31 December 2019
Cold morning. I have begun to like the experience of getting up very early and cycling in the dark to get to the river for the dawn break. There is a divide between the beauty of northern English countryside on the side of the river where I am, and the busyness of the shops, lights and road of Preston on the other. It is sublime just before sunrise, different every time. Turner once sketched here, I like to think he would have seen it the way I do. Happy New Year.
30 December 2019
Off to the new allotment, more tidying up to do then its all ready to plant. We have done sterling work on this neglected plot but all the necessaries – except a shed – were already there so what we have done looks great. Nip back to the small allotment to sort the tackle out for a day on the Ribble tomorrow. Bridge tonight and we have decided to join the club.
29 December 2019
I still become hesitant when I start to draw or paint. I think how unlikely it is that a line or a mark from me can become something tangible on a piece of paper. The idea is to overcome this. Artistic ideal is to transmit the thought to the medium with flow. I can do this acceptably through writing – to my own satisfaction – and my guitar playing is at the start of the process. Not yet in painting though. As in everything the hours will pay.
Yoga session this morning, at home, not sure about renewing a gym membership at all this year, I get plenty enough exercise, eat very well and my chi is nicely sorted, what more do you need?
28 December 2019
What is different between fishing natural waters and the new commercial fisheries? Well, of course, it pays to think back to a time (that I remember) when it was difficult to have good catches on rivers and canals. In the 70’s and 80’s matches regularly witnessed hundreds of anglers fishing for big money prizes where a pound of fish would leave them ten weeks wages better off. Not sure why this was, pollution was one reason, but there are a lot of other factors. So along came the commercials. I remember going to my first one, Whitmore, near Freckleton where I lived. Pellet on the hook, hook in the water, carp on the end of the hook, all day long. But it gets boring very quickly.
The Ribble yesterday looked perfect. The previous sessions had been very productive with good quality bags of fish, mainly roach. Today the swims were heaving with shoals of dace, really nice quality fish, but difficult to hit and very hard to get through to the bigger fish. I tried bread, worms, four maggots on a size 12, everything got nibbled. I did get a nice chub on float fished bread and a few nice bonus perch but in the end I ledgered a maggot on a 20 and bagged up for the last hour. It gave me another method for fishing the same stretch of water. Never boring.
Man Utd V Burnley tonight, the reds are doing much better under Ole Gunner, it is pleasing to see the young lads coming through, like Lampard is doing at Chelsea, good to watch. Before that its the usual stuff, I’m also going to sort out the compost ready for the growing season.
27 December 2019
Great days sport that, don’t give a monkeys if it was on telly I prefer it like that, nice sofa, lovely brew, who could wish it better eh? Off fishing today on the Ribble, nothing else on the list for later on, not so bad really. Don’t miss winter holidays on little bit, too much farting around for my liking nowadays, plenty busy enough here.
26 December 2019
Wall to wall footy today, Amazon Prime are streaming again with every Boxing Day match transmitted live. It would be hard not to organise an agenda around that box of pickles!
12.30 Spurs V Brighton. 2.30 Chelsea V Southampton. 17.30 Man Utd V Newcastle and last but by all means best Leicester V Liverpool 8pm…right I better get ready!
25 December 2019
The series Watchmen, which is, I suppose, in the superhero genre, is very good. The comics were way after the point that I would have considered reading them – books had taken my interest from about eleven onwards – but the film version was, in turn, interesting and well made. The writers take chances, usually but not always the right way to proceed, and this time it pays off. I haven’t a clue what is going on yet – five episodes in – but it is intelligent, thematic, stylish and, above all, engaging. There is a great deal of production at the moment with the revolutionary changes in tele-visual consumption and a surprising amount is very good indeed.
Still got some bait left from Sunday so tomorrow, Friday, I might have a day on the Ribble. I like being there, I don’t feel that I should be doing something else – a dreadful, off-putting feeling – I think about the fishing when I am not there and am engaged in the moments when I am.
24 December 2019
A full house with Carol’s family. Katie is spending Xmas in Manchester at home and Adam and Daniel are at their mums. Done the editing, usual stuff to follow, guitar, painting etc. In the next few weeks attention will turn towards the allotments, plenty of growing to be done. Marx argued that the proletariat suffered alienation from the means of production, well what could be more alienating than not producing your own food, or transporting yourself from a to b, or keeping yourself strong, healthy and fit. Or being well-read, informed and mind-trained through formal and self-education. Leonardo Da Vinci – with the apex of wisdom – stated that nature always has the answers. He is right. Complex, abstracted, conceptual constructs are useful only if they are tightly controlled, but like a team of wild horses it is not easy to do so. If in doubt simplify.
23 December 2019
Although the gym is in abeyance till the new year I’m still doing plenty of active stuff, yesterday’s fishing trip with the lads, for instance, has left me feeling a bit knackered today. They are off to their mums today and they are in fine fettle, keen climbers and jui jujitsu practitioners they are very fit and, in addition, smart, well read cookies too. We caught a decent amount of fish on the Ribble yesterday which was pleasing, a good day all in all. Going to do some editing this morning as I missed yesterday, the first time all year that I recall, and a bit of guitar later on.
22 December 2019
5.45 am up and preparing everything for a days fishing, food, flasks, footwear, clothing etc. Not having a car we need to carry the gear, in all it is about three miles each way so the will have had a good day out! Conditions are quite good, warmish and clam, might rain a bit but not much.
21 December 2019
Adam and Daniel are coming to stay for a couple of days and they want to go fishing on Sunday. It isn’t as easy as it sounds because the conditions have to be tolerable, it requires a very early start, and I have to go and sort the tackle out at the allotment. But then again it’s a days fishing which is a better way to spend time than almost anything else.
20 December 2019
The festive season is upon us, obviously as I despise Christianity I have to bite my lip a lot at some of the grotesque contradictions wheeled out, but this is salved by my recognition of the significance of the winter solstice – the shortest day – which is tomorrow. The boys are coming to stay over tonight and we are going fishing in the morning which should be good. Not a lot else today, I’ll have to go to the tackle shop and get some maggots, I know I said I wouldn’t but if we are fishing on a different peg it is the best bait for a few extra bites. Liverpool are playing in the Super Cup final later on, its being shown on BBC so I will watch that, that’s it really.
19 December 2019
Good time with the kids last night, its always a bit manic in the right way, they are so sharp and the conversation/banter is intense, I met Dan’s new girlfriend Coco who is from Canton, I don’t know what she made of the ensemble but she is lovely. Bridge this afternoon and usual stuff for the rest of the day.
18 December 2019
Short bike ride this morning to Booths in Longton, bit further than usual but its a good ride along the now that the bypass is in place. The gym has taken a back seat for reasons previously stated and that is not a bad thing, we are going to join the local one after the winter festival is over. Manchester tonight for the lads birthday meal, meeting Katie about 4.30 ish and then off to the restaurant. Football world club super-cup is on as well so I will watch that when I get in, Liverpool V Monterrey then the final on Saturday.
17 December 2019
Well it’s half five in the morning, freezing outside, pitch black for another three hours and I’m off fishing on the River Ribble. Four layers of leggings, five of tops, three pairs of socks and a trapper hat. Nature, even so close to to where people conduct their daily lives, at daybreak, on a cold winters morning, needs Turner to paint it. He did once, well sketched it, the very spot where I am going now. He knew about the sublime.
18 December 2019
Manchester today as its Adam and Daniel’s birthday, 22 where does it all go eh? meal and drinks etc so should be good. More difficult conditions on the river yesterday, falling temperatures and rising water levels and no maggots which I have decided is probably how I want to bait in the future. The pellet rings I have bought are brilliant for attaching bread and you can take them off for worms. Tried bread last time and it undoubtedly caught bigger roach, and the stamp of fish on the stretch I fish are superb. This session I decided to use a bomb with a big bunch of redworms – free of course from the allotment – and first cast rod tip right over, it was obviously a good fish but the hook pulled out, bigger hooks too size 12. The next few casts netted some excellent roach around the pound marker and later on the trotting swim came to life and I got some good ones on that with alternated bread and worm, good days fishing again.
16 December 2019
Uptown this morning on the bikes along the new cycle superhighway, straight in with the bikes stored safely in the new indoor bike hub at the train station. It’s been two weeks since the bypass opened and the difference to the area is scarcely believable, it’s super quiet for one, cars are not zooming up the road using it like a ‘rat run’, juggernauts through the village are no more and eighty percent of traffic has disappeared. The air is clearer. Roadworks are continuing with resurfacing taking place and the cycle lanes extending through to Hutton. It is all very good.
15 December 2019
Sunday, decided not to go to the pilates class, off to the allotment instead. It is a physical effort getting about everywhere either on foot or on the bike, not that I’m complaining, far from it, but there is only s much fuel in the tank and, sometimes, it can tire you out a bit. So, good as it is, we aren’t renewing the current gym membership and instead are returning to Penwortham, it’s cheaper, much easier to get to and has more classes. The disadvantage is that the pool does not compare but I don’t use the pool much now anyway so I am not fussed about that. Not a lot else today, the usual of course, and a spot of cooking, big load of veggie mince for the freezer.
14 December 2019
Picked my electric guitar up a week or so ago and began (another) quest to learn the blues, can you learn it? not sure really, yes ‘course you can you can learn anything up to a level, and if there is anything to be gained here it is this. Do you want to do it? Will you put in the effort to learn it? Will you learn intelligently? Will you ficus the anger when it doesn’t go right? Yes to all of these so let us proceed.
And I can finger pick now which is an important ingredient in the feel of the blues, will I be any good, yes course I will. Maybe I’ll form a band, whoknows, well probably not a band but if a decent singer/harmonica player comes along who knows? we could certainly do a few different cover versions and play an entertaining half hour or so in one of the fancy new hipster bars opening up in the village, now I just need a name…hmmm.
13 December 2019
Long day yesterday, Katie graduated and Labour got trounced in the general election. Normal service resuming for me today, up editing, PS4 golf (US open) move a few pots about this afternoon, paint or draw later, then sort some fishing tackle out and make home made vanillas…real life is art.
12 December 2019
Went to the winter market last night, amazing, hundreds of people, loads of original stalls, new fancy bars and eateries packed to the rafters, is this Preston’s Notting Hill, probably not but it is good and it is in Preston, so there!
Off to Manchester now for Katie’s graduation she has already phoned me to ask if I’m ready and prepared.
11 December 2019
Off to the big allotment this morning for a little tidying up, there is a belting little soft fruit section with about a dozen established plants not including the raspberries, strawberries and other plants yet to be identified. The weeding and clearing up us nearly done and it looks cared for, the raised beds are in good nick and there is a large section now for potatoes and onions. In the new year we will tackle the garden area which will be a lovely place to go just to rest, have a brew and contemplate the fact that things aren’t so bad. Good yoga work out yesterday and the borough council have started the road narrowing in the village, they are extending the cycle path as well.
Two more Champions league matches tonight Man City V Shaktar and Bayern V Spurs, I will watch the later after going to Penwortham Xmas market. Liverpool and Chelsea got through to the last 16, good result for Chelsea who are playing well under Frank Lampard.
10 December 2019
Katie’s graduation in Manchester on Thursday, she got a first to go with her undergraduate degree so she is rightly chuffed. I’ve only got blue ties which ordinarily would be fine but Thursday is general election day and I cannot be mistaken for a tory, especially in that conext. So Carol has made some lovely red roses out of felt that will ensure no confusion takes place.
As for the election itself the tories will probably get in again, I hope not, although in purely selfish respects it won’t make much difference to me. If you rely on central governments to sort your life then you will end up fucked, any era, any government, most countries, any situation other than war or brutal oppression, and you have to sort your own shit out as best you can. A blue tie and a big red rose is not a bad reflection of my political ideology.
9 December 2019
Just got back from a spot of lure fishing on Vernons. The place is decimated now, from what was a delightful ‘hidden gem’ of a fishery to what is now a demolition site with an attached lake. Still it is convenient for a bit of practice with the new method. I fished about two hours or so and lost a couple of lures but I did get a perch which shows that it does catch fish. It is handy too if I want an alternative to the ‘match’ tactics I prefer, also it might get me a few tasty perch or chub on the Ribble. Not a lot else today, bit of guitar and then a film. Penwortham is noticeably much quieter only a week after the traffic bypass.
8 December 2019
Finished a sketch and I am starting a new painting today. Gale force winds outside, bad weather, so another day in, not that I’m complaining. Blues guitar practice and a film this afternoon.
7 December 2019
Nipping to the allotment to do a bit of sorting out in the composting area (small allotment) then back for another live footy game, Everton V Chelsea, Silva has been sacked as the Everton manager to be replaced with Duncan Ferguson. Now that’s ironic because they sacked Sam Allardyce a couple of years ago when they were flying high because they didn’t like his ‘style’ of play, well they have replaced him with a ‘manager’ who has a tenth of his tactical know-how and relies on a ‘blood and guts’ mentality, we’ll see what happens there then, I hope they go down, they won’t but I hope they do.
6 December 2019
Seem to have taken things in a very relaxed manner over he last few days, not even been out. Not a bad thing that. Don’t read much these days, maybe a few lines of Shakespeare every few days, but I am immersed in doing things and I am definitely moving away from predicated conceptualisations. I have spent a lot of time with complex ideas and it has been extraordinarily interesting and fruitful, but the real mystery, the sublimity of life experience, is somewhere else.
5 December 2019
Good night of top notch footy, two good matches live last night plus MOTD this morning, well I never. Nope not doing a whole lot today either, writing, guitar etc and I’m going to watch Bladerunner 2049, the footy once more, Sheffield Utd V Newcastle. The toons have all of a sudden got good, not sure how but the mentality of the team is there, just goes to show it’s not all about the money, Everton have spent half a billion! and they are in the relegation zone, In football as in life there are factors difficult to quantify.
4 December 2019
Quiet day today, literally, just been to get my hair cut in the village and there is almost no traffic. This has changed the character of the place, from a decent area to shop – if you like thousands of cars, vans and HGV’s, to a peaceful place where people actually stop and say hello. You can now walk across the road without using a pedestrian crossing, unheard of. This is a very nice place.
Might try to learn blues guitar. Over the last year or so I have taught myself Spanish finger picking and it has gone well – a thousand hours and all that – but I do love blues rock and I want to play it well. I know the chords and a few licks but I would like to be proficient in the progressions, its only thirds, fifths and sevenths but it does need practice, the leads look as if they are ‘off the cuff’ but in fact they are well travelled.
Amazon Prime are now streaming live premier league games, tonight includes Man Utd V Spurs and Liverpool V Everton, bloody hell eh?
3 December 2019
Stunning days fishing on the Ribble yesterday, went very early and got there at dawn, it was sublime. Lots of little fish again although I got two good roach on ledgered bread and meat. In the last hour I tried a new method, trotted bread on the new pellet band, straight away float under, quality roach one after the other…leave the maggots in the shop. Finished at dusk, what a day.
2 December 2019
10.15 am and here we are waiting for the bypass to open which will effectively stop the overwhelming majority of the motor vehicles from passing through Penwortham. There are several ways in which this will benefit us. The obvious one is that we will no longer have to experience huge lorries hurtling past us every time we go to the village, or thousands of cars making their way through towards Southport and Liverpool. The peace will be pleasant, noise pollution will be reduced as will the pollution of the air. It will be cleaner, safer and more inviting for people to walk around. This all means that this area will be the premium place to live in Preston. From the village of Penwortham the brilliant people who organise these things are also constructing a cycle superhighway straight into town, its nearly ready and we are having a sneak cycle along it…I don’t look happy on the photos but I am, very, it’s just really cold!
1 December 2019
More of the same in the new month. Gym this morning then off to Homebase for some more houseplants. Normal, everyday stuff this afternoon, guitar maybe a bit of sketching but, most importantly, no working. The bypass opens tomorrow and we are going to watch it. Our area – reasonably affluent at present – will become a distinct village locale, people will visit it as a pleasant area to be, and they will want to live here. We are glad we do, and generally, Preston too.
1 November 2019
New month and things are good. The book is in its third edit, I have solid ideas for other pieces, the reminisces of Preston (on the web) are turning into autobiography, getting good(ish) at bridge, the finger style guitar technique has exceeded my expectations, I’m good at yoga, fishing on the River Ribble is brilliant, gardening is wonderful (now with two allotments, sport on the telly is great (as are the dramas) the kids are thriving, and my moods (most days) are light. Off to the gym, yoga and a sauna.
2 November 2019
Doing the normal, up, stretch, load of fruit, lemon balm cordial, tea and writing. Then the rugby. England V South Africa World Cup Final, we look a strong team, but it is sport. After that Man Utd V Bournemouth in the Premiership, a good day ahead if all goes to plan.
3 November 2019
It didn’t go to plan, not at all. How did England play that poorly after last week, throw the form book out of the window when you watch top level sport, South Africa must be a happy place they won the World Cup 32 – 12. Bournemouth can’t be too down in the mouth either, Man Utd were so much the better team but they just didn’t seem to want to win, so, as is often the case when this happens, the other team decide that they will, 1- 0 Bournemouth.
Trig point Pilates this morning followed by a trip to the allotment, probably the new one. Feel like I might go back to using Penwortham as a gym when the renewal is up in March.
4 November 2019
Off to get some bait for fishing tomorrow, in just under a month I will have the option of cycling (virtually) traffic free through the village along the new super cycle lane when the bypass opens, probably still cycle along the river as it’s so lovely but the option is there. Penwortham continues to get good, there is an upmarket tatoo studio and another hipster micro-pub recently opened and Tesco have confirmed they are opening in the summer. Not moving anywhere, no need. My reminisces of Preston (on the site pages) are becoming a bit of an auto-bio, my memory I have to say is crystal, although truth is always subjective.
5 November 2019
Off fishing again, give the new rod a spin out and trying a couple of new methods. Although the catches have exceeded my expectations I nevertheless always try to improve and hone, I don’t think that’s a bad way to be really, with most stuff, you’ve just got remember to nail down the things that work and to avoid over complication for its own sake. Bridge result was not great last night, now there’s a game that needs honing, so much to learn and a great deal of concentration required. Also experience playing the game counts for a lot too – as long as you remember to hone with purpose.
6 November 2019
Yep good day on the Ribble again, fished with two rods both feeder rigs, don’t think I need to do this any more as the bites are so regular. Good quality roach and a couple of bigger stamp fish, Just the one rod next time again, like trotting no need for two. Rest day today and another Champions league game tonight, last nights match was Chelsea V Ajax, I watched this over Liverpool V Ghent as I thought it might be a better game. Good decision. Chelsea went 1 -4 down but were playing well, their heads never went down, then, penalty and two Ajax players sent off simultaneously. 2-4…3-4…4-4……….5-4!! VAR ruled out the winner for Chelsea and it ended up a draw. What a match.
7 November 2019
Gardeners World has finished but gardening hasn’t. There are four distinct seasons in England, one of its bag-full of beauties, with winter being the one were everything turns to shit. Don’t not expect this, it will happen, literally a brown mush – shit is as good a word as any – everything. What gardeners do is to manage the shit properly and shimmy it around until it becomes beautiful again. The cycle of life tweaked.
Spurs played astonishingly well. Red Star Belgrade away is a draw at best, they expect to win at home and they do. Not last night they didn’t, Spurs bossed it from the start, brilliant football, just goes to show, 0-4.
Driving range this morning, not given golf any thought at all recently, fishing has properly taken over, but it will do no harm to get swinging for an hour. Bridge this afternoon at the golf club, then Man Utd in the Europa tonight.
8 November 2019
Struck the ball better than I ever thought I would on the range yesterday, and played well at bridge…and Man Utd played out of their skins, so all in all a grand day. Off to the allotment for a couple of hours this morning, it is a lovely day unlike the previous couple, so the weather will make it pleasant. The new plot is shaping up nicely.
9 November 2019
There is a phrase often used called ‘the quality of life’, well I have just eaten a shop bought apple – for the first time in months as the allotment fruits are now all but eaten – and it was dreadful, so there.
Adam and Daniel are in Preston visiting their mother so I will meet them in town later for a coffee.
10 November 2019
Nice to see the lads yesterday, we went to a Korean restaurant in Winckley Square (in Preston!) and had a lunch time menu. Not a lot else, watched Chelsea V Crystal Palace – they are looking good under Frank Lampard, he has given youth a chance and they are taking it – played a bit of guitar and finished a painting. Gym this morning and a spell in the garden this afternoon.
11 November 2019
After an age of trying she got pregnant and then she had a miscarriage, of course it was dreadful, but maybe more for her than me. The second time was quicker and she was around four months when we had yet another row. It was Sunday and I had my new bike, she wanted me to do something or I was doing something wrong, one or the other, I shouted or swore or both. She said she would kill me if she lost this baby and slammed the door on me. I rode the bike up Garstang road and got on the canal, it wasn’t the right kind of bike for that, a racer, and I got a puncture. I fixed it badly and just about managed to limp it home. We made up but the tyre went flat overnight and I had to walk to work the day after.
On a whim I did the same ride yesterday, with the intention of scouting out a few pegs for the vastly improved fishing on the Lancaster Canal. I remembered how tired I was 30 years ago, how my legs ached like hell the day after. Today I could have gone round again without a seconds thought, after the ride I went to the gym and did a yoga session.
Probably nip to the small allotment later to sort out the compost area and finish off the winter preparation, I will take some photos too for the web page.
12 November 2019
Finished a painting. A week or so back I woke up and saw the light edging the darkness away. I lay in bed looking at how the colours developed and the size of my teacup in the foreground.
13 November 2011
6.30 am, been up for an hour, had some breakfast, a cup of tea, done a little editing and I am off fishing in about half an hour, as soon as daylight pops through. Over the next few weeks I will start winter fishing on the Lancaster Canal, this seems odd given that historically the fishing on the cut was grubbing around for tiddlers, but all that has changed, apparantly. Big bags of bream in the summer, with the odd tench and good bags of quality roach and skimmers in winter. The problem is I don’t have a usable pole anymore, I could use the waggler method but the results with pole on the narrow stillish waters are oftem much better. So I will either do that (waggler) or mess about with the usable sections of the pole and concoct something with my old whip, we’ll see…oh and the best baits are bread and worm, so no cost as well, apart from £15 annual canal fee.
14 November 2019
Good day again on the Ribble, had to adjust tactics for the conditions though. Previous sessions I had either trotted or used two feeder rods, however, the flow was pulling through and the autumn leaf drop meant that this was not really effective. Actually, although the chances of catching big chub/bream/barbel are much better with a big bait on a big feeder I don’t much care for chucking the lump out and waiting, it’s too much like sea fishing for me. I still may have days when I do this, especially in summer but, for now, its on the back burner. On this occasion I didn’t have my 13ft float rod with me although the new feeder rod is a good 11 ft and I did have all the terminal tackle. It worked great and the feeder mix I didn’t need worked well as a regular catapulted feed dropping hemp, pellets and maggots through the swim. The bonus though was in the last half an hour. As an experiment I took the 9bb Avon float off, moved the bulk shot together with an eighteen inch hook length, and flicked it out. Fish after fish, direct bite indication, catch to cast ratio very high and super-simple fishing. Also, by adding a pellet band I can use this to quickly try bigger baits in the swim. If the fish move up in the water the float is back on in seconds and out goes.
Keep thinking and be flexible in order to achieve is the lesson here, I think.
15 November 2019
Two results yesterday. England smashed Montenegro 7 – 0 in the 1000th game at Wembley, it was a Euro qualifier and the team looks good, bit of swagger which is far, far, better than nervous hesitation, however, playing the good teams is a different bottle of sauce. And Katie got a first (distinction) in her MA in Human Rights Law an absolutely brilliant achievement.
Nice day, off to the big allotment for more preparation, it’s great having two to go to and with this I think that the gym membership might not be renewed, just can’t see the point in it now, and it costs a bit too.
16 November 2019
Saw an interesting documentary film yesterday about a group of natural scientists from the 60’s and 70’s who were pioneers in ‘keystone species’ theory which is, essentially, why wolves were reintroduced with dramatic effect into Yellowstone Park. It convinces at a level, is difficult to argue against and can, and has, produced scintillating results. Nevertheless, it is still bad science. The method assumes an ideal in nature, a garden of Eden diversity of species which is a fabrication of our own (human) narrative. The film – and presumably the research itself – juxtaposed before and after shots to establish a point, relying on emotive involvement from the subject. It grossly overreached the impact of human participation in the natural world (a worrying trend) without any acknowledgement that we are not separate from nature, or that our perceptions through consciousness create the world in itself. Time scales were ignored. Nature works in huge swathes and immediate dalliances must be tempered with what happens in the broader term. One example. The marine ecologist who initiated the theory studied tidal pools. He extracted starfish from the pools and discovered that this devastated the diversity of the pools resulting in a mono-culture of mussels, a bad thing. This idea was – is – extrapolated to other, much wider, areas of nature, the Aleutians, the Scottish highland, forests in America and the Serengeti. Reintroduce the keystone, the idea goes, and all is well. So does waiting. Nature fixes itself in surprising ways, it adapts – never jumps – and always flourishes, not always in ways that are pleasing to our sensibilities but it flourishes nonetheless. Something would have predated on the mussels and a new bio-diversity would have arisen.
Off to get some bait for Mondays fishing, not a lot else today other than the normal stuff, cutting back on the gym though.
17 November 2019
I’m enjoying winter so far, no trips away or longer holidays, not needed, full busy days doing loads of varied interests indoors and outdoors. Cycle to the gym this morning along the river, I will take a couple of snaps for the In Preston web page, back for a bit of gardening at the house – both allotments have been tended this week – England V Kosovo this afternoon, bit of classical guitar then supper, an hours telly, then bed. Up very early in the morning for another session on the Ribble.
Just done a quick sketch of a lobster…
18th November 2019
Just been on the Ribble, up at half five but still the same routine, fruit, cup of tea, edit, muesli and then off. I passed on the best pegs – it was wonderful by the way, cold, calm, misty with the sun breaking through – in order not to have anyone fish (or talk) next to me. The stamp of fish was much smaller than usual but it was still great fun, virtually a bite a cast and a good net of fish. I still find it hard to believe that fishing has become such an interest since I started fishing the Ribble properly, I hope the canal comes up trumps in the same way, next week probably. Speaking of trumps its bridge tonight at Galloways, ho hum.
19th November 2019
Usually feel a bit tired after a full day of playing out and its the same today, also very hungry, I eat extremely healthily but with smallish, regular portions and some days – after a gym session or a busy day especially – I get quite hungry, I tend to snack on fruit, nuts and dates but with a decent slice of home made cake thrown in. Got to keep doing stuff even if sometimes the urge isn’t there, put the time in, regularly.
20th November 2019
Jose Mouriniho is back, this time at Spurs after Pochitino is ousted. Whatever the word is about him the man wins silver which is what the game is all about, I believe he will do well, for a couple of years. Off to the allotment for a bit more tidying up, it’s shaping up well, very pleased. Also took my pole fishing tackle to the small allotment to prepare for a stint on the Lancaster Canal, so chuffed with how it has gone on the Ribble if I can find a couple of good spots on the cut – as well as the right methods – then I’ll be sorted for ages, decent stuff.
21 November 2019
Not a lot today just the usual and bridge this afternoon.
22 November 2019
Trip to the small allotment to sort the compost area out for the coming year(s) also have a look to see if I can rig up my two poles to make a usable one, I don’t want to fork out for a new one as they are quite expensive and, lets face it, they are basically an extension kit. Great programme of sport starting at the weekend with Mourinho’s first match with Spurs against West Ham, that will be interesting. Then Champions and Europa league next week.
23 November 2019
The world is information processed through perception into representations. Arthur Schopenhauer, of course, and it is surely right. What results is a constant search for universality – a oneness – destined to be frustrated by individuation. Watched a new film about Van Gogh with William Defoe, brilliant performance, his was an intense frustration to re-represent the world from his own perception of it. The paradigm for others to get it, however, was not there, so solipsism and madness. Well fuck that. I intend to enjoy my own thoughts, my own writing, my drawings and paintings, my jokes, my love of nature and all the rest for what it is, how do you share that, how can it be shared?
24 November 2019
Going out for another local walk. The web page In Preston reminisces about growing up in my home town (which is now a city) and I want to write about the place as I see it now, with a changed perspective. Part of this has to be going and seeing the places that I think I know but really don’t. I am going to walk along the Ribble Way heading west and then south towards Croston. There is so much wonderful countryside so close to where everybody lives in this country and where I live is one of the best places to experience this.
25 November 2019
It is surprising, I am fit. no doubt about that, and I have done a great deal of country walking, fell hiking and long distance trails, but I haven’s done much walking for a month or so. Plenty of cycling, gardening, yoga and the like but not a lot of walking. Yesterday was about 12-13 miles, flat but muddy, and I can tell I’ve done one. It was interesting too, never been along this stretch of the Ribble, or around the area, I am going to research into why the river is heavily embanked, it has to be farm reclamation. There is lots of wildlife and a gradual transition to both the marshlands of Freckleton and the flat, rich farming areas inland.
Getting my license for the Lancaster Canal today and then on to the gym for a bit of yoga and a spa…not a shabby way of carrying on. Bridge this evening.
26 November 2019
Not a very early start like a session on the Ribble but early nevertheless, the light goes at four o’clock so you really need to be in the water by twelve to get a good stint in. Canal today, fishing with bread and worm, its probably the most difficult time to fish this type of water as the cold weather makes it hard. This is mostly trial and error to establish good method and tactics, at the minute I am using laughably put together pole/whip kit that is not really suitable but I need to establish what I do actually need before I part with money. Should be interesting, I am enjoying all aspects of fishing now, much more than I have ever done, even the getting there and tackling up!
27 November 2019
Caught a few little roach but I do like that type of fishing, need a new pole system though, or something. Spurs came from 0-2 down after 20 mins against Olympiakos, Mourinho on the sidelines telling them to calm down, he made a substitution after 22 minutes – brave decision – and it changed the match, they won 4-2, he will be a success, then crash and burn. Two more matches today Chelsea V Valencia and Liverpool V Napoli, I’ll watch them both, hard life eh…haha.
28th November 2019
Good results for the English clubs in the Champions league last couple of nights, all through (very probably) to the last 16. Manchester Utd play in the Europa tonight, it is a bit embarrassing playing in Europe Lite but that’s what it is and you have you win the games. Only a few more days to go before they seal the road off to cars, what a difference it will make. When its closed the council are moving in to situate traffic calming measures for the resident vehicles in addition to a ‘cycle superhighway’ running from the bypass straight into town. We have now got secured parking at the train station – in a specialist bike hub – for the whopping one-off charge of £5. Things are getting neat, neat, neat.
29 November 2019
Off to the allotment today, more tidying up, the new one has an established soft fruit section that has become overgrown so we are going to clear the weeds and do a bit of pruning. The winter onions are ready fro planting and the beds at the small allotment are mulched ready for spring. It is a good process going along with the seasons, lots of things change in human life but most remain the same, nature is steady and slow, it takes its time, its our time if we flow with it.
30 November 2019
Japanese gardens are noted for simplicity, order and symmetry. I see this as reflecting the desire to instil control over a difficult landscape. Japan is a dangerous country, the islands are predominantly uninhabited, Mount Fuji is a volcano waiting to blow, earthquakes are common, as are tsunamis, hurricanes and tornadoes. Volatility and nature are synonymous in Japanese consciousness, this is why the art and the horticulture demands restraint and order.
England is the opposite. This is why a Japanese garden here suggests pretension and a disconnect from our benign natural environment.
1 October 2019
Religion is a salve to some, not me. It is a guess, meaning mine is as good as another, not a brilliant principle for action. If it were just that then it could be discarded as a collective aberation, something to be looked on with puzzlement, like bingo. Religion though seeps through cultures, difficult to discern what values are, or are not, based on the lie. Christianity I view as an offence to humanity. Original sin eh? born sinful are they, kids? fuck off!
I’m sixty years old this month, phew, bit of a long haul isn’t it. Keep at it is my advice, try to make a better life in whatever way suits your motivation. At the minute, which is today, I am going to do some more work on the greenhouse/coldframe, the new allotment is a good plot with plenty of good stuff there already and lots of scope for other stuff, so I need to be geared up for that. Footy tonight, Spurs V Bayern Munich, difficult match for the home team that one. Went to the gym yesterday, did a short run and a good yoga session, might have a think about jacking it next spring, the money is a bit tight and I do not want to go back out to work, oh no do I not!
2 October 2019
Spurs got thrashed 2-7, a pity really because they could have been 3 up in the first ten minutes, the momentum is not with the team at the moment and, can I say it again, I think Kane is overrated. Off to the allotment(s) today for a few hours, plenty of work to be done on the new one and produce to be brought back from the established one. Valley road has a stream and a pond, it has established trees and shrubbery with three well placed bird boxes. I can see this one being a fine place to be.
3 October 2019
No fishing this week, the river is in spate due to recent heavy rainfall so next week looks more likely. A few hours on both allotments yesterday, the new one is a cracker, just tidying it up at the moment but there is lots of soft fruit and rhubarb. Dug up the last of the potatoes from the other allotment, going to plant the same ones again next year but times three. Still editing the book, everyday about 500 words, slow yes but still progressing. I think the ideas I have for the next one might be interestingly amalgamated into a loosely connected triptych just called, maybe, Three Stories, I have two strong ones already with a third candidate beckoning.
4 October 2019
Manchester today to visit Katie and Daniel, up early for the train, plan to do a bit of editing but not a lot else…Golf Club on the PS is going well, could it be to glib to say that computer games are a bit of a lesson in life, meaning the more you apply thoughtful practice the better you tend to get, and don’t be put off!
5 October 2019
Winter is making a move. Nearly finished the greenhouse/coldframe round the back of the summerhouse, the final bit should be sorted with a bit of wood from the new allotment. Planted the daffodils as a cut flower crop in a bed at the small allotment, hope they turn out as good as the gladioli.
6 October 2019
Phew! trig point Pilates following half an hours yoga followed by an hour on the small allotment planting spring bulbs and moving manure. I was planning on watching a classic film but I just found out Ginger Baker (Cream) has snuffed it at 80, not that I was a fan of the band – I didn’t do any of the Led Zep, Black Sabbath stuff either – but I do recognise the influence of such individuals/bands, not just on the Great Chain of Rock but as cultural world beacons. Is it a coincidence that he was, yet another, English guy, I don’t give a shit about economics or stuff like that but art, literature, MUSIC, sport – just culture in general – England is a fair old place. And I know it.
7 October 2019
Finished off the greenhouse/coldframe which, as there are now two allotments and a garden, is an essential requirement, especially if you grow virtually everything from seed, cuttings or division. I bodged up the last bit as I didn’t want to go to the timber merchants for any more wood, it still looks okay though and, I hope, should prove solid enough. Not done a painting for a while, but I have been sketching, mostly trying to establish the basics of face drawing, like anything it takes time and practice, keep at it then.
8 October 2019
Although the majority of the work is just tidying up the new allotment will take up a lot of time over winter. That’s a good thing. Lately virtually all evening meals are home grown, together with fruit and a houseful of gorgeous cut flowers it’s not a bad way to carry on. The new plot will add to this by allowing other crops to be grown, but it needs a lot of effort. So today that’s where I’ll be.
9 October 2019
Pleased with my guitar playing, about eighteen months ago I decided to teach myself finger picking, once again it’s like everything else, you can’t do it at first and you think its too hard or that people that can do it well are naturally talented. Well there is only one solution to that, stick at it, practice, and put your brain in gear. I have done and it has paid off. I know about half an hours music, different pieces, some classical, some Spanish, it still requires concentration but I practice virtually everyday, bit by bit, building on the good and trying to eradicate the bad, learning good habits even though the easier way seems, well, easier. Really couldn’t give a shit about whether people think I am good or not, I’m very pleased, next.
10 October 2019
Same Thursday as usual, editing and guitar in the morning, get changed, off to the village for a peruse in the charity shops, then bridge at the golf club. Film this afternoon.
11 October 2019
First session at the gym in the morning since spring, mainly because it is a bit of a trek at night in winter. I’ve decided not to do the yoga class, main reason is that I know a few people there and they (understandably) want to chat away right up to the class starting, well I like, so to speak, to ‘get in the zone’, so, I’m going to the upstairs gym for a run and my own session. The bonus reason is that I can practice how I want to, I know most of the essential yoga positions so I will try to do these better and for longer.
12 October 2019
Czech Republic 2 England 1. Hubris is too hard a word. It implies disdain for the opposition and I don’t think the players had that. Over-confidence can’t be applied either, because they weren’t confident. Perhaps hesitant-hubris or misplaced hubris. Fact is these (the England players) are all super talented young lads playing for the best teams in the best division in the world. They are usually lauded as the very best. But it’s a team game and there are other good players out there who, if organised and motivated, will get the drop on you. That’s what happened.
Off to the allotments this morning for a bit of gardening.
13 October 2019
It’s difficult talking to people about the important stuff in life, I’ve wasted a lot of effort and time trying to do this with the wrong people. Here’s a method, ask them what they read first, if they don’t read (bad sign) then its a wide berth or talk about buses or something. If they have never read anything remotely decent – but read lots of other stuff – then its a wide berth again or talk about the price of apples or something. I don’t tend to buy apples these days, I grow ’em!
14 October 2019
Days fishing on the Ribble today, its been a bit high recently with the rain, but it should be okay. Bridge competition with the new club in Penwortham this evening, last week was good and it is close by so that’s an advantage especially as England are playing tonight (v Bulgaria) and I would like to watch it when I get back, about half ten.
15 October 2019
Great days fishing again. This section of the Ribble – and the river as a whole – is an absolute gem – naturalised, varied, semi tidal and, most importantly, clean and full of fish. It is a salmon and sea trout river so that is the litmus test but, for me, it is the quality of the roach and dace on the trotting method that makes it. Got some nice fish on the feeder too including a bronze bream of a couple of pounds. England walked over Bulgaria 0-6 and it could have been 0-10, categorically different performance to last Friday. And we played well at Bridge too. Magic day.
16 October 2019
Feeling tired today. Mistakenly I assume the cure for this is to do more, go for a run, do some yoga etc, what it really means – which I know but don’t acknowledge, is that I don’t rest enough, proper rest without the push to fill the time with something constructive or creative. Its a good way to be but its tiring. So I listen to The White Stripes then spend an hour learning the song.
17 October 2019
Kind of a normal, nothing/everything sort of day, bit of this and that, bit of shopping, Italian meal for the big birthday tomorrow, that kind of thing. Found out that the police dingy ploughing up the river when I was fishing on Monday was looking for a missing woman, they didn’t find her but they pulled someone else out who was swimming – in the tidal Ribble!
18 October 2019
60. Well, who knows whats next eh?
19 October 2019
Off to Manchester today for a birthday bash at The Ivy with the kids, forgot yesterday actually, went for a tour of Anfield, it was very impressive, wow things have changed, this is futuristic in comparison to when I used to sneak on to Preston North End when I was a kid, it’s still about people though, their passions and how they express them.
2o October 2019
Pilates class then off to the small allotment to plant some more spring bulbs. On the TV, Gardeners World, one of the young presenters has had an allotment for her first year. She does it quite well in that she explains the difficulties together with the many pluses of allotmenting. Maybe this should go further. Working an allotment (or two) is different to tweaking a domestic garden, it is much harder work and, while the ultimate aim is growing plants, the product is different. Our flowers, for instance, are grown as a crop, not for eating, of course, but as beautiful cut flowers. This requires graft and order. The spring bulbs go into the bed – already prepared – each one at a specific depth and 200 of them. The gladiolus are now finished, they need to be left to regenerate, then carefully dug up, left to dry, cleaned up, then stored carefully till next year. The bed that they were in needs a layer of compost – which is hard work to make in itself – in order for vegetables or other flowers to go in the bed next year. And so it goes on, in addition to the hundred and one jobs gardening entails. Many people give up allotments quite quickly.
21 October 2019
Nice day, 10-12 degrees calm, so off to the Ribble for a days fishing. The first two visits have been successful but I can’t help trying to do something else – a different bait, shotting pattern etc, to try to catch more, bigger or better. It creates a bit of anxiety that is unnecessary and shouldn’t be there, no need, I know what I’m doing so I should just go and enjoy it – which I do – but without the constant need to improve. Sometimes fishing, or life for that matter, just doesn’t let you.
22 October 2019
With one thing or another I haven’t played guitar or sketched for a few days so I’ll do a bit of this today, also it is getting very close to the point were the tender plants need to be under some sort of protection, so I’ll get in the garden and do a bit of this too. Champions league tonight with City and Spurs playing in their respective tables, I like watching them both but City will get the nod.
23 October 2019
Good results for City and Spurs, 1-4 and 0-5 respectively, Liverpool play tonight and that’s a definite watch as they are a superb team. Off to the new allotment today to sort out the composting area, I’ll take some pictures and post it on the ‘Growing Stuff’ page.
24 October 2019
Bit of editing this morning, up to nearly a hundred pages, should be finished for the new year then I don’t know what I will do with it, it is good I think but, then again, I would wouldn’t I. Whatever I do I will start the next one straight away, I enjoy it, so why wouldn’t you. Most people do nothing. Liverpool had a comfortable victory in the Champions league, strangely they haven’t been doing that well away from home in Europe but that doesn’t seem to stop them winning. Bridge at the golf club this afternoon after a yoga session at home on my new matt.
25 October 2019
Ordered my new feeder rod which should be with me in a few days. The fishing on the Ribble has taken me by surprise, it is brilliant. I’m not frustrated with it any more, the source of which was some kind of externalised pressure to always do better , catch more, someone else is doing better than you. None of it was true but it gave me an anxiety that prevented me getting full enjoyment from an activity that should not be like that. Also I usually felt like I should be doing something else. Well I am a good angler and I catch well, last time out I had a bag of quality roach many fishermen would be dancing about. So, the method is either trotting with an Avon float of feeder fishing with two rods, not both together. Trotting will be with maggot, fed with maggot and hemp, and feeder method will be with a variety of bigger baits for chub, big roach or barbel.
Good win for United in Europe last night, they played a lot of unknown youngsters who did well, they are going through transition, hope they do well under Gunnar. Usual stuff today and off to the allotment soon.
26 October 2019
Pissing down all day again so I’m staying in. Although not much of a fan of rugby union I do like watching it at international level, especially when England are playing, well they won’t play a much more important match than the one against the mighty All Blacks in Japan today, the World Cup semi-final, actually I know the result as I’ve just watched it, yeeessss! Great performance, complete in every respect. Wales V South Africa tomorrow to decide who we will face.
I’m starting a new page today about my experience of growing up in Preston and what I think about my home town/city nowadays. Man City V Aston Villa this afternoon, phew! life is all a go go.
27 October 2019
Wales lost the semi final against South Africa, close match but they seemed either tired or just not right in some way, oh well, bring ’em on. Off to the new allotment fro bit more tidying up.
28 October 2019
Bit of a quandary, my new feeder rod has just arrived (modern world, ordered Friday delivered free Monday 8am) so do I feeder or float fish tomorrow. I’m going for the bait today so I can get an earlier start tomorrow because the clocks have gone back and the light will be lost at 5pm. Probably float, it’s a great method and I like fishing that way, plenty of time for the other method though, no rush. I’ll do a bit of work at the small allotment too as I’m going there to drop the bait off. Think I’ve decided not to try to have my first book published, the pitfalls are big and the payoff pitifully unlikely, so maybe I will post the first chapter on a writers blog and as a page on the website.
29 October 2019
Up early for a decent spell on the Ribble, the weather is frosty so it’s plenty of layers and my trapper hat. Defiantly cutting back on the gym visits, cycling all over the place is plenty of aerobic exercise in addition to walking, gardening and the like. Got to keep doing yoga though, I do a few stretches every morning but there is nothing like a full session to sort the old posture out. Just float fishing today.
30 October 2019
Not been painting much recently with one thing and another, I have been sketching a bit, mostly faces, trying to get proper perspective and scale, that’s okay but what do I really want to do, that’s the question that needs to be asked. My own compositions, in my own style, that I consider have some artistic merit, that I can look at again and remember what I was trying to do, put something into it. So that’s what I’ll do.
Another cracking day on the river, just a pint of maggots, some hemp and a trotting rig. I was hitting quality roach till the tide turned, even after this, when the wind got up I still caught some good ones. Lost a few off the hook too, if I had got these in it would have been a very impressive catch. Still good though. Next time, two rods and feeder rigs.
31 October 2019
Halloween eh? another dichotomous christian false celebration, everyone honed to reify the power paradigm, stifling honesty, nullifying creativity.
The new traffic system in Penwortham is ahead of schedule and the official start is 2 December, I’m going to have a gander at it this afternoon before bridge. The slip road to the docks is closing too and a new superwide cycle/pedestrian lane is being built at the minute. The transport revolution is beginning and, like the last two, its happening around here.
1 September 2019
Off to Manchester to help Katie edit her dissertation for an MA degree at the University of Manchester. This is a top university and she has done very well, she has a good chance of a distinction which would be a superb higher degree to the first class undergraduate qualification she already has. Daniel and I had a great day yesterday, we chatted about lots of things, he is super smart and very well tuned to the game of life.
2 September 2019
Haven’t managed to do much over the previous few days apart from the third edit so, today, I’m staying in to do a bit of catching up. Autumn is moving in so is is a good time at the allotment, lots of produce and some lessons learned for next year. Going to get a greenhouse soon which will help propagation and over-wintering. Biggest and brashest sunflowers on the site, of course.
3 September 2019
I can feel days inclining to indoors as the weather changes. Still predominantly focused outside – garden, allotment, fishing, golf – there is a good balance inside – writing, guitar, art, reading. Over winter the emphasis will change to indoors and I intend to take up digital photography as another pastime. All in all it keeps you interested and busy. Its yoga this evening and I might nip to the allotment later to tidy things up a bit. Looking at buying a greenhouse too…my first one!
4 September 2019
Windy weather I like the least, Doors slamming without a temper behind them, plants blowing all over the place, rain lashing about in all directions, what is there to like. When the BBC goes to Scotland they show the glorious white beaches of somewhere or other and, of course, it is like that sometimes, but most often it is not, its windy, grey and drizzly – and in winter its bitter-cold too. So I don’t like it. I’m not buying a greenhouse. I have some shatterproof glass salvaged from the old shower unit which is ideal so I am going to extend the cloche type structure I am growing tomatoes and salad crops in round the back of the summer house. Use the stuff you’ve already got is not a bad mantra for the coming age of planet saving. I will run for president. Katie got her MA dissertation in then went to a swanky restaurant to celebrate.
5 September 2019
Off to the allotment earlier than usual, well about 10.30 which is daybreak for me these days, grass cutting rota again so a bit of strimming and then a bit more at weekend. Nearly ready to try the river for fishing, all set with the tackle and looking forward to a spot of trotting, maybe in the next few days. Off to bridge this afternoon although not yoga tonight, just feels a little too much, I do give it a right go when I’m there and I feel that one day recuperation isn’t quite enough. Trying a new art technique this afternoon, ink blots.
6 September 2019
The other day, the rainy, windy one, I watched the first classic film of the season. I don’t fail to appreciate the brilliance of domestic tele-visual entertainment, sport obviously, and the good extended dramas, such as the brilliant one of the moment, Succession. And then the films. Another wet and windy day, cold too, so, with the writing done, the guitar plucked, the art sketched, grab some lunch an Earl Grey and pick a classic. A Matter of Life and Death was very good indeed. The obvious romantic trope cloaked fairly heavy sub-themes which made it all the more interesting. You can’t forget that the war was just over and things were in the mix.
7 September 2019
Did watch a film, not a classic, that’s the thing with Netflix you get drawn to something else – but a good one nevertheless Wildlife with Katie Holmes, bit of a predictable story, breakdown of a young family against a backdrop of a Montana forest fire, but good acting and cinematography pulls the standard up. Played golf as well, the weather cleared up allowing 13 holes of twilight. Hit the ball okay and, in essence, that is all golf will ever be, not much thought required.
8 September 2019
England 4 Bulgaria 0 Euro qualifiers we look good against very average opposition. Just done a trig-point Pilates class, different, a bit like an hours gentle yoga with a good massage thrown in, worth doing again for sure. Called in at the allotment on the way back ith a couple of plants bought for the garden next year. The idea is to cultivate them at the allotment, flowers, perennials and shrubs, then transplant them when and if needed, should work okay. Gardening has been good this year.
9 September 2019
Packing for Italy. Off to Lake Garda on Thursday for 10 days, the weather is good over there so that, together with a small suitcase, means the job will take me about twenty minutes. The rest of the day is sketching, guitar, messing about and, this afternoon, another good film. England lost the Ashes to the Aussies, fair play too they deserved it, we under-performed. Football tomorrow evening when I get back from my first outing on the Ribble.
10 September 2019
Didn’t do as much editing as normal this morning and I’m not doing much else either. It is a fine day and I am going fishing. Da Vinci said always look to nature for truth.
11 September 2019
Strange football match last night, England V Kosovo in the Euro qualifiers. They scored after 17 seconds then we put five back at them before half time. It looked like it could be a proper rout, they then put two in after the break, Kane missed a pen, Sterling hit the post, we missed half a dozen good opportunities and it ended up 5-3. Fishing on the Ribble went well, pleasant ride on the bike from the allotment all the way to the peg. The trotting method worked up to a point but I do need to hone it so it is always under control, a decent bag of dace and roach with a bit a cast.
12 September 2019
On the train to the airport off to Lake Garda, weather over there is early 20’s, bit of cycling, canoeing, looking about etc. Great deal too, like Bezier, end of season in a mobile home for about a hundred quid plus transport, probably do a move from place to place at the back end of next summer. Doing some editing on the train too, not a bad way of pickling your onions.
13 September 2019
Well got here fine and dandy off to the lake for a look round then off to Lidl for the provisions, probably go for a swim after, maybe in the lake. It is very pleasant here and the weather is lovely.
14 September 2019
Phew! just got in from a great but long day. Went to the Sigurda Gardens which have been voted the best in Italy and one of the best in the world. Yes they are impressive and truly historical in lineage but, like Versailles perhaps, of more dramatic, formal interest than the scope and variety of planting. The bus on the way back couldn’t get into Peschiera del Garda for two hours because of a triathlon event but it got us halfway and we walked the rest, about 10km through glorious Italian countryside and back into the town along the river, fab.
15 September 2019
Still doing a bit of editing, outdoors on the decking at half eight in the morning, fresh coffee and shorts, wonderful. Off on a long ferry ride to Malchesni which is a fair way up the, very long, lake. The boat calls at a few stops on the western side of the lake on the way back and takes a whopping four hours to do so, gets back in about eight.
16 September 2019
Grand day out, maybe it was the weather, or the sensational views, or the ambience of the place, or even the Italian ice cream, as good as it gets might have just got better. Cycling back up the lake to Bardolino today on a hire bike, it’s about 12 miles and its very warm, so its shirt off time.
17 September 2019
Day round the pool. As I have mentioned this holiday was so inexpensive it could be considered the next stage after free. If you pay through the nose your expectations are raised incrementally as is the potential for disappointment. This is Lake Garda, one of the most beautiful places in the world both for natural scenery and the cultural infrastructure. Put me in a tent on the lakeside and I will be happy. This is better than a tent, probably three star hotel class pool area, facilities on site, and accommodating that is, for me, preferable in many ways to a spanking bedroom in a swanky hotel (don’t tell anyone… hehe!)
18 September 2019
On the bus from Peschiera to Verona. Standing all the way which wasn’t ideal but, of course, worth it on arrival. If there is such a thing Verona is a typical northern Italian, thousands of years of heritage in a sublime setting. Got caught in a thunderstorm at the top of the high viewpoint.
19 September 2019
Boat across to the western side of the lake, perhaps less popular than the eastern but, nevertheless, very beautiful, how could it be otherwise? Sirmioni is a great place to visit, plenty of tourists about (hmm, I’m one) but gorgeous nonetheless. Ambient is perhaps the word best fitting, you just don’t feel rushed into pressing the day forward, sit down, have an ice cream, soak it up. Took the boat further round the lake coast to Desvenzano which is a bit more of a residential town but who wouldn’t want to live there, I ask you.
20 September 2019
Petal tourism, don’t miss out on what is under your nose. With this in mind it’s a saunter round Pesciera del Garda. As expected it is seeped in history, but like the other places it is alive and changing with it’s heritage. The walled moat is used and full of water with boats and wildlife – it was even used as the swimming leg of the triathalon – round the back of this is the Austrian army barracks and garrison, together with some well maintained Roman archaeological digs. This is now incorporated into a delightful square with a couple of pleasant places to eat and drink. Great place as a base for exploring the area or just to stay in.
21 September 2019
Packed and ready for off. The plan today is to kill a couple of hours in Pescheria before the catching the train to Bergamo, easily done. The plane is the last one into Manchester so that leaves a full day sightseeing in the old city of Bergamo before catching the shuttle bus to the airport.
22 September 2019
Off home but not before experiencing the delightful Bergamo, what a vibrant city, yes tourists (many Italian sightseers) but the old city is exquisite. I know nothing about architecture but I am beginning to appreciate the aesthetics of environments like these. Not just the majestic buildings made for worshipping the life-hater Christ, but the alleys and courtyard, balconies, shops, pavements and walls. There was music, dancing, kids having fun, cars that looked like dinosaurs, flowers, life.
Bit of a drag getting back, about an hour delay at Bergamo airport which was enough to miss the bus back, the next one was at 3.50am and, because of lousy customer service infrastructure, you are never sure it will come, got to bed at about six in the morning. A few hours kip was enough so, a few little jobs later, its off to the allotment to pick some produce.
23 September 2019
Off to the tackle shop for a few bits and pieces the straight to the Ribble for a days fishing. I’ve been thinking about methods during the holiday and I’m going to try a few new tricks, nothing major, but it is usually good to try something new.
24 September 2019
Good days fishing. Like I said I tried a couple of new things and they seemed to work, I measure stuff now not necessarily by achievement, ie in fishing terms how much I catch, but just as much by how I complete the doing of it. This relates to how clear, or not, your mind is. Fishing, like golf, and like a lot of things, is easily affected by blockages in the mind, you might, for instance become clumsy or jerky which results in tangles or a fluffed shot. You might just as easily think you are getting really great at whatever you are doing and be about to award yoursel a Blue Peter badge. Both states are best avoided and, if you can, you are getting a bit Zen. It’s why the Japanese do the tea thing. Anyway it was a good day with a good catch.
25 September 2019
Still editing my first book, the process is slow but I don’t feel like I can (or want) to go any quicker, what for? I have got some ideas for the next two or three and by the bit by bit method is gratifying, otherwise whats the point? Off to the timber merchants today to order some wood for the new cold frame. Still haven’t got a greenhouse so this will have to do, although, with the new allotment – full plot size – coupled with the decision to stay in Preston there may a strong possibility of one there.
26 September 2019
After bridge its off to the theatre, well the cinema actually, to watch a National Theatre Live broadcast of One Man Two Guvnors with James Corden. That’s a misnomer too, the live bit, because it is a re-showing of a production from quite a few years ago, he’s a big star in the US now is Corden but this is the show that really made him, it received stellar reviews at the time so it has to be worth a visit.
27 September 2019
The plan was to go down to the allotment to sort out my tackle for the next session on the Ribble, however, it is well and truly pissing down so its a miss on that one. In straight contradiction I will probably have a go at constructing the new cold frame, the wood has arrived from the timber merchants so I’ll crack on with that. One Man Two Guvnors was genuinely funny, first class entertainment all round.
28 September 2019
Another rainy day, not cold though, or windy, so I’m going to carry on building the greenhouse/cold frame round the back of the summer house. The other one, which the new one will replace, worked well but I built it ad hoc so this one should be better, and twice as big.
29 September 2019
Going to Valley Road allotments this morning to have a look at another plot. The allotments are adjacent to the existing one so it should be very convenient, full size plot too and there is a choice of two. Sad, but whoopy!
30 September 2019
Decided to take the smaller of the two allotments on offer, although it is still a fair bit bigger than allotment 1. The site itself, next door to the other, is not as well maintained but it has advantages, mains water and a toilet block being high on the list. A communal orchard is a great plus too. The plot is next to a stream and is at the outside edge of the site with a plot to the west side but nothing facing. It isn’t completely open to light on all sides but there is much more than adequate to grow any crops chosen. So, the first job is to tidy up.
1 August 2019
Went to see a RSC production of Measure for Measure last night, same company that did The Taming of the Shrew a few weeks ago and equally as good. I think, if anything, this was an even better experience possibly because, I believe, this is a better play, less well known, of course, but richer both thematically and through language and character. The actors were superb, pitching the comedy just right and actually making it funny with genuine (instead of informed)laughter from the audience. Reaching the final part of the editing, then the print off, then another read through, then what? send it off somewhere probably, then start another which is what I am itching to do. Bridge this afternoon then golf this evening.
2 August 2019
Played well at golf, consistent. Maybe go away for a winter break and really practise on certain areas of the game. It is much better for me not to keep score – even when I am making par or one overs – because then the inclination is to do better; but then if you three or four putt it looks like you have fared poorly even if you have hit the ball quite well. So putting and short game will be practised in winter and ball striking will be an absolute focus of progress for the rest of the time. Mowing at the allotment again, got to say it’s looking good, there are times when you think, hang on, it’s a lot of work for a bit of produce, but there is a payback that is exponentially worth it, not one that can be assessed through the usual values of exchange. It is the National Butterfly count this week and the garden is thronged with them. So far there has been painted lady, comma, red admiral, meadow brown, small white, large white, green veined white, small tortoiseshell, gatekeeper and speckled wood.
3 August 2019
Cycled to the local supermarket to get a few provisions and the weekend paper. Can’t say I read the news, as such, more of a casual skim of the perennial problems people create. At best the news is (usually) quite funny, at worst it is an organised incitement to fear and anger. Don’t believe that indoctrination is the preserve of totalitarian regimes, no sirree Jim Bob. Katie is visiting today from Manchester, she is at the dissertation stage of her MA and is about to start a new job with the council. Doing well that girl.
4 August 2019
Walked Katie to the train station through the parks – Hurst grange, Avenham, and Miller, talking about all the big issues of the day, Brexit, climate change, and the transport revolution. The latte is the only one that interests me practically, the former ones are worth thinking about generally but have no immediate bearing. Katie, of course, considers this to be controversialism and I (really?) disagree. Brexit is a political game, out latest PM promises a “no deal Brexit” this, he thinks, is some type of Churchill/Thatcher stance, it isn’t. He is a columnist by trade and a shameless pragmatist by nature so he will change the story nearer to decision day. We will remain in the EU. Climate change requires evolutionary theory to be fully understood. The fear is that the “planet” will become uninhabitable and that millions will be displaced or die. Yes that does happen. 300,000 years ago Homo Sapiens won the survival race and we have done great since then. We are the only one of our species left. The name means “wise man” and it is a good moniker because we use our brain to adapt to changing conditions. We do it all the time.
5 August 2019
Nice day again and another easy one, got to cut the hedges but apart from that not a lot. Editing has about a month to go, the later parts of the book are more tightly written which makes it a bit quicker, but time is not important as no one will read it anyway, shame because it’s probably quite good. No gym for a week, not a bad thing either, still cycling everywhere, or walking, and the other activities – gardening and golf – ticks off plenty of fitness boxes, and don’t forget the PS4 phew!
6 August 2019
Off to the allotment to do a few jobs then back to the gym this evening for yoga, usual stuff in between. Just put a new saddle on my bike, honestly you can get a great cycle for a couple of hundred quid and it will last you donkeys years if you keep it in good nick. In fact virtually all the components can be replaced fairly easily and cheaply so it’s still the only form of transport, maybe apart from trains, that hasn’t gone rubbish.
7 August 2019
Round of golf this evening at Penwortham. Not doing a lot before that, pottering round the garden, walk into the village, make some soup for later on, usual other stuff, guitar, sketching etc. Still thinking about moving to Wales in a couple of years, the village of Penwortham – distinct from the much bigger catchment area of the same name – is booming, shop fronts are being overhauled, new businesses moving in, all in readiness for the traffic bypass. So it’s pretty good round here is the dilemma.
8 August 2019
Good game again, played well. Off to bridge this afternoon, again at the golf club. Still thinking about joining the club but it is expensive and, given the twilight rate is only £13 a round – which is cheap – why would you? The problem is the members can do the sums as well as I can and, naturally, they might be thinking it’s a bit unfair. It is. Not going to yoga tonight, it’s a lovely evening so a chill out in the garden is beckoning, I can do some stretchy stuff tomorrow. Premier league kicks off tomorrow, Liverpool V Norwich, I predict a rout for the reds.
9 August 2019
Not a good day. Just about to nip to the garden centre for a nice gentle peruse around when I received a letter from a court somewhere in Liverpool. Previously I had been getting what I believed were spam letters about a Vodafone account that I cancelled in 2016, in hindsight I should have sorted it out a while ago but they are undoubtedly cynical fuckers who don’t tend to go away when they can smell a way of stealing money. So I phoned the place in Liverpool and it turned out to be a genuine court order. A few phone calls later, one to the solicitor/collection agency and one to Vodafone sorted it out and they – Vodafone – assured me they will adjust the error from their system. Do I trust them? Anyway it messed my day up and put me off my PS4 Masters Tournament golf championship. Guitar playing is progressing better than expected, I’m thinking of learning to read music during the winter months, maybe.
10 August 2019
The allotment is cropping well now. Spuds, which were given a couple of beds this year, are really, as are the other staples, onions and beetroot. Courgettes are finally cropping and the little poly tunnel has done well for the tomatoes and cucumber. The shortlist for the Valley road allotment is down to two so that might is well on the cards. The plan is to have that for the potatoes, onions, beetroot etc and use the established plot for more different crops including more cut flowers. Overall though very good.
First match of the new season on BT sport, Man City V West Ham. Liverpool thrashed Norwich 4-1 last night as I predicted, they were 4 – 0 up at half time and, I suspect, took their foot of the gas in the second half, its a long season and what’s the point in exhausting your players and winning 8 – 0. Nipping to Booths for some provisions and a free weekend paper for a £15 spend and £3 off with a voucher for a £30 spend. I will get both. Money is by no means overflowing so you’ve got to keep your eye on the offers. Time rich though.
11 August 2019
Off to the gym for Pilates class, essentially yoga with a bit more aerobics, good though. Calling in at the allotment on the way back to plant some dwarf bean seeds, it is a tad late but they do grow quickly and are a good cropper so why not. Man City walloped West Ham 5 – 0, clinical performance, Man Utd first game today a healthy challenge against Chelsea at home, no idea what the result of that one will be. I’ve been doing quite a bit of sketching recently the last one of which I’ve just finished so I thought to try a quick watercolour, it is a seascape and took about half an hour.
12 August 2019
Just another (un) manic Monday. Editing, full guitar practice, gardening, walk to the shops, PS4 golf, read, do a couple of jobs around the house, top quality grub, telly, shower and Shakespeare in bed.
13 August 2019
The comprehensive secondary school I went to from 1970 – 76 was an experience that had the direst effect on my explicit character and my performance in life. All the worst things. Ashton upon Ribble Comprehensive School, headmaster Mr Eccles. It didn’t kill me and it certainly did not make me stronger, I did that myself. I have passed the place countless times over the decades since but yesterday I went to Ashton and Lea golf club to peruse the course and use the new driving range facilities. 1976 was the last time I was this close to the feel of the place, it’s still there of course, refurbished and spick, but still, to me, a concentration camp. I remember the last day, walking out of the gates into the hottest summer the country had ever known, a hopeless wreck. Punk rock was just round the corner.
14 August 2019
Off to Homebase garden centre, it’s usually a good time to pay a visit as they sell off the perennial plants for next to nothing and next year – after re-potting and a bit of care – they are great for the garden, and at a fraction of the price, you have to know what your looking for but its nearly always worth it. Liverpool V Chelsea in the European Super Cup, should be a good match and it is historically notable for being the first major mens football match to be officiated by women, sport moving things forward in the right direction again.
15 August 2019
Kind of a nothing extra day, no golf today or bridge this afternoon, the weather is cold, windy and wet just as you would expect for August. The book is nearing the second edit, about 20 or so pages to go, not sure what to do with it, I will send it off somewhere and brace for the rejections, convincing myself that the process of writing is sole justification, the sole value, it probably is. Gardening is gratifying, all of my activities are, it is probably just that I want others to constantly praise me for how good I am at them. That will never happen. Often they try to deflate in order to level the ground, I know that, it is one reason why I push on. What else are you going to do?
16 August 2019
Literally raining all day, windy too and not warm. Started to do a bit more of the other pages on the site, it is interesting remembering back especially if there is a photo to prompt. I will do it bit by bit no rush. Everything else, outdoors that is, is a washout. Fancied a stint on the lodge as well, next week then.
17 August 2019
Quick visit to the allotment for a few essentials calling in at the supermarket on the way back for some more (non grow-able) essentials and a free weekend paper, then off to Southport for a day out. That’s it really. Oh footy when I get back, Arsenal V Burnley.
18 August 2019
Sunday. Pilates at the gym then the allotment on the way back, tidying up duties are on the cards, weeding and suchlike, tried a few different things this year some have paid off but everything adds to experience. It is a sound feeling growing your own produce whether this is fruit and vegetables of flowers and plants, from start to finish a very good way to fill your time. Thinking of notching up the angling ratio and extending it into the winter. Southport and District angling club run a few decent waters nearby which are worth looking into, it would mean – to use a cliche – going out of my comfort zone in terms of other fishing methods but where is the harm in that?
19 August 2019
Day in. Editing in the last stages, it is good practice, not least that it does, I think, clarify your thoughts. Happiness is a wonderfully vague idea, I have a few ideas about it which are developing, it is a state of mind, an internal machination, which needs to be worked at.
20 August 2019
Off fishing on the lodge, don’t know how much longer it will be there as the demolition of the factory has started. Well things change so be it. My approach to angling changes from today. Firstly I will take it more seriously. What I mean by this is that if the day is for fishing then it that is what it should be, no more thoughts coming in that I should be doing something else, something more useful, like I have never read a book in my life. Zen.
21 August 2019
Good session. Someone fishing on my normal peg which was good as it made me fish another one. Apart from humans being creatures of habit there is no great reason why I fish on the same peg, especially as I used to fish near the island, so I went there. It is a bit more weeded than it used to be, I think that the angling club are perhaps losing heart given that the area is under reconstruction. The peg I chose had a nice channel between the weeds and in about three or four hours (I don’t check the time) I had about thirty roach and perch, again not massive but decent enough. Convinced myself that Southport angling club is worth doing.
22 August 2019
Haircut today, then bridge, then yoga. Also sorting out photos for the website. Third test match, England V Australia starts today at Headingly, Aussies one up.
23 August 2019
Just a few more days then the second edit of the book will be done, nearly a year, don’t think I’ve missed a day. Off to the allotment (can’t find the shed key, gulp!) then 9 holes of golf this evening.
24 August 2019
Wow, hot day, Mediterranean, lovely. Day’s rest, just going to the supermarket for provisions and the weekend paper and, well, that’s probably it. Norwich V Chelsea later on, could be a good one, I’ll watch it later on. England are failing very badly against the Australians at cricket. Made my own cordial with lemon balm from the allotment, natural of course, really good too, if it was the health food section of a fancy store it would be £6 a bottle.
25 August 2019
Another splendorous day, finished my book.
26 August 2019
As a cursory show of interest I watched England’s final innings in the third Ashes test match against the Australians at Headingly. Whoever wrote that script should have added more realism to it as few would believe it. Geoff Boycott described the 135 not out by Ben Stokes – who had previously performed a sporting miracle in the World Cup – as the greatest innings he had seen in 5o years. It has been lauded as the greatest innings ever, it could well be, it was certainly the highest achieved total to win a test by England in cricket history. I can still scarcely believe what I saw. Pure, snarling, brilliance from a sporting titan. On a calmer note, I went to peruse the river today with a view to fishing over the winter months, Church Deeps is fished on the far bank by Southport and District but I can’t see the point in joining the club as the sandbank seems open access. The River Hodder is good when the Ribble is full but is difficult to fish. That leaves other fisheries around Southport but why restrict to these and not pay day ticket rates and go to all the available fisheries? On balance it’s the Ribble for free and day tickets.
27 August 2019
On the bus for a visit to a couple of garden centres on the way to Lancaster. Primarily this is to try to find a couple of specific plants to supplement the garden for next year but also it’s a nice day out. The weather is great and the roads are full of polluting cars with one person in them, I’m on a bus nodding off or watching the world drift by for the fraction of the price that a ticket is. Not going to yoga tonight. Got one plant – Clematis “Prince Charles” as an anti-royalist this grates a bit but it is a lovely specimen.
28 August 2019
Writing, gardening, guitar, art, fishing, yoga, golf. These are the activities that I practice and that I have either already spent many hours either doing or thinking about them. I wanted to attain a standard of satisfaction in each and I have done so. They each require different applications of skill and concentration. I want to get better at them all, to a level that has undefined limitations. There is always time.
29 August 2019
I was ready to start a new piece of writing but have decided to do another edit Don’t Explode Into Space, maybe even another after that, it should be quicker but time isn’t really a factor, other than wanting to get going on another project. Bridge and yoga. No golf this week, Dan is coming to visit tomorrow and we are going fishing on Saturday.
30 August 2019
Really good yoga practice last night, concentrated well I thought, especially on breathing which is crucial to the discipline. Off to buy some new tackle for fishing the Ribble, I’m looking forward to this and might have a trip out sometime next week. Called in at the allotment for some produce and salvaged some Damsons on the way back, if I had a ladder I would have liberated them all!
31 August 2019
Last day of a very good month. Dan came to visit last night and we watched a Coen brothers film based on a Camus novel The Outsider which I read, at Dan’s recommendation, earlier in the year. The book and the film were existential pieces and both well done, enjoyable. Today we are both off to the lodge to catch, hopefully, a few fish (we did, I’m writing this tomorrow!)
1 July 2019
New month and more of the same. England cricket team beat India to keep their world cup hopes alive, glad about that as it makes things more interesting. Up early editing and off to Manchester this morning to catch up with Katie and Adam. Daniel will be working as he has now finished his undergraduate degree and has got a full time job, spoke to him yesterday and he is doing well. Katie has a new house, I helped them move a couple of months ago, and it will be nice to see how she has settled in, Adam will be going back to Leeds soon so it will be good to see him too.
2 July 2019
Adam came back with me from Manchester to spend a few days with his mum in Preston. He acquired a bike which he intends to take back to Leeds so he can get about better – and cheaper – when he goes back to Leeds for his final year at Uni. He asked me to help with the bike because it had a puncture and needed a general look over which, of course, being a dad, I did. We had a great day, I fixed the bike up and we went to Halfords for a helmet and some other bits, had coffee and paninni and went for a bit of a ride. Nipped to the allotment afterwards to do a bit of watering and back home for the semi final of the WWC.
3 July 2019
Dramatic match, disallowed goal and a missed penalty, by us, in the final minutes. Overall, however, we just weren’t strong enough in key areas and didn’t look like we should win, and we didn’t. Oh well, next. Off to the Lakes to mess about in a Canadian canoe, lovely day so it should be great. Done the editing first thing, like every morning.
4 July 2019
Grand day out yesterday, pleasant weather, nice and calm, perfect for paddling. Got to Hawkshead ferry and hired the sit on kayak, which came as a surprise because they wouldn’t hire a Canadian canoe out if you couldn’t explain how to do a deep water rescue, what? Anyway it turned out to be even better, more manoeuvrable, quicker and comfy. Meeting Adam today at the gym for a workout and hydro pool etc, after bridge.
5 July 2019
Up and at ’em early again, what for I’m not sure because I’m not doing anything else today, apart from the usual stuff that is. Writing is going well and I’m enjoying it, no pressure, I would rather produce two good paragraphs than twenty poor pages. Bit of guitar, drawing, gardening etc. It was great to see Adam again, we had a good work out at the gym and hydro pool after, both lads are well into applied fitness, martial arts and climbing, good to see.
6 July 2019
I have just answered the door to two fellows, a middle aged one and a younger one, selling God. They asked me if, given the news and such, if I was worried about the future. I told them I don’t follow the news as such and it can’t be as bad as the news used to be, so, if I did follow the news closely, it would seem to be getting better. The older chap then asked if I was worried about the environment. I explained that this too seemed to be improving, the general advent of electric transportation and specific traffic exclusion in our area of Penwortham are both very encouraging. What about polar bears coming into towns scavenging for food? he retorted (he did) I haven’t encountered any I responded but I will certainly be on the lookout. They left a little cheerier than they arrived I thought.
7 July 2019
Summer is panning out quite pleasantly. Went to the allotment yesterday and some things are slower than last year, courgettes in particular, but others are doing very well. The soft fruit is growing well, as are the fruit trees, more soft fruit next year definitely. Onions are big and healthy looking as are the spuds, although I have yet to dig the first batch. Sweetcorn is in but still small and the cut flowers are looking good with the sweetpeas already producing. Different year different approach. Please with the progress on guitar, repetition and practice, everyday.
8 July 2019
Nice day again, warm enough and calm so off to the lodge for a days fishing, done the editing and practised guitar, do a few bits at the allotment when I get there for my tackle then that’s it for the day. Up very early tomorrow as it’s Dan’s graduation from Manchester University, 5.30 rise and shine.
9 July 2019
It went very well. Got to Manchester at 7.30 and met Dan and Adam outside the university at 8.00. Went for the cap and gown got a coffee and into Witworth Hall opposite for the ceremony. Met Katie afterwards and had a drink and a bite to eat, good day, he did well.
10 July 2019
Giving yoga another break this week, and I’m not going to run either. It does set your mind this exercising lark, you feel you have to, that it’s bad if don’t, when actually – if you do quite a lot regularly – I strongly believe in taking a good rest, doing it is not that easy though. Not a lot else today, usual stuff. The cycle tour of the Netherlands has now become a petal tour around Lake Garda in the middle of September.
11 July 2019
Put a screwdriver well into the palm of my hand while trying to fix a door handle, deep bleeding isn’t good and I thought it might need to be stitched up but I think I’ll get away with it. Played bridge at the golf club and tried to concentrate while holding the cards in one hand and clenching a pad to stop the bleeding with the other. The barman fixed it temporarily with on of those big blue plasters that catering staff wear. Watched England get through to the final of the World Cup (cricket) by annihilating Australia, great to watch. They play New Zealand in the final who, remarkably, beat India when they looked down and out. Those Kiwis are superb competitors. Art is going well, as is the guitar, thinking about learning to read music in the winter.
12 July 2019
I like it very much. The time that is, real wealth, not feeling pushed and pulled in this world of connecting energies, just taking your time. No end result to it, just enjoying the doing, the process, trying to get better, thinking about how to get better, trying not to let my head fall when it doesn’t.
13 July 2019
The hand has stopped bleeding which means I don’t have to go and get a stitch, obviously good news as that would be a right pain. Bit of gardening today at home, always something to do, shifting round, tidying up, making it better. Comparing it to what other people do, which on the whole is very little, it does look fantastic, but I don’t compare much now, no point really. Don’t feel that much better from taking a gym break so I’ll just get into it again next week, might go for a run tomorrow.
14 July 2019
Channel 4 are showing the World Cup Final (cricket) on normal telly so I’m watching it. England V New Zealand, what a chance for our lads to wear the crown, anything can happen in sport, and sometimes does, but this should be a win if we play loose but with concentration.
15 July 2019
The World Cup Final (cricket) was the most incredible sporting climax I have seen. Watched all of it and it captivated from the start and never let up. We won and lost it a few times as, of course, did the Kiwis. They are great those people from that nation and I would like to visit the country one day, what sporting mentality, always competitive, always on the ball.
How can people get to retirement and then find they have nothing to do, or they can’t fill the time or, incredibly, they miss working. let’s have a look at this. School, exams, more school, more exams, bigger schools, harder exams, schools with degrees, employment, career, better career, more money, higher status, power, long hours, commitment. Then you’re out. Then what? For what? For who? Prisoner gets released after 20 years then bangs on the door crying to be let back in. Not fucking me, I tunnelled out.
16 July 2019
Still trying different ways of drawing and painting, the one below is a quick sketch of a pot in the garden, outlined with ink, and coloured with simple watercolour on dry paper. The next one I will try will be an outdoor seascape with boat, grey wash, white crayon and graphite powder. As with any of it the freer you draw the better it tends to be. Still eager to start the short stories but I do need to finish the editing first, patience and steady work.
17 July 2019
First yoga practice after a two week voluntary lay off, brilliant. So good, it has to be the best exercise surely. You need the aerobic stuff and the strength training but cycling and walking everywhere, gardening properly, and the occasional run does this in spades. Yoga though does other stuff, reaches the other parts. Had to kill a wasps nest, felt a little bad about it but it was right outside the front door so didn’t have much choice really. Going to the allotment later this evening when it’s a bit cooler, might have the evening meal down there, and a brew.
18 July 2019
Good day! Planted a new Japanese maple tree and baked some bread, date and walnut, wholemeal, and sun dried tomato.
19 July 2019
On the opening hole of the British Open, on a course he knows so well, Royal Portrush on the northern coast of Ireland, Rory Mcilroy shot an 8. He missed an 8 foot putt for par on the 12th and then, being over casual, missed the 2 foot par putt. He double bogeyed the 18th finishing on 8 over par. Golf is a cruel game. It’s raining heavily today so we have decided not to play, I can’t decide if I’m glad or not, If I play well I am left with the feeling I could have done better (remember those fat shots) and if I have a stinker (like last time) I won’t want to play the game ever again, for about a week at least. Normal activities today minus the gardening, although saying that I might take some cuttings sort them out in the potting shed.
20 July 2019
Mmm, I could really take to this doing less malarkey, well they say less is more don’t they. Off to the allotment, do a bit, pick some veggies, cook ’em, watch the golf, read some Shakespeare, have a shower, night night.
21 July 2019
Just enjoying the summer, bit of pottering round the garden, sketching in the summer house, had an ice cream, watched the final round of the open – Shane Lowry won I didn’t think he would – and played guitar. The kids have had a falling out but they will come round I’m sure. Not sure what to do tomorrow, the weather is getting hotter, on the one hand I would like a round of golf, but then again another chill out day is beckoning.
22 July 2019
Golf is on, later in the day, hope I play better than last time. Penwortham golf club is a different course to Southport links, a mature park course, so we will see. The weather is getting warmer, just such a great life getting up, bit of breakfast cup of tea, spot of editing, look at what’s going on in the daft world, coffee, read a book, do some sketching, walk to the village, have a bit of dinner, potter round the garden, have a snooze, play guitar, water the plants, tootle about a bit more, then relax!
23 July 2019
Played 12 holes at Penwortham on an idyllic evening. Rang up the club as the website wasn’t showing evening golf times but the pro said they were definitely doing it, four hours before sunset for thirteen quid, as many holes as you can play. Best I’ve played I think. Daniel advised me to relax and enjoy it so I did, no real dud shots and some screamers, one or two pars and some one overs, fab.
24 July 2019
Great weather, this really is like a holiday everyday, maybe better because work is not lingering. Saying that it’s grass cutting rota at the allotment. Very warm weather so it’s better done later in the day so probably five or six o’clock. Tomatoes are doing really well, ‘outdoor girl’ variety.
25 July 2019
Very hot, past 30 degrees and humid. Bridge this afternoon but probably give yoga a miss this evening as heavy thunderstorms are predicted so I will just have a session at home instead.
26 July 2019
Glorious morning so off for a round of golf at Southport Old Links. Hope I play better than last time I played there when it made me cry, try not to let that happen again. I played quite well on Monday at Penwortham so I just want to concentrate on my ball striking which, when I put my mind to it, isn’t bad. We’ll see.
27 July 2019
Yep played well, consistent, the odd dig in the ground but overall a nice round, pleased. Pissing down today as it usually does when the school holidays start, what a caper that is making sure the kids are happy etc, thankless task eh. Not a lot going on today, nip to Booths for some essentials, making some more ice cream – coffee and date – get the paper and have a read. Do a bit of sketching this afternoon and play a bit of guitar. Editing the book is slower than I anticipated but I feel it is the right pace, it is important that I know every paragraph is okay, the combined whole may be donkey shit (I hope not) but it has to be as good as I can do, and that takes time.
28 July 2019
It’s Sunday so normally not much going on apart from the usual stuff, however, being retired from wage-work means that days are not defined into weekends or beginnings. This means that, to an extent, there is no need to follow a routine that is not of your own choosing. In other words what do you feel like doing on a given day rather than what do you think you should be doing, big difference. Anyway I’m off to the gym for a pilates class and a swim, see ya!
29 July 2019
Nothing in this really, just an observation, but some TV dramas have got very good indeed, to the extent that conventional two hour films have to be exceptional to compare. I think it probably started with extended productions such as The West Wing. The Sopranos, Band of Brothers and there have been so many since then, Recently, Big Little Lies, Billions, Chernobyl, The Bureau, and many more. These, together with the sport means telly is fab. Off fishing today, the weather is grand so off I toodle, not doing anything else either, done the editing which is as essential, it seems.
30 July 2019
Went fishing yesterday, they are demolishing Vernon’s factory which I think has status as a site of historic interest, but probably only to me. Everytime I pass the Victorian monolith I imagine the throngs of past people milling about doing the things everyone still does. These places, terrible in some ways, were nevertheless tangible communities with infrastructures of culture ingrained through them. The lodge will be filled in soon, probably, very sad too, and despite protestations about the wildlife that it supports – kingfishers, dragonflies, fauna, flowers, swans, moorhens, kestrels, pollinators, and the fish stocks, this will not matter if houses are needed and there is money to be made. The picture below was taken earlier in the year.
31 July 2019
Taking it easy today, just the usual stuff, going to the theatre tonight. Pedestrianisation is edging towards being introduced and the village of Penwortham, which is what it will be known as, will become an even more desirable place to live. Investment in the shops, cafes and bars is heavy with lots of refurbishment being done, the old art deco library is now an arts centre and everything is geared towards the day the cars and lorries stop, which is soon.
June 1 2019
Flaming June is here and it’s pissing down! Not to worry though it’s good for the garden and the allotment. Champions League final tonight, Spurs V Liverpool, the reds are the clear favourite and are a fantastic team, but Spurs are mercurial capable of beating the very best as they have done this season. Liverpool 3 -1 I think.
June 2 2019
Liverpool won, well deserved too, interesting game canny play from Liverpool not gung ho just well controlled. Allotment, guitar, etc. More of the same really, first run since the 10k in Manchester and it was a good one, not quite 10k but not far off, definitely perks you up a bit does running.
June 3 2019
Was going to go fishing but very windy so gardening instead. Got some nice pots for the summer house so did a bit of re-potting of the house plants, looks good. That’s it for the day, great way to spend it too.
June 4 2019
Off to yoga tonight for an evening session, better in some ways as there are about a quarter of the people practising than in a day class. It is much quieter too and I don’t miss the drone of loud inane chatter which seems to last even when the mouths have stopped. Nice peaceful class as it should be because yoga requires concentration. I’m enjoying Spanish guitar, coming along well.
June 5 2019
Still plenty to do at the allotment, weather getting a tad warmer so the produce is thickening up. The garden at home is outstanding, the spring mulch was expensive but more than worth it as it now paying big dividends, the roses especially are abundant and huge. Off to the cinema/theater tonight for a RSC production of The Taming of the Shrew
June 6 2019
Wow that was a good experience, the production was fantastic, gender reversed, and it worked very well indeed. And the cinema itself, leather recliners!
Wet weather and cold for June too, 12-13-14 degrees, not warm enough yet for a fine weather fisherman. Reading Schopenhauer again, starting with the Fourfold Root, it fits, all of it, the fact that it makes sense, makes sense, it has to. Our knowledge is transcendent only as it is a-priori, we are geared to experiencing the world as it appears because the ground isn’t empirical it is intuitive. Our empirical ability enables prediction, critically useful for doing stuff, but entirely conditioned by the limits of time, space and cause. There is nothing knowable (yet) that is outside of this. Allotment today then back in time for bridge at the golf club. England play Holland tonight I will watch it when I get back from yoga evening class.
June 7 2019
Fairly important match this one, the semi-final of the Euro friendly cup with the winner playing Portugal in the final. We were poor. Disorganised, cheap on the ball, extravagant in distribution but worse than all that, we had scant disregard for the basics of the game. Defensibly, we played fancy-boy football inviting the press and actually creating chances for the opposition without them needing to do it for themselves, terrible. And we kept doing it, so they finally took advantage, picnic at the park for Holland. Were do we go from here? well, as far as I’m concerned we haven’t ventured too far away from where we always were, not knowing how to win but expecting to lose. Job done then.
June 8 2019
Penwortham gala, cold, windy and it rained all day. Good day’s rest though, usual stuff, Spanish guitar going well, finished a painting, halfway through the edit, read a bit of Schopenhauer and getting close to the top group of on-line golfers on PS4 Golf Club 2019. Watched a fine Norwegian film similar to Locke with Tom Hardy, very good.
June 9 2019
Up to date (wrote yesterdays today) the weather is looking a bit more like so, again, it’s a trip to the allotment, just tidying up and weeding I think. Started making my own ice cream and, can I say, it’s really good. Made date and coffee, chocolate, and today it’s fig and mint, all with real ingredients. My diet is incredibly good, my fitness and overall physical health is excellent, I feel good, look okay and have a very positive outlook on life. Probably snuff it sometime today then!
June 10 2019
Was going fishing today but something else takes priority, pity as the weather is nice. Nevermind plenty of other good stuff to be getting on with, I took some photos of the allotment yesterday so I will update the page. Editing going well and, can I actually say this, I am very pleased with the progress with PS4 Golf Club on-line play, it is very difficult to play the best players from around the world and compete on at the level, there is a suspicion some of them are using modified controllers but I don’t know that, you have to concentrate fully throughout, a bit stressful when you are playing big competitions. Should I socialise more? probably.
June 11 2019
Meeting Adam for lunch today, he has been back from Spain for couple of weeks and been staying in Manchester with Dan. Just a quick catch up really, the kids are busy doing their own thing and I talk to them regularly through social media so it’s great. Weather still cold and rainy. Yoga tonight so two lots of walking as well.
June 12 2019
Day in today, good yoga session last night and it was great to see Adam, Spain was tough for him but it has made him tough, which was the whole point, I think, well that and learning Spanish fluently, what a skill that is.
June 13 2019
Yet another day at the furthest reaches of excitement. Getting my hair cut and then bridge at the golf club. Not knocking it one little bit though, not yet 60, retired and super-busy with my own stuff, not a shabby way to throw a stick at life is it? Middle of June, 15 degrees and pissing down, couldn’t care less.
Jun 14 2019
Golf today in the afternoon, pissing down first thing but the forecast looks good so we shall see, got a new fairway wood to try.
June 15 2019
Got up late, 9.30, can’t quite believe it, the reason being…apart from playing 18 holes of golf in the afternoon…was that I stayed up to watch the women’s world cup in France England V Argentina. Wow it was great, I’ve watched it before but they have got even better. England were brilliant, Phil Neville is the manager and he has got them bristling, crisp passing, fine team ethos, they will do well. Only thing is whether they have the inner belief that they can win every match, Neville can give them that I’m sure. The late start meant that the allotment hedge cutting party was missed, couldn’t give a monkeys, still went in the afternoon to tickle a few things up. Played well at golf, that club was a revelation, from the first shot to the last, crack straight off the fairway, maybe sorted that little problem out finally.
June 16 2019
Still pissing down. Yeah still at the same stuff, editing every morning for about an hour, guitar, gardening, painting. Also, at the moment, decorating the downstairs room overlooking the garden wit the idea of moving my room from upstairs. The house is very nice, proper suburban semi in a good area. It’s alright having a lot of theories about the stuff people do, and I do have a lot of theories, but one truism is that people want a nice home. If you look at motivation then this is overwhelmingly the strongest, nice home. So I’ve got one. And it is nice too, none of that faux Asian feng sui malarcky, just really nice! Going for a run.
June 17 2019
Finishing the decorating. The summer house is nearly done as is the back room, the beds are arrivin sometime today and things are alright. Making home made ice cream (don’t know if I haven’t mentioned this already) date and vanilla, chocolate, fig and mint, and malteaser, it’s really good, all the better for knowing what’s in it. Did about 5k yesterday, comfortable run, there is a big run being organised in Preston at the end of September but it might clash with cycling in Holland so I’m not signing up for it just yet.
June 18 2019
Weather picking up, warmer and calmer, so it looks like a good fishing day. It’s Tuesday so I’ll skip yoga tonight as it restricts the day. All the tackle is down at the allotment so I will cycle to get some bait then get my gear and walk to the lodge, its about a mile and a bit along so not too bad.
June 19 2019
Can’t say I enjoyed fishing that much yesterday, conditions were good, it is a pleasant place – kingfisher fleeting past and a tame robin eating my bait – but something just wasn’t right. The lodge is adjacent to the derelict Vernon Carus factory and after school there are a few gangs of kids milling about. Mainly though, for some reason, the bigger fish just aren’t showing anymore. There has been a poaching problem at night which is virtually unmanageable and it doesn’at take a lot of this to devoid a lake of it’s stock. This is probably what has happened, so now the catch is restricted to perch and roach, lots of them, but after a while, a bit tedious. Day in today doing the usual stuff.
June 20 2019
134 pages into the editing, it is slow because I want it to read well, which it does. Dangerous thing, I know, being the judge of your own work, especially as no one will likely read it, but not as strange as writing in your on line diary that the book that will never be read is good. Well it’s nice to get a bit of support I suppose. Bridge went well, getting more confident through establishing the basics, as with a lot of stuff the foundations need to be built – and set – before the fancy business can be tootled with. Ran to yoga practice and back, phew, good though.
June 21 2019
England are doing well in the World Cup, brilliant to watch and can’t wait for the next match tomorrow, Viewing figures are going skywards and, I’ll bet, people are talking about the team and the manager. What they are not talking about, I’ll bet’ is England in the World Cup Cricket who, as firm favourites are losing to no-hopers, again. No, I will will stick to the women’s World Cup, next match tomorrow evening, come on girls the country is properly behind you, winners!
June 22 2019
Weather has finally decided to be summer, what a difference! Cycled to the allotment in t-shirt and shorts and did a couple of hours doing various bits and bobs. Called at Booths supermarket on the way back and, because it is fairing ill with the retail downturn it has culled staff which, in turn, means there is no one available to water the plants which, in turn, means the annuals they have on sale look droopy which, in turn, the supervisors think are dying which, in turn, urges them the reduce the price which, in turn means dahlias x 6 = 68p nicotinia x 6 £1.24p trailing plants (various) x 6 £1.24p. Didn’t really need them but you have to don’t you. Good day, usual stuff with the addition of a grand chill out in the summer house with the Saturday papers.
June 23 2019
A few jobs needing to be done up town, lovely warm day again so it’s best to get them done. Don’t mind a bit of shopping actually, especially if there is something required, also a rummage through the charity shops is often interesting and, sometimes, productive. England V Cameroon later on, knock out stages of the World Cup, looking forward to it.
June 24 2019
Day out in Lytham, dressed up a bit. Gym on the way back for a 5k run on the machine, didn’t quite manage it in 3o minutes but working on it.
June 25 2019
England cricket team, favourites for the World Cup, lost again so it looks as if they will fail to qualify for the knock-out stages. This is abject. Anything can happen in sport but there is something that occurs in the psychology on big occasions that causes a failure of belief, a blockage somewhere, an anxiety of failure. There is a lesson here. Great yoga session. 60 years old in October and I feel fantastic. What’s it all for though? Yeh you will fail if you think like that, so don’t, it is futile, can’t stop? well accept the thoughts and carry on anyway. Develop a technique, train, and rely on it.
June 26 2019
Bit shafted today but it doesn’t stop the train. Up earlyish for the editing, going to send it off somewhere when its done, probably about another three months. Going to concentrate on drawing for a bit too, with colour, it is so important to get the perspective right. Allotment later on but before that a good sort out in the shed. House is looking great, good feel to it too, feng sui and all that.
June 27 2019
Gardening this morning – as well as the other stuff – followed by bridge at the golf club (“and you may ask yourself, how did I get here?”) yoga in the evening and England V Denmark in the WWC when I get back. Don’t know about the opposition but they all play well, bit loose with possession sometimes but great to watch, hope they win, obviously.
June 28 2019
Up early for golf at Southport, weather glorious so should be a good game, looking forward to it. Off to the allotment when I get back to do some watering, it’s been slow so far this year but things should really pick up now the weather has warmed up, we’ll see.
June 29 2019
Not the best game ever, started well enough but crashed and burned after 8 holes, seriously tired together with the fact that I am playing in a semi-competition format took all the fun out of it, could hardly hit the ball at times and didn’t want to be there, waste of time really. Going to make an effort not to do much over the next few days, easier said than done though, looking at the summer house as I write and thinking it needs a coat of paint, probably do it today!
June 30 2019
Another day of the usual things, finished editing for the morning about 150 pages in, still enjoying it very much but itching to start something new, can’t do it though till this one is printed. Do I send it off? still unsure, what is the motivation? probably to revel in the feeling that someone thinks it’s good, but what if they don’t? I know it’s good so that should be enough. Scared of failure is likely to be the reason I keep it to myself, don’t play and you can’t lose, we’ll see, again.
May 1 2019
6.30 up and off to Manchester to help Katie move into her new house. I know it’s going to be hard work as they live, at present, in a flat up five flights of stairs without a lift, deep joy when you have a bad knee, and especially when Dom used to be a in a Kid British and still has most of his stadium sized amplification! Used the trip to walk fast to and from the stations, about 8 or 9 miles as training. Spurs were lucky to get away with losing 1-0 to Ajax although I think they will still get through to the final.
May 2 2019
Bit of a hard day yesterday, lots of moving boxes and gear together with walking to the stations and back but it was a good day, Katie loves her new home and it is lovely, Dan helped with the move as well. Liverpool got soundly beaten by Barca although they played very well, just one of those things. Not trained for a few days. Part of this is because of the chesty cold but also I am going to do less of the formal fitness training in future and get more rest time. It does get into your head – the fitness thing – but what is it for, actually? Surely it is to make you feel good, which I do, and fit, which I do, but you don’t want to get obsessed by it because then it’s just another passion that gets a grip on you. Going for a day out in Southport.
May 3 2019
Still editing, I know it’s a slow process but again who’s time scale am I working on? I think it’s good too, not fussed if anyone reads it, not the point of doing it really. Obviously if it gets internationally lauded then I’m not going to complain but I have a low level of respect for most peoples opinions so who cares. I am enjoying trying out new painting methods, this is a daily thing too, not a bad way to tickle through life.
May 4 2019
Trip to the allotment. Same as usual really, making sure the netting is up, putting some red cabbages in, weeding, all in all plenty of work to do. It’s definitely outdoors more and more as the weather gets better. Decided to stay put in Preston for the foreseeable, can’t see a justifiable reason for moving, apart from the grass being greener that is, which it probably isn’t.
May 5 2019
Up early editing, painting, etc also reading Troilus and Cressida. Not that many Shakespeare plays to go now and, guess what? I’ll start them all again. I am aware that I would like to continue with my analysis of the Sonnets, this will come in time, and I am certainly not deterred by the rejection of my article, it was a wild punt anyway. Just about to go for a long run as preparation for the Manchester 10k which is on 19 May, planning to run to Longton Brickcroft and back which, in total, is 6.6 miles.
May 6 2019
Did the run and, yes, it was not easy, but next time it will be easier, that’s how it goes I think. Man Utd have serious problems at the end of the season, complete lack of effort, skill, organisation and, well is there anything else? Don’t know how Ole will fix it, he seems to lack any ideas of gravitas. Pilates this morning, then allotment and back. Maybe golf towards the end of the week although the weather is a bit chilly. Fishing next week on the lodge as the weather warms up.
May 7 2019
Proper retirement and no car, not saying it guarantees happiness – how can it? – but it certainly takes the hard edges off. Been experimenting with painting/drawing etc trying intuitively to find a style or at least a fluidity, not just to be representational but, also, being lively to making the image look right, fine lines.
May 8 2019
Lost at bridge again, although we are only first year finishers playing against experienced players we land an occasional pop on their noses, much more learning to be done and then it will be time to take charge. Liverpool V Barcelona at Anfield 0-3 down and only pride to play for against one of the best teams in history. They destroyed them. Man City V Spurs I described as the best match I have ever seen, this one was outrageously good, the atmosphere in the ground must have been astonishing. After the victory the team lined up with the manager – arm in arm – and sang with the Kop, sensational and so well deserved. Spurs V Ajax tonight to decide the other finalist. Did another 10k today on the treadmill, fairly comfortable, body felt strong but the mind wants to give up about half way. Everything else is good, Adam comes home from Spain in about two weeks, he is ready to come back as he realises England is bang on.
May 9 2019
Three football matches, each one surpassing the last, tears streaming down the faces of fans – both sides, different tears – and down the face of the Spurs manager Mauricio Pottichino. They won, it did not seem possible, but they won. Liverpool V Tottenham Hotspurs, Champions League Final, June 1, 2019, Madrid.
Normal stuff today, done a bit of editing, started a new painting yesterday, allotment later on today, guitar. Legs are not aching after the second 10k run in 4 days and, in fact, I think it may even be having a beneficial effect on my left knee, it seems to be strengthening up with running, we’ll see.
May 10 2019
Supposed to be playing golf this afternoon but it doesn’t look likely as the weather forecast over Southport is poor, not to worry plenty to do. I’m going to learn a new Spanish guitar piece, my playing is improving noticeably given the application of the tried and trusted method, practice, practice, practice. Good yoga class this morning, Fridays teacher is always trying new things out which is the right way to do it, I think. Mondays Pilates is very good but it is the same every week and, again I think, the body gets used to the same exercises, with diminishing benefit. On the whole though it’s all really good and I have to say I’ve never felt better. Editing still on the go page 75.
May 11 2019
Had a lazy morning which, for me, means up at 6.30 editing, read Shakespeare after that (with a nice coffee) play some Spanish guitar (going well) round of PS4 golf and eat some food in between. It’s now half past two and I’ve watched Football Focus – never got time to do that in the working years – so its off to the allotment to plant some veggies and do a bit of sorting out.
May 12 2019
Probably go for a run today, the Manchester 10k is a week away and I could probably do it now, but a couple of extra training runs wouldn’t do any harm. Weather is turning nice so a bit of fishing next week as well.
May 13 2019
Life may be getting a bit predictable, but in a very good way. The sun is shining and I am off to the allotment to do my bit on the grounds, mowing and strimming. No time scale I will go when I feel like it and come back when I am done.
May 14 2019
Same as yesterday really, up early editing, bit of other stuff, then off to the allotment to finish off. My fishing tackle is at the allotment so I might go and get some bait on the way then, when I am finished, go for a few hours on the lodge.
May 15 2019
Not going to the gym this week, the weather is great and, in all honesty, things can get a bit samey, so not going, or bridge either. My week to do the mowing at the allotment and I will finish the strimming off today, got to admit it looks good, hopefully the standard will be kept up, if not I’ll just do it again. Produce going in and its all going well, nice place to be too.
May 16 2019
Going for a bike ride towards Southport, glorious day, done some editing – about 500 words a day not much I know but it is every day – and feel like I should be outside doing stuff, so I shall
May 17 2019
Yep, same as it ever was, up early editing, guitar, bit of potting and a full game of golf at Southport this afternoon, good weather again.
May 18 2019
Day before the 10k in Manchester, done a 5k this week and was comfortable about it, what is it after all doing a bit of a run, I’ve done the training and I will keep it up, may even step it up, we’ll see. FA Cup final today Watford V Man City, I’m predicting a romp for the best English team ever, football though, bloody hell! Couple of hours on the allotment before that, going to take a few snaps and update the Growing Stuff page.
May 19 2019
Off to Manchester to do the 10k run I’ve been going on about for a bit, I’m feeling good, the weather is okay and the train I was going to get has been cancelled…ho hum…I’ll get the next one and stand all the way there then.
May 20 2019
What a great day! Thousands of people in Manchester, fantastic atmosphere all for lots of good causes. We met at Katie’s food bank who I was running for and Dan came to cheer me on too which was great, Adam is still in Spain but he would have been there I’m sure. Started my run at 2.30 and kept a steady pace throughout, there were actually showers that you could run through which were invigorating. Finished in about 1 hour 11 minutes which I am very pleased with, probably do some more of this it’s fun.
May 21 2019
Got a cycle holiday planned for Wednesday and I’m still a bit sore from Sunday, I reckon I ran harder than I thought I was doing because it hurts! Allotment today and sorting the seedlings out so they will be okay for the few days that I am away.
May 22 2019
Getting disillusioned with bridge, played last night and came last again, the worst thing is I don’t know how to improve or where it’s going wrong…actually the worst thing is if it’s worth the effort to find out, probably not. Off to Wales then on the bike, first stop Liverpool via Southport, so off we tootle!
May 23 2019
Great days cycling yesterday and a good apartment in Liverpool. Ferry across the Mersey today and around The Wirral ending up in Chester, really good this so far.
May 24 2019
Fabulous apartment in Chester, this is the way forward, rather than hotel rooms or b&bs, like a home from home. Heading towards Wales today and it shouldn’t take long as the Welsh border is only a few miles along the River Dee. The idea is to cycle as far as the map leads and then just edge towards Prestatyn as niftily as possible, there might be some not so nice road cycling to do though.
May 25 2019
Got there! Penwortham to Prestatyn by cycle in three days and nice and relaxed too…for the most part. Got the train back to Manchester from Prestatyn and then, what do you expect, the trains are down with electrical faults outside Leyland, whizz! Just about squeezed on a Trans-pennine, nose-to-nose, with my bike knocking into everyone, I actually felt quite calm and relaxed standing the whole way, at least it gave my arse a rest. Talking of rest not doing a lot today only the normal things, allotment, guitar, writing, painting etc phew! only woke up at 9.30 so I must have been tired.
May 26 2019
Going to have more of these in the future, days off that is, the house is a very pleasant place to be so be in it. As with a great deal in this material jam don’t ignore the good stuff under your nose. If there is a point to life, a telos, then it might just be relaxation. But never confuse this with laziness, relaxation is hard won. Along those lines Adam is back from his year in Spain, very hard for him to do that, but he did it, respect.
May 27 2019
Allotment and not a lot else. Gardening is great though, flower garden and veggie growing, equally good, fab process that rewards with how it makes you feel. Nothing is completed only the new feeling everyday together with the pleasure of doing. Saw Peter Lawrenson in Booths – an old friend from school who has an adjacent plot – and he recommended some (very) expensive marmalade which he insisted was both sensational and actually good value. I bought it without hesitation and he was right.
May 28 2019
Yep another easy day, went to a new yoga class in the evening, really good and hardly anyone there, better than during the day I think, especially in summer.
May 29 2019
Europa league final tonight, two English clubs fighting it out for the honours -Arsenal V Chelsea, kinda want arsenal to win because they are the slight underdogs, could be a good game as well. They are playing the match in somewhere out at the back of beyond, Kazakhstan or something, probably because someone has took a bung somewhere down the line, doesn’t matter to me though I’ll be watching it on a nice big screen HD Tv after tucking into veggie sausage (home made) mash, peas and gravy. Went to the garden centre today, bought some new planters for the summer house, a couple of geranium, two trailing fascias and a hanging basket, hardly spent anything this year on the garden, that’s the biggest purchase of the year, apart from the spring mulch.
May 30 2019
Bit of the usual stuff, guitar, painting, gardening. Bridge at Penwortham golf club, yeah okay but mmm. Yoga in the evening very good, new class again, great to change the routine. Shocking UEFA final, the organisation was a disgrace all round, Chelsea were too strong for Arsenal, as I thought, won it easily.
May 31 2019
Pottering about in the morning, golf in the afternoon at Southport. Not as keen as I once was at playing golf, probably reached the limit of what I want to do with the game which is to get round sometimes good, sometimes not so good, however, like bridge, I am increasingly uncomfortable with the feeling after a game that it wasn’t much fun, bad aftertaste. Keeping an eye on that.
April 1 2019
New month and decided to bin the usual Monday stuff, so no gym, cycling, running, swimming or bridge competition. Just stayed in doing a bit of poncing about…great!
April 2 2019
Well what a boring month this is turning out to be, just the usual writing, guitar, gardening and bridge lesson, last lesson for that next week. Golf on the PS4 is going well – major life achievement there – Fedex champion from rookie status, also playing with a respectable online society (should probably finish with this life thing right now). Not running until Friday, giving things a rest.
April 3 2019
I have touched on this before. Preston is a good city to live in, fantastic location in itself but also on the doorstep of some wonderful places. Don’t overlook what’s on your doorstep is a decent motto to have and today has been a trip to Lancaster, 15 minutes on the train. I used to work in the city so I know it reasonably well, the format today, however, was a literary walk. Starting at the Ashton memorial there are several points of interest around the city which makes it very interesting but, I believe, the real beauty is the city itself and the palpable sense of history you get from being there, if you look in the right way.
April 4 2019
Building a fruit cage at the allotment today. Will need to get a taxi in order to get all the stuff there which is against general principles but needs must. When driverless transport revolutionises in three years or so it won’t be an issue anymore. However, it was frosty last night so I may have lost a few tender seedlings but they are under glass so I am hoping they got through it. Growing produce, plants or flowers is virtually a win-win payback, if you approach it with honesty. If you are the type of person that pays gym membership, goes crazy for the first two weeks, tails off, and then makes all the excuses under Saturn for not being able to do it anymore, well then, you will fail at gardening also. Just like everything else you don’t put your heart and mind into. Editing going well, steady.
April 5 2019
Cor blimey! bit knackered actually, 7.59 k in an hour so I’m getting a bit better at running but it isn’t easy, phew. Nothing much else today just the usual.
April 6 2019
Down to the allotment this morning, somebody – almost certainly a bloke – is givng instructions how to use the equipment in order for plot holders to share the grounds work, good idea really and I am up for that. Nothing in yet apart from the onion sets although the seeds are in and growing. The new soft fruit section is coming together and I have put photos on the Growing Stuff page, haven’t got any ericaceous compost for the blueberry plant which is no good so, it might work if I dig some soil from under the wood chipping pile, the theory being that this will be more acidic due to the pine needles etc, worth a shot.
April 7 2019
The allotment committee discussed plans regrading a working party to tidy up an overgrown corner of the site. They suggested four or five people in shifts over the next few weeks, I told them I would do it with the new strimmer and mower on my own in half a day – and I will – although I’m not sure what they made of that. Nice day yesterday, got a few good jobs done, the new community shed is working well, I gave away the Wolfgarten push mower to someone who wanted one and she was really pleased. First spuds are in cabbages are next on the list. Wolves V Watford in the FA cup semi today, Man City beat a battling Brighton yesterday in the other one on their way to an historic four trophies, although I have a feeling that Spurs have a plan for beating them in the Champions mid week.
April 8 2019
Cycle, gym and bridge today, not a lot else, still pleased with the writing and the art is okay too, garden looking good and the allotment is pucker so, all in all, yeah.
April 9 2019
I predicted Spurs would beat Man City and they did. City looked uptight which is never a good thing in sport, especially football at that level, but Pep will sort them out and, I think, they will edge through, it will be a thrilling match though, and what a stadium Spurs have got, best in the world and that’s saying something. Been to the allotment to work on the grounds, they have some good equipment now so it is much easier to keep the place looking pucker, which it is beginning to, the waiting list is getting longer and longer. Finished bridge lessons so now it’s either Monday or Tuesday playing competitions, probably going to attend the next level of lessons which starts in September.
April 10 2019
Wow, it’s good to have a day in! I really can’t remember the last one, actually staying in gardening and all the rest, really enjoyable and I can feel my body resting to which I am sure it’s grateful for. Made loads of top notch veggie burgers as well as a load of home made muesli, all with good ingredients at a fraction of the price of processed rubbish. Man Utd play Barcelona tonight, gulp!
April 11 2019
Bit of writing, bit of gardening, guitar etc…another good day which was made special by having a day at my fitness club with Daniel. He is staying at his mum’s to finish his dissertation (last year at University of Manchester) so we met up for a work out, sauna and a bite to eat. Got to say we had a great time, he is some kid, they all are.
April 12 2019
Cycle, gym, yoga and then a great game of golf at Southport Links, the oldest links course in England. It is a municipal and, probably due to Sefton council funding cuts, the place looks a little run down, but sometimes that has a certain retro charm – like going back to the 70’s but nowhere near as bad. Good game though, good game.
April 13 2019
Allotment today. Put the netting up on the soft-fruit run and, I have to say, it is turning out well. The spring bulbs in the bed were a failure this year because they were planted too shallow, with only a thin coat of compost over them, won’t make that mistake again. However, the other bulbs that I planted in the big green bags are doing splendidly, hyacinths and tulips, with some interesting varieties, nice. Man Utd V West Ham, the reds need to play well ahead of the mid-week return leg in the Nou Camp.
April 14 2019
Lovely day and some more good weather to come. Off to the northern Lakes today with the rambling club, Calderbeck, I think, should be good.
April 15 2019
That was a good walk in the top Lake District yesterday but there was an east wind blowing quite strongly so it was very cold indeed. Didn’t go to bridge after the gym today as the basic training has now been completed. This is a better idea as it frees up Monday afternoons for the summer. Did half an hour running after Pilates at 8km an hour pace.
April 16 2019
Dentist this morning and then a trip to the garden centre to buy yet more compost for the garden. It is ironic that the stuff is free and overflowing at the allotment but – being car-free – it’s not so easy to get 100’s of litres back to the house. Bridge competition tonight with the big boys and girls, it’s just like going from primary to secondary school really. Huge matches being played in the Champions league, second legs of the knock outs, City V Spurs, Barca V Utd, Juve V Ajax and Porto V Liverpool, also the premier league is still a fight between City and Liverpool, so tight it’s hard to call but the next two matches are harder for City than Liverpool, I think.
April 17 2019
Up early this morning for golf at Southport, should be a good day as the weather is getting much warmer and the wind is abating, so all set. Outdoors is certainly taking over from the writing, painting, guitar etc and it feels right that it should do, however, I am still trying to do everything which is not easy. I think that I will have to structure the days slightly differently. At present I am going to bed later than normal and getting up earlier, the writing is still, I think, quite good, but other stuff has to fit in, and then, of course there is bridge which takes up a chunk of time. Last night was the first Tuesday night competition and we played well, lots to learn still, of course. Big matches tonight.
April 18 2019
Okay so Spurs beat City in the Champions league quarter finals, also this was the best football match I have ever seen, City were incredibla and would have beaten any team on the planet – but they didn’t. Can’t resist saying that I called it, but I did, however, in the last second City won the game only to have it disallowed by VAR, phew! Garden and allotment today, nice weather.
April 19 2019
Cycle, gym, swim. Ran 4.3k in 30 minutes and not at my best because of a slight chill, it will go in a day or so. Trying to draw a largish sketch of a person against a window frame playing a lute and can I get it right, can I bollocks! What is it when you think you are getting okay at something – via the thousand hour technique – the skill gods still end up placing the banana skin in the right place at the right time. What you do is you look at it again the next day, or after a good rest, have a think, and try again…what’s the point in giving up, to do what?
April 20 2019
As well as Shakespeare, lots of philosophy and a fair bit of the English Literary cannon, I have been playing golf games through various consoles since, umm, about 1992. Just golf games mind, none of that other ‘shoot ’em up, run ’em down, or race ’em round a track malarkey, no siree, not for me, Tiger Woods and EA Sports, Golf Club Pro 2019. It actually takes a good deal of concentration and application to get good at the new games, I know it’s not like hitting a ball but it is a bit like hitting a ball, and I enjoy it so why not! Garden and allotment today and I will do an update on the site page. The weather is glorious and the roads are heaving, stuck in a car that’s a good idea, not.
April 21 2019
Easter Sunday, so what I say, can’t stand most of what christianity stands for, and how it became the moral hegemonic compass for the western world is shocking but quite understandable – it gives the people who crave it externalised power justification. Not only that it internalises the myth of inferiority – the meek shall inherit – well you’ve got fuck all now but one day eh? Bollocks! Anyway I’m off to the allotment to plant me cabbages.
April 22 2019
Planning the next cycle tour of the southern northwest coast towards Wales. It’s mostly planned really just waiting for the time to feel right and then…off. Normal stuff today, up early editing, sketching/painting and the rest. As previously mentioned the gardening takes over a lot of time, and there is a path to re-lay which I don’t like doing but is a good feeling when it’s done.
April 23 2019
Life is mostly about doing the normal everyday stuff and today is one of those life days and, do you know what, there isn’t a lot wrong with it. We are still in April but it feels much further ahead, done a lot already.
April 24 2019
New yoga class this morning. Pilates on Monday is very good but a change of routine is hardly ever a bad thing. Bit of gardening after that, there is stacks to do at this time of year especially if you grow your own produce and plants. Bridge last night was a bit disappointing, in that there are so many aspects to the game that you need to implement if you want to avoid being beaten, just playing the basics is hard enough but playing against experienced players means a lot of pops on the nose. Just wait though!
April 25 2019
Not running this week, or probably going to the gym as I have a nasty chest infection. I thought the bastard might have shifted by now but it hasn’t so not a lot on the agenda. Got to keep at things. I have been practising the same guitar pieces for probably about a year, almost daily, over and over until it I don’t have to think about positions etc. It is then that you can start putting feeling in, but beware, if you start to think you’re getting good, the gods will trip you up. It’s the process that counts, how can I do it – anything – better, or easier.
April 26 2019
Supposed to be playing golf this morning but the weather is off. Not going to yoga either because I’m still a bit chesty, it’s a pain being a bit ill but it happens to everyone, just makes you think how good you feel normally. Going to spend the day doing other stuff, indoors, writing my site pages, editing the book, painting, bridge, guitar etc…good life! xx.
April 27 2019
What is going on? two full days without going out and doing something, well it feels good actually, not the bit of a chest infection of course, the not doing a lot. Watched a couple of good films, read a bit of Shakespeare, editing etc and it is a windy, pissing down day so same again.
April 28 2019
Just nipped down to the allotment to fix a few things up and dig the weeds up. Weeds are actually one of the best indicators that the soil is ready to get going for the vegetable plants, so get the little buggers up, burn ’em, and get the real ones in. Still a bit under the weather, it will pass, everything does…thanks George!
April 29 2019
Feeling better, not quite ready for a run but up for Pilates. Monday afternoon bridge competition instead of Tuesday night because of the Champions league matches, Spurs V Ajax and Liverpool V Barcelona (Wednesday).
April 30 2019
Did well at bridge, lots of practice seems to be paying off, it is a game that requires technique and focus with the later becoming easier the more you acquire the former. But it takes time and application. Big match tonight and in the morning off too Manchester early doors to help Katie move into her new house.
March 1
630 words, nearly 70,000 in total and I feel the end coming together with some satisfaction. I haven’t completed the analysis of sonnet 20 yet but aim to do this over the next few days. Gym today, yoga and swim preceded with a bit of a run. Haircut this afternoon. Got a decent plan for my next painting and did the sketch of it yesterday, I am pleased to be trying to implement ideas rather than just be representational, but then again I haven’t been at it long, the painting that is not the ideas.
March 2
Big day on the allotment, not to be missed! the grand unveiling of the new community shed in addition to the first delivery of horse shit to the new, concreted manure quadrant. As it is such a special day the committee chairperson is issuing free seed potatoes to all members on a first come- first served basis. You can bet your last can of beans this member won’t be missing out on that!. It’s like a spring Christmas (hope the fuckers are blight free though). Spurs V Arsenal today, the home team lost badly to Chelsea mid week so it should be a firecracker. 520 words.
March 3
Walk in the Lakes today. About 12 miles around Ambleside and Wansfell, good walk but the weather closed in at the end becoming a bit wet. Still done 500+ words and am beginning to think about drawing things together. Hope the work is not too bad on the first printed read through
March 4
Rare occasion of walking to the gym this morning. Pilates and swim but no running, I am going to try to do 7km outside on Wednesday, also there are some really nice planters for sale in Lidl and I need to get a taxi to get them home. So gym, swim, bridge, Lidl, taxi, home. 500 words again.
March 5
Bit of a rest day, I keep saying how important it is to get enough rest, not just physically but for the mind as well, so that’s what I’m doing…apart from the book, of course, 500 words, and bridge lessons.
March 6
Another day in. Writing is going well, fairly sure how it will end now, 600 words out of 72,500, probably about another 10,000 or so and then all the re-writes and edits. Bit of gardening, planting for the allotment, bit of guitar, bit of painting. Went for a run (I’m writing this the day after because I forgot) and went steady for 45 minutes, don’t know about distance as I set the timer on the Garmin and not the lap, I think about 5.5km, slow I know but steady. Man Utd V PSG in the last 16 of the Champions league, what a match! one of the best ever, memorable, football bloody hell!
March 7
Just finished a strange painting, I’m calling it a self portrait but it was never intended as one. I know in my subconscious what it means but trying to explain it to another mind is probably beyond difficult. Even that bit seems fraught and pretentious. Not bothered because I know. It’s the second or third self portrait, the one before this was done quickly and I like it, you know when it captures and that one does. 700+ words.
March 8
Gym, run, yoga, swim. Then watch the footy highlights (Europa League, Arsenal and Chelsea not sure who they are playing). Frosty night last night so I hope the seedlings are okay, I put them out under glass probably a bit too soon, but they are only seeds, I’ll grow some more if they haven’t survived. 440 words and I am giving the ending some thought, the next chapter is a funeral which gives the characters a stage.
March 9
Yeah the book is drawing to a close, got the final two chapters in the noggin so it should work out okay, 500 words today and getting on for 74,000 so i expect it to be around the 80,ooo mark when it’s finished, which is about right, I think. Running is going well, over 5k on Wed and Fri, the former around Hurst Grange and the latter on the gym treadmill, which is logged. Just downloaded the app so I can run anywhere in the world with other people…I fancy a tootle round Todmorden! Good sport day again, and I have got a mini hdmi on its way so I can hook up my chromebook to a TV set, this should be very handy when I am away. Which reminds me I better think about packing as I am in Majorca for 10 days from Monday. England V Italy in the seven nations and Man City V Watford in the title race. Probably get out in the garden too if it stops pissing down.
March 10
Last chapter and for some reason I’ve taken the story to a tea plantation in Hawaii so a bit of research needed, the internet is not too shabby at this so the information I need is on hand. Less than 400 words this morning but a good bit of thinking which should cash in later. I restricted the funeral chapter to its absolute bare bones (pun) and I think it was more effective as a result. Finally I think I know what Shakespeare was rattling on about in Sonnet 20, not the pretty “youth” as I have consistently argued against, but time in the form of the sun. I split the sonnet down the middle for the analysis which people will ridicule if it ever gets to print. Should really get to the allotment toaday as I am off on holiday tomorrow, so, I reckon, footy first – Liverpool V Burnley (crucial match for Liverpool) then cycle to the allotment, mess around a bit, cycle on to the gym for a run (it’s pissing down) and home for more writing and other stuff.
March 11
Introduced a new character to my book in the last chapter, as I don’t know what I am doing I’m not sure whether this will work or not, however, as I am the judge and jury as to whether it does or not then it depends on me. Solipsism is not over-reliant on input. Good workout at the gym yesterday so just Pilates this morning and then off to Majorca for a bit of sunshine. Got BT sport on my computer so I won’t miss out on footy.
March 12
There have been two serious aircraft crashes in the last few months, all involving the death of passengers and crew. The aircraft in question is the Boeing 737 something or other, the new one that all the airliners are buying. The last one crashed in Ethiopia two days ago. Countries around the world have stopped flying the aircraft. One of the last ones to take of was the chartered Tui holiday flight to Palma Majorca with me on it. Anyroad I’m here safe and sound and its a bit breezy, not sure yet about getting back. Man City waltzed past Shalke in the Champions league. 400 words.
March 13
There is a lovely walk along the promenade that develops into a nature reserve up to a promontory, so that’s on the agenda for today. Done about 500 words and the ending is in my mind, not as sure of this last chapter as I might be, we’ll see.
March 14
Liverpool won, beat Bayern away from home 3-1, great performance, that makes all four teams in the quarters, wow! Lovely day today, went to Palma on the bus, long journey but a really nice place, got voted by the Sunday Times as the best place to live in the world in 2016, I can see why! 500 words
March 15
Not a lot on the agenda today, nice weather and a day by the pool…lovely. 900 words. 6k run along the promenade.
March 16
Keep thinking it’s finishing day and another 500+ words and still a bit more to do, like they way it comes together though. Took a few photos of horses the other day and I have been sketching them, probably post a couple. Warm day today so a bit of yoga in the gym then it’s a lazy day by the pool.
March 17
Finished, 78,779 words. Editing starts now.
March 18
Off for a 20+km cycle ride in around Cala Bona, and it is cold, yesterday was round the pool and it was too hot to spend more than about 10 mins in the sun, today – in Majorca – I was as cold as I can ever remember being. It feels like icy pins and needles, I think it’s the breeze, it seems to be blowing from the north, anyway it is absolutely brassic.
March 19
Still cold in (not so) sunny Majorca, and now it’s raining too. Thought about going to visit Deya on the north west side of the island but there doesn’t seem to be any transport to get there. It is a pity that because Robert Graves is one of my genuine life-gods and I would have liked to get the feel of his home, it may now never happen as I don’t know when or if I will be returning to the island. It might be that I will visit when I am a really old man then we can have a proper chat. Gym then and then a few coffees in Cala Millor.
March 20
Another cold, blustery day so got the bus to a market town called, uhm forgot, actually just googled it, it’s called Sineu, very pleasant place but much the same markets as everywhere really, loads of stalls down quirky side streets and an amazing church. Then it rained hard so it was a bit of a wash out. Got the bus back after a couple of hours. Shakespeare Quarterly rejected my analysis of the sonnets, unsurprising if I am objective about it, but always a slight disappointment. Nevertheless that project will continue, right or wrong (or grey in between) I have to write what I feel and make it readable. The academic journal industry is rigorous but not necessarily the right forum for throwing about some quirky ideas, especially about the god himself. First bit of editing on the book is going okay, bit insular all this paperback writing.
March 21
Last day today and it is still only 12-14 degrees with an icy wind so it’s wrap up time and a walk up to the headland. Did a yoga session in the gym yesterday and a bit of rowing, home tomorrow and, honestly, I’m ready for it. Probably the last of this kind of holiday for the foreseeable.
March 22
Well then back to Blighty. Early flight which is far better, so back and sorted in order to watch England in the Euro qualifiers, I would say the best England team I have ever seen, playing without fear and what a lesson that is – skill, application, practice, perseverance and courage – who can beat that combination? well the Czech Republic couldn’t that’s for sure, they lost 5 – 0. Southgate played the young lads, well done! Allotment today and out in the garden, it should be very pleasant this year, lots of interest and plenty to do. Might run later or even tomorrow.
March 23
Just getting back to the normal routine, up early get a bit of editing done, then all the other stuff…Spanish guitar (going well), painting (yep) PS4 golf (FedeX cup rookie finalist, amazing!) and the allotment. I will post the pictures of the spring flowers on the main page and it is looking very good. Watched a bad action film with Ben Afleck about a special forces team that rob a drug baron in the Brazilian jungle, terrible.
March 24
Getting plenty of work done on the home garden and that is looking good too. Plenty of work to do with seeds, pricking out, containers and so forth, all good stuff. I am enjoying the editing in a different way than the initial writing, I have to maintain a sense of patience and think of it as qualitative, still not sure if is any good, there are glimpses though and, overall, I think it might hang together.
March 25
Did a long run last evening, a straight hour which, if I run at about 7k an hour is an obvious distance. I’ve tried the Garmin and don’t see the point, if you know how fast and how long then the calculation is easy. Gym this morning, Pilates and swim, then straight to Monday bridge competition. England play tonight, hope they maintain the brilliant play.
March 26
Well England maintained the amazing style of play and won with ease after an early goal from Montenegro. The match was punctuated with unforgivable racist chants from their supporters directed against our players, what an anachronism, why is it not illegal, worldwide? Victory in something else as well…bridge! As beginners we are still only just expected to compete without too much embarrassment, and to politely finish last. Well we didn’t comply and, I think, the mood around us changed from welcoming the new kids to who are these guys! it’s really funny and grist for the writing mill. As for that I’m still editing which is interesting because the quality increases (hopefully). The ideas are stacking up for the next projects so there is no shortage of possibilities. Spending a lot of time in the garden as well.
March 27
Guitar, editing, bit of painting and a few jobs round the house. Bridge lessons in the evening…only three to go now and we are out of nursery school and, properly, in with the big kids, ooh eer!
March 28
Nice sunny day today so I’m off fishing on the lodge…see ya!
March 29
Full on day. Got up early to do a bit of editing, it is going slower than I thought but that is mainly because other things are happening. It is important, of course, but the chances of it being published are very slim so it has to be balanced. Anyway, phew! cycle to gym, 7 k run in an hour, yoga, cycle back, driving range for an hour or so and then moving 12 bags of manure and an hour plus of gardening. Still feel like I should do a bit of sketching or something…probably will!
March 30
Days rest today, just done a bit of editing, probably do a bit of gardening and so forth, also Man City V Fulham, a rout probably.
March 31
Bit full on at the minute, clocks went forward last night so it is earlier than it should be, thanks Scotland! Off for a country walk today with the rambling club, only doing the B walk today mainly because it sounds interesting. It is the Bronte Way, ie part of the path they took when thinking, drawing or just doing stuff, starts in Haworth. Going to get out in the garden when I get back.
February 8 2019.
As good a time as any to start a diary. Gym day so got up at about 7 am to get a bit of writing done. I write everyday, always first thing and then usually read through in the afternoon or early evening. Well into my first fiction book and has been a pleasant surprise, I actually enjoy doing it. I tend to work the scene out over breakfast (always just fruit) an give myself the first couple of lines as a start then, off we go. I think it’s good but who knows?
Oats, dried fruit and seeds about an hour before the gym. Cycle down to the docks along the river, takes about twenty minutes. Run on the track, some stretching, yoga class, swim, hydro pool, sauna then home. Cycling home is hard sometimes but you do feel good afterwards. BMI, blood pressure and BPM are all fine. Fit as a flea.
Waiting to hear if my Shakespeare article is going to be published. It’s being peer reviewed at the moment by Shakespeare Quarterly which is a high ranking journal. I think it will be a bit of a coup if it gets through because it is a contentious essay. I am continuing with the project – analysing the Sonnets – regardless of whether it does or not.
Playing PGA golf on the PS4, I never undervalue the benefits stuff like this can give you, makes you concentrate like hell for one thing. I might be overstating the case here but I think it helps me play the real game better as well. Why not? pilots use computer simulation and F1 drivers use gaming all the time. Anyway I really like it, and I’m heading up the rankings so back off!
Just watched a film, The Dinner, good actors and the plot was well worked but too monotone in its depiction of rich Americans making a pigs ear out of life. No painting today, nearly finished one but its too much like the others. I’m going to try a different style over the next few weeks, don’t care if it works or not, something usually comes from trying new stuff. Bought some ink pens from an art shop for £2. Guitar practice is going well, learning some Spanish and classical pieces, thousand hours each one should do it.
February 9 2019
10.08 am, morning writing done. Looking forward to watching football on the telly this afternoon, Burnley v Brighton, don’t like Burnley. Also Rugby Union, Scotland v Ireland, hope they both lose. I do seriously respect the skill, effort and monumental presence of mind that it takes to become a professional sportsperson, and then to go on and be an international representative, phenomenal. I met an England Bridge player last week and. I know, people will think oh it’s only a card game, well I don’t think like that and I told her I was proud to meet her, and I meant it.
You might think that’s a game that doesn’t require much kit – bridge that is not rugby – and, of course, it does, with an infrastructure to match. It is impressive though, at our club we have computer programmes with print out facilities, automatic website updates, linked bridge calculators on every table, bidding boxes, and much more. All absolutely essential. Unlike kit in other pastimes, cycling being one.
I have an acquaintance who likes bicycles, as I do, although we like them, I think, for different reasons. I ride mine virtually everyday, got rid of the car years ago because they are shit, and if I need to go somewhere it’s bike or bus. My bike is not worth pinching, it has a wire basket on the back that holds a big bag of compost or anything else I need to get to and fro. Appearances can deceive though because my bike is in very good nick, regularly serviced, reliable and with properly pumped up tires. It can get up hills. My acquaintance has four cycles with a fifth in pre-purchase. The cheapest is, I think, a thousand pounds, and the newest one around six thousand pounds. She doesn’t get to ride them as much as she would like to because she works a great deal. The better bikes are only taken out when the weather is perfect so obviously not in the rain. They all look the same to me, like the business cards in American Psycho. Hobbies and kit, big industry, buy the newest and best and you will be like the professionals – you won’t.
Just walked to the village for some orange pekoe loose tea and artisan bread (red onion and Parmesan, freshly baked on Saturday morning). On the way back I saw a pelaton of guys out on their bikes, always wearing Lycra for extra speed on the downhill. Can’t think what they would do if they needed to get a bag of spuds from the shop on the way home.
1 September 2019
Off to Manchester to help Katie edit her dissertation for an MA degree at the University of Manchester. This is a top university and she has done very well, she has a good chance of a distinction which would be a superb higher degree to the first class undergraduate qualification she already has. Daniel and I had a great day yesterday, we chatted about lots of things, he is super smart and very well tuned to the game of life.
2 September 2019
Haven’t managed to do much over the previous few days apart from the third edit so, today, I’m staying in to do a bit of catching up. Autumn is moving in so is is a good time at the allotment, lots of produce and some lessons learned for next year. Going to get a greenhouse soon which will help propagation and over-wintering. Biggest and brashest sunflowers on the site, of course.
3 September 2019
I can feel days inclining to indoors as the weather changes. Still predominantly focused outside – garden, allotment, fishing, golf – there is a good balance inside – writing, guitar, art, reading. Over winter the emphasis will change to indoors and I intend to take up digital photography as another pastime. All in all it keeps you interested and busy. Its yoga this evening and I might nip to the allotment later to tidy things up a bit. Looking at buying a greenhouse too…my first one!
4 September 2019
Windy weather I like the least, Doors slamming without a temper behind them, plants blowing all over the place, rain lashing about in all directions, what is there to like. When the BBC goes to Scotland they show the glorious white beaches of somewhere or other and, of course, it is like that sometimes, but most often it is not, its windy, grey and drizzly – and in winter its bitter-cold too. So I don’t like it. I’m not buying a greenhouse. I have some shatterproof glass salvaged from the old shower unit which is ideal so I am going to extend the cloche type structure I am growing tomatoes and salad crops in round the back of the summer house. Use the stuff you’ve already got is not a bad mantra for the coming age of planet saving. I will run for president. Katie got her MA dissertation in then went to a swanky restaurant to celebrate.
5 September 2019
Off to the allotment earlier than usual, well about 10.30 which is daybreak for me these days, grass cutting rota again so a bit of strimming and then a bit more at weekend. Nearly ready to try the river for fishing, all set with the tackle and looking forward to a spot of trotting, maybe in the next few days. Off to bridge this afternoon although not yoga tonight, just feels a little too much, I do give it a right go when I’m there and I feel that one day recuperation isn’t quite enough. Trying a new art technique this afternoon, ink blots.
6 September 2019
The other day, the rainy, windy one, I watched the first classic film of the season. I don’t fail to appreciate the brilliance of domestic tele-visual entertainment, sport obviously, and the good extended dramas, such as the brilliant one of the moment, Succession. And then the films. Another wet and windy day, cold too, so, with the writing done, the guitar plucked, the art sketched, grab some lunch an Earl Grey and pick a classic. A Matter of Life and Death was very good indeed. The obvious romantic trope cloaked fairly heavy sub-themes which made it all the more interesting. You can’t forget that the war was just over and things were in the mix.
7 September 2019
Did watch a film, not a classic, that’s the thing with Netflix you get drawn to something else – but a good one nevertheless Wildlife with Katie Holmes, bit of a predictable story, breakdown of a young family against a backdrop of a Montana forest fire, but good acting and cinematography pulls the standard up. Played golf as well, the weather cleared up allowing 13 holes of twilight. Hit the ball okay and, in essence, that is all golf will ever be, not much thought required.
8 September 2019
England 4 Bulgaria 0 Euro qualifiers we look good against very average opposition. Just done a trig-point Pilates class, different, a bit like an hours gentle yoga with a good massage thrown in, worth doing again for sure. Called in at the allotment on the way back ith a couple of plants bought for the garden next year. The idea is to cultivate them at the allotment, flowers, perennials and shrubs, then transplant them when and if needed, should work okay. Gardening has been good this year.
9 September 2019
Packing for Italy. Off to Lake Garda on Thursday for 10 days, the weather is good over there so that, together with a small suitcase, means the job will take me about twenty minutes. The rest of the day is sketching, guitar, messing about and, this afternoon, another good film. England lost the Ashes to the Aussies, fair play too they deserved it, we under-performed. Football tomorrow evening when I get back from my first outing on the Ribble.
10 September 2019
Didn’t do as much editing as normal this morning and I’m not doing much else either. It is a fine day and I am going fishing. Da Vinci said always look to nature for truth.
11 September 2019
Strange football match last night, England V Kosovo in the Euro qualifiers. They scored after 17 seconds then we put five back at them before half time. It looked like it could be a proper rout, they then put two in after the break, Kane missed a pen, Sterling hit the post, we missed half a dozen good opportunities and it ended up 5-3. Fishing on the Ribble went well, pleasant ride on the bike from the allotment all the way to the peg. The trotting method worked up to a point but I do need to hone it so it is always under control, a decent bag of dace and roach with a bit a cast.
12 September 2019
On the train to the airport off to Lake Garda, weather over there is early 20’s, bit of cycling, canoeing, looking about etc. Great deal too, like Bezier, end of season in a mobile home for about a hundred quid plus transport, probably do a move from place to place at the back end of next summer. Doing some editing on the train too, not a bad way of pickling your onions.
13 September 2019
Well got here fine and dandy off to the lake for a look round then off to Lidl for the provisions, probably go for a swim after, maybe in the lake. It is very pleasant here and the weather is lovely.
14 September 2019
Phew! just got in from a great but long day. Went to the Sigurda Gardens which have been voted the best in Italy and one of the best in the world. Yes they are impressive and truly historical in lineage but, like Versailles perhaps, of more dramatic, formal interest than the scope and variety of planting. The bus on the way back couldn’t get into Peschiera del Garda for two hours because of a triathlon event but it got us halfway and we walked the rest, about 10km through glorious Italian countryside and back into the town along the river, fab.
15 September 2019
Still doing a bit of editing, outdoors on the decking at half eight in the morning, fresh coffee and shorts, wonderful. Off on a long ferry ride to Malchesni which is a fair way up the, very long, lake. The boat calls at a few stops on the western side of the lake on the way back and takes a whopping four hours to do so, gets back in about eight.
16 September 2019
Grand day out, maybe it was the weather, or the sensational views, or the ambience of the place, or even the Italian ice cream, as good as it gets might have just got better. Cycling back up the lake to Bardolino today on a hire bike, it’s about 12 miles and its very warm, so its shirt off time.
17 September 2019
Day round the pool. As I have mentioned this holiday was so inexpensive it could be considered the next stage after free. If you pay through the nose your expectations are raised incrementally as is the potential for disappointment. This is Lake Garda, one of the most beautiful places in the world both for natural scenery and the cultural infrastructure. Put me in a tent on the lakeside and I will be happy. This is better than a tent, probably three star hotel class pool area, facilities on site, and accommodating that is, for me, preferable in many ways to a spanking bedroom in a swanky hotel (don’t tell anyone… hehe!)
18 September 2019
On the bus from Peschiera to Verona. Standing all the way which wasn’t ideal but, of course, worth it on arrival. If there is such a thing Verona is a typical northern Italian, thousands of years of heritage in a sublime setting. Got caught in a thunderstorm at the top of the high viewpoint.
19 September 2019
Boat across to the western side of the lake, perhaps less popular than the eastern but, nevertheless, very beautiful, how could it be otherwise? Sirmioni is a great place to visit, plenty of tourists about (hmm, I’m one) but gorgeous nonetheless. Ambient is perhaps the word best fitting, you just don’t feel rushed into pressing the day forward, sit down, have an ice cream, soak it up. Took the boat further round the lake coast to Desvenzano which is a bit more of a residential town but who wouldn’t want to live there, I ask you.
20 September 2019
Petal tourism, don’t miss out on what is under your nose. With this in mind it’s a saunter round Pesciera del Garda. As expected it is seeped in history, but like the other places it is alive and changing with it’s heritage. The walled moat is used and full of water with boats and wildlife – it was even used as the swimming leg of the triathalon – round the back of this is the Austrian army barracks and garrison, together with some well maintained Roman archaeological digs. This is now incorporated into a delightful square with a couple of pleasant places to eat and drink. Great place as a base for exploring the area or just to stay in.
21 September 2019
Packed and ready for off. The plan today is to kill a couple of hours in Pescheria before the catching the train to Bergamo, easily done. The plane is the last one into Manchester so that leaves a full day sightseeing in the old city of Bergamo before catching the shuttle bus to the airport.
22 September 2019
Off home but not before experiencing the delightful Bergamo, what a vibrant city, yes tourists (many Italian sightseers) but the old city is exquisite. I know nothing about architecture but I am beginning to appreciate the aesthetics of environments like these. Not just the majestic buildings made for worshipping the life-hater Christ, but the alleys and courtyard, balconies, shops, pavements and walls. There was music, dancing, kids having fun, cars that looked like dinosaurs, flowers, life.
Bit of a drag getting back, about an hour delay at Bergamo airport which was enough to miss the bus back, the next one was at 3.50am and, because of lousy customer service infrastructure, you are never sure it will come, got to bed at about six in the morning. A few hours kip was enough so, a few little jobs later, its off to the allotment to pick some produce.
23 September 2019
Off to the tackle shop for a few bits and pieces the straight to the Ribble for a days fishing. I’ve been thinking about methods during the holiday and I’m going to try a few new tricks, nothing major, but it is usually good to try something new.
24 September 2019
Good days fishing. Like I said I tried a couple of new things and they seemed to work, I measure stuff now not necessarily by achievement, ie in fishing terms how much I catch, but just as much by how I complete the doing of it. This relates to how clear, or not, your mind is. Fishing, like golf, and like a lot of things, is easily affected by blockages in the mind, you might, for instance become clumsy or jerky which results in tangles or a fluffed shot. You might just as easily think you are getting really great at whatever you are doing and be about to award yoursel a Blue Peter badge. Both states are best avoided and, if you can, you are getting a bit Zen. It’s why the Japanese do the tea thing. Anyway it was a good day with a good catch.
25 September 2019
Still editing my first book, the process is slow but I don’t feel like I can (or want) to go any quicker, what for? I have got some ideas for the next two or three and by the bit by bit method is gratifying, otherwise whats the point? Off to the timber merchants today to order some wood for the new cold frame. Still haven’t got a greenhouse so this will have to do, although, with the new allotment – full plot size – coupled with the decision to stay in Preston there may a strong possibility of one there.
26 September 2019
After bridge its off to the theatre, well the cinema actually, to watch a National Theatre Live broadcast of One Man Two Guvnors with James Corden. That’s a misnomer too, the live bit, because it is a re-showing of a production from quite a few years ago, he’s a big star in the US now is Corden but this is the show that really made him, it received stellar reviews at the time so it has to be worth a visit.
27 September 2019
The plan was to go down to the allotment to sort out my tackle for the next session on the Ribble, however, it is well and truly pissing down so its a miss on that one. In straight contradiction I will probably have a go at constructing the new cold frame, the wood has arrived from the timber merchants so I’ll crack on with that. One Man Two Guvnors was genuinely funny, first class entertainment all round.
28 September 2019
Another rainy day, not cold though, or windy, so I’m going to carry on building the greenhouse/cold frame round the back of the summer house. The other one, which the new one will replace, worked well but I built it ad hoc so this one should be better, and twice as big.
29 September 2019
Going to Valley Road allotments this morning to have a look at another plot. The allotments are adjacent to the existing one so it should be very convenient, full size plot too and there is a choice of two. Sad, but whoopy!
30 September 2019
Decided to take the smaller of the two allotments on offer, although it is still a fair bit bigger than allotment 1. The site itself, next door to the other, is not as well maintained but it has advantages, mains water and a toilet block being high on the list. A communal orchard is a great plus too. The plot is next to a stream and is at the outside edge of the site with a plot to the west side but nothing facing. It isn’t completely open to light on all sides but there is much more than adequate to grow any crops chosen. So, the first job is to tidy up.
1 July 2019
New month and more of the same. England cricket team beat India to keep their world cup hopes alive, glad about that as it makes things more interesting. Up early editing and off to Manchester this morning to catch up with Katie and Adam. Daniel will be working as he has now finished his undergraduate degree and has got a full time job, spoke to him yesterday and he is doing well. Katie has a new house, I helped them move a couple of months ago, and it will be nice to see how she has settled in, Adam will be going back to Leeds soon so it will be good to see him too.
2 July 2019
Adam came back with me from Manchester to spend a few days with his mum in Preston. He acquired a bike which he intends to take back to Leeds so he can get about better – and cheaper – when he goes back to Leeds for his final year at Uni. He asked me to help with the bike because it had a puncture and needed a general look over which, of course, being a dad, I did. We had a great day, I fixed the bike up and we went to Halfords for a helmet and some other bits, had coffee and paninni and went for a bit of a ride. Nipped to the allotment afterwards to do a bit of watering and back home for the semi final of the WWC.
3 July 2019
Dramatic match, disallowed goal and a missed penalty, by us, in the final minutes. Overall, however, we just weren’t strong enough in key areas and didn’t look like we should win, and we didn’t. Oh well, next. Off to the Lakes to mess about in a Canadian canoe, lovely day so it should be great. Done the editing first thing, like every morning.
4 July 2019
Grand day out yesterday, pleasant weather, nice and calm, perfect for paddling. Got to Hawkshead ferry and hired the sit on kayak, which came as a surprise because they wouldn’t hire a Canadian canoe out if you couldn’t explain how to do a deep water rescue, what? Anyway it turned out to be even better, more manoeuvrable, quicker and comfy. Meeting Adam today at the gym for a workout and hydro pool etc, after bridge.
5 July 2019
Up and at ’em early again, what for I’m not sure because I’m not doing anything else today, apart from the usual stuff that is. Writing is going well and I’m enjoying it, no pressure, I would rather produce two good paragraphs than twenty poor pages. Bit of guitar, drawing, gardening etc. It was great to see Adam again, we had a good work out at the gym and hydro pool after, both lads are well into applied fitness, martial arts and climbing, good to see.
6 July 2019
I have just answered the door to two fellows, a middle aged one and a younger one, selling God. They asked me if, given the news and such, if I was worried about the future. I told them I don’t follow the news as such and it can’t be as bad as the news used to be, so, if I did follow the news closely, it would seem to be getting better. The older chap then asked if I was worried about the environment. I explained that this too seemed to be improving, the general advent of electric transportation and specific traffic exclusion in our area of Penwortham are both very encouraging. What about polar bears coming into towns scavenging for food? he retorted (he did) I haven’t encountered any I responded but I will certainly be on the lookout. They left a little cheerier than they arrived I thought.
7 July 2019
Summer is panning out quite pleasantly. Went to the allotment yesterday and some things are slower than last year, courgettes in particular, but others are doing very well. The soft fruit is growing well, as are the fruit trees, more soft fruit next year definitely. Onions are big and healthy looking as are the spuds, although I have yet to dig the first batch. Sweetcorn is in but still small and the cut flowers are looking good with the sweetpeas already producing. Different year different approach. Please with the progress on guitar, repetition and practice, everyday.
8 July 2019
Nice day again, warm enough and calm so off to the lodge for a days fishing, done the editing and practised guitar, do a few bits at the allotment when I get there for my tackle then that’s it for the day. Up very early tomorrow as it’s Dan’s graduation from Manchester University, 5.30 rise and shine.
9 July 2019
It went very well. Got to Manchester at 7.30 and met Dan and Adam outside the university at 8.00. Went for the cap and gown got a coffee and into Witworth Hall opposite for the ceremony. Met Katie afterwards and had a drink and a bite to eat, good day, he did well.
10 July 2019
Giving yoga another break this week, and I’m not going to run either. It does set your mind this exercising lark, you feel you have to, that it’s bad if don’t, when actually – if you do quite a lot regularly – I strongly believe in taking a good rest, doing it is not that easy though. Not a lot else today, usual stuff. The cycle tour of the Netherlands has now become a petal tour around Lake Garda in the middle of September.
11 July 2019
Put a screwdriver well into the palm of my hand while trying to fix a door handle, deep bleeding isn’t good and I thought it might need to be stitched up but I think I’ll get away with it. Played bridge at the golf club and tried to concentrate while holding the cards in one hand and clenching a pad to stop the bleeding with the other. The barman fixed it temporarily with on of those big blue plasters that catering staff wear. Watched England get through to the final of the World Cup (cricket) by annihilating Australia, great to watch. They play New Zealand in the final who, remarkably, beat India when they looked down and out. Those Kiwis are superb competitors. Art is going well, as is the guitar, thinking about learning to read music in the winter.
12 July 2019
I like it very much. The time that is, real wealth, not feeling pushed and pulled in this world of connecting energies, just taking your time. No end result to it, just enjoying the doing, the process, trying to get better, thinking about how to get better, trying not to let my head fall when it doesn’t.
13 July 2019
The hand has stopped bleeding which means I don’t have to go and get a stitch, obviously good news as that would be a right pain. Bit of gardening today at home, always something to do, shifting round, tidying up, making it better. Comparing it to what other people do, which on the whole is very little, it does look fantastic, but I don’t compare much now, no point really. Don’t feel that much better from taking a gym break so I’ll just get into it again next week, might go for a run tomorrow.
14 July 2019
Channel 4 are showing the World Cup Final (cricket) on normal telly so I’m watching it. England V New Zealand, what a chance for our lads to wear the crown, anything can happen in sport, and sometimes does, but this should be a win if we play loose but with concentration.
15 July 2019
The World Cup Final (cricket) was the most incredible sporting climax I have seen. Watched all of it and it captivated from the start and never let up. We won and lost it a few times as, of course, did the Kiwis. They are great those people from that nation and I would like to visit the country one day, what sporting mentality, always competitive, always on the ball.
How can people get to retirement and then find they have nothing to do, or they can’t fill the time or, incredibly, they miss working. let’s have a look at this. School, exams, more school, more exams, bigger schools, harder exams, schools with degrees, employment, career, better career, more money, higher status, power, long hours, commitment. Then you’re out. Then what? For what? For who? Prisoner gets released after 20 years then bangs on the door crying to be let back in. Not fucking me, I tunnelled out.
16 July 2019
Still trying different ways of drawing and painting, the one below is a quick sketch of a pot in the garden, outlined with ink, and coloured with simple watercolour on dry paper. The next one I will try will be an outdoor seascape with boat, grey wash, white crayon and graphite powder. As with any of it the freer you draw the better it tends to be. Still eager to start the short stories but I do need to finish the editing first, patience and steady work.
17 July 2019
First yoga practice after a two week voluntary lay off, brilliant. So good, it has to be the best exercise surely. You need the aerobic stuff and the strength training but cycling and walking everywhere, gardening properly, and the occasional run does this in spades. Yoga though does other stuff, reaches the other parts. Had to kill a wasps nest, felt a little bad about it but it was right outside the front door so didn’t have much choice really. Going to the allotment later this evening when it’s a bit cooler, might have the evening meal down there, and a brew.
18 July 2019
Good day! Planted a new Japanese maple tree and baked some bread, date and walnut, wholemeal, and sun dried tomato.
19 July 2019
On the opening hole of the British Open, on a course he knows so well, Royal Portrush on the northern coast of Ireland, Rory Mcilroy shot an 8. He missed an 8 foot putt for par on the 12th and then, being over casual, missed the 2 foot par putt. He double bogeyed the 18th finishing on 8 over par. Golf is a cruel game. It’s raining heavily today so we have decided not to play, I can’t decide if I’m glad or not, If I play well I am left with the feeling I could have done better (remember those fat shots) and if I have a stinker (like last time) I won’t want to play the game ever again, for about a week at least. Normal activities today minus the gardening, although saying that I might take some cuttings sort them out in the potting shed.
20 July 2019
Mmm, I could really take to this doing less malarkey, well they say less is more don’t they. Off to the allotment, do a bit, pick some veggies, cook ’em, watch the golf, read some Shakespeare, have a shower, night night.
21 July 2019
Just enjoying the summer, bit of pottering round the garden, sketching in the summer house, had an ice cream, watched the final round of the open – Shane Lowry won I didn’t think he would – and played guitar. The kids have had a falling out but they will come round I’m sure. Not sure what to do tomorrow, the weather is getting hotter, on the one hand I would like a round of golf, but then again another chill out day is beckoning.
22 July 2019
Golf is on, later in the day, hope I play better than last time. Penwortham golf club is a different course to Southport links, a mature park course, so we will see. The weather is getting warmer, just such a great life getting up, bit of breakfast cup of tea, spot of editing, look at what’s going on in the daft world, coffee, read a book, do some sketching, walk to the village, have a bit of dinner, potter round the garden, have a snooze, play guitar, water the plants, tootle about a bit more, then relax!
23 July 2019
Played 12 holes at Penwortham on an idyllic evening. Rang up the club as the website wasn’t showing evening golf times but the pro said they were definitely doing it, four hours before sunset for thirteen quid, as many holes as you can play. Best I’ve played I think. Daniel advised me to relax and enjoy it so I did, no real dud shots and some screamers, one or two pars and some one overs, fab.
24 July 2019
Great weather, this really is like a holiday everyday, maybe better because work is not lingering. Saying that it’s grass cutting rota at the allotment. Very warm weather so it’s better done later in the day so probably five or six o’clock. Tomatoes are doing really well, ‘outdoor girl’ variety.
25 July 2019
Very hot, past 30 degrees and humid. Bridge this afternoon but probably give yoga a miss this evening as heavy thunderstorms are predicted so I will just have a session at home instead.
26 July 2019
Glorious morning so off for a round of golf at Southport Old Links. Hope I play better than last time I played there when it made me cry, try not to let that happen again. I played quite well on Monday at Penwortham so I just want to concentrate on my ball striking which, when I put my mind to it, isn’t bad. We’ll see.
27 July 2019
Yep played well, consistent, the odd dig in the ground but overall a nice round, pleased. Pissing down today as it usually does when the school holidays start, what a caper that is making sure the kids are happy etc, thankless task eh. Not a lot going on today, nip to Booths for some essentials, making some more ice cream – coffee and date – get the paper and have a read. Do a bit of sketching this afternoon and play a bit of guitar. Editing the book is slower than I anticipated but I feel it is the right pace, it is important that I know every paragraph is okay, the combined whole may be donkey shit (I hope not) but it has to be as good as I can do, and that takes time.
28 July 2019
It’s Sunday so normally not much going on apart from the usual stuff, however, being retired from wage-work means that days are not defined into weekends or beginnings. This means that, to an extent, there is no need to follow a routine that is not of your own choosing. In other words what do you feel like doing on a given day rather than what do you think you should be doing, big difference. Anyway I’m off to the gym for a pilates class and a swim, see ya!
29 July 2019
Nothing in this really, just an observation, but some TV dramas have got very good indeed, to the extent that conventional two hour films have to be exceptional to compare. I think it probably started with extended productions such as The West Wing. The Sopranos, Band of Brothers and there have been so many since then, Recently, Big Little Lies, Billions, Chernobyl, The Bureau, and many more. These, together with the sport means telly is fab. Off fishing today, the weather is grand so off I toodle, not doing anything else either, done the editing which is as essential, it seems.
30 July 2019
Went fishing yesterday, they are demolishing Vernon’s factory which I think has status as a site of historic interest, but probably only to me. Everytime I pass the Victorian monolith I imagine the throngs of past people milling about doing the things everyone still does. These places, terrible in some ways, were nevertheless tangible communities with infrastructures of culture ingrained through them. The lodge will be filled in soon, probably, very sad too, and despite protestations about the wildlife that it supports – kingfishers, dragonflies, fauna, flowers, swans, moorhens, kestrels, pollinators, and the fish stocks, this will not matter if houses are needed and there is money to be made. The picture below was taken earlier in the year.
31 July 2019
Taking it easy today, just the usual stuff, going to the theatre tonight. Pedestrianisation is edging towards being introduced and the village of Penwortham, which is what it will be known as, will become an even more desirable place to live. Investment in the shops, cafes and bars is heavy with lots of refurbishment being done, the old art deco library is now an arts centre and everything is geared towards the day the cars and lorries stop, which is soon.
May 1 2019
6.30 up and off to Manchester to help Katie move into her new house. I know it’s going to be hard work as they live, at present, in a flat up five flights of stairs without a lift, deep joy when you have a bad knee, and especially when Dom used to be a in a Kid British and still has most of his stadium sized amplification! Used the trip to walk fast to and from the stations, about 8 or 9 miles as training. Spurs were lucky to get away with losing 1-0 to Ajax although I think they will still get through to the final.
May 2 2019
Bit of a hard day yesterday, lots of moving boxes and gear together with walking to the stations and back but it was a good day, Katie loves her new home and it is lovely, Dan helped with the move as well. Liverpool got soundly beaten by Barca although they played very well, just one of those things. Not trained for a few days. Part of this is because of the chesty cold but also I am going to do less of the formal fitness training in future and get more rest time. It does get into your head – the fitness thing – but what is it for, actually? Surely it is to make you feel good, which I do, and fit, which I do, but you don’t want to get obsessed by it because then it’s just another passion that gets a grip on you. Going for a day out in Southport.
May 3 2019
Still editing, I know it’s a slow process but again who’s time scale am I working on? I think it’s good too, not fussed if anyone reads it, not the point of doing it really. Obviously if it gets internationally lauded then I’m not going to complain but I have a low level of respect for most peoples opinions so who cares. I am enjoying trying out new painting methods, this is a daily thing too, not a bad way to tickle through life.
May 4 2019
Trip to the allotment. Same as usual really, making sure the netting is up, putting some red cabbages in, weeding, all in all plenty of work to do. It’s definitely outdoors more and more as the weather gets better. Decided to stay put in Preston for the foreseeable, can’t see a justifiable reason for moving, apart from the grass being greener that is, which it probably isn’t.
May 5 2019
Up early editing, painting, etc also reading Troilus and Cressida. Not that many Shakespeare plays to go now and, guess what? I’ll start them all again. I am aware that I would like to continue with my analysis of the Sonnets, this will come in time, and I am certainly not deterred by the rejection of my article, it was a wild punt anyway. Just about to go for a long run as preparation for the Manchester 10k which is on 19 May, planning to run to Longton Brickcroft and back which, in total, is 6.6 miles.
May 6 2019
Did the run and, yes, it was not easy, but next time it will be easier, that’s how it goes I think. Man Utd have serious problems at the end of the season, complete lack of effort, skill, organisation and, well is there anything else? Don’t know how Ole will fix it, he seems to lack any ideas of gravitas. Pilates this morning, then allotment and back. Maybe golf towards the end of the week although the weather is a bit chilly. Fishing next week on the lodge as the weather warms up.
May 7 2019
Proper retirement and no car, not saying it guarantees happiness – how can it? – but it certainly takes the hard edges off. Been experimenting with painting/drawing etc trying intuitively to find a style or at least a fluidity, not just to be representational but, also, being lively to making the image look right, fine lines.
May 8 2019
Lost at bridge again, although we are only first year finishers playing against experienced players we land an occasional pop on their noses, much more learning to be done and then it will be time to take charge. Liverpool V Barcelona at Anfield 0-3 down and only pride to play for against one of the best teams in history. They destroyed them. Man City V Spurs I described as the best match I have ever seen, this one was outrageously good, the atmosphere in the ground must have been astonishing. After the victory the team lined up with the manager – arm in arm – and sang with the Kop, sensational and so well deserved. Spurs V Ajax tonight to decide the other finalist. Did another 10k today on the treadmill, fairly comfortable, body felt strong but the mind wants to give up about half way. Everything else is good, Adam comes home from Spain in about two weeks, he is ready to come back as he realises England is bang on.
May 9 2019
Three football matches, each one surpassing the last, tears streaming down the faces of fans – both sides, different tears – and down the face of the Spurs manager Mauricio Pottichino. They won, it did not seem possible, but they won. Liverpool V Tottenham Hotspurs, Champions League Final, June 1, 2019, Madrid.
Normal stuff today, done a bit of editing, started a new painting yesterday, allotment later on today, guitar. Legs are not aching after the second 10k run in 4 days and, in fact, I think it may even be having a beneficial effect on my left knee, it seems to be strengthening up with running, we’ll see.
May 10 2019
Supposed to be playing golf this afternoon but it doesn’t look likely as the weather forecast over Southport is poor, not to worry plenty to do. I’m going to learn a new Spanish guitar piece, my playing is improving noticeably given the application of the tried and trusted method, practice, practice, practice. Good yoga class this morning, Fridays teacher is always trying new things out which is the right way to do it, I think. Mondays Pilates is very good but it is the same every week and, again I think, the body gets used to the same exercises, with diminishing benefit. On the whole though it’s all really good and I have to say I’ve never felt better. Editing still on the go page 75.
May 11 2019
Had a lazy morning which, for me, means up at 6.30 editing, read Shakespeare after that (with a nice coffee) play some Spanish guitar (going well) round of PS4 golf and eat some food in between. It’s now half past two and I’ve watched Football Focus – never got time to do that in the working years – so its off to the allotment to plant some veggies and do a bit of sorting out.
May 12 2019
Probably go for a run today, the Manchester 10k is a week away and I could probably do it now, but a couple of extra training runs wouldn’t do any harm. Weather is turning nice so a bit of fishing next week as well.
May 13 2019
Life may be getting a bit predictable, but in a very good way. The sun is shining and I am off to the allotment to do my bit on the grounds, mowing and strimming. No time scale I will go when I feel like it and come back when I am done.
May 14 2019
Same as yesterday really, up early editing, bit of other stuff, then off to the allotment to finish off. My fishing tackle is at the allotment so I might go and get some bait on the way then, when I am finished, go for a few hours on the lodge.
May 15 2019
Not going to the gym this week, the weather is great and, in all honesty, things can get a bit samey, so not going, or bridge either. My week to do the mowing at the allotment and I will finish the strimming off today, got to admit it looks good, hopefully the standard will be kept up, if not I’ll just do it again. Produce going in and its all going well, nice place to be too.
May 16 2019
Going for a bike ride towards Southport, glorious day, done some editing – about 500 words a day not much I know but it is every day – and feel like I should be outside doing stuff, so I shall
May 17 2019
Yep, same as it ever was, up early editing, guitar, bit of potting and a full game of golf at Southport this afternoon, good weather again.
May 18 2019
Day before the 10k in Manchester, done a 5k this week and was comfortable about it, what is it after all doing a bit of a run, I’ve done the training and I will keep it up, may even step it up, we’ll see. FA Cup final today Watford V Man City, I’m predicting a romp for the best English team ever, football though, bloody hell! Couple of hours on the allotment before that, going to take a few snaps and update the Growing Stuff page.
May 19 2019
Off to Manchester to do the 10k run I’ve been going on about for a bit, I’m feeling good, the weather is okay and the train I was going to get has been cancelled…ho hum…I’ll get the next one and stand all the way there then.
May 20 2019
What a great day! Thousands of people in Manchester, fantastic atmosphere all for lots of good causes. We met at Katie’s food bank who I was running for and Dan came to cheer me on too which was great, Adam is still in Spain but he would have been there I’m sure. Started my run at 2.30 and kept a steady pace throughout, there were actually showers that you could run through which were invigorating. Finished in about 1 hour 11 minutes which I am very pleased with, probably do some more of this it’s fun.
May 21 2019
Got a cycle holiday planned for Wednesday and I’m still a bit sore from Sunday, I reckon I ran harder than I thought I was doing because it hurts! Allotment today and sorting the seedlings out so they will be okay for the few days that I am away.
May 22 2019
Getting disillusioned with bridge, played last night and came last again, the worst thing is I don’t know how to improve or where it’s going wrong…actually the worst thing is if it’s worth the effort to find out, probably not. Off to Wales then on the bike, first stop Liverpool via Southport, so off we tootle!
May 23 2019
Great days cycling yesterday and a good apartment in Liverpool. Ferry across the Mersey today and around The Wirral ending up in Chester, really good this so far.
May 24 2019
Fabulous apartment in Chester, this is the way forward, rather than hotel rooms or b&bs, like a home from home. Heading towards Wales today and it shouldn’t take long as the Welsh border is only a few miles along the River Dee. The idea is to cycle as far as the map leads and then just edge towards Prestatyn as niftily as possible, there might be some not so nice road cycling to do though.
May 25 2019
Got there! Penwortham to Prestatyn by cycle in three days and nice and relaxed too…for the most part. Got the train back to Manchester from Prestatyn and then, what do you expect, the trains are down with electrical faults outside Leyland, whizz! Just about squeezed on a Trans-pennine, nose-to-nose, with my bike knocking into everyone, I actually felt quite calm and relaxed standing the whole way, at least it gave my arse a rest. Talking of rest not doing a lot today only the normal things, allotment, guitar, writing, painting etc phew! only woke up at 9.30 so I must have been tired.
May 26 2019
Going to have more of these in the future, days off that is, the house is a very pleasant place to be so be in it. As with a great deal in this material jam don’t ignore the good stuff under your nose. If there is a point to life, a telos, then it might just be relaxation. But never confuse this with laziness, relaxation is hard won. Along those lines Adam is back from his year in Spain, very hard for him to do that, but he did it, respect.
May 27 2019
Allotment and not a lot else. Gardening is great though, flower garden and veggie growing, equally good, fab process that rewards with how it makes you feel. Nothing is completed only the new feeling everyday together with the pleasure of doing. Saw Peter Lawrenson in Booths – an old friend from school who has an adjacent plot – and he recommended some (very) expensive marmalade which he insisted was both sensational and actually good value. I bought it without hesitation and he was right.
May 28 2019
Yep another easy day, went to a new yoga class in the evening, really good and hardly anyone there, better than during the day I think, especially in summer.
May 29 2019
Europa league final tonight, two English clubs fighting it out for the honours -Arsenal V Chelsea, kinda want arsenal to win because they are the slight underdogs, could be a good game as well. They are playing the match in somewhere out at the back of beyond, Kazakhstan or something, probably because someone has took a bung somewhere down the line, doesn’t matter to me though I’ll be watching it on a nice big screen HD Tv after tucking into veggie sausage (home made) mash, peas and gravy. Went to the garden centre today, bought some new planters for the summer house, a couple of geranium, two trailing fascias and a hanging basket, hardly spent anything this year on the garden, that’s the biggest purchase of the year, apart from the spring mulch.
May 30 2019
Bit of the usual stuff, guitar, painting, gardening. Bridge at Penwortham golf club, yeah okay but mmm. Yoga in the evening very good, new class again, great to change the routine. Shocking UEFA final, the organisation was a disgrace all round, Chelsea were too strong for Arsenal, as I thought, won it easily.
May 31 2019
Pottering about in the morning, golf in the afternoon at Southport. Not as keen as I once was at playing golf, probably reached the limit of what I want to do with the game which is to get round sometimes good, sometimes not so good, however, like bridge, I am increasingly uncomfortable with the feeling after a game that it wasn’t much fun, bad aftertaste. Keeping an eye on that.
February 10 2019
Okay here’s the theory. First thing in the morning the body has gone it’s longest time without a drink – which in itself proves that you don’t need to ingest as much water as you might think. Lots of fresh fruit. Its full of water, it’s full of good stuff, it tastes great and it’s got good calories to get you going.
However, I am going wall-climbing with my son Daniel today so I will need some energy calories, therefore…
Soaked in milk overnight this is a mixture of seeds, dried apricot, figs, prunes, dates and oats. This will keep me going, then we will get a bite to eat in a veggie cafe in Manchester. Probably won’t do a lot else when I get back, might be early evening, done 500+ words this morning and I will read through later.
February 11 2019
Nice day, sunny, makes the cycle to the gym pleasant. Pilates first, a swim, something to eat, then the bridge club for the Monday afternoon game, 1-4pm. Cycle back and finish the writing off, it feels like it’s drawing towards an end so I want to free it up even more, not make it too neat.
February 12 2019
700+ words which I will read through later. Gulp! think I just agreed to do a 10k charity run for the foodbank in Manchester that my daughter works at. Coincidentally I have recently started trying to run again and it seems okay (I am about 3 stones lighter so it should be) but I would rather it were a 15 mile hill walk, you’ve got to say yes though haven’t you? Didn’t do too well at bridge yesterday but we will get good, the other teams have been playing for years and we haven’t finished beginners lessons yet. Seeds to be planted today for the allotment, check out the web page for updates…and don’t get over-excited by it all!
February 13 2019
Got home from Bridge lessons after 10pm last night and watched Man Utd get well beaten at home by PSG, not good. Writing was a bit slow this morning but it picked up and went okay, same old story (bad pun!) you just have to keep going and keep at it, over 700 words and nearly 60,000 in total. Also I had an idea for a short story about the lost art of reading mood through cigarette smoking, maybe eh? who knows. Not doing anything much today, going into the village for one or two bits, then I feel like doing some art. Probably going to try a different technique today with dipping pen and ink. Training run twice round the park, don’t know how far as I haven’t got one of those smart watches. I jog slowish and it felt like about 45 minutes.
February 14 2019
Got to fix my bike before I go to the allotment – lovely sunny day by the way – as the front brake is not working properly, should be straightforward. Spurs beat a very good Dortmund side in the Champions league 3-0 last night. They were good last year but fragile and lacking in belief, great to see that barrier out of the way, great management. Got a new idea for a long essay, might even make a shortish book, non-fiction, starting the research today to see if there is anything in it. Dipping pen worked great!
February 15 2019
Phew! that was a tough one. Cycle to the gym, lovely day, 30 minute run (forgot my Adidas so I had to run in my cycle trainers) few pull ups and a bit of a row, yoga class (1 hour) swim to cool down and the cycle back. Gardening tomorrow. Got up early so the writing was ready to read through when I got back. Watching True Detective and just about to start the new series of Das Boot, the older one is extremely good. My gym gear fell off the bike on the way home and I though I had lost it – I hadn’t – so I am treating myself to a new Arden Shakespeare with the money that it would have cost to replace it all.
February 16 2019
Bought two, Troilus and Cressida and Timon of Athens. Going to get all the Arden pretty soon they are the only books I am adding to, the rest – a few Beatles books, Schopenhauer, and a few history reference works are all I have, don’t see the point of having lots of stuff in the age of downloads. Spent a few hours in the garden, lovely day and it feels good to have a sort out and a tidy for spring. Loads of things coming through, took some rooted cuttings of blackcurrant and climbing hydrangea for the allotment. 700+ words, bit of art work, and just about to watch Brighton v Derby in the FA cup.
February 17 2019
Just got back from the fortnightly walk with Central Lancashire Ramblers, sounds a bit old and sad but it is really good. We get all over the north west and Wales with a coach pick up and return virtually on the doorstep, for £12, can’t beat it. This one was up and around Pendle Hill which I am amazed at never having climbed. I walked with the B+ group which today did just ubder 10 miles and about 2000ft, the A party does more than that but they do bomb round, I suppose I could do it but can’t convince myself why I should. I did push on a bit up Pendle though, quite quick. Bit of writing when before the evening meal and maybe a bit more before bed.
February 18 2019
Busy week this one. Off to Birmingham tomorrow to a camping show, looking to buy a super-lightweight tent and other bits and bobs for cycling/walking tours. Spending the night over and then a day round the city on Thursday. Today is the usual, gym, pilates, yoga and bridge I want to get a run in as well on the treadmill to assess distance/speed. Chelsea v Man Utd in the FA cup tonight so a definite watch. 500 words.
February 19 2019
800 words. Got an idea for the title too, Don’t Explode Into Space from the song lyric of course, I’ll see if it fits at the end of the book which should be in about 6 weeks. Going to Majorca in a few weeks so I will either finish it there or start the process of editing. I have got another idea for a collection of lightweight stories set around the rambling club, just thought of the title now… Walking Heads that has got to be snapped up by the BBC!
Driving range this afternoon, getting ready for the new season which is approaching rapidly, decent improvement last season so I want to build on that. Two old courses went bust last year, Stanley Park in Blackpool and Fishwick in Preston, played them both and it’s an awful shame, but sign of the times eh. Potting some plants up this morning.
February 20 2019
Trip to Birmingham for the camping show at the NEC, looking for the latest in superlight tents with the intention of cycling tours and walking trips. Think I’ve seen one which I will probably buy in a month or so, weight is only 1kg, 4 season and more room than you think. 450 words, night over in Birmingham at a Staycity apartment, really good quality for the money.
February 21 2019
Day out around Birmingham today, looks like a city on the up. Car-free infrastructure being built ready for the near future driverless revolution. Just having a mooch round really although there is an exhibition on the museum of Da Vinci’s drawings, that is worth the trip in itself. And there is a big T K Max. 350 words, going to write the sex scene when I get back, or tomorrow.
February 22 2019
700 words. Good writing, I think, 63,000 words in total and I have an idea how it might draw in. The scene where two of the main characters have sex for the first time is the beginning of a real love story, the opening of the novel is when she is dying, the next scene he finds her dead…the rest of it has to be filled in by the reader. There are a few light moments in the book but this should add a touch of pathos, hope so.
Birmingham was great, what a city! bustling, thriving, loads of diversity, feels like a good place. Went to the museum, saw the Da Vinci’s and the Pre-Raphaelites, all great. And saw a tent that is going to be right, as well as all the other bits and pieces. So cycle/camping hiking/camping is on the cards this summer.
February 23 2019
Off to the allotment to put some planters in place for the tomatoes. Everything is looking good, should be a great season, all the beds are composted now and we will see how the no-dig method works, What a coincidence too! virtually the next plot is an old friend from secondary school -Pete Lawrenson – and he looks just as I remember him. His best buddy, who was also a friend of mine at school was a lad called Ray Kenny who we nicknamed (for some reason) Bohnhoff, who is a character in my book, very strange.
February 24 2019
Just about to go for a run. It’s pleasant where I live, next year the main road will be virtually pedestrianised which will be great as it is a nice little place spoiled by traffic. So I aim to run down to the river and along, cross it at the main bridge, run along the other side, up to the docks, run along that and do the same back. Not sure how far it is, I have a Garmin but I think probably about 3 miles sounds right, I will know by how long it takes and it will be slow and steady. Finished my first ink drawing and I am pleased with it. Seeds are coming up already, things are warming up! 600 words.
February 25 2019
Good run last night, probably about 3 miles, not even aching this morning either. Pilates, swim and bridge competition. I thought we played well but we came bottom, it’s a bit demoralising but it has to be remembered that we haven’t finished beginners training yet and we are playing against some very experienced players. 500 words, going to do a read through now and maybe do some more, might leave it till tomorrow though. Kids are arguing about the Oscars on Facebook…I’ll leave that one alone!
February 26 2019
I’ve been stuck on the analysis of sonnet 20 for a while. It is, I think, crudely misinterpreted for many reasons. Shakespeare at the time he was writing/re-writing the sonnets was in experimental mode therefore the analysis needs to be too, that’s why I am going to split the sonnet down the middle and analyse it that way. Should be interesting.
February 27 2019
Another lovely day and what has it got to offer?… planting giant alium bulbs. Well there are worse things to do. Going to take it fairly easy today, went to the garden centre to order some mulch yesterday and then on to bridge lessons, got home about 11 ish little bit tired so I am mindful that rest also important. Saying that I will probably go for a run tonight. The writing is gong very well, if I get a bit stuck with plot or characterisation a neat trick I have developed is to write around it, ignore it in other words, and let the reader (if there will ever be one) fill it in for themselves. I will know if this works when I do a first full read through in about another month. 650 words and a few tears.
February 28 2019
Going for a cycle ride today, not far, just towards Southport where there is a big charity furniture store. If they have anything interesting I will probably buy it as the summerhouse is being changed to a reading space so a couple of good wicker chairs and a small table would be nice. Not a lot else today, really, 530 words and some more in the offing this afternoon. Going to do some drawing practice as well as working on an idea for a painting based on Giacometti’s stick sculptures.
Michael Leo Parker 