Living Contentedly

Hit the deck at 6 today. Being monday I was well rested after a day off. Gulped coffee and took off up the hill. Was really pleasant conditions, low light but good visibility, the valley floor had small pillows of fog laying there, but on the way back down the hill, the pillows were rising and expanding.  As I ran basically from my door, I added 0.5k  to my usual 4k run. Cuddy dog loved it and despite there being a heap of roos he never chased any. Another bonus of the early start was that it was quieter; no residents off to work cars, and no dogs let out for their morning pee, so no barking mutts.   fog pillows, everyone still in bed.

When I travelled to the doctors for eye surgery followup, I used a train and folding bike combination of transport. I'd used the same bike and various trains to ride in stages from home to convents in Merewether and Coogee in Sydney's eastern quarter. Its a but magic. And yet, I don't count myself as a cyclist, more of a bike rider . I'm also a walker, nearly 12 months ago I walked 1145k on pilgrimage across Spain. But I'm not a hiker, just a walker.  My motives for walking or riding, even riding motorcycles, stems from a green soul. Since little I was tuned in to the planet and the many ways we are destroying it.  So, yesterday, a little early for the doctors, I ducked into the nearest branch of the Maitland libraries, and walked out with this book. Essentially its about how two eco-conscious parents and their two children travel on bikes, camping and foraging for food along Australia's eastern seaboard and hinterlands.  After skipping to the good b...

After an easy running week due to my eye op. I set out to run 10k this morning. As usual the morning light was especially beautiful improved by my vision.  The usual numbers were present and despite my hoping to arrive a little early so I could get a half lap in, I began as usual. I missed The Doctor today, but the bulk of faces are here.  The lake looks nice, a fresh SWr stirring early. I finish easily at my Slow Jog pace in 32min. and immediately head out for another lap. I'm feeling better than I was to start with, but midway through my third (half) lap I feel soreness in the quads. Good! Prolong the pain. I sm stoked to rerun the finish line as the PR elders and regulars are packing up in 1h12m. With a 2-3m lapse during sign off, I'm about the same pace as earlier. Funny, I have trouble stopping. My usual treat follows, a small apple turnover and large flat white, and a gnome.  Feeling grateful. 

A long time love, the Heavenly Twins. A beautifully curvy little girl that I could love aboard.  This is a Sell-The-House and go all in proposition. For this boat, I would do it. The forecast was "cloudy" for today, but I knew yesterday's build up held rain. We're having a light shower.  My plan to ride to town  (Maitland) may be drowned if it keeps going. I have a medical check up after midday, so time to figure it out.  Well I cheated on the ride by taking my bike on the train. The risk of getting wet was high, and I was being wimpy which I really should stop being like that. I read a little of a book by a guy from western NSW who had run across Australia and he reckoned that shedding comfort was a key to becoming better at endurance sports. Anyway karma bit me, the rear tyre on my folding bike has a not-so-slow leak. I have to stop every 15 minutes to pump of back up. But I'm out in the fresh air exercising and haven't gotten too wet yet. I act...

Yesterday was a forced rest, the day after cataract surgery. Which I will say was done on the public sector and was 100% job. No hassles, no pain relief required andy vision is now excellent.  Anyway, today I wanted to get out and exercise without popping my eyeball, so i would have to restrict myself to walking.  I kicked off at the far end of Martin's Creek Road and headed towards the boat ramp on the Paterson River at Tocal. Walking alongside Paterson Road is something I will never voluntarily repeat. Noisy, narrow and dangerous.  At the ramp I met a guy from Stockton. He had a well set up older Cruiser, with a sit-on kayak and a cattle dog cross. But as was evident at the ramp, it was nor possible to launch. The river level was way low, and a sand bar was exposed 10 off the ramp. All around there was mud, and old mate was rightly worried about getting stuck in it. We were chatting away, and am older fellow who fishes from here a fair bit confirmed that the situation w...

Park Run was its usual, highlight of my week. i àwanted to go slow this week cos I got annoyed with being competitive with another old guy. So I began at the back, and even running slow, still did 33'. I really like the positive vibe, and everyone aiming up in their lives.  As usual I got groceries then shouted myself an apple turnover and Micheles coffee. There is always a collection of old guys hovering about, a dead give away as to the quality of the brew. I always feel a bit lazy afterwards, but rose up to work on my bench and pull lantana.  now my workbench.is done, I could make some of these  Sunday was pretty well a repeat, with lantana and fire wood prep. Im working on the road below the driveway and although its nearly impossible to pull roots, running under the road, I am squiggly good about it.  Today, getting to the hospital was the ordeal. I used Sunday timetable and showed up early. Then I came back an hour later there were buses on the rout...