure I’d have had the power to stay with them anyway – there was a nasty climb each 1km lap, so hitting that every minute and a half really took it out of my legs. I’ve lost 10lbs in the last two months but I can tell i could do with shedding a bit more if I want to compete on the hills. Piccie of me slightly obscured leading the chasers through at the bell.

I should add, in the interest of editorial balance, that I made a total fcuk up of a corner early on (trying to fight my way through from stupidly allowing myself to start at the back of the field) and nearly took five people down – as it was I didn’t, but I owed them all big apologies. Humble pie eaten and savoured.

Home improvements

We’re doing loads of work on our house at the moment, and although I know that nobody reads this, it’s worth getting this off my chest, as it helps me:
Don’t use this lot to do your work, unless you want appalling communications, and absolutely no sense of urgency at all. Having said that, they’re doing an okay job… it’s not like we’ve had to call lawyers in and I know that kind of thing happens alot, but these people (and, I dare say, many other builders) seem to think it’s okay to take thousands of pounds from you without making any effort to explain what on earth’s going on. Five months and we’re just about up to first floor level. Tsssk.

Awsome Hawkstone – world trials championship

Lily and I had a great day out at Hawkstone Park in Shropshire on Saturday watching the UK round of the world Trials Championship. At the age of 2 yrs 10 months, it was her first trial, and what a way to start…
Results, photos etc. are here. Fantastic day out and reminiscent of my own childhood.

Never ending fall

I just find this so amazing. Simple but very very compelling. Use your mouse. Superb.