01-Jan to 07-Jan 2012

Sun 01-Jan: Took Sammy with me to the allotment this afternoon (Connor is away in Bournemouth) and he got stuck into developing the extension to the den. Here he is getting ready to nail in another roof support. He managed to get two up before he found helping me with composting more exciting. We were still there at 17:00 in the dark, him with his head torch on constructing a wooden walkway, me fumbling about in the dark for leeks, garlic and onions to take back.

Mon 02-Jan: Altered the pool/darts match from Sunday to this evening to avoid both sons having the excuse of hangovers if I won, but John was late home from work and didn't make it. Just as well... he must have sussed I was on top form, thrashing David. Was unbeaten at pool all night and got several 110+ scores at darts. Here's the final score (F=father, D= David). If only I could maintain this form in Scone Bowling Club against my brothers. Looks like 2012 is going to be a good year!

Tue 03-Jan: Just hobbled back from squash to examine my left kneecap. Somehow managed during a particularly frenzied rally to get the racquet head caught where the floor and wall meet and ran onto the handle base with my kneecap. Somewhat similar to hitting your kneecap really hard with a hammer. Done it several times in the past... though never seen anyone else do it so either I'm getting the racquet well forward, or more likely I'm really slow at following up with the rest of me. After several minutes writhing about in agony convinced I'd broken my kneecap, during which time the best David could summon up was 'Is that it then?', I managed to play on and in fact get a lead of 8-2 in the deciding 5th game... yes, you've guessed it, only to lose 8-10! So after all that pain I'm quite glad to see there's some evidence of redness and swelling I can play on for sympathy. Mind you, both legs look like a couple of parsnips at the best of times. Bit unfortunate I took the snap against a background of similar colour... the right leg looks like it's half as thick!

Wed 04-Jan: With the new bed delivered early this morning and the carpet fitted yesterday, at last we're able to move back into our bedroom after it being decorated. Really happy with the paper chosen. Here it is before the installation of Linda's photos and other paraphernalia. See how we get on with the new memory foam mattress.

Thu 05-Jan: At last had a chance for a country walk this afternoon, but the wind just too strong for a pleasant time. So popped down the gym to have a go in the sauna and steam room. Was hoping to have it all to myself but the presence of five half naked blokes put paid to that. Had 20mins in the sauna reading my library book to give me an excuse to avert my eyes, then 20mins in the steam room... no point taking anything to read in there since it all gets a bit floppy. Finally back to the sauna before heading home looking like a lobster. Highly enjoyable though... try again earlier in the week to see if I can get unrestrained use.

Fri 06-Jan: Time to renew the library books this morning and a chance to spend time in one of my favourite places. So after browsing the PC and gadget magazines I then selected books on local country walks for me to try out in the next couple of months. Aiming to add a few more interesting (interesting = pub at the end of it for lunch) walks to the collection Linda and I amble along in the warmer months. Even more special since time to collect three books I'd reserved. Discovered you could have books delivered to the local library from anywhere in the county, so this is my first collection. Here are the books I ordered... the only two books I haven't read by my absolutely favourite author, Annie Proulx and another from an author I'm increasingly getting attached to through his less famous books, John Steinbeck. Also getting increasing urges to start my own masterpiece, having a strong idea on the first couple of chapters or so.

Sat 07-Jan: After a quick visit to the allotment to do the chickens, managed to get out for just over an hour for a walk. Feel pressure building up if I can't go for a wander at least once a week, no doubt as a result of spending all those years inside an office. Wandered south of St Ives along the Ouse, past the lock keeper's house to watch the sun set further down the river. Then back along the old river. Caught this image as I walked away from the town. In the foreground are the old railway bridge supports, what I initially thought were capstans when I first saw them after they were revealed from under briars and weeds by builders. In the background is the 15thC St Ives Bridge with the pigeons circling over it... we often watch their acrobatics from The Dolphin on the other side of the bridge. Linda not with me today... tripped over a table leg and twisted her ankle.