This one's for Sir Bobby
Nothing more needs saying today
I Fought The LAW (International Version)
This Time with the LAPD
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
You Keep Me Hanging On
This thread was meant to be a glorious celebratory post about Newcastle United winning promotion. However the promotion train was delayed at Peterborough owing to a points failure at Bristol. Yes, the failure of Bristol to take all three points off Nottingham Forest meant promotion was not definitely achieved yet. Newcastle are 15 points ahead of Forest with only 15 points left, so its all but certain.
Nearly There
It makes a change from 11 months ago
After a quiet Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, with no cycling, I went to Peterborough on Saturday to see the Toon's promotion bandwagon roll on. An early start was in order. Out the house for 7am to walk to the train station in the pouring rain. I got to the station only to find there were no trains running all weekend owing to engineering work. Grrrrrrr! So I had to walk the mile or so to the nearest tube station. Guess what, as I arrived at the tube station, the rain stopped. So I was soaked and already running late. Tube to Kings Cross and train to Peterborough where I was met by BTP's finest.
Escorted Out of Town?
Actually, the two BTP police were just walking ahead of me, having got off the same train as me and I was not being escorted out of the station. Well, that's the defence version of events.
A quick rendezvous with some of the lads in Asda and then onto the pub for 10am. Liquid refreshments in several public houses with various friends from many years of following the Toon.One of the lads presented Northumbria's finest with a box of Easter Eggs as a gesture of friendship. (Hope they remembered to declare the gifts received).
The game itself was pretty much more of the usual rubbish, punctuated by a good sing song and the acquisition of a black n white flag - thanks Tom. Sadly, the party was postponed (not cancelled though) owing to the points failure at Bristol City. So its Monday night for the party.
After the game we went back into town for a post match drink. We came across the interesting sight of Cambridgeshire Police and Northumbria Police surrounding a pub to protect the Peterborough fans from the vast numbers of Newcastle fans.
We ended up drinking bottles of The Dog in a Wetherspoons pub in town. I don't drink the Dog unless I've already had a skinful. Looks like I'd had a skinful then.
Travelling from Kings Cross to Liverpool St on the way home, we met a young girl (well about 18) - initially she said she was from Newcastle, but on chatting with her, she is from a tiny hamlet about 2 miles from where I grew up - a small world! Her ambition? To be a topless model!!!!! All I can say is she has a couple of things going for her!
I got home, ordered a Chinese takeaway and then promptly fell asleep on the sofa. I eventually awoke to the delivery man banging on the door to wake me up. I then managed to fall asleep before eating all the food, so it was cold chinese for breakfast - lovely!
Just a quick message to a certain Cockney- just because we are nearly promoted, it doesn't mean the message has changed to you.
GET OUT OF OUR CLUB
Easter Sunday - I delivered the Easter Egg I was asked for. I was told by someone [In the interests of privacy, I won't mention their name - lets call them say Michelle] that they wanted a chocolate egg from Cadbury's. I did exactly as they told me and bought them one of these.
Did I get any thanks? Of course not!
They complained that it wasn't what they wanted. However as I pointed out the instructions I got were not to turn up on Sunday unless: -
a) I came bearing chocolate
b) in the form of an egg and
c) it had to be from Cadbury.
Now I ask you, is a Cadbury's caramel egg not:
a) chocolate;
b) an egg; and
c) made by Cadbury?
I did all that was asked of me. Tell me what I did wrong? Apparently size matters.
Thanks for my Green and Blacks Egg - lovely, but sickly - and not good for the diet.
On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead, and I entered the doghouse - again! I'm sent there so often, by so many people that I'm thinking of changing my name to Fido or Rover. Woof woof
I do have to report that I appear to have strained my knee with all the exertions yesterday. It won't affect my cycling, but it has made it painful to walk today. Not good!
Nearly There
It makes a change from 11 months ago
After a quiet Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, with no cycling, I went to Peterborough on Saturday to see the Toon's promotion bandwagon roll on. An early start was in order. Out the house for 7am to walk to the train station in the pouring rain. I got to the station only to find there were no trains running all weekend owing to engineering work. Grrrrrrr! So I had to walk the mile or so to the nearest tube station. Guess what, as I arrived at the tube station, the rain stopped. So I was soaked and already running late. Tube to Kings Cross and train to Peterborough where I was met by BTP's finest.
Escorted Out of Town?
Actually, the two BTP police were just walking ahead of me, having got off the same train as me and I was not being escorted out of the station. Well, that's the defence version of events.
A quick rendezvous with some of the lads in Asda and then onto the pub for 10am. Liquid refreshments in several public houses with various friends from many years of following the Toon.One of the lads presented Northumbria's finest with a box of Easter Eggs as a gesture of friendship. (Hope they remembered to declare the gifts received).
The game itself was pretty much more of the usual rubbish, punctuated by a good sing song and the acquisition of a black n white flag - thanks Tom. Sadly, the party was postponed (not cancelled though) owing to the points failure at Bristol City. So its Monday night for the party.
After the game we went back into town for a post match drink. We came across the interesting sight of Cambridgeshire Police and Northumbria Police surrounding a pub to protect the Peterborough fans from the vast numbers of Newcastle fans.
We ended up drinking bottles of The Dog in a Wetherspoons pub in town. I don't drink the Dog unless I've already had a skinful. Looks like I'd had a skinful then.
Travelling from Kings Cross to Liverpool St on the way home, we met a young girl (well about 18) - initially she said she was from Newcastle, but on chatting with her, she is from a tiny hamlet about 2 miles from where I grew up - a small world! Her ambition? To be a topless model!!!!! All I can say is she has a couple of things going for her!
I got home, ordered a Chinese takeaway and then promptly fell asleep on the sofa. I eventually awoke to the delivery man banging on the door to wake me up. I then managed to fall asleep before eating all the food, so it was cold chinese for breakfast - lovely!
Just a quick message to a certain Cockney- just because we are nearly promoted, it doesn't mean the message has changed to you.
GET OUT OF OUR CLUB
Easter Sunday - I delivered the Easter Egg I was asked for. I was told by someone [In the interests of privacy, I won't mention their name - lets call them say Michelle] that they wanted a chocolate egg from Cadbury's. I did exactly as they told me and bought them one of these.
Did I get any thanks? Of course not!
They complained that it wasn't what they wanted. However as I pointed out the instructions I got were not to turn up on Sunday unless: -
a) I came bearing chocolate
b) in the form of an egg and
c) it had to be from Cadbury.
Now I ask you, is a Cadbury's caramel egg not:
a) chocolate;
b) an egg; and
c) made by Cadbury?
I did all that was asked of me. Tell me what I did wrong? Apparently size matters.
Thanks for my Green and Blacks Egg - lovely, but sickly - and not good for the diet.
On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead, and I entered the doghouse - again! I'm sent there so often, by so many people that I'm thinking of changing my name to Fido or Rover. Woof woof
I do have to report that I appear to have strained my knee with all the exertions yesterday. It won't affect my cycling, but it has made it painful to walk today. Not good!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Its The End of The World As We Know it
Well, that title may be a bit of an overstatement, but the big boss left his post today as HM Chief Inspector. He was the person who set up the Inspectorate and when it becsame independent of the CPS 10 years ago, he was the first Chief Inspector and it has been his baby since then. With my line manager (one of 2 Deputy Chief Inspectors), having retired last week, it really is the end of an era at HMCPSI. at work.
We had a farewell drink tonight for the Chief Inspector. It is always nice to have a few minutes away from work to socialise with colleagues. It was low key as requested by the leaver.
The new Chief Inspector will not be at the office until 12th April, so wse will have to wait to see how things change. A potentially exciting time ahead, but almost certainly one that will involve lots of change. Will it be for good or bad - only time will tell.
Well, I was in Crawley last night, so only a one way bike ride today. The bloody weather-British Summer time? Somebody better tell the weather machine about that- its freezing, windy & wet.
From the start of next week, I am going to extend my commuting - weather permitting to get some more miles in towards the trip to the US. Its only just over 4 weeks til I go. EEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK - Scary isn't it
We had a farewell drink tonight for the Chief Inspector. It is always nice to have a few minutes away from work to socialise with colleagues. It was low key as requested by the leaver.
The new Chief Inspector will not be at the office until 12th April, so wse will have to wait to see how things change. A potentially exciting time ahead, but almost certainly one that will involve lots of change. Will it be for good or bad - only time will tell.
Well, I was in Crawley last night, so only a one way bike ride today. The bloody weather-British Summer time? Somebody better tell the weather machine about that- its freezing, windy & wet.
From the start of next week, I am going to extend my commuting - weather permitting to get some more miles in towards the trip to the US. Its only just over 4 weeks til I go. EEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK - Scary isn't it
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday
Born on this day
30-Mar
1674 Jethro Tull
1853 Vincent Van Gogh
1930 Rolf Harris
1937 Warren Beatty
1940 Astrid Gilberto
1945 Eric Clapton
1949 Sue Book
1968 Celine Dion
Oh, and one other person
General Events
1842 The first surgical operation using an anaesthetic was performed by Dr. Crawford Long of Jefferson, Georgia to remove a cyst from the neck of James Venable.
1858 Pencils with attached erasers were first patented by Hyman Lipman of Philadelphia, USA.
1867 America bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The 375 million-acre territory worked out at less than 2 cents an acre.
1978 The Conservative Party called in the advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi to give their image and that of new leader Margaret Thatcher a face-lift.
1979 Airey Neave, a British politician, is killed by a car bomb as he exits the Palace of Westminster. The Irish National Liberation Army claims responsibility.
1989 British Airways launched an investigation into how a Boeing 747 had been travelling back and forth across the Atlantic for 3 months carrying a stick of gelignite which police had forgotten to remove after a training exercise.
Born on this day
30-Mar
1674 Jethro Tull
1853 Vincent Van Gogh
1930 Rolf Harris
1937 Warren Beatty
1940 Astrid Gilberto
1945 Eric Clapton
1949 Sue Book
1968 Celine Dion
Oh, and one other person
General Events
1842 The first surgical operation using an anaesthetic was performed by Dr. Crawford Long of Jefferson, Georgia to remove a cyst from the neck of James Venable.
1858 Pencils with attached erasers were first patented by Hyman Lipman of Philadelphia, USA.
1867 America bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. The 375 million-acre territory worked out at less than 2 cents an acre.
1978 The Conservative Party called in the advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi to give their image and that of new leader Margaret Thatcher a face-lift.
1979 Airey Neave, a British politician, is killed by a car bomb as he exits the Palace of Westminster. The Irish National Liberation Army claims responsibility.
1989 British Airways launched an investigation into how a Boeing 747 had been travelling back and forth across the Atlantic for 3 months carrying a stick of gelignite which police had forgotten to remove after a training exercise.
I Don't Like Mondays
Well certainly not true about Monday 29th March 2010. It was a great day for me- not cycling related. Indeed, I've not been near my bike. I was on a course instead of work today. I was doing the first day of a two day MS Access course - learning me how to use the database software. Monday evening I went to the Royal Albert Hall to see The Specials in concert in aid of the TEENAGE CANCER TRUST. They were absolutely fabulous.
For 90 minutes or so, it was 1981 again, the beer belly was smaller, there was a message to Rudy. It was all too much too young. It was a master class from a great band. Even Terry Hall managed to make light of his miserable nature. Could the night get better? It certainly could.....
The Play List
One of the group I was with happened to be a Nottingham Forest fan. He seemed to stop smiling when I showed him the text that said Shola Ameobi had scored for the Toon in the big game tonight. The lack of smiles on his face was only matched by the smile on my face when I got texts from Tom, John and Peter telling me Jose Enrique had made it two nil to the Toon.
The result means that if Newcastle win on Saturday and Nottingham Forest lose at Bristol City, we will be promoted back to the Premiership. Get that champagne on ice - if not Saturday, then surely at home to Sheffield United on Monday.
What a fantastic day
Oh and just to make it an even better day, my boss gave me $100 towards the sponsorship target and others at work contributed another $50 this weekend. Thanks to you all - I'm getting nearer that target.
For 90 minutes or so, it was 1981 again, the beer belly was smaller, there was a message to Rudy. It was all too much too young. It was a master class from a great band. Even Terry Hall managed to make light of his miserable nature. Could the night get better? It certainly could.....
The Play List
One of the group I was with happened to be a Nottingham Forest fan. He seemed to stop smiling when I showed him the text that said Shola Ameobi had scored for the Toon in the big game tonight. The lack of smiles on his face was only matched by the smile on my face when I got texts from Tom, John and Peter telling me Jose Enrique had made it two nil to the Toon.
The result means that if Newcastle win on Saturday and Nottingham Forest lose at Bristol City, we will be promoted back to the Premiership. Get that champagne on ice - if not Saturday, then surely at home to Sheffield United on Monday.
What a fantastic day
Oh and just to make it an even better day, my boss gave me $100 towards the sponsorship target and others at work contributed another $50 this weekend. Thanks to you all - I'm getting nearer that target.
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Things We Do For Love
Another week over, now only 37 days till I set off for the USA. Its getting scary how close the ride is and how little riding I'm doing. Am I going to be fit enough? I'm not to worried about that, but am more worried about my knee as that seems to be hurting a little the last couple of days. I'm not going to let that stop me if I can do anything about it. I've got my anti-inflamatories to take with me if I need them.
Thursday at work saw the end of an era. My line manager retired and had a leaving do last night. There was a very touching and heart felt thank you speech from the Attorney General (see the circles I mix in?). There were also some of the senior members of the CPS and a number of past and present members of HMCPSI staff. It was good to catch up albeit briefly with former colleagues and current colleagues from our York office.
I've still not got a lot of work on at present and indeed have been doing work for inspections I'm not involved with just for something to do. At least it helps others out. That will all change soon though as I'm due to start the preparatory work for a forthcoming inspection- about time.
Today I spent several hours trying to find a birthday present. I know what I wanted, but it took 8 shops before I found one who had the item in stock! About 4 - 5 hours and numerous miles driven to find the item. It did mean that I missed Critical Mass tonight as I was too late to go there after getting the present. The things we do for love ( or to keep the peace - you choose).
The next few days will be different but busy. Tomorrow, I'm at the cycling club in the morning www.lvycc.co.uk and then off to Crawley till Sunday night. Then Monday and Tuesday during the day I'm on a computer course - learning how to use Access databases. Monday night brings a trip to the Royal Albert Hall to see the Specials- can't wait for it. Then on Tuesday night, I'm winging it over to Crawley as its Michelle's birthday.
Wednesday brings a normal-ish day, although I will be travelling via Crawley to work. Thursday is of course Maundy Thursday and a 1/2 day leave for us civil servants.
Easter Saturday - with a lot of luch could be a huge party in Peterborough, but its unlikely to be that day unless the Gods smile on us.
Finally, to end on a sad note. I should have been in Bermuda now instead of typing this, but the BA strike put paid to that prospect - for now!
Thursday at work saw the end of an era. My line manager retired and had a leaving do last night. There was a very touching and heart felt thank you speech from the Attorney General (see the circles I mix in?). There were also some of the senior members of the CPS and a number of past and present members of HMCPSI staff. It was good to catch up albeit briefly with former colleagues and current colleagues from our York office.
I've still not got a lot of work on at present and indeed have been doing work for inspections I'm not involved with just for something to do. At least it helps others out. That will all change soon though as I'm due to start the preparatory work for a forthcoming inspection- about time.
Today I spent several hours trying to find a birthday present. I know what I wanted, but it took 8 shops before I found one who had the item in stock! About 4 - 5 hours and numerous miles driven to find the item. It did mean that I missed Critical Mass tonight as I was too late to go there after getting the present. The things we do for love ( or to keep the peace - you choose).
The next few days will be different but busy. Tomorrow, I'm at the cycling club in the morning www.lvycc.co.uk and then off to Crawley till Sunday night. Then Monday and Tuesday during the day I'm on a computer course - learning how to use Access databases. Monday night brings a trip to the Royal Albert Hall to see the Specials- can't wait for it. Then on Tuesday night, I'm winging it over to Crawley as its Michelle's birthday.
Wednesday brings a normal-ish day, although I will be travelling via Crawley to work. Thursday is of course Maundy Thursday and a 1/2 day leave for us civil servants.
Easter Saturday - with a lot of luch could be a huge party in Peterborough, but its unlikely to be that day unless the Gods smile on us.
Finally, to end on a sad note. I should have been in Bermuda now instead of typing this, but the BA strike put paid to that prospect - for now!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Money Money Money
Well, its getting closer to the date I'm due to travel to the USA.
The theme of the last few days is money, money money.
I've had a few more donations via the website or in person (and paid them into the fund myself). More donations would be appreciated though. So if you haven't given or know anyone who may be able to make a donation, then please help out.
At the end of the ride, I will have about 1 - 1/2 days in Washington DC and need a hotel for the night. I've been trying to price a cheap hotel there. I think I'd have more chance of finding a generous Scotsman. The cheapest I've come across so far is £109 per night and that's 26 miles out of town near the airport. Thanks for finding that Michelle! I've got to do some digging to find something a bit cheaper. £109 is a lot for a bed for one night. Perhaps I'll ask Barack if he's got a spare bed at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Anyone know of a cheap place to stay in Washington?
The theme of the last few days is money, money money.
I've had a few more donations via the website or in person (and paid them into the fund myself). More donations would be appreciated though. So if you haven't given or know anyone who may be able to make a donation, then please help out.
At the end of the ride, I will have about 1 - 1/2 days in Washington DC and need a hotel for the night. I've been trying to price a cheap hotel there. I think I'd have more chance of finding a generous Scotsman. The cheapest I've come across so far is £109 per night and that's 26 miles out of town near the airport. Thanks for finding that Michelle! I've got to do some digging to find something a bit cheaper. £109 is a lot for a bed for one night. Perhaps I'll ask Barack if he's got a spare bed at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Anyone know of a cheap place to stay in Washington?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Born to Run
After my post that was less than generous to the seven who winged their way to Lands End from John o Groats, I must give praise to this man
Running 43 marathons in 51 days and covering 1160 miles is a most fantastic achievement. That is truly something to respect.
Well done Mr Izzard. If you can do that, then I can't even consider not doing 360 miles in 4 days in May. You are an inspiration.
Running 43 marathons in 51 days and covering 1160 miles is a most fantastic achievement. That is truly something to respect.
Well done Mr Izzard. If you can do that, then I can't even consider not doing 360 miles in 4 days in May. You are an inspiration.
Little Britain
Just a quickie today (as the actress said to the bishop)
As I'm typing this, I'm watching "The Million Pound Bike Ride" about Fearne Cotton, Miranda Hart, Russell Howard, Patrick Kielty, Davina McCall, Jimmy Carr and David Walliams cycling John o Groats to Lands End to raise funds for Sport Relief. Good on them for raising money for charity BUT if they don't stop bleating about how hard it is, I'm going to throw the laptop through the TV.
I mean, they are only riding about 26 miles a day each in a relay. They are not carrying their own luggage, they have got a luxury bus and outriders etc following them. Its not hard to ride 26 miles a day. I do at least 25 miles a day and then do a full days work (or am at work) on top of this. I also carry all my kit for work, change of clothing etc. On Monday, I did 30 miles before work, and 30 miles after work.
Starting off on my SOLO LEJoG
These bloody celebrities don't know what a hard day's cycling is. Gethin Butler did LEJoG solo in 48 hours, non stop. These lot took 82 hours riding in a relay of six riders.
Am I unfair on them? I think not. They raised a huge amount of money and deserve credit for that. However, its not hard to do 30 miles a day. Its not as hard as they make out. They also have someone pacing them as they ride. A luxury I only had for 3 days when my father joined me. His pace making included taking a detour from my planned route to find the toughest hill on the whole ride.
With my Father at Carnforth - A Brief Encounter
John o Groats- A Personal Challenge Achieved
Well I've managed another 2 days leisurely commuting, but carrying a considerable extra weight. My mother, brother and sister have been down in London the last two days, so I have met them in Central London for tea each night. This has necessitated me locking my bike up in the street, so I had to take 3 heavy duty locks to secure my bike. This is on top of my usual clothing, tools etc. It was good to see them. They have gone off to a show tonight (Sister Act). They never invited me- but that's probably because "It's only Peter"; isn't that right Jacqui?
I've now only got 44 days to go before my flight to the USA. Its scary how little time there is left.
BTW Greg, if you are reading this, you need to get some miles in if we are to do LEJoG this summer. Time is running out for you to get your training in.
finally to show, i'm not just a grumpy git, here is the link to the sport relief website but instead of donoting to those wimps, go to and donate to my sponsored bike ride.
As I'm typing this, I'm watching "The Million Pound Bike Ride" about Fearne Cotton, Miranda Hart, Russell Howard, Patrick Kielty, Davina McCall, Jimmy Carr and David Walliams cycling John o Groats to Lands End to raise funds for Sport Relief. Good on them for raising money for charity BUT if they don't stop bleating about how hard it is, I'm going to throw the laptop through the TV.
I mean, they are only riding about 26 miles a day each in a relay. They are not carrying their own luggage, they have got a luxury bus and outriders etc following them. Its not hard to ride 26 miles a day. I do at least 25 miles a day and then do a full days work (or am at work) on top of this. I also carry all my kit for work, change of clothing etc. On Monday, I did 30 miles before work, and 30 miles after work.
Starting off on my SOLO LEJoG
These bloody celebrities don't know what a hard day's cycling is. Gethin Butler did LEJoG solo in 48 hours, non stop. These lot took 82 hours riding in a relay of six riders.
Am I unfair on them? I think not. They raised a huge amount of money and deserve credit for that. However, its not hard to do 30 miles a day. Its not as hard as they make out. They also have someone pacing them as they ride. A luxury I only had for 3 days when my father joined me. His pace making included taking a detour from my planned route to find the toughest hill on the whole ride.
With my Father at Carnforth - A Brief Encounter
John o Groats- A Personal Challenge Achieved
Well I've managed another 2 days leisurely commuting, but carrying a considerable extra weight. My mother, brother and sister have been down in London the last two days, so I have met them in Central London for tea each night. This has necessitated me locking my bike up in the street, so I had to take 3 heavy duty locks to secure my bike. This is on top of my usual clothing, tools etc. It was good to see them. They have gone off to a show tonight (Sister Act). They never invited me- but that's probably because "It's only Peter"; isn't that right Jacqui?
I've now only got 44 days to go before my flight to the USA. Its scary how little time there is left.
BTW Greg, if you are reading this, you need to get some miles in if we are to do LEJoG this summer. Time is running out for you to get your training in.
finally to show, i'm not just a grumpy git, here is the link to the sport relief website but instead of donoting to those wimps, go to and donate to my sponsored bike ride.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
New York
Well, time has flown again and I still have not made another post in less than a week.
Since I last posted, I have made some progress in planning my travel to the USA. I have my ESTA authorisation to travel now. A relatively painless online process. Clearly my name is not on the USA no fly list. Who said "Not yet"?
I have decided to fly out to the USA on Sunday 2nd May on the 2025 Virgin flight out of Heathrow to arrive in Newark at 2310 ESB time. This means that on the Sunday, I will be travelling to Heathrow directly from the QPR v Newcastle game when hopefully we will be lifting the league championship trophy. A busy day!
I've just booked my flights as I've been typing this. Selected my seats and ordered my on board meals. Just car parking to arrange now. I'm driving to Heathrow on Sunday morning- leaving luggage at left luggage and parking the car, then going to football. After game, I will come back, collect luggage, drop it off at check in and hit the bar again. Just got to sort out the car parking now!
Am still hoping that another trip before then may come off. It was dead in the water on Monday, but God moves in mysterious ways and it may be back on. Finger's crossed.
Right, cycling news- I've actually managed a couple of longer rides in last week. On Wednesday a few of us from work went for a drink and a curry in Brick lane. The others were suited and booted, with me in lycra. Yes, I cycled to pub and home from Brick Lane. I was determined not to miss out on cycling.
On Thursday, I cycled to / from work as usual and then after that, I cycled 2/3rd of way back to work to attend a cycling club committee meeting.So managed 40 miles on the day.
The weekend brought me travelling round - Home - Crawley on Friday night and back on Saturday morning for the cycling club and the Orient game on Saturday afternoon. Then back to Crawley until Monday morning.
Monday brought me cycling from Crawley to Westminster and back again, a total of 60 miles for the day. It was my longest ride since last summer. A long day, but I loved it. Can't wait to repeat it again. I eventually drove home from Crawley late on Monday night- tired, but very happy. I think I will be cycling to/ from Crawley again on a work day. I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend.
I've had a few more donations in today towards my sponsorship target. Thanks to all those who have donated.
I've also ordered and paid for my cycling kit for the ride. All riders have to wear the Police Unity Tour kit
Work wise, the last 48 hours have been interesting as we published our report on CPS London and it has hit the major press and lots of local press as well as the BBC. The reports are written in "civil service speak" but despite this are still very critical of CPS London- and rightly so. The reports are available online at www.hmcpsi.co.uk if you are interested. I have to confess the reports are rather uninteresting reading. The executive summaries are just about readable.
Since I last posted, I have made some progress in planning my travel to the USA. I have my ESTA authorisation to travel now. A relatively painless online process. Clearly my name is not on the USA no fly list. Who said "Not yet"?
I have decided to fly out to the USA on Sunday 2nd May on the 2025 Virgin flight out of Heathrow to arrive in Newark at 2310 ESB time. This means that on the Sunday, I will be travelling to Heathrow directly from the QPR v Newcastle game when hopefully we will be lifting the league championship trophy. A busy day!
I've just booked my flights as I've been typing this. Selected my seats and ordered my on board meals. Just car parking to arrange now. I'm driving to Heathrow on Sunday morning- leaving luggage at left luggage and parking the car, then going to football. After game, I will come back, collect luggage, drop it off at check in and hit the bar again. Just got to sort out the car parking now!
Am still hoping that another trip before then may come off. It was dead in the water on Monday, but God moves in mysterious ways and it may be back on. Finger's crossed.
Right, cycling news- I've actually managed a couple of longer rides in last week. On Wednesday a few of us from work went for a drink and a curry in Brick lane. The others were suited and booted, with me in lycra. Yes, I cycled to pub and home from Brick Lane. I was determined not to miss out on cycling.
On Thursday, I cycled to / from work as usual and then after that, I cycled 2/3rd of way back to work to attend a cycling club committee meeting.So managed 40 miles on the day.
The weekend brought me travelling round - Home - Crawley on Friday night and back on Saturday morning for the cycling club and the Orient game on Saturday afternoon. Then back to Crawley until Monday morning.
Monday brought me cycling from Crawley to Westminster and back again, a total of 60 miles for the day. It was my longest ride since last summer. A long day, but I loved it. Can't wait to repeat it again. I eventually drove home from Crawley late on Monday night- tired, but very happy. I think I will be cycling to/ from Crawley again on a work day. I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend.
I've had a few more donations in today towards my sponsorship target. Thanks to all those who have donated.
I've also ordered and paid for my cycling kit for the ride. All riders have to wear the Police Unity Tour kit
Work wise, the last 48 hours have been interesting as we published our report on CPS London and it has hit the major press and lots of local press as well as the BBC. The reports are written in "civil service speak" but despite this are still very critical of CPS London- and rightly so. The reports are available online at www.hmcpsi.co.uk if you are interested. I have to confess the reports are rather uninteresting reading. The executive summaries are just about readable.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Home Newcastle
Well, its a while since my last post. Its been a busy few days.
On Saturday 27th Feb, I managed to show my face at the cycling club in the morning, attend the Orient Swindon game in the afternoon and then meet Michelle on Saturday evening to go to see 12th Night by the RSC in Central London. I have to say it was fantastic- thanks for taking me Michelle. When Can we go again?
Sunday brought a much more leisurely day. A chance to chill and enjoy good company - and a day off the bike! In fact, I didn't ride my bike on Monday or Tuesday either! Not a good week for mileage.
I only rode on Wednesday and Thursday, but it was good to get some miles in at a decent pace. Wednesday however brought an incident when I was yards from home. The council are fitting speed humps in the streets round where I live. Their contractors managed to dig 2 channels, some 12-18inches wide and 1 inch deep across the whole width of the road.Then then went home for the night, leaving the holes they had created unmarked and lethal to cyclists and bike wheels. The council and the contractors will be getting the bill for my new front wheel! The roads are bad enough with potholes after the winter weather without the council creating more!
At the end of the week, I took the decision not to sit the New York Bar Exams this summer. I was supposed to receive the course material in January for exams in July. The material has still not been supplied and I will simply not have the time to study for this properly between now and July. I will look to do this again next year when hopefully I will have more time to devote to studying.
Friday brought me travelling up to the North East for the weekend. It was a time to catch up with old friends and revisit memories from the past. Thanks must go to those who fed and accommodated me on Friday - Michelle and Richard. The curry was great Michelle - I'll be back for more. Also thanks to Kev for putting me up on Saturday.
I went to my first home Newcastle match on a Saturday for 10 years when they beat Barnsley 6-1. I spent the hours before the match and immediately afterwards with friend from Barnsley. Shame the hospitality I could offer them is not so generous as that which they offer me whenever I go to Barnsley. Its ironic that the course of the game was changed by the referee- especially the only referee I rate alongside a certain resident of Barnsley for controversial refereeing decisions.At least Barnsley's finest is a real gentleman and a pleasure to chat with - as long as he isn't still trying to convince me he was right those 27 years ago!
Sunday brought me playing the dutiful son and popping in to see mummy & daddy for Sunday lunch. I hope they noticed that I:
a) never brought and washing to be done and
b) never raided the food cupboards to stock up my house.
I then had the long drive back to London, made worse by the seemingly constant roadworks and speed limits all the way from Durham to London. Those yellow boxes on posts seem to flash a lot as my car passed them - are they meant to do that?
Right, what does the next week hold in store.....?Well hopefully I might be able to finalise details of a little spring break. Watch the next post for details if the trip comes off - I just hope you like Barry Manilow
On Saturday 27th Feb, I managed to show my face at the cycling club in the morning, attend the Orient Swindon game in the afternoon and then meet Michelle on Saturday evening to go to see 12th Night by the RSC in Central London. I have to say it was fantastic- thanks for taking me Michelle. When Can we go again?
Sunday brought a much more leisurely day. A chance to chill and enjoy good company - and a day off the bike! In fact, I didn't ride my bike on Monday or Tuesday either! Not a good week for mileage.
I only rode on Wednesday and Thursday, but it was good to get some miles in at a decent pace. Wednesday however brought an incident when I was yards from home. The council are fitting speed humps in the streets round where I live. Their contractors managed to dig 2 channels, some 12-18inches wide and 1 inch deep across the whole width of the road.Then then went home for the night, leaving the holes they had created unmarked and lethal to cyclists and bike wheels. The council and the contractors will be getting the bill for my new front wheel! The roads are bad enough with potholes after the winter weather without the council creating more!
At the end of the week, I took the decision not to sit the New York Bar Exams this summer. I was supposed to receive the course material in January for exams in July. The material has still not been supplied and I will simply not have the time to study for this properly between now and July. I will look to do this again next year when hopefully I will have more time to devote to studying.
Friday brought me travelling up to the North East for the weekend. It was a time to catch up with old friends and revisit memories from the past. Thanks must go to those who fed and accommodated me on Friday - Michelle and Richard. The curry was great Michelle - I'll be back for more. Also thanks to Kev for putting me up on Saturday.
I went to my first home Newcastle match on a Saturday for 10 years when they beat Barnsley 6-1. I spent the hours before the match and immediately afterwards with friend from Barnsley. Shame the hospitality I could offer them is not so generous as that which they offer me whenever I go to Barnsley. Its ironic that the course of the game was changed by the referee- especially the only referee I rate alongside a certain resident of Barnsley for controversial refereeing decisions.At least Barnsley's finest is a real gentleman and a pleasure to chat with - as long as he isn't still trying to convince me he was right those 27 years ago!
Sunday brought me playing the dutiful son and popping in to see mummy & daddy for Sunday lunch. I hope they noticed that I:
a) never brought and washing to be done and
b) never raided the food cupboards to stock up my house.
I then had the long drive back to London, made worse by the seemingly constant roadworks and speed limits all the way from Durham to London. Those yellow boxes on posts seem to flash a lot as my car passed them - are they meant to do that?
Right, what does the next week hold in store.....?Well hopefully I might be able to finalise details of a little spring break. Watch the next post for details if the trip comes off - I just hope you like Barry Manilow
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Shakespeare's Sister
Well, since last Friday's post, no doubt you are still reeling by the news as to the identity of Archie's killer in EastEnders - No? You mean its not the most important event of the year so far. Perhaps you were more upset to learn that joe's body was found in the lake in Coronation Street?
Its been an eventful week in the life of yours truly.
My not so little boy spared me 30 hours of his life to pay a flying visit to London from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. he had to rush off home early on Sunday though as his paramour was cooking tea for him. I remeber the days he used to send 48 hours with me - now of course as he gets older, he can't spare the time for his old man! Actually that's unfair isn't it Tom? He couldn't come down Friday night as he was travelling back from his Great Grandmother's funeral and his leaving earlier on Sunday afternoon was helpful to me, so I could dash over to Crawley to see Michelle. Isn't that sweet, father and son glad to get away from each other to see their respective ladies!
We spent Saturday morning at Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club (www.lvycc.co.uk) where Tom helped out with the coaching whilst I did my bit as Child Welfare Officer and sorted out the bike hire there. Its good to see so many parents now volunteering their services to help with the bike hire, signing on or even coaching. For the first time this year, I was able to cycle to the cycling club and back again.
After getting home from the club, Tom and I chose to go down the pub to watch the Mackems (S*nd@rland) lose to Arsenal on the dodgy foreign satellite feed. Its always a joy to watch them Mackems lose, except when Arsenal make it as boring as that game. Tom & I left the pub with around 15 minutes of the game left as surfing the net at home seemed to be more enjoyable.
We walked home on a clear winter's evening, but within 5 minutes of getting in the house, it started to snow a blizzard! Quite where it came from I have no idea. Ok, I do, I did the weather cycle in geography at school (I prefer the bi-cycle though), but you know what I mean.
Saturday night- a night down the pub with my lad? No, we went yellow label shopping at the supermarkets. (Michelle, that means buying the reduced price goods to freeze them and save money!) I did buy a crate of wife beater for Tom and I to drink at home. However when we got home he told me he didn't want any beer! I disown him - he can't be mine!
Sunday morning brought an early start, out of the house on our bikes in the pouring rain by 0800 to meet up with Drew and Sam for a ride into Central London. The weather was so bad, that for the first time I have ever seen, there was not a soul a Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park on a Sunday morning! Wee only did one lap of Hyde Park, before retiring to Bar Italia in soho for coffee/tea etc. Its the only cafe I know that happily allows you to wheel your bikes into the back of the shop to keep them safe/ dry. I do think 4 bikes is taking the mickey a bit. We'll not have to have club trips there in the summer as that would be over the top if 20+ cyclists try to bring bikes into the cafe. I do recommend Bar Italia in Frith Street for its coffee, food and the friendliness of thee staff. Its better than Starbucks or Costa Coffee, but that's not saying much is it?
The weather was so foul that we rode the shortest way back home. Still that route takes us through the theatre land, past the Old Bailey, The London Museum, Brick Lane etc. A ride around London on a Sunday morning is a great sightseeing trip. We had earlier pased the Tower of London, The London Eye, London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, ridden down the Mall and past Buckingham Palace.
Monday morning brought me a morning at home waiting for the VIGIN MEDIA broadband engineer to arrive for his appointment to fix my broadband. This had been booked the preceeding Wednesday. I left Crawley before 0600 to ensure I was home before 0800 as the appointment was between 0800 and 1200. The fault had been diagnosed the previous Wednesday as a fault with the modem, not the line.
By 1200 there was no sign of the engineer, so I telephoned Virgin who said they had cancelled the appointment the previous Thursday but had not phoned me, "because of the time". Given that phones work 24/7 or they could have sent an email or snail mail, they could not explain why they had not told me of the cancellation.
Why had they cancelled the appointment? Apparently there had been a power outage in the Area and this usually fixes line faults. Given mine had been diagnosed as not a line fault but a modem fault the explanation was a waste of breath. Virgin's solution to this problem? Apparently I have to take another day off work incase they can be bothered to call out again. After much arguiong, they are allegedly coming out this Saturday now between 0800 and 0900 as I toild them I won't be in after this time (I'll be at cycling club!). I'm not holding my breath waiting for them, especially as I managed to get some broadband access, by taking a Stanley knife to the cable and the modem and making a Heath Robinson type repair using sticky tape (Are you watching Valerie Singleton?).
So, I went into work late on Monday afternoon, as I got off the train, I left my mobile phone on the tube! Grrr wouldn't have happened if I had cycled in. " hours were sppent trying to find if phone was found on tube (Thanks for your efforts LU staff at St James' Park :-) ). Then to phone shop to cancel phone. Replacement phone was said to be £500, but remaining cost of contract was only £200. So I agreed to pay up contract, but then T- mobile say that I can't start a new contract as that would mean transferring the number to the same network and that is not possible, so to keep the number I have had to go to a different network. Goodbye T-mobile, hello Vodafone.
Tuesday and Wednesday were uneventful by comparison, with a couple of wet days cycling to/ from work.
Now, what's the title of this thread got to do with this post or anything I hear you ask? Well, on Saturday, I'm being treated to go and see 12th Night by the RSC in London. I am hoping its by the Royal Shakespeare Company and not the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Thanks for the tickets Michelle, should be a good night!
Thanks to those who have recently sponsored me. If you haven't done so yet, then why not?
Its been an eventful week in the life of yours truly.
My not so little boy spared me 30 hours of his life to pay a flying visit to London from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. he had to rush off home early on Sunday though as his paramour was cooking tea for him. I remeber the days he used to send 48 hours with me - now of course as he gets older, he can't spare the time for his old man! Actually that's unfair isn't it Tom? He couldn't come down Friday night as he was travelling back from his Great Grandmother's funeral and his leaving earlier on Sunday afternoon was helpful to me, so I could dash over to Crawley to see Michelle. Isn't that sweet, father and son glad to get away from each other to see their respective ladies!
We spent Saturday morning at Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club (www.lvycc.co.uk) where Tom helped out with the coaching whilst I did my bit as Child Welfare Officer and sorted out the bike hire there. Its good to see so many parents now volunteering their services to help with the bike hire, signing on or even coaching. For the first time this year, I was able to cycle to the cycling club and back again.
After getting home from the club, Tom and I chose to go down the pub to watch the Mackems (S*nd@rland) lose to Arsenal on the dodgy foreign satellite feed. Its always a joy to watch them Mackems lose, except when Arsenal make it as boring as that game. Tom & I left the pub with around 15 minutes of the game left as surfing the net at home seemed to be more enjoyable.
We walked home on a clear winter's evening, but within 5 minutes of getting in the house, it started to snow a blizzard! Quite where it came from I have no idea. Ok, I do, I did the weather cycle in geography at school (I prefer the bi-cycle though), but you know what I mean.
Saturday night- a night down the pub with my lad? No, we went yellow label shopping at the supermarkets. (Michelle, that means buying the reduced price goods to freeze them and save money!) I did buy a crate of wife beater for Tom and I to drink at home. However when we got home he told me he didn't want any beer! I disown him - he can't be mine!
Sunday morning brought an early start, out of the house on our bikes in the pouring rain by 0800 to meet up with Drew and Sam for a ride into Central London. The weather was so bad, that for the first time I have ever seen, there was not a soul a Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park on a Sunday morning! Wee only did one lap of Hyde Park, before retiring to Bar Italia in soho for coffee/tea etc. Its the only cafe I know that happily allows you to wheel your bikes into the back of the shop to keep them safe/ dry. I do think 4 bikes is taking the mickey a bit. We'll not have to have club trips there in the summer as that would be over the top if 20+ cyclists try to bring bikes into the cafe. I do recommend Bar Italia in Frith Street for its coffee, food and the friendliness of thee staff. Its better than Starbucks or Costa Coffee, but that's not saying much is it?
The weather was so foul that we rode the shortest way back home. Still that route takes us through the theatre land, past the Old Bailey, The London Museum, Brick Lane etc. A ride around London on a Sunday morning is a great sightseeing trip. We had earlier pased the Tower of London, The London Eye, London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, ridden down the Mall and past Buckingham Palace.
Monday morning brought me a morning at home waiting for the VIGIN MEDIA broadband engineer to arrive for his appointment to fix my broadband. This had been booked the preceeding Wednesday. I left Crawley before 0600 to ensure I was home before 0800 as the appointment was between 0800 and 1200. The fault had been diagnosed the previous Wednesday as a fault with the modem, not the line.
By 1200 there was no sign of the engineer, so I telephoned Virgin who said they had cancelled the appointment the previous Thursday but had not phoned me, "because of the time". Given that phones work 24/7 or they could have sent an email or snail mail, they could not explain why they had not told me of the cancellation.
Why had they cancelled the appointment? Apparently there had been a power outage in the Area and this usually fixes line faults. Given mine had been diagnosed as not a line fault but a modem fault the explanation was a waste of breath. Virgin's solution to this problem? Apparently I have to take another day off work incase they can be bothered to call out again. After much arguiong, they are allegedly coming out this Saturday now between 0800 and 0900 as I toild them I won't be in after this time (I'll be at cycling club!). I'm not holding my breath waiting for them, especially as I managed to get some broadband access, by taking a Stanley knife to the cable and the modem and making a Heath Robinson type repair using sticky tape (Are you watching Valerie Singleton?).
So, I went into work late on Monday afternoon, as I got off the train, I left my mobile phone on the tube! Grrr wouldn't have happened if I had cycled in. " hours were sppent trying to find if phone was found on tube (Thanks for your efforts LU staff at St James' Park :-) ). Then to phone shop to cancel phone. Replacement phone was said to be £500, but remaining cost of contract was only £200. So I agreed to pay up contract, but then T- mobile say that I can't start a new contract as that would mean transferring the number to the same network and that is not possible, so to keep the number I have had to go to a different network. Goodbye T-mobile, hello Vodafone.
Tuesday and Wednesday were uneventful by comparison, with a couple of wet days cycling to/ from work.
Now, what's the title of this thread got to do with this post or anything I hear you ask? Well, on Saturday, I'm being treated to go and see 12th Night by the RSC in London. I am hoping its by the Royal Shakespeare Company and not the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Thanks for the tickets Michelle, should be a good night!
Thanks to those who have recently sponsored me. If you haven't done so yet, then why not?
Friday, February 19, 2010
Who Killed....
Well, its the end of another week.
A week that has seen me do a 30 mile ride to work on Monday and 20 miles on the way home. My first 50 miles in a day since last summer. I've ridden in the driving snow home from work, cycled in bright sunshine.... Yes, the weather has been variable this week.
I managed 135 miles this week and have to say I enjoyed every minute of it. Its a long time since I rode that far in 5 days. In fact its at least October of last year, if not earlier.
Thursday brought me another physio session. Unfortunately, I'm not sure it has done me any good. The physio had me hoping on my bad leg and doing bunny hops in the gym. Sadly, I think the landing on my knee has done it no good. The knee is hurting me now more than it has for some considerable time. Walking up and down stairs today has been painful, and sods law- the lift wasn't working properly at work and I had to keep moving between floors to speak to people today. Its done my knee no good. I'm sat here typing this after resting my leg since I got home 4 hours ago and my knee is still throbbing and feels swollen.
Thursday night brought a night off the bike and instead a train trip to Three Bridges. A journey I seem to be doing rather often these days. Who'd have thought I'd be happy to travel to the wrong side of the river! It also meant that I got a decent meal and hopefully the clothing I left behind may have been washed by the time I go back! Am I taking someone for granted?
On Thursday, I got my car back from the garage. It went in for repairs over 4 weeks ago! The repair bill is ridiculously high. I could have bought a nice carbon fibre bike for less. Having been without a car for the last 4weeks has made me realise how little I actually missed the car. I used the Aldi at the end of my street for shopping on my way home from work. I was able to use public transport to get everywhere else I needed to. I've travelled to Birmingham, Leicester, Swansea in the last 4 weeks. I've also been able to get around London without it affecting my social life. Those who complain re public transport in London are being unreasonable. I live 1/2 mile from a train station with trains to London every 10 minutes. I am ,1mile from a tube station and live 1/3 mile from a bus route. The buses run 24 hours a day! London does have some benefits!
Right, enough of this rambling. I have to be up early to get to the cycling club in the morning.
What was that you asked? You want to know what the title has to do with anything. Well tonight was the 25th anniversary of EastEnders and the revealed the answer to the whodunit - IE who killed Archie Mitchell. Well the Angelic Upstarts reveal in this song who killed Liddle Towers. Don't worry though, it was not murder of manslaughter, it was Justifiable Homicide - possible the worst inquest outrage in history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liddle_Towers
A week that has seen me do a 30 mile ride to work on Monday and 20 miles on the way home. My first 50 miles in a day since last summer. I've ridden in the driving snow home from work, cycled in bright sunshine.... Yes, the weather has been variable this week.
I managed 135 miles this week and have to say I enjoyed every minute of it. Its a long time since I rode that far in 5 days. In fact its at least October of last year, if not earlier.
Thursday brought me another physio session. Unfortunately, I'm not sure it has done me any good. The physio had me hoping on my bad leg and doing bunny hops in the gym. Sadly, I think the landing on my knee has done it no good. The knee is hurting me now more than it has for some considerable time. Walking up and down stairs today has been painful, and sods law- the lift wasn't working properly at work and I had to keep moving between floors to speak to people today. Its done my knee no good. I'm sat here typing this after resting my leg since I got home 4 hours ago and my knee is still throbbing and feels swollen.
Thursday night brought a night off the bike and instead a train trip to Three Bridges. A journey I seem to be doing rather often these days. Who'd have thought I'd be happy to travel to the wrong side of the river! It also meant that I got a decent meal and hopefully the clothing I left behind may have been washed by the time I go back! Am I taking someone for granted?
On Thursday, I got my car back from the garage. It went in for repairs over 4 weeks ago! The repair bill is ridiculously high. I could have bought a nice carbon fibre bike for less. Having been without a car for the last 4weeks has made me realise how little I actually missed the car. I used the Aldi at the end of my street for shopping on my way home from work. I was able to use public transport to get everywhere else I needed to. I've travelled to Birmingham, Leicester, Swansea in the last 4 weeks. I've also been able to get around London without it affecting my social life. Those who complain re public transport in London are being unreasonable. I live 1/2 mile from a train station with trains to London every 10 minutes. I am ,1mile from a tube station and live 1/3 mile from a bus route. The buses run 24 hours a day! London does have some benefits!
Right, enough of this rambling. I have to be up early to get to the cycling club in the morning.
What was that you asked? You want to know what the title has to do with anything. Well tonight was the 25th anniversary of EastEnders and the revealed the answer to the whodunit - IE who killed Archie Mitchell. Well the Angelic Upstarts reveal in this song who killed Liddle Towers. Don't worry though, it was not murder of manslaughter, it was Justifiable Homicide - possible the worst inquest outrage in history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liddle_Towers
Monday, February 15, 2010
London Calling
Just a quickie today (as the actress said to the bishop).
After spending last night in Crawley and having a night I never expected (more to follow on this in future posts - perhaps!). Today brought my maddest idea of the year so far. I took my bike down to Crawley yesterday so I could cycle from Crawley to work. Its only 30 miles or so. Not too far you say- but factor in, my longest ride this year has been 15 miles and I've not done a 30 mile ride non-stop since last July. Now remember that I've never cycled from Crawley to London and have no idea of the route oh, and I am due to be at work by 0930. Seems not so straight forward?
I set off at 06:00 am this morning in sub zero temperatures and with the roads covered in ice. Oh, did I mention it was foggy as well. I have to confess to wishing I had taken the train, however, London was calling.
As it got lighter, I had progressed faster than I expected. I had allowed myself 3 hours to do the 30 miles, thinking I might need a stop on the way. I managed the 30 or so miles without a stop in 125 minutes at an average of 14.4 mph. I was impressed with myself and celebrated with a nice breakfast sandwich from the cafe next to work. That'll have undone the god work done by my cycling!
Tonight, I cycled home via the Redbridge Cycle Circuit to pick up some papers, meaning I cycled a total of 50 miles today. My knee stood up to the ride with no undue problems.
London here I come
After spending last night in Crawley and having a night I never expected (more to follow on this in future posts - perhaps!). Today brought my maddest idea of the year so far. I took my bike down to Crawley yesterday so I could cycle from Crawley to work. Its only 30 miles or so. Not too far you say- but factor in, my longest ride this year has been 15 miles and I've not done a 30 mile ride non-stop since last July. Now remember that I've never cycled from Crawley to London and have no idea of the route oh, and I am due to be at work by 0930. Seems not so straight forward?
I set off at 06:00 am this morning in sub zero temperatures and with the roads covered in ice. Oh, did I mention it was foggy as well. I have to confess to wishing I had taken the train, however, London was calling.
As it got lighter, I had progressed faster than I expected. I had allowed myself 3 hours to do the 30 miles, thinking I might need a stop on the way. I managed the 30 or so miles without a stop in 125 minutes at an average of 14.4 mph. I was impressed with myself and celebrated with a nice breakfast sandwich from the cafe next to work. That'll have undone the god work done by my cycling!
Tonight, I cycled home via the Redbridge Cycle Circuit to pick up some papers, meaning I cycled a total of 50 miles today. My knee stood up to the ride with no undue problems.
London here I come
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Woman
Well, I've had a weekend away from the bike. No cycling since Friday morning. Instead, I've been down to Wales ostensibly to see Newcastle @ Swansea, but its also an excuse to see some of the lads for a drink and a weekend away. Its also a chance to see and stay in Cardiff with some really good friends. Thanks Lee & Cathy, it was good to see you and the family again.Shame it wasn't so good to watch the football. Saturday was a great day spoilt by 2 x 45 minute spells. Still at least the bar was open in the ground for the first 45 minutes of the game, so we were spared having to watch the 1st half of the game.
Shame Cardiff was full of men in skirts on Saturday night - down to watch the rugby. Too many people for a night out in Cardiff without 30 minute queues to get into every pub.
Shame for the men in skirts Scotland stopped playing 5 minutes before the end of the game. The number of skirts in Cardiff town centre being worn by men was incredible. I've seen less men in skirts at the local transvestite's night out.
Well, I'm sure the title of this post needs no explanation today does it. What could be more romantic than waking up in a different country to your lady. At least I've tried to make up for it by travelling back to see them for a late Sunday lunch together. I know that if I was really romantic I would have made it so that we had woken up together today. I have to confess that when I arranged this trip to Swansea I had not expected to be seeing anyone. I'll know better next time. I'll try to make it up to you Michelle. Flowers? Chocolate? Candlelight meals?
Tomorrow morning, I'm hoping to ride from Crawley up to Victoria area for work. That's up to 40 miles before work. Am I mad? Only time will tell.....
Shame Cardiff was full of men in skirts on Saturday night - down to watch the rugby. Too many people for a night out in Cardiff without 30 minute queues to get into every pub.
Shame for the men in skirts Scotland stopped playing 5 minutes before the end of the game. The number of skirts in Cardiff town centre being worn by men was incredible. I've seen less men in skirts at the local transvestite's night out.
Well, I'm sure the title of this post needs no explanation today does it. What could be more romantic than waking up in a different country to your lady. At least I've tried to make up for it by travelling back to see them for a late Sunday lunch together. I know that if I was really romantic I would have made it so that we had woken up together today. I have to confess that when I arranged this trip to Swansea I had not expected to be seeing anyone. I'll know better next time. I'll try to make it up to you Michelle. Flowers? Chocolate? Candlelight meals?
Tomorrow morning, I'm hoping to ride from Crawley up to Victoria area for work. That's up to 40 miles before work. Am I mad? Only time will tell.....
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Be My Number Two
Well, an interesting few days for me at least.
Monday brought my cycling into work again. Got to the office to find that following Friday's power issues, we now had electricity, but the boilers for the 2 sides of the building were not working. To say the premises were freezing was an understatement. Its no fun trying to work having to wear, hats, gloves, coats, scarves etc. There were not enough electric heaters to heat the premises. We have laptops to work on, and could easily work at home. Were we allowed to go home? Of course we weren't.
Health & Safety Guidelines suggest that premises should not be below 16C. My office was not even at 11C. Despite this, management appeared not to respond to email queries about heating the premises. What our unions reps did clearly didn't work as nothing changed. I eventually left early and headed home via Homebase to buy a thermometer to monitor the office temperature.
As I left early, I was told the heating had been fixed. Sadly not in our office. This is only the 2nd winter running that I have been expected to work in an office without and heating. Its not a very good show for a government department is it? Dignity at work? - forget it!
Tuesday morning, the office was much warmer than before at nearly 11C when I arrived. After some more complaints we were given 2 convector heaters for our office. By lunchtime, the temperature had reached a positively tropical 16C. So after a day and a half, we had an office that was now at the minimum temperature according to H&S guidance.
Tuesday evening brought some respite from cycling as I was spending the night in Crawley. Given my current lack of fitness, I didn't cycle there as its around 30-40 miles. Hopefully when I have a bit more fitness I will be able to cycle to/ from Crawley. A very enjoyable evening was had. An evening that is all too short.
An evening of football that was thankfully not on TV. Fortunately I was too distracted to fret over Newcastle's disasterous performance at Derby. All I can hope for is that Swansea get the backlash on Saturday.
Wednesday again was a train journey to work- obviously as I had travelled by train the previous night. The good news at work was that we had heat with the 2 convector heaters working and also that I got a new lightweight laptop. The bad news at work was that I had no work to do and that the internet kept crashing so I couldn't even surf the net.
I had an interesting chat this evening at work and realised how close failure is to success. The biggest failings in my life were with hindsight often very nearly triumphant successes. It was quite a salutory lesson as well as an incentive to strive the extra step to make sure of success. Faint heart never won the lady or so the saying goes. The only way to get success is to play the game and to try to go the extra yard. To fail to do this is to potentially snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
With that last thought in mind, I am hoping to increase the mileage I do each day from 25 to perhaps 30 miles per day. You may infer from that I am feeling my knee getting better by the day.
America here I come - hopefully
Monday brought my cycling into work again. Got to the office to find that following Friday's power issues, we now had electricity, but the boilers for the 2 sides of the building were not working. To say the premises were freezing was an understatement. Its no fun trying to work having to wear, hats, gloves, coats, scarves etc. There were not enough electric heaters to heat the premises. We have laptops to work on, and could easily work at home. Were we allowed to go home? Of course we weren't.
Health & Safety Guidelines suggest that premises should not be below 16C. My office was not even at 11C. Despite this, management appeared not to respond to email queries about heating the premises. What our unions reps did clearly didn't work as nothing changed. I eventually left early and headed home via Homebase to buy a thermometer to monitor the office temperature.
As I left early, I was told the heating had been fixed. Sadly not in our office. This is only the 2nd winter running that I have been expected to work in an office without and heating. Its not a very good show for a government department is it? Dignity at work? - forget it!
Tuesday morning, the office was much warmer than before at nearly 11C when I arrived. After some more complaints we were given 2 convector heaters for our office. By lunchtime, the temperature had reached a positively tropical 16C. So after a day and a half, we had an office that was now at the minimum temperature according to H&S guidance.
Tuesday evening brought some respite from cycling as I was spending the night in Crawley. Given my current lack of fitness, I didn't cycle there as its around 30-40 miles. Hopefully when I have a bit more fitness I will be able to cycle to/ from Crawley. A very enjoyable evening was had. An evening that is all too short.
An evening of football that was thankfully not on TV. Fortunately I was too distracted to fret over Newcastle's disasterous performance at Derby. All I can hope for is that Swansea get the backlash on Saturday.
Wednesday again was a train journey to work- obviously as I had travelled by train the previous night. The good news at work was that we had heat with the 2 convector heaters working and also that I got a new lightweight laptop. The bad news at work was that I had no work to do and that the internet kept crashing so I couldn't even surf the net.
I had an interesting chat this evening at work and realised how close failure is to success. The biggest failings in my life were with hindsight often very nearly triumphant successes. It was quite a salutory lesson as well as an incentive to strive the extra step to make sure of success. Faint heart never won the lady or so the saying goes. The only way to get success is to play the game and to try to go the extra yard. To fail to do this is to potentially snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
With that last thought in mind, I am hoping to increase the mileage I do each day from 25 to perhaps 30 miles per day. You may infer from that I am feeling my knee getting better by the day.
America here I come - hopefully
Sunday, February 7, 2010
A Hard Day's Night
Well, I've had a whole week back at work now, and even managed to ride in/out on 4 days. I even cycled to my physiotherapy appointment on Thursday morning. I'm not sure many people turn up at the hospital on their bike for a physiotherapy appointment.
Apart from work, its been a very busy week. I went to football at the Orient and amazingly they won 5-0. Biggest win I've seen in about 8 years of going there. What was more unusual was that all the first 3 goals were own goals.
Wednesday night brought more football- this time down to Wet Sham to see Newcastle u18s win 3-0 in an FA Youth Cup 5th round tie. Got to say it was good to see a few old friends and a good game of football.
Thursday didn't bring football! I know you will find that hard to believe. A day without football. Instead, I spent the evening with a certain young lady....And before you ask, she has apparently not had an affair with John Terry.....
Friday morning, I was on train to work, got one stop before train was terminated owing to a points failure! Then got to work late only to find there was a power failure. By the afternoon, the problem still had not been fixed. No lighting, no power for laptops, no lights in toilets, lifts not working, no heating... So you'll have expected we were sent home from work? Not at all - so much for health and safety considerations. (Perhaps I am being unfair, but they used to send us home from school when the boiler wasn't working!)On a personal note, having to walk up and down the stairs to my office did my knee no good. Not very impressed by an organisation that expect you to work in winter with no heating/ lighting etc. Fortunately for me, I spent the morning in a meeting elsewhere so had light/ heat. I should say for fairness that the problem is external to our premises and appears to be a fault the power company have repeatedly failed to fix properly.
Saturday brought my stint at Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club as both in charge of bike hire and also Child Welfare Officer. (www.lvycc.co.uk) I was actually able to cycle to the club for the first time in months, so that was good. It was even better that Tom was down for the weekend, so we rode to club together.
After cycling club it was down to watch the Orient again. This time playing at home to Brighton. An eventful and intriguing 1-1 draw with lots to talk about was followed by a pleasant evening with plenty of drink and good company.
Well, another week of work looms. Hopefully another week with lots of cycling, but not cycling Tuesday night and am off to Wales on Friday night.
I'm still trying to raise sponsorship money, so if you are reading this, make a dontaion via the link on this page please
Apart from work, its been a very busy week. I went to football at the Orient and amazingly they won 5-0. Biggest win I've seen in about 8 years of going there. What was more unusual was that all the first 3 goals were own goals.
Wednesday night brought more football- this time down to Wet Sham to see Newcastle u18s win 3-0 in an FA Youth Cup 5th round tie. Got to say it was good to see a few old friends and a good game of football.
Thursday didn't bring football! I know you will find that hard to believe. A day without football. Instead, I spent the evening with a certain young lady....And before you ask, she has apparently not had an affair with John Terry.....
Friday morning, I was on train to work, got one stop before train was terminated owing to a points failure! Then got to work late only to find there was a power failure. By the afternoon, the problem still had not been fixed. No lighting, no power for laptops, no lights in toilets, lifts not working, no heating... So you'll have expected we were sent home from work? Not at all - so much for health and safety considerations. (Perhaps I am being unfair, but they used to send us home from school when the boiler wasn't working!)On a personal note, having to walk up and down the stairs to my office did my knee no good. Not very impressed by an organisation that expect you to work in winter with no heating/ lighting etc. Fortunately for me, I spent the morning in a meeting elsewhere so had light/ heat. I should say for fairness that the problem is external to our premises and appears to be a fault the power company have repeatedly failed to fix properly.
Saturday brought my stint at Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club as both in charge of bike hire and also Child Welfare Officer. (www.lvycc.co.uk) I was actually able to cycle to the club for the first time in months, so that was good. It was even better that Tom was down for the weekend, so we rode to club together.
After cycling club it was down to watch the Orient again. This time playing at home to Brighton. An eventful and intriguing 1-1 draw with lots to talk about was followed by a pleasant evening with plenty of drink and good company.
Well, another week of work looms. Hopefully another week with lots of cycling, but not cycling Tuesday night and am off to Wales on Friday night.
I'm still trying to raise sponsorship money, so if you are reading this, make a dontaion via the link on this page please
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
Sometimes we do things to upset those closest to us (or in my case all too often rather than sometimes.
Back on the Chain Gang
And lo, it came to pass that on the first day the Lord said "Get on your bike".
Yes, at long last I'm back on the bike and back at work from Monday 1st January. I never thought that I would say this, but... "its great to be back at work."
After last weeks couple of rides, today was D Day - or should that be W for Work day. I was up early this morning and cycled the 13 miles to my work. I took it very gently and slowly, partly because it was very icy and partly to prevent undue strain on my knee.
The journey in was uneventful, both in terms of traffic interaction and in terms of the effect on my knee. however, when I got to work for my shower, I discovered I had left my shirt, pants and socks at home. Whoops!!!!! I did have a clean shirt and pants at my work, but no socks. I had to spend today with my white cycling socks on under my suit. I would say it was a fashion faux pas, but someone close to me said that it was about my normal standard of fashion sense.
Well as it was 2 months since I was last at work, what did I find, but only 487 emails waiting for me. Add to that the 20+ emails I received today meaning I had over 500 emails to deal with today. I'm so super efficient that I dealt with them all in one day. Who says I'm not efficient? What's that everyone says I'm not efficient?
So, how did I manage to deal with so many emails in one day? Thankfully Mr Gates introduced a delete function to his Outlook software. I grouped the emails by sender and was able to efficiently delete lots of junk/ irrelevant emails in one go. Clearly I had to respond to the poor widow from Nigeria who was left penniless despite her late husband having a fortune of £800,000,000 which she needed my help to get out of Nigeria.
I safely arrived home tonight and was pleasantly surprised to find my knee was not too painful. I am confident now, that baring any other injury or accident, i will be able to take part in the Police Unity Tour ride in May.
As part of the preparation for this ride, I have curtailed my weekend in Plymouth in April for the Newcastle game. I am now coming back on the Saturday night so I can take part in the 107km Whitham Wander cycle ride the following day. See the dedication to this ride. I am missing out on a night out in Union Street in Plymouth to take part in a training ride.
I also booked train tickets today to see Newcastle play down at Swansea on February 13th. My son tells me I have a lot to learn from him. He chose not to go to the game so he can spend the weekend with his girlfriend as its Valentine's weekend. Me? I could have gone down to the game on the 13th Feb and as its a lunchtime kick off, could have been back in London by 7pm. Did I do this? Of course I didn't, I'm staying in Wales the weekend. Whoops!!!!!!! At least I won't get to hear the immortal line "You love Newcastle more than me". Well I might, but I'll ignore it as usual.
I've often wondered why I'm no longer married. Its a puzzle that one. Oh, did I mention I was at football on each of the last 2 weekends, am going this weekend as well, then 13th Feb, 20th Feb, 27th Feb, a weekend away at football on 5/6/7 March. A trip away on 20th March, Easter is a football match, as is 2 weeks later, then 2 weeks after that it is the last weekend of the season and a weekend on the drink with the lads... Any ideas why I'm not married?
Actually, when my marriage ended, the wife walked out saying I loved football more than her. I thought it was sad as I'd been with her for 15 seasons.....
Yes, at long last I'm back on the bike and back at work from Monday 1st January. I never thought that I would say this, but... "its great to be back at work."
After last weeks couple of rides, today was D Day - or should that be W for Work day. I was up early this morning and cycled the 13 miles to my work. I took it very gently and slowly, partly because it was very icy and partly to prevent undue strain on my knee.
The journey in was uneventful, both in terms of traffic interaction and in terms of the effect on my knee. however, when I got to work for my shower, I discovered I had left my shirt, pants and socks at home. Whoops!!!!! I did have a clean shirt and pants at my work, but no socks. I had to spend today with my white cycling socks on under my suit. I would say it was a fashion faux pas, but someone close to me said that it was about my normal standard of fashion sense.
Well as it was 2 months since I was last at work, what did I find, but only 487 emails waiting for me. Add to that the 20+ emails I received today meaning I had over 500 emails to deal with today. I'm so super efficient that I dealt with them all in one day. Who says I'm not efficient? What's that everyone says I'm not efficient?
So, how did I manage to deal with so many emails in one day? Thankfully Mr Gates introduced a delete function to his Outlook software. I grouped the emails by sender and was able to efficiently delete lots of junk/ irrelevant emails in one go. Clearly I had to respond to the poor widow from Nigeria who was left penniless despite her late husband having a fortune of £800,000,000 which she needed my help to get out of Nigeria.
I safely arrived home tonight and was pleasantly surprised to find my knee was not too painful. I am confident now, that baring any other injury or accident, i will be able to take part in the Police Unity Tour ride in May.
As part of the preparation for this ride, I have curtailed my weekend in Plymouth in April for the Newcastle game. I am now coming back on the Saturday night so I can take part in the 107km Whitham Wander cycle ride the following day. See the dedication to this ride. I am missing out on a night out in Union Street in Plymouth to take part in a training ride.
I also booked train tickets today to see Newcastle play down at Swansea on February 13th. My son tells me I have a lot to learn from him. He chose not to go to the game so he can spend the weekend with his girlfriend as its Valentine's weekend. Me? I could have gone down to the game on the 13th Feb and as its a lunchtime kick off, could have been back in London by 7pm. Did I do this? Of course I didn't, I'm staying in Wales the weekend. Whoops!!!!!!! At least I won't get to hear the immortal line "You love Newcastle more than me". Well I might, but I'll ignore it as usual.
I've often wondered why I'm no longer married. Its a puzzle that one. Oh, did I mention I was at football on each of the last 2 weekends, am going this weekend as well, then 13th Feb, 20th Feb, 27th Feb, a weekend away at football on 5/6/7 March. A trip away on 20th March, Easter is a football match, as is 2 weeks later, then 2 weeks after that it is the last weekend of the season and a weekend on the drink with the lads... Any ideas why I'm not married?
Actually, when my marriage ended, the wife walked out saying I loved football more than her. I thought it was sad as I'd been with her for 15 seasons.....
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Starting Over
Its the early hours of Wednesday morning as I type this.
The good news is that I have been increasing the miles I have cycled. I did 11 miles on Monday and 15 miles on Tuesday. I know its not much, but its the start of my road to recovery and to the Police Unity Tour. I lost all of November, December and most of January through injury. I would normal have done over 1500 miles in this period (possibly as many as 2000 miles with the Christmas break, instead I have done 36 miles in this period.
Tuesday's ride even included a hill or two. Nothing particularly hard, but its a start. I need to get used to them again. My knee is not 100% right and there was some pain whilst riding, but nothing I can't put up with and there was no long lasting pain after the ride.
More good news is that I'm planning to return to work on Monday of next week (1st February). I rang work today and broke the good news to them. I have to say that for all I may complain about my work at times, they have been excellent about the time I have had off. I have not been put under undue pressure to return or been made to feel bad about the time I have had to take off. So to that end I should be grateful to my work.
Ironically, today I received a letter from the NHS asking me to contact them to arrange an appointment to see a consultant about my knee. I have only been waiting for an appointment since Dec 21st. I will be contacting them to see what date they offer, but I am lead to believe there is at least a 4 week wait, if not longer. Thus it would be at least 2 months since the scan results were given to me before I get to see a consultant. If he were to refer me for physio, I can imagine another few weeks delay would ensue. I'd still be unable to work in April if I had waited for the NHS.
Last night (Monday) night, I went to watch Leyton Orient play away at Charlton in a League One football match. The emphasis being on the word s "went to watch". When I arrived at the ground I realised that my match ticket was in my other coat at home- whoops. I had the choice of paying £25 for another ticket or waiting in the pub next to the ground till the game ends for a lift home. A third option would have been to travel home alone by public transport, but this was a none starter owing to the time it would take.
The pub next to the ground advertises live football on Sky TV and as the ground was next door and the game was on Sky TV, you would expect it to be on would you not?
You would be wrong. The pub chose to show Zambia v Nigeria in the African Nations Cup. Can you imagine pubs in Newcastle showing that game instead of a Toon game that was on TV? All I can say thank you for my mobile phone and lengthy conversations to pass the time. No thanks to Greg who sent me constant texts from the ground telling me how fantastic the game was.
The final insult for me was that Orient got a rare away win at a side 3rd in the Division. The consensus in the car on the way home was that I should stay in the pub instead of going to all future Orient games. I agreed on the condition they paid for all my drink whilst I'm there. Sadly they decided the price was too high.
The good news is that I have been increasing the miles I have cycled. I did 11 miles on Monday and 15 miles on Tuesday. I know its not much, but its the start of my road to recovery and to the Police Unity Tour. I lost all of November, December and most of January through injury. I would normal have done over 1500 miles in this period (possibly as many as 2000 miles with the Christmas break, instead I have done 36 miles in this period.
Tuesday's ride even included a hill or two. Nothing particularly hard, but its a start. I need to get used to them again. My knee is not 100% right and there was some pain whilst riding, but nothing I can't put up with and there was no long lasting pain after the ride.
More good news is that I'm planning to return to work on Monday of next week (1st February). I rang work today and broke the good news to them. I have to say that for all I may complain about my work at times, they have been excellent about the time I have had off. I have not been put under undue pressure to return or been made to feel bad about the time I have had to take off. So to that end I should be grateful to my work.
Ironically, today I received a letter from the NHS asking me to contact them to arrange an appointment to see a consultant about my knee. I have only been waiting for an appointment since Dec 21st. I will be contacting them to see what date they offer, but I am lead to believe there is at least a 4 week wait, if not longer. Thus it would be at least 2 months since the scan results were given to me before I get to see a consultant. If he were to refer me for physio, I can imagine another few weeks delay would ensue. I'd still be unable to work in April if I had waited for the NHS.
Last night (Monday) night, I went to watch Leyton Orient play away at Charlton in a League One football match. The emphasis being on the word s "went to watch". When I arrived at the ground I realised that my match ticket was in my other coat at home- whoops. I had the choice of paying £25 for another ticket or waiting in the pub next to the ground till the game ends for a lift home. A third option would have been to travel home alone by public transport, but this was a none starter owing to the time it would take.
The pub next to the ground advertises live football on Sky TV and as the ground was next door and the game was on Sky TV, you would expect it to be on would you not?
You would be wrong. The pub chose to show Zambia v Nigeria in the African Nations Cup. Can you imagine pubs in Newcastle showing that game instead of a Toon game that was on TV? All I can say thank you for my mobile phone and lengthy conversations to pass the time. No thanks to Greg who sent me constant texts from the ground telling me how fantastic the game was.
The final insult for me was that Orient got a rare away win at a side 3rd in the Division. The consensus in the car on the way home was that I should stay in the pub instead of going to all future Orient games. I agreed on the condition they paid for all my drink whilst I'm there. Sadly they decided the price was too high.
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