Losing It

Hit the gym this afternoon after a break of a month, and, all too predictably, struggled. On the bright side, I came away uninjured and felt reasonably comfortable in terms of applying myself. I'd experienced one or two creaky moments early in our sojourn in the UK and it was good to know these were not signs of anything serious. And I managed an hour on the elliptical trainer, at full resistance, without thinking too seriously about giving up at any point.

But I had to pedal at a pace distinctly slower than what I was used to in October and November and just knew that it was impossible to go any faster. At the end of the hour I felt uncomfortably trembly, though I did go on to work on the weights following the usual routine.

So, somewhat mixed results, but a definite falling off in terms of general fitness. To be expected at my age, I know. Perhaps to be embraced as a reminder that fitness cannot be taken for granted and demands working on. Will be factoring this into tomorrow's resolution for the year ahead.

Reality Bites

A day of meetings. A good way to come down to earth.

And now aware of just how jet-lagged the journey back has left me.

But for the next couple of days I'm still on holiday. So I shouldn't complain, even though that's what I'm doing.

It's All Good

Now back in our usual far place and unpacking. Quite a number of flights were delayed out of Manchester on Saturday due to the fog, but ours was not amongst them. Yet another thing to be thankful for in the rambling course of a fun-filled, extra-busy December.

Highlight of the journey: I got to listen to Dylan's Shadow Kingdom all the way through. Some amazing versions of some very early songs with His Bobness in great voice, and sounding suspiciously like he's having fun. Two stand-outs for this listener: What Was It You Wanted? and Forever Young - the latter being by far the most sheerly moving performance of this classic.

Coming & Going

Our last full day in the UK for 2024 featured a fine panto, a delicious nosh-up at an Indian restaurant and a magic act by little Jacob assisted by even littler Isabelle as the announcer. A splendid time guaranteed for all, which left me quite sad to be saying good-byes.

We seem to be always leaving places. But, on the bright side, this means we are also frequently arriving.

Not So Enthusiastic

On this trip to the land of my birth I haven't felt quite the same enthusiasm as in previous visits for engaging in the newspapers and magazines on offer and getting acquainted with what's available in the bookshops and music stores (of which there are significantly fewer.) I bought three CDs yesterday but didn't exactly feel compelled to do so. Similarly with books - just two purchases.

I suppose the fact that I can easily buy stuff online if I wish to can be factored into this, taking the urgency out of making purchases. But I think there's something deeper going on. On the positive side this might be seen as me developing a greater sense of discipline in my reading and listening; on the negative, the waning of my enthusiasm for exploring pastures new might just be a product of growing old and tired.

I'm genuinely not sure which of these is true. Perhaps the two are somehow mixed? And perhaps the year ahead might provide further clues as to my state of mind.

Playing Around

Enjoyed a traditional Christmas dinner at John & Jeanette’s yesterday afternoon. This was followed by a traditionally silly board game which evoked, for me at least, plentiful memories of pointless playfulness in Christmases past. Must say, the fact that Team Yati & Brian won the final round helped considerably in maintaining a festive atmosphere for those two participants. Can’t remember ever winning any game with Cousin John on the opposite side as a kid.

At Peace

We’re enjoying an unusually unhurried, peaceful Christmas morning here. Hope all who keep the season find themselves equally blessed.

Goodwill to all men strikes me as a deeply sane idea, even if it doesn’t quite fit the circumstances in which so many find themselves.

Mighty Crowded In Here

Elected to brave the pre-Christmas crowds at the Trafford Centre yesterday evening after settling into our new place in Manchester. Didn’t seem like a great idea as we arrived at an over-flowing carpark with nary a lot in sight. But Noi’s sharp eyes saved the day, or rather the evening, as she spotted someone leaving and we successfully hung around to claim the vacated space. After that life got easier, though there was no shortage of fellow-shoppers to share the centre with.

On The Sea Front

Spent a happy, but generally cold, few hours on the promenade at Llandudno yesterday. A cosy tea and scones, with jam & clotted cream, at the Imperial Hotel followed by a walk in shrieking winds by a ferocious sea. Quite a contrast.

Over the weekend a storm had swept much of the coast of the country. Not quite fierce enough to be given a name by the Met Office, but memorable for us. 

By today conditions returned to something like normal, a relief, I can tell you. We spent the morning rather more inland at the delightful town Betws-Y-Coed and were glad we did. And then it was a smooth drive back to Manchester. Where we are now just overlooking Old Trafford. More anon, as they used to say.

Bad News

Actually the news on the domestic front here in Conwy is all good. It’s a lovely little town. Blustery winds at the moment, but bracing in a positive way.

I’m thinking more of the news that gets in the papers. So much of that of late has been on the dark side - but when is this not the case? The dreadful events at the Christmas market in Germany, for example. Difficult to grasp what motivates such madness from our happy, cosy retreat in North Wales.