Thursday, February 23, 2006
"Do you live in a region?"
Hey, I don't. I live in a proper village, me. Calverley really is a proper old Yorkshire village, full of stone terraced 'back-to-back' houses, and it still has a real village atmosphere - it's lovely. It's expanded a bit from when it was mentioned in the Doomsday book, apparently but the old "stone" area where I am currently renting really does seem to have a life of it's own. The more I find out about the place and the more neighbours I meet - the better it gets. If I could muster up a couple of hundred grand I'd buy a little house in Calverley tomorrow. Actually, make that £300k - quaint village life is expensive ...
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
No smoking
So, we are to get a complete smoking ban in all public bars, pubs and other such places. About f*cking time, but hurrah for parliament and their open vote on this subject.
Goes to show what a blot on the social landscape this pathetic drug addiction has now become.
Goes to show what a blot on the social landscape this pathetic drug addiction has now become.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Dales biking
The bike trip out in the Dales on Saturday proved to be one of those "best ever" days out. Wonderful weather, glorious scenery and a great bunch of folk. I'd forgotten what it's like to go out in a big group, and also how much I'd missed it.
We did 26 miles of very hilly but almost totally gloop-free riding from lovely Clapham - round and through Horton (top cafe!); up and over Cam End; past the Ribblehead viaduct and finally the descent down Long Lane back into the village through the tunnels.
Our man from down south, Rich, enjoyed it immensely as well, and we proved to him once and for all that it's in no way grim up north.
We did come across one of the most badly injured people I have ever seen along the way - a biker who had face planted into the Cam End limestone path at speed - but fortunately the cave rescue guys were on the scene and he was eventually choppered out with spinal injuries. Poor fella.
If I can figure out how to get pictures in these posts I'll get a couple up of the trip....
We did 26 miles of very hilly but almost totally gloop-free riding from lovely Clapham - round and through Horton (top cafe!); up and over Cam End; past the Ribblehead viaduct and finally the descent down Long Lane back into the village through the tunnels.
Our man from down south, Rich, enjoyed it immensely as well, and we proved to him once and for all that it's in no way grim up north.
We did come across one of the most badly injured people I have ever seen along the way - a biker who had face planted into the Cam End limestone path at speed - but fortunately the cave rescue guys were on the scene and he was eventually choppered out with spinal injuries. Poor fella.
If I can figure out how to get pictures in these posts I'll get a couple up of the trip....
Friday, February 03, 2006
Highlands and islands
I've just booked in to the youth hostel in Torridon round Spring Bank Holiday weekend in May. The plan is to drive up there and stop one night before heading off on a week long cycling trip north and then west, and then back to Torridon for Whit weekend before heading home. Sounds great - I've never been to Torridon and most of the places I intend to see, and these will be:
Ullapool and north of that - the circuit round round Suilven. Ferry across to Stornaway and then roll on down through Harris and maybe over to North Uist. Ferry over to Skye, across the island and then back up to Torridon via the Kyle. Hopefully I'll fit in the Applecross circuit at the end too.
I'm doing this all via youth hostels and it's mostly sensible mileage (only one long stint Torridon to Ullapool = 90 miles). It should still be too cold for the midges, and fingers crossed for the weather in general. But late May is a good time to go.
To be honest any time is a good time for being in the Scottish Highlands as it's wonderful.
EDIT: My good mate Rich is now on board for this trip, which is excellent news. He does seem a little over-interested in seeing stone circles, burial grounds and all that kind of funny old stuff en route. There's a lot of it about up there, mind.
Ullapool and north of that - the circuit round round Suilven. Ferry across to Stornaway and then roll on down through Harris and maybe over to North Uist. Ferry over to Skye, across the island and then back up to Torridon via the Kyle. Hopefully I'll fit in the Applecross circuit at the end too.
I'm doing this all via youth hostels and it's mostly sensible mileage (only one long stint Torridon to Ullapool = 90 miles). It should still be too cold for the midges, and fingers crossed for the weather in general. But late May is a good time to go.
To be honest any time is a good time for being in the Scottish Highlands as it's wonderful.
EDIT: My good mate Rich is now on board for this trip, which is excellent news. He does seem a little over-interested in seeing stone circles, burial grounds and all that kind of funny old stuff en route. There's a lot of it about up there, mind.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Hip in London
Yes, Canada's second best ever band are doing one British show show in London this summer : Friday July 7th at their usual haunt -the Shepherd's Bush Empire.
On sale tomorrow (Fri 3rd) but I got my tickets today through a pre-order. Marvellous.
Hmm- how about the show in Amsterdam the following Tuesday? :-)
On sale tomorrow (Fri 3rd) but I got my tickets today through a pre-order. Marvellous.
Hmm- how about the show in Amsterdam the following Tuesday? :-)
6 weekends long
It's nice to get paid early before Christmas, admittedly, but what a bastard this year when the January pay month then turns out to be 6 weekends long. Oh, well - hurrah for overdraft facilities.
Having been paid the new house is at least now equipped with spare bedding although the spare bed is a blow up mattress... Also on board is some shelving in the spare room, which tidies things up a great deal.
Liz opted for the snow (or lack of it) in the Highlands at the weekend and I had the kids. Great fun it was too, and a good time was had by all. They had perfect weather up there.
Rich Eatough is up from Reading this weekend and we will be off le biking in the Dales (Clapham) with the folk from bikemagic.com on Saturday. This cold dry weather is perfect mountain biking weather it has to be said, but several layers of socks will be in order.
Having been paid the new house is at least now equipped with spare bedding although the spare bed is a blow up mattress... Also on board is some shelving in the spare room, which tidies things up a great deal.
Liz opted for the snow (or lack of it) in the Highlands at the weekend and I had the kids. Great fun it was too, and a good time was had by all. They had perfect weather up there.
Rich Eatough is up from Reading this weekend and we will be off le biking in the Dales (Clapham) with the folk from bikemagic.com on Saturday. This cold dry weather is perfect mountain biking weather it has to be said, but several layers of socks will be in order.
Friday, January 27, 2006
"Adventure race"
Never mind this poncey triathlon malarky - I reckon the way forward with multi sports is adventure racing.
Reasoning: It's mountain biking and not roadie racing; it's in the hills and dales and not round towns, and best of all there's no 1500m swim so I can bin the training for that (Jeez, swimming is boring and I also won't need to fork out £200 for a wet suit). Really, who wants to swim round a dock anyway?
Sunday's 5 hour race was great fun. My partner, Will, I'd met once the week before at an LMC meet and he was a fine choice in that he is a Polaris veteran and therefore extremely well versed in the efficient use of time and resources on these things. And he's a fine navigator.
With neither of us that fussed on running we planned a one descent, one ascent trot to bag as many points as we could in about an hour and then get back for the bikes at the transition. And then I found the running desperately hard for no real reason so was very pleased to set off on the bikes after about 90 minutes. The Hebden Bridge area is VERY hilly and riddled with bridleways and therefore makes for excellent mountain biking territory. The great weather helped as well, but there were the inevitable mud and water obstacles along the way. We went hard but not stupidly balls out and got back to base just before the 5 hours were up, so we incurred no time penalties. A quick change and then free tea and coffee and some mingling with our fellow racers preceeded the prize giving. We'd come about half way in the male pairs competition which wasn't too bad I thought. The next one in the series in at Hamsterley Forest in March.
Any takers for the 24 hour effort at the end of July then? :-)
(See the Open Adventure link).
Reasoning: It's mountain biking and not roadie racing; it's in the hills and dales and not round towns, and best of all there's no 1500m swim so I can bin the training for that (Jeez, swimming is boring and I also won't need to fork out £200 for a wet suit). Really, who wants to swim round a dock anyway?
Sunday's 5 hour race was great fun. My partner, Will, I'd met once the week before at an LMC meet and he was a fine choice in that he is a Polaris veteran and therefore extremely well versed in the efficient use of time and resources on these things. And he's a fine navigator.
With neither of us that fussed on running we planned a one descent, one ascent trot to bag as many points as we could in about an hour and then get back for the bikes at the transition. And then I found the running desperately hard for no real reason so was very pleased to set off on the bikes after about 90 minutes. The Hebden Bridge area is VERY hilly and riddled with bridleways and therefore makes for excellent mountain biking territory. The great weather helped as well, but there were the inevitable mud and water obstacles along the way. We went hard but not stupidly balls out and got back to base just before the 5 hours were up, so we incurred no time penalties. A quick change and then free tea and coffee and some mingling with our fellow racers preceeded the prize giving. We'd come about half way in the male pairs competition which wasn't too bad I thought. The next one in the series in at Hamsterley Forest in March.
Any takers for the 24 hour effort at the end of July then? :-)
(See the Open Adventure link).
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Jamie's birthday
Jamie is 3 today and we had his birthday party last Saturday in the form of an outing with his friends and family on his very favourite 'ride' of all time - The Keighley Worth Valley railway, preceeded by a Pizza Hut dinner. What more can a boy want?
The KVR is excellent it has to be said: proper full sized steam engines and some wonderful authentic stations, running through "Bronte Country" from Keighley to Oxenhope via Haworth. It's always really busy at the weekends and the whole thing with a couple of stops makes a great day out for kids and adults alike.
(This is the line which is probably most famous for being used in the film The Railway Children. THAT station and THAT bridge are still there along the way.)
Today the lad's been at nursery where there's cake and a party laid on. Kids' birthdays are just ace. I wish my birthdays were that good. :-/
The KVR is excellent it has to be said: proper full sized steam engines and some wonderful authentic stations, running through "Bronte Country" from Keighley to Oxenhope via Haworth. It's always really busy at the weekends and the whole thing with a couple of stops makes a great day out for kids and adults alike.
(This is the line which is probably most famous for being used in the film The Railway Children. THAT station and THAT bridge are still there along the way.)
Today the lad's been at nursery where there's cake and a party laid on. Kids' birthdays are just ace. I wish my birthdays were that good. :-/
Progression
It's an odd thing suddenly becoming 'single' again, and I all of a sudden realised that it's very easy to just disappear, in the sense that you can easily hole up at home all week and do naff all apart from watch TV and surf the t'internet.
The former I admit I could happily do. There's little or no TV signal though in sunny Calverley but I've managed to connect up the NTL box that I found in the house. I guess NTL are meant to come and pick these things up once agreements run out but if not then one can access a decent package of free channels ie. most of the ones on Freeview. And in cable qualty digital quality. Handy. Best bit though is all the radio stations on it. Whacked through the hi-fi amp Radio 6, Q Radio and Kerrang all sound great.
As for the t'internet I have made the decision not to bother as it's too temptin a thing to just stop in and write crap on blogs and trade on the (admittedly excellent) Rush web group (www.t-n-m-s.com) etc etc. Single bloke at home trawling the internet - I think not.
So, what else is there? A social life in general means 'down the pub' or so it seems. Everything seems to start with drinking. Not that I am specifically against drinking or pubs but that's what we all seem to do - a lot. A mate comes to stay and we go - to the pub. Jo next door comes round and we go - to the pub. I got and meet some people from Leeds mountaineering club (LMC) and it's - in a pub. Seems that I'd just gotten of of the habit of going to the pub and it's one habit that I am not that keen to get back into to be honest. Having said that I look forward to my Friday nights out locally with Jo in the local(s)!
Away from the pubs I have re-joined the LMC and that sets me up for their hut meet weekends away which are excellent. There's a string of privately owned climbing club huts all over the UK in wonderful locations and the clubs all book them up for weekends the year. The LMC's next meet is at the K Shoes hut in Duddon valley in the Lakes (nearish to Conniston), and their half term meet is 4 days in the fabulous Lagangarbh hut at the foot of Buchaille Etive Mor in Glencoe. Can't do the K Shoes as Liz is away but may do Glencoe for some Scottish winter stuff.
This Sunday coming I'm doing an "Adventure Race". This 5 hours of mountain biking and/or running orienteering starting from neaby Hebden Bridge. A chap from the LMC is partnering. Should be great fun. With a bit of luck we'll be able to do as little running as possble and lots of biking! What with this kind of stuff; the mountain bikers regular jaunts out; staring to go to the Leeds (climbing) Wall again and the Pudsey Pacers runners (who I still actually haven't met properly yet) there's plenty of scope for a decent social life. And it'll all keep me fit.
The former I admit I could happily do. There's little or no TV signal though in sunny Calverley but I've managed to connect up the NTL box that I found in the house. I guess NTL are meant to come and pick these things up once agreements run out but if not then one can access a decent package of free channels ie. most of the ones on Freeview. And in cable qualty digital quality. Handy. Best bit though is all the radio stations on it. Whacked through the hi-fi amp Radio 6, Q Radio and Kerrang all sound great.
As for the t'internet I have made the decision not to bother as it's too temptin a thing to just stop in and write crap on blogs and trade on the (admittedly excellent) Rush web group (www.t-n-m-s.com) etc etc. Single bloke at home trawling the internet - I think not.
So, what else is there? A social life in general means 'down the pub' or so it seems. Everything seems to start with drinking. Not that I am specifically against drinking or pubs but that's what we all seem to do - a lot. A mate comes to stay and we go - to the pub. Jo next door comes round and we go - to the pub. I got and meet some people from Leeds mountaineering club (LMC) and it's - in a pub. Seems that I'd just gotten of of the habit of going to the pub and it's one habit that I am not that keen to get back into to be honest. Having said that I look forward to my Friday nights out locally with Jo in the local(s)!
Away from the pubs I have re-joined the LMC and that sets me up for their hut meet weekends away which are excellent. There's a string of privately owned climbing club huts all over the UK in wonderful locations and the clubs all book them up for weekends the year. The LMC's next meet is at the K Shoes hut in Duddon valley in the Lakes (nearish to Conniston), and their half term meet is 4 days in the fabulous Lagangarbh hut at the foot of Buchaille Etive Mor in Glencoe. Can't do the K Shoes as Liz is away but may do Glencoe for some Scottish winter stuff.
This Sunday coming I'm doing an "Adventure Race". This 5 hours of mountain biking and/or running orienteering starting from neaby Hebden Bridge. A chap from the LMC is partnering. Should be great fun. With a bit of luck we'll be able to do as little running as possble and lots of biking! What with this kind of stuff; the mountain bikers regular jaunts out; staring to go to the Leeds (climbing) Wall again and the Pudsey Pacers runners (who I still actually haven't met properly yet) there's plenty of scope for a decent social life. And it'll all keep me fit.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Nite riding
That'll be mountain biking in the dark. In my quest to find new people in life I hooked up with a local crew of mountain bikers last night and they go out each week at least once round the trails in the dark. I actually led them round my familar Pudsey trails and it was excellent fun, if a bit muddy in parts.
I've not done nite biking for AGES, and I'm thinking back to probably the Cardiff Uni for my last memory of lashing round the trails in the pitch black. Back then of course we made to with 1.5w Ever Ready torches, with a halogen bulb if you were very lucky. So, of course you could see jack shit, and less when your rechargeables ran out (which they always did). Also, the Cardiff nite riding experience was not complete without a pint or two at the excellent pub near Rudry hill who's name escapes me now. Hehe - that lovely feeling of getting inside into the warm round the fire and literally steaming until dry. And then, fortified by two pints of XB, reluctantly stepping out through the door again into a frosty Welsh night knowing it would be ages before you warmed up, and there was that infamous Whips drop down the narrow steep steps to come. Actually, having done that bit on sheer adrenaline the crashes tended to come on the narrow lanes dropping down towards town ...
Things have changed and these days of course we are all equipped with the current choice of 10 zillion candle power LED spotlights which run for about 3 weeks non stop. This does make things a little easier but a little less fun? Mind you when it comes to the alarmingly fast downhilling round Pudsey, sliding round in the mud at the same time I was somehow glad to have some vision at least.
But my bike when I got back - HOW muddy? Not having an outside tap with a hose is not good when your main hobby is mountain biking I can tell you. (I should have though of this when I was looking for accommodation...) I checked at the local garage which is about half a mile from the house and they have a jet wash. Excellent! Except then I found I had no money. Arse. And the miserable git at the till wouldn't stand me a £1.50 token on the promise I'd come back in the car and buy petrol later. Wot a twat.
So, the trusty hand pump garden spray thingy had to suffice and actually I got most of the gloop off. Then there's leggings, bum bag, overshoes etc etc which are caked in it. Never again. Except I see they are out again tomorrow ...
I've not done nite biking for AGES, and I'm thinking back to probably the Cardiff Uni for my last memory of lashing round the trails in the pitch black. Back then of course we made to with 1.5w Ever Ready torches, with a halogen bulb if you were very lucky. So, of course you could see jack shit, and less when your rechargeables ran out (which they always did). Also, the Cardiff nite riding experience was not complete without a pint or two at the excellent pub near Rudry hill who's name escapes me now. Hehe - that lovely feeling of getting inside into the warm round the fire and literally steaming until dry. And then, fortified by two pints of XB, reluctantly stepping out through the door again into a frosty Welsh night knowing it would be ages before you warmed up, and there was that infamous Whips drop down the narrow steep steps to come. Actually, having done that bit on sheer adrenaline the crashes tended to come on the narrow lanes dropping down towards town ...
Things have changed and these days of course we are all equipped with the current choice of 10 zillion candle power LED spotlights which run for about 3 weeks non stop. This does make things a little easier but a little less fun? Mind you when it comes to the alarmingly fast downhilling round Pudsey, sliding round in the mud at the same time I was somehow glad to have some vision at least.
But my bike when I got back - HOW muddy? Not having an outside tap with a hose is not good when your main hobby is mountain biking I can tell you. (I should have though of this when I was looking for accommodation...) I checked at the local garage which is about half a mile from the house and they have a jet wash. Excellent! Except then I found I had no money. Arse. And the miserable git at the till wouldn't stand me a £1.50 token on the promise I'd come back in the car and buy petrol later. Wot a twat.
So, the trusty hand pump garden spray thingy had to suffice and actually I got most of the gloop off. Then there's leggings, bum bag, overshoes etc etc which are caked in it. Never again. Except I see they are out again tomorrow ...
Friday, December 30, 2005
There goes 2005 ...
OK, it's not quite the end of the year but I feel it's time to give it a comprehensive review:
There was some good stuff and some bad stuff all round.
So that's that all dealt with. Next up is 2006 apparently. Let's see what that one brings.
A very happy New Year to all readers and I really do hope to see you soon.
There was some good stuff and some bad stuff all round.
So that's that all dealt with. Next up is 2006 apparently. Let's see what that one brings.
A very happy New Year to all readers and I really do hope to see you soon.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Richard Pryor, John Spencer RIP
Ever seen Richard Pryor's stand up DVD where he does the "Pryor on Fire" thing? Relating the story of an aborted suicide attempt high on crack cocaine when he first set himself alight and then jumped out of his hotel window and ran along the road before being put out. Incredible. Incredible to have done this in the first place (30% body burns he gained for his troubles) and then to be able to relate it to an audience in such a fashion that I was crying with laughter just watching the film of it. This man LIVED (raised in his grandmother's brothel, abused as a kid, etc) and he became a peerless, groundbreaking, breathtaking comedy genius as well as a huge Hollywood star. And he endured 20 years of MS to top it all off. Read his autobiography and be humbled.
John Spencer died last Friday of a heart attack. He played Leo in The West Wing, and was one of the best things in this fabulous TV programme. I have only ever seen him in TWW but I believe he was also in LA Law and several other US TV shows. Apparently he was a great man in person and had, like his West Wing character, lived through alcoholism. He stated that he used acting as his therapy - his 'other drug'.
(Hmmm - two post about deaths, and one about a marriage split - maybe I should lighten things up a bit soon eh :-).
John Spencer died last Friday of a heart attack. He played Leo in The West Wing, and was one of the best things in this fabulous TV programme. I have only ever seen him in TWW but I believe he was also in LA Law and several other US TV shows. Apparently he was a great man in person and had, like his West Wing character, lived through alcoholism. He stated that he used acting as his therapy - his 'other drug'.
(Hmmm - two post about deaths, and one about a marriage split - maybe I should lighten things up a bit soon eh :-).
Thursday, December 08, 2005
It was 25 years ago today
Today is the 25th anniversary of the death of John Lennon. I remember the morning he was shot being woken up to the news on Liverpool’s Radio City. It was very sad that he was murdered so tragically but as for the outpouring of grief after he had gone... it seemed to me that the Americans idolised him to a far greater extent than we did, and to be honest I can’t say I ever liked the bloke's music or his attitude. With the Beatles, although they were a fabulous band, I’ve always thought McCartney’s songs were better and even George Harrison outshone him musically after their split. As for Lennon being a “Working Class Hero” ? Loud mouthed, aggressive drug addicted yob more like it. The fact that the Gallagher brothers pratically worship the guy says it all.
What it takes...
The anatomy of the end of a relationship... Nothing to it really - you have trouble, you stop communicating and you, somewhere along the way, reach the point of no return. And there you have it. Blame may well be apportioned somewhere along the way. Anger? I guess so. Guilt? Not really. Sadness? Much.
The result - the split. Her as a single mum with the kids and the nice new house and me with my rented little house to move into very soon, a car of my own and the kids every so often, and a life to put back together again.
See you on the other side once again folks.
The result - the split. Her as a single mum with the kids and the nice new house and me with my rented little house to move into very soon, a car of my own and the kids every so often, and a life to put back together again.
See you on the other side once again folks.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Liverpool
Got to go out in Liverpool for the first time in AGES on Saturday. It used to be a great city to go drinking in during my yoof in the 80's but now it's miles better! There's an incredible amount of bars and clubs open and the area we were in around Hardman Street and Wood Street 'up' town is just jumping. Even though the weather was appalling (it hailstoned at one point) there were masses of people out and about. The Concert Square area looks fantastic, but it was not really the weather to be outside with your beer.
Oddly enough though the pubs I used frequent back then are still exactly the same. The Swan in Wood Street pleasingly refuses to change from being a dingy bikers rock pub even though all around it is now plush offices, bars and a there's even a cinema next door but one. The Philharmonic will I hope never change and it's still a stunning place (we saw CraigCharles in there and boy were he and his mates pissed!). The same high nostagia value goes for Ye Cracke and the Pilgrim, when I managed to remember where they were. Shame to see that Kirklands has changed hands, but being the trendiest place on town cannot last for 20 years I guess...
Excellent stuff, and the mad thing was that as we were heading back over the water at 11-ish there were people getting of the trains just gong to start their night out, so I guess that's down to the new extended drinking hours.
'Tis a great city. Hopefully I'll be back out there in January if the planned trip to the Spurs game at Anfield comes off.
Oddly enough though the pubs I used frequent back then are still exactly the same. The Swan in Wood Street pleasingly refuses to change from being a dingy bikers rock pub even though all around it is now plush offices, bars and a there's even a cinema next door but one. The Philharmonic will I hope never change and it's still a stunning place (we saw CraigCharles in there and boy were he and his mates pissed!). The same high nostagia value goes for Ye Cracke and the Pilgrim, when I managed to remember where they were. Shame to see that Kirklands has changed hands, but being the trendiest place on town cannot last for 20 years I guess...
Excellent stuff, and the mad thing was that as we were heading back over the water at 11-ish there were people getting of the trains just gong to start their night out, so I guess that's down to the new extended drinking hours.
'Tis a great city. Hopefully I'll be back out there in January if the planned trip to the Spurs game at Anfield comes off.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
In the Buff
Many pieces of 'technical' kit in my view deserve 5 out of 5 for being simply perfect at doing what they are designed for such as Rab down jackets; Gore cycling wear; Ron Hill Tracksters, Merrel approach shoes etc etc. However, my current favourite bit of kit is the marvellous Buff. A simple tube of elasticated cotton which is fabulously useful for all manner of situations: as a head warmer (esp. under a bike helmet); as a sweat band; as an ear warmer; as a neck warmer. It then can be put round your wrist when not needed (where it of course becomes an excellent nose wiper!). Available from all reputable outdoor shops...
Monday, November 28, 2005
New books
Waterstones had a 20% off everything sale on this weekend so the 3 for 2 offer was impossible to resist. I got 3 which I have been eyeing up for a while:
"We need to talk about Kevin" which is an award (Orange book prize - whatever that is!) winning novel and looks interesting, if a bit intense.
Buy number two is the story of the Indpendent film industry, Sundance etc, in Hollywood in the 80s (I forget the title just now) and I must get it's predecessor which is the tales of the young gun film makers in the 70's (Scorcese etc). I love good books on the film industry.
And the final one (free one!) I got is the new Dawkins (The Ancestor's Tale) which looks like it takes in the whole of evolution in one go. Maybe going to be a tough one to get through in one sitting ...
Am at present lumbering through the Mr Strange and Mr... (have even forgotten the title) magicians in the 19th century thing. It's dragging and I may have to skip and speed read to finish it, which is a shame as it started really well.
I have got two climbing books to read as well which were given to me as gifts, including the one by the guy who hacked his own arm with a penknife off to escape after being trapped by a falling boulder for 3 days in a Utah canyon. He even took pictures of it as well. Nutter. The other book is the one about the two Jamies trapped in a storm at the notch at the top of Les Droites for 3 nights. Only one escaped with his life and he lost his hands and feet to frostbite. How come all big selling climbing books are about disasters? Doesn't paint the sport in a very, hmmm, sane light does it? I guess 'normal' climbing days out never warrant a book eh?
And finally ... I'm going to have to find to good sci fi to get back into one of these days.
"We need to talk about Kevin" which is an award (Orange book prize - whatever that is!) winning novel and looks interesting, if a bit intense.
Buy number two is the story of the Indpendent film industry, Sundance etc, in Hollywood in the 80s (I forget the title just now) and I must get it's predecessor which is the tales of the young gun film makers in the 70's (Scorcese etc). I love good books on the film industry.
And the final one (free one!) I got is the new Dawkins (The Ancestor's Tale) which looks like it takes in the whole of evolution in one go. Maybe going to be a tough one to get through in one sitting ...
Am at present lumbering through the Mr Strange and Mr... (have even forgotten the title) magicians in the 19th century thing. It's dragging and I may have to skip and speed read to finish it, which is a shame as it started really well.
I have got two climbing books to read as well which were given to me as gifts, including the one by the guy who hacked his own arm with a penknife off to escape after being trapped by a falling boulder for 3 days in a Utah canyon. He even took pictures of it as well. Nutter. The other book is the one about the two Jamies trapped in a storm at the notch at the top of Les Droites for 3 nights. Only one escaped with his life and he lost his hands and feet to frostbite. How come all big selling climbing books are about disasters? Doesn't paint the sport in a very, hmmm, sane light does it? I guess 'normal' climbing days out never warrant a book eh?
And finally ... I'm going to have to find to good sci fi to get back into one of these days.
Abbey-dashery
Did the "Abbey Dash" 10k road run yesterday which was interesting. I've never been in a timed road 'race' before and so with 4000 runners involved it was quite an experience. It ran on a 'there and back' course out to Kirkstall Abbey down the A65 from Leeds centre, finishing on the Headrow in front of the town hall. All pretty flat which was quite a novelty for me.
I decided to keep a steady lunch time run stylee pace and see how it went, so setting myself a benchmark 10k time for future reference. I finished maybe in 44 minutes (edit: actually 44:41) but it was difficult to be exact as we were electronically timed and it took me a while to get to the actual starting line in the crowds. I'll find out today when the results go up on the web site.
The weather had been threatening rain/snow and it was very cold so I'd brought hats, gloves and a waterproof just in case. Fortunately the precipitation held off and I was able to shed all me wollies for the run.
I guess I'd been expecting it to be really hard work but in hindsight I don't know why as 10k or 45 minutes running is something we'll regularly do 3 times a week of a lunchtime. Getting to the halfway mark turn in 20 minutes or thereabouts and feeling like I'd only just warmed up was a suprise.
I am thinking of doing an organised 10k/half marathon each month next year building up for the Salford, and I've just sent in my entry for the Baildon Boundary Way which is a local cross country half marathon taking place at the beginning of April. I did it this year for the first time and it proved to be a painful experience, me not being used to the rough terrain. Pretty fun though - a great route on familiar ground. Just over 2 hours wasn't too bad a time in the end. It wil be interesting to see what time I could do on a road half marathon.
Such things will keep me occupied in 2006 :-)
I decided to keep a steady lunch time run stylee pace and see how it went, so setting myself a benchmark 10k time for future reference. I finished maybe in 44 minutes (edit: actually 44:41) but it was difficult to be exact as we were electronically timed and it took me a while to get to the actual starting line in the crowds. I'll find out today when the results go up on the web site.
The weather had been threatening rain/snow and it was very cold so I'd brought hats, gloves and a waterproof just in case. Fortunately the precipitation held off and I was able to shed all me wollies for the run.
I guess I'd been expecting it to be really hard work but in hindsight I don't know why as 10k or 45 minutes running is something we'll regularly do 3 times a week of a lunchtime. Getting to the halfway mark turn in 20 minutes or thereabouts and feeling like I'd only just warmed up was a suprise.
I am thinking of doing an organised 10k/half marathon each month next year building up for the Salford, and I've just sent in my entry for the Baildon Boundary Way which is a local cross country half marathon taking place at the beginning of April. I did it this year for the first time and it proved to be a painful experience, me not being used to the rough terrain. Pretty fun though - a great route on familiar ground. Just over 2 hours wasn't too bad a time in the end. It wil be interesting to see what time I could do on a road half marathon.
Such things will keep me occupied in 2006 :-)
Friday, November 18, 2005
Bradford shooting
Christ - a lady copper killed and another seriously injured by armed robbers in town this afternoon. What's the world coming to? Luckily such events are extremely rare in England, but this fact makes them all the more shocking when they do happen. Especially when they are about half a mile from where you work, and right outside your favourite curry restaurant...
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Me laddo.
Best even things up with a pic of Jamie! Posing with his own camera in a fine pair of yellow wellies. This was taken the other week in the excellent tropical house at Roundhay Park in Leeds.
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