New year's day - 2012

New year's day - 2012, originally uploaded by cooliceblue AKA GrandaddyCool.

Slept in until 9 am then off to Banstead Wood ParkRun. A good but slow 5k run.

Then cooked a rather special breakfast to celebrate New Year's Day. Poached egg on hot fried smoked salmon fillet on cold roast ham with asparagus or tomato.

A very dull day weather-wise. By the time we got out for a walk it was raining heavily but we still enjoyed it. Went to Godstone and walked by the ponds.

Later to the gym for a swim and sauna. We are trying to get fit. Last November and December we both had chest infections followed by winter vomiting virus and fitness levels are low.

*DO NOT LOOK AT THIS PHOTO IF YOU ARE OFFENDED BY FOUR LETTER WORDS*

*DO NOT LOOK AT THIS PHOTO IF YOU ARE OFFENDED BY FOUR LETTER WORDS*, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Friday 17th September

Beautiful cold sunny morning. Set off early. Cycled this morning from London Bridge to the office. Walked through Borough Market as stallholders were setting up. Picked up a bike. Cycled over the Thames to the office. Quite an experience. Enjoyed it.

On Friday morning I meet up with some colleagues for coffee on Whitecross Street. Today I was the only person to turn up ... although one of my colleagues arrived late after I'd left. No matter. Enjoyed sitting out on the street with a hot coffee doing some preparation for the day.

Quite a few deadlines today ... papers for Monday's meeting, half year financial forecast, etc. Plus a lunchtime presentation open to all staff. Made all the deadlines and the presentation seemed to go well.

Afternoon one to one session. Went out of the office and sat outside a cafe.

*DO NOT LOOK AT THIS PHOTO IF YOU ARE OFFENDED BY FOUR LETTER WORDS

On the way home I spotted this Barclays bike which had an emended corporate message!! I chased the poor guy down the street trying to get a nonblurred photo so you could read the logo. I don't think he knew what was written on his bike. Caught him at the traffic lights.

In the evening Sarah joined us for dinner. Val is going to be looking after her rabbits while she is on holiday.

another shot inside the Barbican

another shot inside the Barbican, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Thursday 16th September.

Last night prepared two dishes for a tasting in the office. Actually Val did the shopping and peeled the garlic and washed the tomatoes, peppers and mushroom. All I had to do was cut the peppers, combine the ingredients, and cook 'em. So ... brought them in to the office and at 11am ...

We ate them. Taste session went well. I served stuffed mushrooms and stuffed peppers.

At lunchtime I went for a short walk to the Barbican and took a few photos. Here's one of the ceiling.

In the evening walked back to London Bridge but on the route I plan to cycle. Need to check out the one way system and the cycle routes. Went in to Borough Market which is where I plan to collect a bike from most mornings.

kindle

kindle, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Wednesday 15th September

I've joined the London Barclays / Boris cycle hire scheme. My key arrived in the post yesterday. Today I took the train to City Thameslink and had a short cycle ride to the office. The bikes are quite heavy. Enjoyed using it though. (Would have liked to take a photo of myself on a Boris bike but that will have to wait until I'm more confident on the bike.)

Chaired an all day meeting. Got through all the agenda on time although need to return to one item next week.

Val collected her present. It's a Kindle (eBook reader from Amazon). I think she might have preferred a book made of paper.

In the evening I cooked a couple of dishes for the "tasting group" at work. A number of us take it in turns to prepare a snack each week and we share recipes. Val had really helped out by preparing the ingredients for me so all I had to do was combine them and cook. 

Do you want to come in the Ladies with me?

Do you want to come in the Ladies with me?, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Tuesday 14th September

Bad night. Slept poorly. Slightly later than intended at the office. Got quite a lot done surprisingly.

Been trying to find the public toilets on my walk between London Bridge and Old Street - one of my routes to the office. Found two.

Looks like one guy is about to go in to the ladies rather than the Gents. And he's looking at the other guy and saying "Do you fancy joining me? Or maybe he's looking at me and wondering why I'm taking his photo?

Val was out when the postman called so she'll have to collect it from the post office. She's guessed that she's getting a book.

so many babies and children ...

so many babies and children ..., originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Monday 13 September

Had a keratosis removed from the side of my face first thing. Local anasthetic injection followed by scraping off. Then train to London. As it's later tthan usual and I'm not feeling too well I took the tube to Old Street person and walked through the nonconformist graveyard. Noticed a couple of interesting gravestones so came back at lunchtime and took a couple of photos.

This family headstone set me thinking. One person in the family lives in to her 90s. So many children die. As a result did people have a different attitude to death of a child. If it's something that is frequent and common does it have less of an impact than today. Or was the death of your child just as unexpected, devastating and wrong. Poor people.

And if you are the only one who lives to maturity do you suffer from survivors guilt ... in the way that some survivors of the holocaust do.

Actually I suspect many parents whose child dies as a result of cancer fell a sort of guilt about living and carrying on when their child has died.

The other photo is of the grave of Thomas Rosewell - died 1692. In a sermon preached on 14 September that year Rosewell allegedly declared that ‘we have had two wicked kings now together who have suffered popery to be introduced under their noses…'. On 25 October 1684 Thomas was tried in Westminster Hall by “Hanging” Judge Jeffries for high treason and sentenced to death. Two months later, after widespread protest, he was pardoned.

Feeling unwell so went to bed early.

Reasons to be positive
# Our health service and standard of living mean that there are less deaths in childhood
# Watching TV in bed with Val
# Knowing there is a surprise present arriving for Val in the post tomorrow.

untitled as yet

untitled as yet, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Sunday 12th September

Up early for breaKfast and to leave a 2 hour gap before running. Today was the longest of my training runs, 11.7 miles. Quite sunny and warm so not ideal conditions for me for running but lovely to be outside. Aim was just to run slowly and complete the distance. Unfortunately after about 2 miles I tripped. Didn't hit the ground but my knee started hurting. Difficult to decide whether to keep going or to stop. Kept going.

Really ached for the rest of the day but knee didn't feel too bad after stretching.

Had a nap. Did a little bit of decorating. Then to Beryl's for dinner and a little TV.

Photo is taken in the bedroom that was first Val and mine and then Sarah's then Martin's then Sarah and Oli's and now (while our room is decorated) Val and I again. Décor is a mix of Sarah and Martin!

green / red tomatoes

green / red tomatoes, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Saturday 11th September

Tired this morning. Nearly didn't go for a run but in the end summoned up the energy to get sorted and off in the car to Banstead Wood. Arrived just as the run was starting. So I started right at the back. Which meant I overtook lots of people. Enjoyed that. Enjoyed the whole run. Glad I went.

Finished cleaning the bedroom ceiling. Listened to music. Tomorrow need to fill the cracks.

Need a massage.

We are growing tomatoes against the back wall of the house.

I'M NOT IN VOGUE

I'M NOT IN VOGUE, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Friday 10th September

Interesting door poster. It's something to do with advertising. Perhaps there's a pun on the word vogue as in the magazine "Vogue" and being "not in vogue" i.e. out of fashion. And then there's the child. Children are not in vogue. We only care for ourselves. Adults are where it is at?

Early start. Worked on the train and got in the office at 8.15. Then out again for coffee meeting with colleagues. Followed by a one to one. Then a very interesting presentation on our work in India. Late lunch of soup at one of the cafes on Whitecross Street. Bought some coffee beans. Finally some paperwork done. Lots more not done!

Very tired again this evening. Early to bed. Watched TV. Rubbish.

yellow padlock

yellow padlock, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Thursday 9th September

Office day.

Prepared on the train for a presentation on "impact". Wasn't easy as I had to stand for half the journey. However I thought the preparation went well.

Got quite a bit of office work done. Managed to get out for a few minutes at lunchtime.

Took a couple of photos on the walk to the station.

photo for the headstone

photo for the headstone, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Wednesday 8th September

A visit to mental health services. Very interesting day.

After work met up with Val to go to a meeting of the Teenage Cancer Trust bereaved parents group. The usual sad / happy experience. Unfortunately the person who facilitates the meeting wasn't there. Still find it useful but it's better when someone makes sure everyone gets to have their say. I'm usually good at doing that in a group but at this one I'm there for me.

Part of the discussion reminded me of something I wrote yesterday for my Life Is For Living blog:

Sad/happy

I used to be sad sometimes. And sometimes I'd be happy. It doesn't really happen like that now.

I can be sad/happy. Or I can be happy/sad.

I can be both sad and happy at the same time. A few years ago I didn't know this was possible.

How to explain? I use to listen to Martin's music and I'd enjoy it, be excited by it and proud of his skill and talent. Now I listen and I feel sad and unhappy about my loss and about Martin not being able to create more and develop his skills and work with others and create music and lyrics from life and experience and ..... But I'm still enjoying it and excited and proud and happy. Sad/happy.

And then when I'm happy I'm often filled by this feeling that something is missing and then I remember and feel happy/sad. I'm still happy. But I'm also sad. Happy/sad.

When I get home the photo I ordered to go on the headstone on Martin's grave has arrived. Ultra fast service.

father and daughter on Pooh Bridge

father and daughter on Pooh Bridge, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Tuesday 7th September

Day off work supposedly to decorate.

Visit to the doctor first to find out what is growing under my sideburn. It's a seborrheic keratosis. What! Nothing to worry about. Still going to have it removed though so Val won't worry.

Then it's sorting out arrangements for the headstone on Martin's grave. Val had recently visited the artist who is going to work on this. We have now agreed the design which is based around Martin's guitar, a couple of lines from one of his lyrics, a photo and a tatoo / card design. We wrote a cheque and ordered the photo.

Then it's washing the ceiling in the bedroom in prep for painting. Neck breaking work.

Luckily I've arranged to meet up with daughter Sarah in the afternoon and go for a walk. We decided to go for the Pooh Bear experience and visit Pooh Bridge for a game of Pooh sticks. We haven't been since Sarah was little. Not that she is very big now.

This time there were signs to the bridge. Last time we had to use an ordinance survey map.

And the bridge had changed. It was bigger and sturdier than we remembered. Then we read a sign that said it was rebuilt in 1999.

We played 5 games of Pooh sticks. I won 5 games. I tried to let Sarah win, honestly. Surely statistically I couldn't win 5 times in a row?

There was also a souvenior shop and cafe back at the road! Not very Pooh really. And even though we were there at 4.30pm they wouldn't sell us any tea. Rabbit would have given us tea. Pooh wouldn't have shared his honey though.

seeing the light

seeing the light, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Monday 6th September

Busy day at work but took some time out at lunchtime for a short walk to the Barbican with my camera. A couple of nice shots.

drinks with Sunday dinner

drinks with Sunday dinner, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Sunday 5th September

Had a lie in followed by a long run. I gave up on running my normal route on mainly cycle paths around Merstham because of the number of dogs not on leads. Instead I ran to Redhill then Reigate then back to Merstham. A hillier route than I'd expected. Travelling by car gives you a falde impression of the inclines and descents that make a real difference when you are running. Anyway I stumbled after a few miles but seemed ok so kept on running. After about 8 miles my right knee started to hurt slightly. Anyway I kept running for a distance of 10.7 miles. This had taken 2 hours. Slower than expected but I think that was because of my knee. Just have to hope I haven't got an injury that will stop me running. Only 3 weeks to the first half marathon.

Had a nap afterwards. Then listened to music on Napster on my Squeezebox Boom (networked music system) while lying in bed. Luxury. (Note that I have not been paid for product placement in this diary!)

Took down picture hooks and curtain rail in our bedroom. Hardly a massive contribution to the decorating.

Then off to Sarah's to take over some stuff left with us when she last visited on public transport. Nice cup of tea and a play with the rabbits.

Beryl's for dinner. Steak. Wine.

What a good day.

self portrait with picture hook

self portrait with picture hook, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Saturday 4th September

5k run in Banstead Wood this morning. Most of the rest of the day spent taking up carpet, hoovering, trip to dump books at charity shop and carpet at tip. Oh ... and a nap.

Photo taken in our now empty bedroom. Apart from a picture hook that is.

early morning commute - walking across London Bridge

early morning commute - walking across London Bridge, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Friday 3rd September

Late for work this morning so caught a bus from London bridge to Old Street instead of walking. So was able to take this shot from the top deck of the bus.

Beautiful morning. First meeting was in a coffee shop on Whitecross Street.

Didn't manage to get everything done although stayed in the office later than usual.

Tired again. Early night.

blue

blue, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Thursday 2nd September

Been very busy at work and some difficult stuff to deal with. Feeling just SO tired and a little blue.

Inn On The Pond - early evening in August on a sunny day

Inn On The Pond - early evening in August on a sunny day, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Wednesday 1st September

Went for a drink on the way home after work. This is the Inn On The Pond which is on Nutfield Marsh, about half a mile from our house.

Had a glass of cider in the garden. Photo taken from the edge of the cricket pitch.

walk to the office

walk to the office, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Tuesday 31st August.

On my way to the office.

I have some vouchers that allow me to travel to any station on the Thameslink route. So today I got off at Farringdon and had a slightly different walk to the office.

Sunny morning. First good weather for some time.

You can see the meat market at the end of the street.

drive my car

drive my car, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Monday 30th August - Bank Holiday

We are shifting furniture about to clear our bedroom so we can decorate and put wood flooring down.

I've just got back from a trip to Homebase to choose the flooring.

Haven't taken any photos of our new(ish) car - a Peugeot 207 CC. The CC means coupe cabriolet. I'm very pleased with it. Love driving with the roof off. Haven't enjoyed a car so much since we had a Citroen 2cv.

new running shoes

DSC_4885, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Sunday 29th August.

Not very nice weather for summer holiday weekend.

No run today. A rest day. From going for a run that is. However I unpacked the new running shoes I bought yesterday and they did a modelling session for me.

We have decided to do stuff to the house. There's a lot we need to do. First task is to replace the carpet in our bedroom. Which means that the first task is to get one of the other rooms ready for us to sleep in. The second task is to remove the furniture from our bedroom. Which means the second task is to move the bookcase from the corridor so we can get the wardrobe out of our room and down a corridor. Which means that the second task is to clean the books on the bookcase so they can be moved. And so on.

I found a number of other important jobs to do as well such as labelling DVDs.

his and hers

his and hers, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Saturday 28th August

5k ParkRun at Banstead Wood. My slowest time ever! Which is perhaps not surprising because following yesterday's run this was meant to be a gentle recovery run.

Quite a nice day weather wise. Val and I did a bit of gardening. Hence the gloves. Guess which are mine?!

Also trying to sort and throw away some stuff. I am NO GOOD at this. I don't like throwing stuff away.

The aim is to move everything out of our bedroom ... so might as well sort it and have a throw out ... and take up the old carpet and replace with wooden flooring. Project should be finished ... oh, ... this time next year!

In the evening we went to BlueWater shopping centre to buy some new trainers and see Avatar Special Edition in 3D.

my Dad's watch

my Dad's watch, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Friday 27th August

Today was a day off. 

I'm training for two half marathons. See my running blog. Today was my long run. Last Friday I ran 7 miles and struggled a bit. I added the requisite 1 mile per week today so today's run was 8 miles.

Had a long sleep afterwards. Listened to some music. Didn't do much else! I must have learnt to relax!!

Photo is of the watch I now wear. It belonged to my father and was given to him in 1964 for 25 years service at Genefax - the refractory brick company where he worked. I've bought a new non-allergenic strap for it. I'm wearing this in memory of my Dad and because it looks good.

waiting for my train

waiting for my train, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Thursday 26th August

In York at the children's holiday. Did some work on my laptop then spent the morning with the tennis group. Had a great time joining in. Unfortunately my competitive streak kicked in and I ended up winning the game of "jail". I really should have let one of the kids win.

My journey home involved a long taxi journey followed by two train journeys. The taxi driver and I spent half an hour discussing the state of the world. In some ways he was the caricature of the disgruntled taxi driver. Everything today is awful. Everything in the 1970s was great. But maybe that is how it felt to him. He'd wanted to do the sort of work I do but it didn't work out and is now too late. The recession means he doesn't get much business now and so works a 7 day week. I guess he spends most of his time in his car reading the Daily Mail's take on the world. I reminded him of all the great things that lots of young people do but I don't think I helped.

Photo is of me at St Pancras International waiting for my train out of London. I was lucky with this shot because only a few of the First Capital Connect trains are this colourful.

In the evening Val and I watched the recent Star Trek film. I'm not a Treky and have no Klingon tendancies but I really enjoyed the film. It takes you back to the beginning with the original crew  Made seeing some of the earlier stuff seem worthwhile. 

sculpture garden at night

sculpture garden at night, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Wednesday 25th August

Back to York this morning. Got quite a lot of work done on the train on the way. Spent the afternoon observing arts and sports sessions and then playing a game of cricket. Scored 5 runs and then was out. Great games in the evening. Kids and adults had loads of fun. Late to bed.

Took this photo in a sculpture garden late at night.

next door's sunflower

next door's sunflower, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Tuesday 24 Aug

Nice chat with my sister in the car on the way to Retford from Worksop. She suggested we should go to the Pharoe Isles for a holiday but get the timing right so we are then just as the chicks have hatched out.

Got the 7.30 train to London from Retford. A sunny morning with blue sky and fluffy white clouds. Very different from yesterday's rain.

Sponsorship from an anonymous person and from my Mum for my two half marathin runs. Thanks very much to you both. Haven't run since Saturday because of being away from home for a couple of days. Need to try and at least have a short run tonight although I always find it hardest to run after a day at work in the office.

A colleague suggested we should go to the Edinburgh Festival for a holiday. We'd love it.

I need to start a holidays to have list!

Been a hectic day but better than I thought it would be. Managed to get the 5.49 train which meant home just before 7.

Went in to the garden to get a couple of minutes of sunlight and noticed that the sunflower from next door's garden has decided to visit our garden and was looking in through the kitchen window!

next door's sunflower looking in through our kitchen window

next door's sunflower looking in through our kitchen window, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

horses in the fountain

horses in the fountain, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Monday

A visit to a children's holiday and training event near York. Saw amazing fountain with horses. The photograph doesn't capture the scale of this.

Dinner out at a restaurant with my mother, sister and niece. A place we have been to a few times but under new management. Only opened this week and we were the only customers. Nice food although when my Mum was being served her dinner ended up on the floor! Luckily there was only a splash on Mum's clothing although the outside of her handbag took a hit.

Had a good time visiting. Back to London tomorrow.

now why have a door so high up you can't go through it?

now why have a door so high up you can't go through it?, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Sunday 22nd August

Up early to get the train to Worksop to visit my mother and sister and so I can easily get to York tomorrow. Worked on the train.

Pleasant day. We had Sunday lunch at Mum's and then went to a garden centre and for a drink outside at a pub near Welbeck. This is a photo of a building taken from the pub car park.

Then a drive through Welbeck and a visit to a graveyard ... my Grandmother died around 10 years ago.

Later sat in the garden with everyone. It's quite a nice day. Then a short walk with Mum and her dog. Finally helped a bit with some computer issues. Pleasant evening.

tiger and elephant at London Victoria

tiger and elephant at London Victoria, originally uploaded by cooliceblue.

Saturday 21st August

Started the day as I do most Saturday's when I am not at work or away ... with a parkrun at Banstead Wood.

Afterwards a quick shower to get in to London to call in the office to pick up my laptop.

Then we met up with my son Ben and his partner Charlie for coffee at Starbucks in Balham. Was really great to see them.

Two and a half hours later we were back at London Victoria where I took this shot.

It is amazing that you can go somewhere hundreds of times and not see some of your surroundings. I'd never noticed this elephant and tiger before. And I think I'm observant! (The secret is to look UP!)

I bought a new non-allergic leather watch strap for what was my father's retirement watch from the watch repairer in Debenham's on Oxford Street.

Then minestrone soup, freshly squeezed orange juice and a macchiato sitting outside an Italian cafe just off Oxford Street.