Roland Ladley's Blog, page 19

A bit knackered

I’m a bit knackered. We’ve been busy, whilst staying put. The campsite by the Severn has filled up and emptied again and we’ve watched the world go by. It is a fabulous spot and if you don’t mind climbing, either on foot or by bike, there are some fabulous walks, runs and cycles. And that’s what we’ve been up to.

oh look, a dam

We did the motte and bailey castle walk, which was fab. And then we cycled up to the local reservoir, which was quite a climb, but on top of the moorland, as beautiful as you like. It’s fascinating to find places which are reasonably close to us, but so unpopulated and deserted – like much of northern Scotland. It was a surprise and, with Mrs Sun peeking out from behind clouds and with a northerly wind to cool us down, it was one of our nicest bike rides, for sure.

We then had a day off (I did run a mile and a bit, straight up) by walking into town, which is lovely (Llanidloes). And then today we cycled up to a local forest for a picnic. The OS Map showed a ‘blue bike’ by a picnic site and, typically, as we pottered up on our e-bikes, we were met up and down by hardened cyclist who immediately looked down on us. But, in fairness to us, we were knackered at the top … and it wasn’t until we got down down and I checked our route that we realised we’d done 450 metres of climb in 8 miles (up). So well done us!

tireder than we look

And that neatly brings me onto the bikes. I know I’ve gone on and on about them since I started penning this blog over 7 years ago, but they are fab. It’s fair to say that when we reached the forest picnic site today, C was a bit tired and emotional but, if it wasn’t for the fact that I had left the keys in the door of the van (well, that’s where we thought they might be), the views at the top and the ride there was special. With our new(ish) batteries – 20 AHr each – we’ve done 32 miles of very hilly cycling in the past few days and we still have half a battery left. That’s quite something, I think. If you are thinking about buying one, don’t be shy about dropping me a comment and I will help out where I can. They have been a game changer for us … and they’re working well after 8 years ownership.

The keys, BTW, were in Doris’s door where I’d left them. My bad. 

trees and a lake

Doris has been put through her paces this time round. We’re on our fifth night without electric, which is a big thing, if you think about it. The two roof solar panels (200 watts in all) have been charging the lithium ion batteries without fuss. At one point we were drawing 15 amps into the batteries by way of recharge, which is no mean feat. Because the sun is high and the clouds infrequent, I haven’t deployed our 50 watt stand-alone panel, because there has been no need. And we have been using the inverter to boil water, rather than use gas. The kettle draws 60 amps, but only for a few minutes, and the sun (or the alternator, if we’re driving) quickly replenishes that. Ineterstingly I think our crux is going to be gas. We’ve left the heater on overnight whilcst we’ve been here and the fridge continues to suck gas. I reckon on two (refillable) 11kg cylinders we could probably manage two weeks in this sort of weather before we’d have to refill. Electric? Forever, I reckon.

However, one bit of bad news is the self-seeking satellite dish has broken. The on board box wouldn’t speak to the top box and, until I manually sorted it, it was lowering the dish out of position, which was in danger of breaking things on the roof and/or getting blown off if we were to drive away with it at an odd angle. I have two choices. The first is to have a go at fixing it when we get home … which I will. If that doesn’t work, and I don’t think it will, I’ll have to get a replacement. How much? £2,200 fitted. Possibly £1,800 if I fit it myself. I’ll keep you updated. I could get a reconditioned one for just over £1,000, but there’s no warranty, so going ne is likely to be the answer. 

Other than that, we’re fine. We’re heading back into England tomorrow and will stop somewhere for a few nights before we get home – readying ourselves for the Bex and Henry bonanza – on Friday. It’s going to be great.

And, you’ll be pleased to hear … no politics today. Just keep safe everyone.      

you gotta luv this photo

In Wales, see.

mmm, new food.

Life has continued as normal, but this time in Wales (see). We left the Shrewsbury site with the aim of camping in mid-Wales for a couple of night (having stopped at Sainsbury’s and then to fill up with gas). C had arranged for ‘one of her girls’ – Bethan – from our old school, to pop along with her bloke and catch up over a cuppa. Unfortunately the site we’d chosen had no telephone signal – at all – so we couldn’t phone Bethan to tell her where we were. We gave up on that site and drove to Bethan’s place, had a lovely catch up in her back garden and then drove onto a site next to the Severn, in the mid-Welsh hills near Llanidloes. It’s lovely, but it’s also a campsite which we tend to avoid. However, because its just short of May bank holiday and the site is full this weekend, we’ve parked just off the site right next to the river … fabulous. It’s an expensive wild-camping site at £18, but we’ll manage. 

lovely to see Bethan and Tom

Bethan, by the way, is a professional composer of modern classical music. Her website is here: bethanmorganwilliams.com, if you’re interested. She was in C’s house and I taught her maths … we are very proud of her.

And that gets me onto how busy stuff was supposed to be. I was expecting the place to be rammed full of motorhome and caravans, post covid-lockdown, but it has all been very quiet. Which suits us. Other than this weekend, I sense we’ll find that the place quietens again next week … perfect.

our latest spot taken from the the River Severn

Over the past few days we’ve cycled into Shrewsbury, walked up and around our local hill and, whilst we had a day off yesterday travelling, we did another long and hilly walk today (6 miles; 350 metres of climb). I found out the other day that my favourite app, the OS map app, allows me to plot routes and, hence, it will give you a distance and elevation travelled. I’m not sure how we managed before, what with OS maps at £6.99 a pop and the number of maps we’d need, but the app gives access to 1;25,000 and 1;50,000 maps and includes a real-time location beacon. It takes the fun out of map reading, but with a lifetime’s worth of practice, I’m more than happy to let the e-experts take the strain. Get it (the app) … I think it’s about £6 a year. Fabulous.

the OS App allows you to do this …

We’re due back next weekend. Bex and Henry arrive the following Friday and we need to get our poop in a sock between now and then. Even though she’s coming from a ‘green’ country, she still has to take two tests in the first 8 days and isolate with us for between 5 and 10 days. I think C and I will be taking Henry out for a lot of walks.  

Anyhow, enough. But before I go, I can’t tell you how frustrated I am with His Borisness. The whole earlier Mustique holiday and now the No 10 flat refurbishment malarky smacks of someone buying favours – something we had very clear rules on, both in the Army and at school. I understand the politic guide is that individuals must disclose anything more than £140 – for obvious reasons. He ought to do that; but he continues to say ‘there’s nothing to see here’. Well, we should be the judge of that, not him. Remember … if he cheats on you (and his wife(s)) he’ll cheat on everyone. I’m unconvinced that’s someone I want running my country.

Ho hum.

Showing her age …

It’s Sunday. And we have designated today a ‘do-nothing’ day. That is, I have been on the roof and checked the roof-light seals I did the other day – and they look really good; better than the originals, I think. And we have cleaned Doris and aired some stuff. And done some other bits and pieces. Of course, today is blog day, so there is really no rest for the wicked. 

just perfect (at £15 a night)

We have been busy. We’re now on a lovely little site south of Shrewsbury and have immediately fallen in love with the area. It is open and hilly, both at the same time, with parallel, pencil thin, high ridges which cut through countryside. It is rural, but also very twee, with huge houses and very smart farms. Even the smaller places are immaculately kept, as if there’s a roving guard force checking that your daffodils are vertical. In that way, it’s a bit too perfect and, I reckon, the locals a bit too gentrified for my liking. But, you can’t take away from its prettiness.

We walked up one of the ridges on day one (9 miles; 250 metres of climb … a tough day). Yesterday we cycled around the villages (14 miles; a good deal of climb) and came across, among other things, the oldest tree in Europe, which Mr Google disputes. But you can’t argue with a 1500 year old yew, can you? We have run every other day as well so we thought, after a burst of exercise, a day of not much was in order. And we have just paid for a further night (£15 with electric and, if there wasn’t covid, showers are provided … why would anyone stay on a big campsite?) as we hope to cycle into Shrewsbury tomorrow. 

9 miles and a lot of climb. Fab.

Mrs Sun has been omnipresent, which is fab. But a bitter wind reminds us that our weather is a fickle beast. Apparently the farmers are complaining that they need some rain. How things come around. Looking at the projections it seems they’re going to be unlucky, which is great for us, but probably not so good for Mr Potato and Mrs Bean.

And, typically, Doris has decided to show her age. First the loo flush sprung a leak … into the bowl, thankfully. Our system is a submerged pump (others use a diaphragm pump) fitted with micro-electric switches on all the taps. We noticed there was a problem as the bowl filled up with water whenever we drew water into one of the other outlets (which puts the whole system under pressure). Anyhow, after some faffing I have plugged the pipe into the bowl, which means we have to flush with a mug … no real inconvenience. It will stay like that until I dismantle the loo and replace the valve which appear to not be closing properly. That’s a job for when we’re at home.

even the doors are twee

Also the wardrobe door catch broke – ageing plastic. That was easily replaced with an equivalent on the footlocker door which we don’t use. And our internet searching device gave up the ghost. I ordered a part which was delivered to the campsite, but it’s incompatible with our old system. I’ll have to think again.

Other than that we’re fine. Heading northwest later, probably into Wales, see. And then a couple weeks touring and back home for the arrival of Bex and Henry. Then the excitement will start!

Keep safe, everyone. If you think we’re through this, look to India and Brazil. What utter misery for those people. We were so close to where they are (1700 deaths in a day was our maximum; India is now over 2000 … but it doesn’t look like dropping) earlier this year. We should count our lucky stars. 

They’re all indignanted out

It is fab being away in Doris. I was chatting to my mate Peter the other day … we were talking about next steps. C and I are clear that we need to move out of Bradley Stoke because, with grandkids et al, the place just isn’t big enough. That will come, possibly next year. But, what I said to Peter in private (so don’t tell anyone) was that I was more than happy to move back into Doris and spend the next ten years being a vagrant. I really am. I get that’s it’s more than me, so a bigger house will be the answer.

the industrial bits of the Sharpness canal are the best

We cycled 30 miles on Monday down the Sharpness canal towards Gloucester. The tow path is bouncy and by the end we both needed a soft cushion. Noting that we’d also been for a run each first thing, I don’t think either of us have fully recovered. It was, however, lovely in the sunshine … knees brown all round. And Mrs Sun stayed with us yesterday as we drove north to Hereford and found a site just south of the city (which we have stayed at before, but didn’t realise until we got here). I went for another run (a mile, up a very long hill) whilst C spent most of the time trying to disengage with the male owner who clearly didn’t understand the signals.

Today we cycled into Hereford (12 miles round trip). We have been before. Alas, along with everywhere else, we’d forgotten what it was like. It is a lovely small city, but the centre has lost much of its charm as the shops close down – one in four in the high street are empty, with five phone shops (not Vodafone, but stores selling second-hand phones and tablets; I’m not sure if Hereford is the world centre?) taking a lot of the spare frontage. We popped in and out – double masking when needed – and I found some shoes I didn’t really need in TK Maxx. What was interesting was one in three people wore masks in the open around town, which was great to see as I noticed on the news just now that the UK is expecting a summer surge …

our latest spot. Too many trees ….

We move on tomorrow; further north I think – C is poring over the maps now. 

And finally, what about the European Super League? Leaving aside the sport, what is noteworthy is that you can’t get your fellow man to get excited about climate change, or government corruption, or 150,000 covid deaths (among many others issues). But think about setting up a footy league where the founding members can’t get relegated and you would have thought there was an asteroid on a collision path with Earth. Whatever … right choice for the billionaire’s money-making scheme to collapse, of course, but as for all the other important things going on? Well, they’ll have to wait as everyone else is indignanted out ATM.

Stay safe … don’t become part of the summer surge.   

And … relax

We made it. And, goodness, doesn’t it feel good. We are blessed with an unusually dry spell that looks set that way well into the week after next and, if you ignore the cold wind, it could be mid-summer. I am writing this inside Doris … but I’ve just had an hour outside in just shorts. It is fab. Thank you to whomever made this possible. Just brilliant.

we made it …

It has been a bit of a week. A trip to Mary’s on Thursday was lovely, but if I ever see the M4 again it will be too soon. Mum’s, of course, is even further, so I’m not complaining, but how people do longs commutes these days is a mystery to me. The rest of the time has been moseying about prepping Doris and doing some other bits and pieces. I’ve readied the car for our neighbour Stuart to change the cambelt, water pump and oil and filter. Hopefully that’ll be done by the time we get home …

… which looks like it might be earlier than expected. Bex (and Henry) might be back as soon as 14 May. Then it will be a month of seeing people – well, she will see people and we will be the taxi. I think we’re going to take Doris so we can camp between visits. We’ll see. C’s gone into baby accessory mode: car seat, high chair, travel cot … etc. I suppose that’s what grandparents do. Apparently Henry is teething whilst also eating yoghurt, which he loves. Next will be pureed mince and potatoes, a granny C’s sepciality. But, as we know, nothing is as nice as yoghurt. Other than dark chocolate. 

wait until he tastes dark chocolate

We’ve made it as far as our site on the Seven. It’s just a field with water and disposal; but that’s all we need. It is fresh and fabulously quiet – so different from living within a ball’s throw of the M4. There’s nobody here with us and that adds to the charm. We’ll probably stay for a couple of nights (£10 a night) and then move further north. We did see Peter and Karen last night and, this morning, in bright sunshine but at 5 degrees air temperature, we swam in their pool (water temperature was 22, so that was ok). We feel v privileged to be offered the chance. Thanks P&K!

I’ve got some work to do tomorrow. It’s the start of the new school term and I’ve got about 15 consultations lined up and 8 x 360 degree reports – all of which need to be done by the beginning of July. It’s fine and shouldn’t get in the way of much. It does also give the bank manager something to cheer about, which can’t be a bad thing.

So, let’s hoping there is no outbreak of the Indian variant here in the UK. They are in big trouble, as I understand it, but still remain on our Green country list. Mmm. I’m not sure I get that. I hope in a month’s time I’m not having to complain about a serious outbreak and a third lockdown because we didn’t get this right? Fingers’ crossed.

colder (outside) than it looks

I need to make more of it …

My brother died a year ago today: covid-19, having had the full suite of symptoms, two trips to hospital and 10 days on a ventilator. He was 62, with no underlying health conditions other than being overweight and a bit of a drinker – but he was fit. He was a site manager on a building site, and he ran and swam. In the summer last year he finished one of those two day, ultra marathons … and that didn’t kill him. Other than to reremember him, the other reason I write is to reinforce my view that the number of deaths to this disease predominantly falls to this very poor government (three late lockdowns, a porous border and two quick releases … this third one is much more ordered and, with the vaccine roll out, it seems very possible that we may be on top of the disease for now; credit where credit is due).

So, as opposed to much of Europe, India and most of South America, we might now be a nation which is to be admired with its dealing with the disease. We seem to be a people who have little problem with taking vaccines. And, generally, when we’re told to lock down and behave, most of us do. So what’s the danger, and why am I still nervous for my family? Well, it just takes one vaccine-dodging variant and we will be back to square one. It seems unlikely (now) that that variant will be home grown. Science seems to state that vaccines mutate when there’s a lot of it about … hence the Kent variant over Christmas when we were not behaving. Therefore – all we need to do is control our borders and have a decent T&T system (goodness knows we’ve paid for it) and we should be fine.

That’s why I’m nervous.

I read a figure and immediately forgot it – but there are currently tens of thousands of ‘tourists’ arriving here every week. What? Why? And, come on. 51% of those who voted yes for Brexit wanted to take control of our borders … so, please, do just that! This is your chance. And why is anyone visiting the UK at the moment – let alone tourists? And, as for T&T … well, where do you start? I have no confidence in the system and until we start paying people to isolate when they have symptoms, that’s not going to happen. The Tories view is that by offering £500 a week, lots of people will cheat the system and pretend to be ill. That may be the case – although I have more respect for my fellow Brit to think that ‘lots’ might be just a few. But, whatever. It must be cheaper than another lockdown and continuing furlough?

That’s why I’m nervous. And, it seems to me, that this is absolutely within our control. Our government can do this. They can tighten control of the borders … and they can sort out T&T. If they don’t, and if, after all we’ve been through (deaths, long-covid, lockdowns, delays to NHS waiting lists, mental health issues, issues for school kids, the cost of it all …) if they get this wrong and we have to lockdown again, they should never be forgiven. And, frankly, someone should be put behind bars.

Enough.

Can I see a smile on C’s face?

I had a chat to myself this morning. Poor old Kevin. He had a number of plans, none of which he or his family have been able to see through. Me? Well, I hope to have another 25 years of active life and, looking back on it, I’m not sure I’ve got the most out of the last year. The good news is, I am starting to feel slightly better. It may be Mrs Sun; it may be that I’ve gone back off dairy … whatever. Or it could be the harder training. But, I have found some more energy and I hope to put it to good use from here on in. That’s what Kevin would have done. Above everything, he had a thirst for life.

We had a good day with Jen and James yesterday (socially distance) clearing out their garage. One good thing from that was discovering three old laptops which I have boxed up and taken to the schools’ collection point today (local fire station). I know the system works because I got a nice email from them about a month after I took ours in last year.

garage clear out

And we’re OK. My calf is neither here nor there … sometimes it’s happy, other times, less so. I’ve finished the final edit of book 7 in the Sam Green Thriller Series. It’s now gone to my beta readers. They have until the end of May, before it gets proofed in June for publication in July (as per …). And we’re currently packing up Doris. We’re off to Mary’s tomorrow for the day (in the car) and then we disappear on Saturday. The good news is that Bex and Henry are back later in May for a month and whilst that means we’ve had to cut short our trip by a week, we are so looking forward to seeing them both. They’re due to fly back in time for the school term to finish, so they (Bex, Henry and Steven) can all have the summer together in Korea.

We did our first non-essential shop on Tuesday: Go Outdoors. C wanted some new walking shoes and, whilst we were there, we found some stuff we needed for our Shetland and Orkney trip (planned for September). Everyone thinks we’re mad that we’re taking a tent, but it’s just a back up. Although, knowing me, I will plump for a tent over a B&B unless the weather is really rubbish. It’s about being outdoors, isn’t it That’s part of the fun, no?

Anyhow, next time I write hopefully we’ll be away in Doris. Three weeks … it’s a long time and we should be so grateful for it. Which we are. In the meantime, stay safe everyone.

Head down …

It’s been head down for me – three chapters a day (edit 3 of book 7 in the Sam Green series). I’ve tried my best to do this standing up on my makeshift, upright office. So far it works – and whilst it’s not easy, that is it can be quite tiring, I am managing. I stop every so often for some stretches, but have managed a couple of hours at a time. I’m not there yet with typing whilst standing – hence, I’m writing this sat at the kitchen table. And this will be an interesting conundrum when it comes to writing book 8, which is due to start in September. Can I manage it standing up? We’ll see. If you don’t mind me, I’m really happy with the book. It is genuine Sam Green and, like any piece of art, you either like it or you don’t. My aim is to make sure I don’t stray from the recipe, so the same people who like the series like this book. De facto, those who don’t, don’t. It is, as they say, what it is.

the flowers think it’s Spring … someone should tell the weather

We’ve both continued our exercise regime. My calf continues to hold up. I’m mostly doing local hills and sprints, lasting around 20 minutes. I have to say I’m really back into the ‘burn’ bit of that … and, so far, my leg is fine. First thing this morning I did 3 km road run, just to ring the changes, and the calf was fine. It’s not a long distance, but I am running day-in, day-out, so a shorter distance is OK. What was hilarious, is that I tried to do some press ups when I got back yesterday (and again this morning). I can usually manage 20 … maybe 25 at a push, before my arms collapse and my nose finds the concrete. This time I’m up at 11 and my arms and shoulders are screaming at me. This morning I’m press-upping on my knees and pulled out 30, having had a rest half way through. Muscles, hey? You need to work them. And that’s what some people fail to understand about hearts. They’re muscles too. If you don’t use it, it becomes weak. Simple as that.

Of course, having said all of that, I’ll probably be the first to go among my peers. That would be typical.

Jen’s quite beautiful cat …

We’re gearing up for going away. We could leave tomorrow as the caravan sites open then. However, we are due to see Mary on Friday … and then we’re away on Saturday, via our pals Peter and Karen for an alfresco stop-over. We’re away for four and a bit weeks, heading north (no idea where) and then back via mum’s and Mary’s in late May. We have our second jabs then. After that we hope Bex and Henry will be back from Korea for a bit. And then our next plan is to take the car to Orkney and Shetlands, with tent and warm weather gear. We’d hope to make that happen in September. I have to say I am really looking forward to that. Scotland is fab and travelling to far islands, which neither of us have done before, is going to be an adventure.

That brings me onto the car. The power steering leak is fixed. It was the reservoir. I tried to fix it by replacing a hose-seal, but that just made it worse. Our neighbour got a new reservoir and fixed the leak … total cost = £100, which I think is a real bargain. So much so, he’s going to take the car when we’re away and do its second cambelt change, plus oil and filter. We don’t want it breaking down on us in Scotland. And with that, I think we’re both of a mind that we should try and keep her going into next year – maybe longer. Here’s hoping.

Finally, HRH Prince Phillip. You know my view on the Royal Family – neither pro nor against. And, with what I know from a previous existence and from what, like you, I’ve read and heard, he seems like a really good egg – one of a kind, and one from a generation now sadly lost. And it is sad for him, The Queen and their family. And we should mourn in our own way. But, and C chastises me for having this view, I am quite capable of having my thoughts about his passing without the accompanying British media hysteria, which is currently blocking nearly every other piece of news, of which there is plenty, including tragedies in Myanmar, riots in Belfast, and a pandemic which is still ravaging the planet. BBC 1 and 2 showed exactly the same programme at exactly the same time on Friday night … I think that’s lazy and patronising programming. And, and I am convinced of this (hence no state funeral – his choice, as I understand it), he’d have wanted us to move on to other things by now. Anyhow, bless him. We could do with more like him in positions of responsibility in this country.

Doubtless I have just lost my last three readers. Sorry.

Stay safe everyone.

New shoes …

Not that much to report, I’m afraid. The car has a power steering leak and I’ve narrowed it down to the reservoir. There are two pipes that come in at the bottom and one of them is leaking quite badly now. I’ve replaced one of the clips, but that just made it worse. I’m unclear if the reservoir is cracked, or the pipe is split. It’s difficult to see what. Anyhow, two doors down my mate Stuart is a bit of an expert and, assuming sensible money changes hand, he will fix it. He’s going to have a look at it tomorrow afternoon. Other than a broken rear spring, it’s the only issue we’ve had on the car in 5 years, so we can’t complain.

Doris got some expensive) new shoes

We’ve been pottering. C’s still sewing and knitting. I’m 8 chapters through edit three of book 7 in the Sam Green series. I’m still nervous about what to call it. It is definitely a two-book series (within a series) and I want to call that The Belmonte Paradox … so I need to find a suitable name for this one, the first. It’ll come to me at some point. Doris went in for new shoes (4 x £160 for camper tyres – ouch). The back street garage was fab, and good value, but I went when the northerly wind was at its coldest and I nigh-on caught hypothermia. What is it with this country? Last week we were sunbathing. This week it’s snow. I don’t get it. And, frankly, I’m tired of being cold … it’s not as though we have an overseas trip to look forward to, either. Oh well.

I’m still trying to remain upright where I can – to prevent sofa burn. I don’t know if you’re aware, but standing workstations is a new way of thinking. I spent this morning (having done some hills … my calf is holding up) editing the book, with my laptop on a chair, on a table. It wasn’t easy, in that I did get tired. But I found stopping every 20 minutes and doing some stretching was really helpful. Anyhow, it didn’t kill me and I’ll try the same thing again tomorrow (I’m sat, glued to the sofa penning this).

standing room only …

And I’m avoiding politics – specifically Northern Ireland. A hard Brexit was never going to satisfy both elements of that country at the same time, and His Borisness knew that … but still he went ahead, and now decades of peace has been shattered. All it will take is for a policeman or a young kid to get killed and the whole house of cards will tumble to the ground. You know I’m not a fan of Brexit – neither am I a fan of Northern Ireland: two tours was two tours too many. But I do wish them all peace. I really do. Frankly, though, I can’t see a way out of it.

C found these – we brought them back from Korea – they were given to us in our isolation hotel

Well, that’s me. Stay safe everyone. We’re a few days from the shops opening, which I’m not really looking forward to. But, hopefully people will be sensible. I’ll update you on the power steering issue at the weekend.

Happy Easter

We saw mum. I guess the trip broke the covid rules, in that we were not technically allowed in the house (after a four hour, 15 minute journey). It’s the same argument we could use for not going to Jen’s today, and for visiting Mary last week. We are part of Jen’s bubble, but if that were the case, why have we not been seeing more of her over the past three months? The answer to the last question is that we have been particularly cautious with Jen, as she’s vulnerable (no pancreas). As for the rest, well, I’m following the Dominic Cummings mantra that it’s what any good father/son would do. I know, I know … but all of us have had at least one jab, and we are very cautious. Technically, though, we are breaking the rules. Sorry.

It was good to see Mum. She’s in surprisingly good form and C produced lunch, I did her books and we tidied up a few things. It was a short visit followed by another four hour journey home (I hate that trip), but worth it. We hope to see her again in May. Today her neighbours are popping round with Easter Sunday roast. They did the same at Christmas. She is well looked after in that regard. Bless her.

Aw …

C continues to knit and sew and bake. I take my hat off to her. She has held up really well this past year, better than me in many respects. I’ve had the distractions of work and writing, and now my guitar. She has knitted a mountain of clothes, baked more cakes in a year than our previous 35 years together, and is now sewing lovely baby outfits for children of friends of ours. Fab – and hat raised.

sewing for NATO

My calf is holding up. I’ve run for the past three mornings – short sprints and hills, trying to keep my foot straight and flat. It’s fine provided I don’t put any lateral movement on it. Let’s hope it keeps that way. My guitar playing must be improving. It’s been over three months now and I am picking out and learning some tricky pieces. On the other hand my playing continues to be strewn with the odd mistake and mischord (that’s not a word?), which I’m hoping improves when I get a full-sized acoustic as the fret board is bigger. We’ll see.

My work has come to a natural end … this week saw the end of the MoD’s financial year and the Easter break for schools. I have a good slab of stuff to do for a school next term and I have one individual in a second school who is still on the books. The MoD stuff might have run its course, although the boss spoke of personal coaching when she applies for her next role towards the end of the year. We’ll see. I’ve got the third edit of book 7 in the Sam Green series to sort now, and then send it to the beta readers before final proof reading in June. There’s always something to do.

And Doris goes in for four new tyres on Tuesday. I can’t find the age indicator on the tyres, but I know they’re much older than the length of time we’ve had her and the recommendation is new tyres every five years. They’re special camper tyres (thick walls and improved grip) and are £160 a throw, so I hope she’s happy with her new shoes.

Finally, happy Easter to all of you. It seems for us in the UK we might be heading for an easy summer – not so much on the continent. I feel for everyone who is suffering with this dreadful disease. What a nightmare … so, stay safe everyone.

Chim-chimeny …

let’s start with a Henry update

I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling very lockdown lethargic. I’ve been like it for a while and I’m putting it down to my long running sinus issues (for which I’ve just been prescribed another round of antibiotics), but it’s just as likely to be my body morphing into our sofa – the pair of them are pretty inseparable. I guess when I was working full time in an office (as opposed to being with soldiers or teaching children) I must have spent hours on my backside and didn’t think anything of it. Now, and especially over the dark winter months, apart from one piece of exercise a day and some gentle pottering, most of my time has been stagnant. Not any more, though. I’ve pledged to do everything, other than writing this or watching telly, standing. I even watched a bit of TV last night on my feet. So, when I practice the guitar I now play on my pins, with the guitar hanging from a strap. Is it making a difference? Hmmm. Not sure. I’ll keep you up to date as things progress.

Other than that it’s been business as usual. I had a lovely birthday on Sunday. We went to Jen and James’s for tea – his mum and dad, who we are very fond of, were there (their moving house and had isolated for 10 days before moving in) … and we had a good laugh.

Our Jen did this for my birthday. It’s Sam’s bike ride down Loch Spelve, in the first chapters of Unsuspecting Hero

I’ve taken a couple of work calls. This week ‘I am mostly speaking about resilience’. It’s not a topic I’ve advised on before, so I did my usual thing: did some internet research (not that helpful) and then added my own experience. I try very hard with every piece of coaching to offer practical advice and tips, rather than be academic about it. I think both calls went down well, and I learnt some more things about resilience in the process.

And today I serviced Doris’s fridge. This is nothing more than sweeping the chimney and hovering the igniting pot (there’s probably a technical term for that.). It wasn’t that easy as one of the screw tops had blunted and I had to drill it out. C had bought me a long, bendy brush which worked really well for the chimney. If you don’t brush it, all sorts of rubbish builds up and, whilst there’s no chance of a fire, like in a conventional house, you can get some really awful smells. We had that in our last van and it took me ages to work out what the problem was. In the end I cleaned it like a rifle barrel, with a piece of string and a pull-through. Anyhow, that’s done now.

fridge service. The chimney is the big silver tube. The plastic bits are from the bendy brush …

We’re off to mum’s tomorrow. That’s four hours there and fours hours back. It’s worth it … but it won’t be without tears.

Keep safe everyone. And have a relaxed Easter.