It was suggested this morning by a lovely friend that I was posing!
This morning I posted on Facebook that I had my running kit on and the dear friend was impressed that I was heading out of the door with a hangover. I had to come clean, yes I had the kit on but I hadn't actually said I was going for a run! She suggested I was posing. Indeed I am a poser.
And now I have been caught out. My nom de plume (there I go again, now I'm pretending to be an author) has far more substance with the ending than the beginning. I masquerade as a runner but am far more duck like waddling around the beautiful country lanes around my village.
I drank far too much merlot yesterday and when I awoke this morning there was only one thing for it, I had to get that kit on and at some point I had to get out into the lanes and run it off. I did leave it a bit late as the sun was mighty hot at 11 a.m. I'm not complaining and it was only during the second half of my 7K outing that it began to bother me. The first half passed incredibly quickly and I was actually puzzling over how copious amounts of red wine could possibly give this kind of performance. And then I ran out of steam and the good pace set thus far was wiped out by a recurring need to walk even the slightest of inclines. Never mind, the job was done and I did indeed feel better for the effort.
The first of yesterday's merlot was accompanied by great friends and the most delicious steak I have ever eaten at my current favourite restaurant, Augustus. I'm almost loathe to recommend it as it's not huge and getting a table can be difficult. But should you visit, Richard Guest and the team will not disappoint. A little retail therapy followed and I indulged myself with the purchase of a beautiful green skirt in White Stuff. Far too expensive for sure and I can already hear my Mum tutting whilst she looks at it in great detail wondering how on earth they can charge that for that!
We spent the afternoon in a pavement cafe somewhere in the Med. Oh no hang on we were actually in Taunton but wow it was gloriously hot and a delightful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The piece de resistance of our day was a trip on the West Somerset Railway. Pulled along by a magnificent huffing and puffing green beast through the beautiful countryside a murder mystery unfolded around us. We had no idea what we were doing trying to unravel the clues but had great fun interviewing Mrs Bouffet Carr, Mr Sidney Siding and Miss May Bee. We did correctly identify Miss May Bee as the murderer but we couldn't put together a clear reason why!
All in all I am thoroughly enjoying this glorious bank holiday weekend. Sadly tomorrow I have to do the VAT. I hope it rains. All good things must end!
Sunday, 26 May 2013
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Blue Sky Thinking
No idea what that means but as I was running up through the woods this afternoon I was mesmerised by the glimpses of glorious blue peeping through the canopy. It was a perfect afternoon for a mind clearing run and boy did I need a mind clearing run.
I kind of erupted in a massive explosion of anger yesterday. Sadly Mr B bore the brunt of this outpouring. Unfortunately, at one point he suggested I ought to chill a bit, the volcano spewed forth more ugly shouted words accompanied by much foot stamping, with the odd sorry thrown in for good measure to let him know that it was just bad luck that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time to be in the path of this hot and dangerous flow.
Work has been flat out this term, no time to stop for a moment. Mostly this is fine and if you want something doing be sure to ask a busy person to make sure it gets done. But, and it's a big but, there is only so much a person can do and sometimes, just sometimes what you're asking for you could do for yourself. I do love my job, I like very much to be busy, but oh for a space with a lock on the door!
After work things went from bad to worse. I visited my mother in law at the home where she lives. Mr B and me are desperately trying to make life good for her, she has dementia. She can be argumentative and every sentence she speaks starts with no. She can be very rude to the staff and the other people she lives with. Sometimes its very difficult to work out who or what she is talking about. Visits can be very stressful and we're not far into this evil disease yet so anticipate that things can only get worse. It is all too hard. I spent four hours with her, chatting, keeping her company over tea, sorting out with staff yet another infection, fetching and delivering the required prescription and persuading her to take a bath and helping staff so that she would.
I tried extremely hard driving home to extinguish my negative thoughts of how she continues to dominate our lives. But I failed.
I had a much better day today, off timetable at work to meet and greet candidates arriving for interview. I spent time with a colleague I rarely get chance to chat with and because the sun was shining I raced home after work to kick off my too high for work posh shoes, pull on my comfy trainers and headed out the door.
Tomorrow is another day...
I kind of erupted in a massive explosion of anger yesterday. Sadly Mr B bore the brunt of this outpouring. Unfortunately, at one point he suggested I ought to chill a bit, the volcano spewed forth more ugly shouted words accompanied by much foot stamping, with the odd sorry thrown in for good measure to let him know that it was just bad luck that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time to be in the path of this hot and dangerous flow.
Work has been flat out this term, no time to stop for a moment. Mostly this is fine and if you want something doing be sure to ask a busy person to make sure it gets done. But, and it's a big but, there is only so much a person can do and sometimes, just sometimes what you're asking for you could do for yourself. I do love my job, I like very much to be busy, but oh for a space with a lock on the door!
After work things went from bad to worse. I visited my mother in law at the home where she lives. Mr B and me are desperately trying to make life good for her, she has dementia. She can be argumentative and every sentence she speaks starts with no. She can be very rude to the staff and the other people she lives with. Sometimes its very difficult to work out who or what she is talking about. Visits can be very stressful and we're not far into this evil disease yet so anticipate that things can only get worse. It is all too hard. I spent four hours with her, chatting, keeping her company over tea, sorting out with staff yet another infection, fetching and delivering the required prescription and persuading her to take a bath and helping staff so that she would.
I tried extremely hard driving home to extinguish my negative thoughts of how she continues to dominate our lives. But I failed.
I had a much better day today, off timetable at work to meet and greet candidates arriving for interview. I spent time with a colleague I rarely get chance to chat with and because the sun was shining I raced home after work to kick off my too high for work posh shoes, pull on my comfy trainers and headed out the door.
Tomorrow is another day...
Sunday, 12 May 2013
The Boys Are Back In Town
In more ways than one!
I was up bright and early, well early, maybe not quite so bright and was out of the door just after eight. It was minty fresh and I didn't wear my dayglo jacket. Best thing to do, get running and get warmed up. Last weekend I managed an 8.5 mile outing, I didn't run all of it but i was delighted to be back out there pounding the lanes and pavements. Today's run entailed more running, less walking but about half the mileage of last Sunday.
I was delighted to spot the return of the swallows, near to their usual spot but as their farm has had recent building works and new occupants including a big brown labrador they were further down the lane and I wasn't able to work out where they are nesting. I only saw one swooping low over the lane and hedge but there's no mistaking that elegant sweep of wing. Truth be told I saw them first two weeks back at Taunton Races. Several of the magnificent little creatures were feeding on the wing along the race track. Fortunately not when thundering hooves were galloping through.
Yesterday Mr Burgess and me had a relaxing day off. Not having any plans for the day we played our left right game to see where we would end up. One of my turns led us to turn north onto the M5. Mr B decided he didn't wish to visit Bridgwater so we carried on until a brown sign suggested Clarke's Village. Being a grey and drizzly day and that I had a few bits and bobs to buy we turned off. Next a bright yellow 'look at me' sign advertised a massive antiques and collectables fair at Shepton Mallet. Mr B made a quick phone call to Pilgrims at Lovington and our day was favourably planned.
First stop, a spot of shopping. Gentlemen, look away now. I have always considered myself perfectly capable of buying the correct size for my upper undergarments but I have recently had difficulty in getting the fit right. My lady lumps do increase and reduce regularly but at this time we are at the former end of the statement and I fear gravity is being very unkind. With a little help I was astounded to discover my band size needed reducing by one size and the cup size upping by three! Dear Lord what on Earth have I done to deserve this? My recent attempt at dieting just will not result in shrinkage of my appendages. A Wonder Bra add with my good self would currently create havoc on the roads!
Lunch at Pilgrims never disappoints although we have only managed to get a table twice before, hence Mr B's quick phone call. I succumbed to fish and chips, not any fish and chips you understand, but by 'eck the best I've ever had. (*Whispers, followed by lemon posset with a blackcurrant compote, shhhhh)
No money was spent at the antiques fair although our eyes were turned by a pair of orange leather and chrome 60s chairs, a glossy brown Italian leather handbag and some 1920/30s glass and rolled gold necklaces. I am now looking at the perfect spot for the chairs and wishing we had paid them a little more attention. I'll not mention this to Mr B.
My next runs are planned for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. There, I've written it, I have to do it!
Until next time I'll leave you with...
I was up bright and early, well early, maybe not quite so bright and was out of the door just after eight. It was minty fresh and I didn't wear my dayglo jacket. Best thing to do, get running and get warmed up. Last weekend I managed an 8.5 mile outing, I didn't run all of it but i was delighted to be back out there pounding the lanes and pavements. Today's run entailed more running, less walking but about half the mileage of last Sunday.
I was delighted to spot the return of the swallows, near to their usual spot but as their farm has had recent building works and new occupants including a big brown labrador they were further down the lane and I wasn't able to work out where they are nesting. I only saw one swooping low over the lane and hedge but there's no mistaking that elegant sweep of wing. Truth be told I saw them first two weeks back at Taunton Races. Several of the magnificent little creatures were feeding on the wing along the race track. Fortunately not when thundering hooves were galloping through.
Yesterday Mr Burgess and me had a relaxing day off. Not having any plans for the day we played our left right game to see where we would end up. One of my turns led us to turn north onto the M5. Mr B decided he didn't wish to visit Bridgwater so we carried on until a brown sign suggested Clarke's Village. Being a grey and drizzly day and that I had a few bits and bobs to buy we turned off. Next a bright yellow 'look at me' sign advertised a massive antiques and collectables fair at Shepton Mallet. Mr B made a quick phone call to Pilgrims at Lovington and our day was favourably planned.
First stop, a spot of shopping. Gentlemen, look away now. I have always considered myself perfectly capable of buying the correct size for my upper undergarments but I have recently had difficulty in getting the fit right. My lady lumps do increase and reduce regularly but at this time we are at the former end of the statement and I fear gravity is being very unkind. With a little help I was astounded to discover my band size needed reducing by one size and the cup size upping by three! Dear Lord what on Earth have I done to deserve this? My recent attempt at dieting just will not result in shrinkage of my appendages. A Wonder Bra add with my good self would currently create havoc on the roads!
Lunch at Pilgrims never disappoints although we have only managed to get a table twice before, hence Mr B's quick phone call. I succumbed to fish and chips, not any fish and chips you understand, but by 'eck the best I've ever had. (*Whispers, followed by lemon posset with a blackcurrant compote, shhhhh)
No money was spent at the antiques fair although our eyes were turned by a pair of orange leather and chrome 60s chairs, a glossy brown Italian leather handbag and some 1920/30s glass and rolled gold necklaces. I am now looking at the perfect spot for the chairs and wishing we had paid them a little more attention. I'll not mention this to Mr B.
My next runs are planned for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. There, I've written it, I have to do it!
Until next time I'll leave you with...
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
The Roller Coaster Run
Up, up, up,
Pant, pant, pant,
UP, UP, UP,
GASP, GASP, GASP,
Stagger, stumble, trip,
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee,
All the way down, down, down,
UP, UP, UP,
Rest, walk, jog,
UP, UP, UP,
And breathe...
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee,
All the way down,
And home.
Pant, pant, pant,
UP, UP, UP,
GASP, GASP, GASP,
Stagger, stumble, trip,
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee,
All the way down, down, down,
UP, UP, UP,
Rest, walk, jog,
UP, UP, UP,
And breathe...
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee,
All the way down,
And home.
Sunday, 21 April 2013
Naughty Boys (and Girls)
Tiger Woods lied. He asked if I was feeling great, I had just completed another 500K so I must be feeling great. Paula Radcliffe lied last week, she said I had completed another 500K too. I don't think my Nike+ chip is working quite right. I had in fact just completed 5.7K today. A hard slog of a slow run. In fact the only thing worth mentioning about todays effort was the amount of time it took for my ipod to connect to the Nike+ web site to upload my stats upon m y return. All those London Marathon runners were far more worthy than myself to get their results logged. Well done to each and every one of them.
In other news...
Two seven year old boys tested my patience this week. Of course they were being inquisitive children and exploring the software we were using, just what we want, being creative and thinking for themselves, but, upon discovery of them being off task I explained again what I needed them to do, why I needed them to do it and the importance of me being able to see that they could do the task so that I could challenge them further with harder (and potentially) more exciting tasks. Clearly this approach didn't work as minutes later they had manage to divert half the class to alternative activities!
Merlin either picked a fight or selected lunch with a creature that was stronger and or bigger than himself. His nose is one big scabby mess and he is not pretty. Max, on the other hand was the victor in his hunting expedition and still doesn't understand that bringing the limp and bloody furry bodies home is not obligatory. In this case i do not need to see what he is capable of. And, he has been wandering in the lane nonchalantly ignoring my shouts and cries to get himself back in the fields. Cats!
The naughtiest boys of my week were on stage at the Bristol Hippodrome. Bare bottoms, outrageous costumes, much rudeness and swearing. What a night. I cried with laughter from start to finish. I sang along with all the songs and managed to resist my constant urge to shout out "I still love you Jason!"
If you have the chance to see Priscilla, Queen of the Desert I urge you to do so.
Until next time...
In other news...
Two seven year old boys tested my patience this week. Of course they were being inquisitive children and exploring the software we were using, just what we want, being creative and thinking for themselves, but, upon discovery of them being off task I explained again what I needed them to do, why I needed them to do it and the importance of me being able to see that they could do the task so that I could challenge them further with harder (and potentially) more exciting tasks. Clearly this approach didn't work as minutes later they had manage to divert half the class to alternative activities!
Merlin either picked a fight or selected lunch with a creature that was stronger and or bigger than himself. His nose is one big scabby mess and he is not pretty. Max, on the other hand was the victor in his hunting expedition and still doesn't understand that bringing the limp and bloody furry bodies home is not obligatory. In this case i do not need to see what he is capable of. And, he has been wandering in the lane nonchalantly ignoring my shouts and cries to get himself back in the fields. Cats!
The naughtiest boys of my week were on stage at the Bristol Hippodrome. Bare bottoms, outrageous costumes, much rudeness and swearing. What a night. I cried with laughter from start to finish. I sang along with all the songs and managed to resist my constant urge to shout out "I still love you Jason!"
If you have the chance to see Priscilla, Queen of the Desert I urge you to do so.
Until next time...
Monday, 1 April 2013
Here I go again...
If I had waited any longer for a headache, earache, sore throat, dizzy, runny nose free day I would be running with a zimmer frame. So it was in long legs, long sleeves and hat and gloves I set out along my faithful and friendly lanes. April Fools Day and this fool is still having dreams of taking part in the Taunton half marathon, not this year and before I'm 50 which leaves me with next April. Come on Burgess, you can do it.
Each intake of icy April air chilled my lungs, no spring sunshine to warm my bones, feathers and fur hiding in nests and burrows. Only R.E.M. to cheer me. Drumbeats matching the pounding in my skull. Half way nose wipe. Feels like a good pace, the stats will tell. To think I was going to stop recording the details, you must be joking, every step to be counted and recorded and pondered upon.
No fair, half way up the hill and I came face to face with the milk tanker beast. This lane aint big enough for the both of us. Can't squeeze by, can't get in the hedge, no reverse gear selected, down I retreat, all the way, right back to the bottom. Cheery wave of thanks, deep breath taken, plod on, plod, on, plod on, to the summit and back to the flat.
Easter Monday lawns being mowed, cars being vacuumed, horses ridden, pub stirring, new union flag flying, a runner, a runner, a runner, quick fall into step behind, last leg, keep going. Too quick for me, keep him in sight at least, not a chance! My home, my lovely home.
It's good to be back x
Each intake of icy April air chilled my lungs, no spring sunshine to warm my bones, feathers and fur hiding in nests and burrows. Only R.E.M. to cheer me. Drumbeats matching the pounding in my skull. Half way nose wipe. Feels like a good pace, the stats will tell. To think I was going to stop recording the details, you must be joking, every step to be counted and recorded and pondered upon.
No fair, half way up the hill and I came face to face with the milk tanker beast. This lane aint big enough for the both of us. Can't squeeze by, can't get in the hedge, no reverse gear selected, down I retreat, all the way, right back to the bottom. Cheery wave of thanks, deep breath taken, plod on, plod, on, plod on, to the summit and back to the flat.
Easter Monday lawns being mowed, cars being vacuumed, horses ridden, pub stirring, new union flag flying, a runner, a runner, a runner, quick fall into step behind, last leg, keep going. Too quick for me, keep him in sight at least, not a chance! My home, my lovely home.
It's good to be back x
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