The Big Clean Up

Mild damp day, and after watching some TV on iPad on  a morning lie-in, I set to work just before midday.

Job 1: Back shed. Dumped loads, and cleaned & tidied. Made a big difference.

Job 2: Hang bikes on wall in garage. This took a bit longer. Could not find the chuck for the drill. However, RM (renting Madge's house) loaned me a cordless drill. POS arrived just to say a quick hello mid-job. Lovely chat about mostly my new mountain bike. Then, at about 5pm job done. Turf briquettes moved to other side; three bikes fitted on wall; several half-shelves replacing existing ones; all my bike stuff moved to bike side; Marion will use shelves on other side; big sweep and hoover. (Well, not hoover actually...) Needs to be hoovered. Lots of photos taken, as it likely will not stay as tidy as it is now.

Isn't Christmas Wonderful?

Christmas 2012 at mam's

Isn't Christmas wonderful? Every year it's the same! Wonderful, just wonderful. And this year is no different. Running, racing right up till late Christmas Eve...and then there's that lovely feeling of calm and relaxation.

TV yesterday and today included Father Ted, Mrs. Brown's Boys, the Sound of Music, reruns of Downton series 1, and loads of other interesting stuff.

Unfortunately, a really good season for Crystal Palace ended on a bum note as they were beaten 2-1 in Cardiff today.

Busy Busy

Friday: took a day off and drove to Allenwood with Meabh to look at Renault Clio. Car looked great and Meabh agreed to buy it. We had lunch and arrived home at 4pm. Car will be serviced and NCT'd and will be dropped down early next week. Quick turnaround with coffee and headed to Clonakilty for half-marathon. Registered at Inchydoney and returned to Quality Hotel for dinner and three pints.

Saturday: up early, no breakfast (and no water until 9am) and arrived at start-line in plenty time. I was delighted with my run. Stayed with the pacers all the way until 11 miles, then pushed on a bit and finished in 2:13:55. The advice at 500 metres to go was spot on...keep usual pace until 200 metres, and then give it welly! It worked, and I felt brilliant crossing that line. Delighted! Back to hotel for shower and food. Later, Marion and I had beautiful meal with friends at Richmond House in Cappoquin, before finishing the night off with some beer at Ladybelle.

Sunday: believe it or not I was up at 7.30, and at 1pm and drove to Dublin for Andre Rieu concert at the Point. Parked at Red Cow and got Luas in to Middle Abbey Street. Meal and then concert. Fantastic entertainment. Luas back out at 11, and drove home, arriving at 1.45am. What a weekend! Busy, busy.

Christmas 2012

It's Christmas! I was supposed to be running the half marathon in Waterford today but I did not get my entry in time. Instead I will run a half marathon in Clonakilty next week.
Lovely morning stroll to town with new Nikon D60 camera. Usual Bagel Bar hot chocolate. Home again now to hoover and put up the Christmas tree. Bring on Christmas. Dragged the tree from the attic, and later Meabh helped me finish it. Results very impressive I think.

BEAUTIFUL beautiful bacon & cabbage for dinner.

At 9.30 I dropped Meabh to the Lady Belle for a party, and decided to go in for one. Great night with many of the cycling club who were there after the usual Christmas Ballyhoura mountain-biking day out....left the car and will collect in the am.

Putting up the tree is hard work