On Friday we headed to Plymouth and had a very straightforward trip down. As usual we stopped at Gloucester services on the way. That night at Ged & James House we had a fabulous Caribbean take away from soul food and a LOT of rum!!!
On Saturday morning I headed to Central Park Parkrun. For the first time I was able to make my way to the start without needing a car (if you ignore the 200 mile journey the day before.) I managed to turn it into a 10k as well as the very hilly 5k. This was only the second ever Plymouth Central Park Parkrun. Fittingly for the pirate capital of England they even had pirate tailwalkers!!!
Just to make sure I got 20 000 steps in we then took Flynn the dog for a lovely walk whilst Lee and Ged did some Christmas shopping.
On Saturday night we had a superb meal at the Dome, once owned by Gary Rhodes.
Sunday was my birthday. We should have been here this time last year. It was Ged's birthday a couple of days before so it's a joint celebration.
As a birthday treat Sara took Lee and I out on her boat. It was a stunning day and the harbour in Plymouth is beautiful.
Lee still needs her afternoon nap, so she took this on the boat.
The dome shaped building to the left of the lighthouse is the restaurant from the night before!!!
Once back at Ged & James the barbecue was in full swing. James does not do burgers and sausages, this was full on smoked beef, pork and a whole chicken in his impressive array of smokers and rotisserie! All of this was of course washed down with a lot more rum 🏴☠️ except for Lee who persisted with non-alcoholic alternatives. You may have spotted a food theme here...I've possibly put on half a stone these last couple of weeks!!!
On Monday we headed to Looe in the day time. It was beautiful and we had a nice time but...Looe is 2/3rds closed on a Monday! The food theme continued with fish and chips, ice cream and a visit to a very good rum shop!!!
In the evening we went to Illuminate at The Royal William Yard. This was a very clever light display but apparently not as good as last year. Then you know...more Rum!!!
On Tuesday we did a bit of shopping and then went to Pier One for lunch. I think this restaurant has the most amazing setting and view. It's not far from the Dome but we were there in the day time!!!
We came home on Wednesday after a thoroughly enjoyable short break with great friends. Myfitnesspal is being used again from Monday! As for Lee. She did very well but the tiredness and muscle fatigue is all to obvious. She struggles on anything but a flat, even surface. She missed her naps a couple of times and this might explain the data on her smartwatch. In her sleep Lee is experiencing tachycardia, she hit 180bpm one night! Despite this Lee remains in very good spirits, she was so much fun to be around! She is on course for a return to work in January!!!
Now it's time for cycling!
On Thursday I was desperate for a spin. We'd had another good meal with the kids on Wednesday as we had our family birthday celebrations. I was feeling fat and lethargic and needed a good ride! So I took my Forme Calver for an off road spin.
Via Harrington and Arthingworth I headed to the Brampton Valley Way. I took this to Lamport and then headed back to the bridleways.
Then it was across the fields towards Mawsley and back round through Orton for a nice 20 mile loop.
On the way I found some decent mud to ride through...I did think I needed more mud specic tyres...which is good because I got some for my birthday!
These Hutchinson tyres were so quick to fit and the bead gave that satisfying pop on the first inflation. Some people think tubeless is a faff. I think good tyres, good wheels and a tubeless specific pump make it relatively easy. I'm looking forward to testing these on Tuesday at Capers.
I did intend to ride with Cyclasylum on Saturday but it was horrible weather. Bearable for dog walking but not nice for cycling. Kudos to Richard G and Andy P for being Hardy enough to still go out. Meanwhile Bruce and Charity enjoyed an extended walk!
This morning I was due to be volunteer coordinator at junior parkrun but icy conditions meant the course was unsafe and we were forced to cancel. With time on my hands I decided off road was the only sensible option and picked an old favourite route wise!
I headed out via Rushton through crunchy icy puddles. I'm 51 years old and love the noise an icy puddle makes as much as I did when I was 5.
From there I made my way through Weekly Woods and onto Geddington.
The aim was to see what state the chase was in. Often at this time of year it's very wet and muddy, fun for a few miles but not fast riding!
By the time I reached that lovely old oak tree it was clear that the frosty conditions had firmed the ground up. The downhill section was improved further as the hedges have been cut back. At the bottom of the hill I turned round and came back! I'd have to use more roads otherwise and this was not what I wanted. Once back in Geddington I took the bridleway which comes out opposite Boughton House.
I do think the Duke of Buccleuch needs persuading to have a cyclocross race on his grounds!
From there I headed around the back of Brambleside and into linear Park, where I bumped into Kate and Nathan Gallon and Dexter dog! Then I headed home, happy to have had a nice ride!
Once back I tried to clean my bike but my hosepipe was frozen. I got it cleared eventually but froze myself in the process!
Next up was Sunday dinner at Mum and Dad's where we met Flint, guide dog puppy number 7! This was a lovely way to finish my 2 weeks leave!!! I've had a splendid time and I'm happy to go back to work for a rest from all this fine dining and extravagance!!!
Big shout out to my fellow cyclocross riders from Corby Capers and all the local clubs. Some great results in the regional championships today. Rider of the day has to go to Paul Dickens for becoming the Central Region V60 champion! Well done to everyone though. There's loads of riding to come with the World Masters in Ipswich next weekend and still 2 rounds of the Leicestershire League in January.
Happy Pedalling
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