Wet Bank Holiday Monday

As it always seems to be the case, it is wet on our Bank Holiday Monday.

Since we had the Avondale Gala and Barn Dance on Saturday and it was very wet yesterday we have done no cycling so today is our last chance for this weekend.

Once we got down and had breakfast I could hear the light rain n the conservatory roof, always sounding worse than it actually is. We decided to go out anyway and see what happens.

By the time we we ready (and those few chores done around the house - I needed shirt into the wash) the rain was off and so were we.

Less than 2 minutes in, Fiona asked where my waterproof jacket was. I hadn't bothered to bring it, being all manly and all. Sinc ethe plan was to head out to the Burns Centre for food, it was suggested that I go back and get it so I could peel it off rather than sit soaked if it did rain., She would continue and I would catch her up. Yes Dear.

Luckily I did. Just coming out of Prestwick, about 40 minutes in, it started to rain. We stopped and I got to use my new waterproof for the first time.

Less than 5 minutes later it was raining so hard we couldn't really see and had to shelter for 30 minutes at a bus stop. At this point it was agreed that heading back was the wisest course of action and return home.

Definitely the wettest we've been since Aviemore 2 years ago.

But the wet weather gear worked this time. Dry inside, but my feet are wet and cold. Fiona survived also, almost completely dry but very muddy from spray, and the car that splashed as we passed the airport.

She's already had her shower and since the hair-dryer is now on time to log off for my shower.

WOHFTF? No Curling?

Just back (it's been a week now - busy bee this week) from a weekend in Dunoon with the curling lot.

Each year Fiona's curling lot go away in November for a weekend's curling to Stranraer. There is eating , drinking, and curling.
breakout

These are days, you'll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this and as you feel it
You'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky
It's true that you are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you
These are days, you'll remember
When May is rushing over you with desire
To be part of the miracles you see in every hour
You'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky
It's true that you are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you
These are days
These are the days you might fill with laughter until' you break
These days you might feel a shaft of light make it's way across your face
When you do you'll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
It's true, you'll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they're speaking to you, to you


10,000 Maniacs - These Are Days

breakout
This year as there were 4 Fiftieth birthdays and 1 fortieth, we decided to head away for a weekend without the curling.
After much searching, a venue large enough for us all was found and a weekend agreed and we all made our way to Dunoon. Physically, this is not to far from us, but due to the physical geography it's a ferry ride across the Clyde to Dunoon, where we had our cottage.

There were travel juggling to begin with. I was in Edinburgh at a conference, so after collecting Alan, who was working in the building I parked my car in we drove across to the ferry. After a quiet ferry trip, where we didn't recognise any of the foot passengers, we arrived at the house: 8 bedrooms, dining room, lounge, chill out space, pool, BBQ hut, games room, tower viewpoint, food kitchen, drink kitchen, swings.

Fantastic.

Night 1 was quiet - settling in. With a fabulous meal of baked ham, salmon, and salads we set the bar high. We all were given gift glasses to wear, especially for the official photos at the end of the weekend.
Food over it was some walking outside, messing about in the pool and sauna, and then drinking and eating until we fell.. Well kinda. Does eating unset spiked jelly count as eating or drinking?

Next morning dawned wet. Surprisingly, we were all moving reasonably well and the noise wasn't a problem. Fantastic cooked breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausage, toast and tea. Perfect.
After a morning lounging, swimming, strolling and shopping, it was  off quad biking once the weather improved while others went golfing, and garden visiting.

After we got back from the quads I headed down to the pier to play 'David Bailey' with my camera where I was joined first by Karolyn and then the Golf Boys.

But Saturday night was BBQ night and Eurovision night. And a lot of drink was consumed. And food. And wifi died so I stopped posting and increased my drinking. And we had a gin quiz, and we sang, and we had birthday cake, and, and and. And once I see all the photos I might remember more.



Sunday started damp but again, a fantastic cooked breakfast made the morning and the weather improved to the level where we could get out and take our party pictures.

This was remarkably difficult as we couldn't get everyone to look at the camera at the same time or jump on the same cue.

Some left on Sunday, while some of us stayed on until Monday. Sunday night was a chinese bought in, and Monday's breakfast wasn't a shake on the others we had but it was still enjoyable.

A lot of bottles fell this weekend.

A great time was had.

Activity Update

I've had  the feeling that I've not been too active so far this year.
Work is definitely getting in the way of my exercise. As is the weather.And curling. And punctures.

Hopefully I have turned a corner - curling season over, 'spring' is now here, I've got new tubes and tyres.

So, how have I done so far this year?

The total number of workouts is not far from last years totals - a little bit down but not too bad at all.  Distance and duration are down a lot though, but that has been me missing my regular workout sessions.

What has that done to my weight though? Surprisingly, not much damage. (phew)

but not much progress.

At least the general trend (when I record weights that is) is a decreasing one.

And at least, given the dinners out, and hotel eating, I'm not gaining weight!

Long Cycle

Now that the weather is finally picking up, and the curling is over, we have been back out on the bikes.

Just about 100 miles in the past 2 weeks (3 weekends)

Saturday we went out to Portencross Castle. This is north along the coast. Again its fairly flat, coastal cycling with most on cycle track and only a little on quiet streets.

Being prepared, we had sandwiches with us, and if the weather was better would have stayed and had a good look at the castle.

This is all part of my campaign to have Fiona do the 47 mile Pedal Scotland event in September. She keeps saying she's not fit enough, but she did 45 miles in 4 hours, so she seems pretty fine to me.

What I have had to do is distract her. Normally she would start complaining on the cycle back, but this time I commented on the fact that my bum was getting sore and never gave her the opportunity to complain.