Blog for Autumn

Now the years are rolling by for me, they are passing gently. I am older than I once was but younger than I will be, but that’s not unusual.

Now even with the changes, so many changes, I am, more the less the same.

Square and Compass and Renscombe walk.

Michael and Gary decided to do a practice run in the hills and valleys around the Square and Compass. 11 km of steep hills and down sharp valley paths just to get a feel of what their run would be like in two weeks. We decided to let them get on with it, boys will be boys, and have a bite to eat. As they set off from the pub we had the traditional Pie and a Pint. I had a half pint of Tall Tales Pale Ale, which seemed fitting for all the tall tales I tell. Susan and I had sausage rolls and Matilda had the steak pastry. Matilda had half a pint of her favourite tipple, ‘Kiss Me Kate Cider’. Always a winner and we did tally long, too long as we were meant to meet them at Renscomb car park with drinks and snacks. After Michael called to ask where we were, it got us going. Dash to Renscombe Car Park and there they were, waiting eagerly for their refreshments. 

Our plan was to do the walk to Chapmans Bay, well the hill overlooking the bay in fact, we did not plan to walk down to the bay, too far down as you can see in the photos I took. The walk has a stone wall all the way to the Royal Marine Monument and they have put inspirational messages every few meters as you can see in the images I have attached. The Royal Marine Monument has these well-chosen words. "Rest awhile and reflect that we who are living can enjoy the beauty of the sea and countryside."

Talking of a half pint to a pint, are you a glass-half-empty person or a glass-half-full?  Social media, always trustworthy, explains the theory well in this image I have attached, I do agree all glasses are full but, with what, is the question?

Maverick 100

Race day 

We watched Michael start the race at 9 am from Burnbake Forest Lodges, near Corfe Castle. The route takes them back to Studland and then around Old Harry’s to Worth Matravis and then Renscombe, from there it goes via Kingson and Kimmeridge, Corfe Castle Car Park and then back to the start and finish at Burnbake Forest Lodges, a total 54 km.

The map below is a little misleading. Essentially, they start on the green route, and then the course splits, and they go onto the blue. Following that, it again splits to the orange. I hope that explains the map.

Susan, Robert, and I were the backup team and made haste to Studland, his first fuel point. He came through with a smile on his face. But by the 27 km at Worth Matravis, he did look a wee bit out of sorts. Robert took one look and delved into his rug sack. He pulled out a tube of some sort and added it to Michael’s water bottle. I did not ask what was in it; those northerners had taught him a thing or two about fuelling yourself.

The next time we saw him was at Renscombe, looked a little better and was still smiling through the pain. Robert gave him some more magic juice and he hobbled away, to battle through the mud and water that was part of the challenge. It was his knee that was giving him a problem, always had a dodgy knee.

Next stop Kingson, waved him through and we sped off to Kimmeridge, 40 km mark, hoping he would make it, just to be clear, he was still smiling and not as pale. More magic juice and a change of running shoes and socks and we wave him on. On to the National Trust Carpark at Corfe Castle, 47 km, where he fuelled up again and this time he knew it was only 7 km to go and he did look better, that magic juice seemed to be working, his legs, however, were shot.

After a quick cup of coffee, we went to the finish line and not long after we arrived he came running through, still smiling, 54 km behind him and he had a smile on his face. Well done Michael, we saw some amazing parts of the county and enjoyed the odd half-pint in celebration of the epic run.

I just saw a short film called Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, It is weird but true, there are two guys saving something of importance, helped by a creature with a head looking like a hammerhead shark and ostrich feet. No guys, this is beyond even my vivid imagination. Looking closely at the costume is a nose and a mouth, even stranger. I declare there is a guy with all the guy bits covered by a not-really-believable costume. The one normal-looking guy who is going to save the planet has a hairstyle worse than Robert the Bruce on a bad day. Keep your children safe this festive season, look to films from Christmas 24 and have the occasional breakfast at Happycinos. Just a thought, you are very wise not to ignore.

Mark Twain once said;

‘Too much of anything is bad but too much good whisky is barely enough.’

I tend to agree with him. 

I remember my mum saying, ‘Everything in moderation.’, 

I never asked her for her thoughts on whisky.

I had a black Labrador, his name was Blacky and it was not a good time in my life but he had a heart of gold. He was always at my feet, sometimes annoying but he remained true to his nature. Times were hard and it was more about putting food on the table. His back legs got the better of him and I knew he wanted to be there for me but his body had given up. No money for a gentle vet, I had to put him down, not my fineness moment and it does haunt me in the dark hours of the night. Life can be tough but through it all, we count the cost and always wonder if it was worth it. Then we look around at what we have and realise, life is worth living, sometimes at a cost, but I wish I could have done better.

Not sure if you have noticed, at the top of the page is another link to The Chronicle. Started in 1993, I know that is over 30 years ago. If you are interested, have a read.

This is a comment from Angela I found while uploading the archive of blogs. I must say I am still eagerly waiting for the first book review, as I am sure all my readers are.

From Angela Smith, Durban, South Africa (Dec 2003)

Just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS ON A BRILLIANT CHRONICLE!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it! The articles were captivating and the photos were lovely! Each time I read it I'm inspired and am desperate to write something, but I can't think of anything to write about. I think it's because I've been a little stressed out lately and rather sickly but, I quit my job on Monday, so I'm going to take it easy for a while and get myself in top form again! I just hate waking up every morning and having to go to work and knowing that the next day I also had to wake up and go to work! Rather, it is a vicious circle! And you know what I'm like - I have to be outdoors, and it was so sad being inside a shopping mall all day and not seeing any sunshine or feeling any fresh air on my face! Anyway, must be off. It's late and am reading a brilliant book! Maybe that's what I'll write for you - book reviews! Love and kisses to all Angela

Try to remember why you fell in love, to begin with. Take your partner on a date, with no distractions, you will figure it out from there. Susan and I had a date just a few days ago. Not that I need reminding why we fell in love but we do go on dates, outings, walking on the beach holding hands (So cute). Seriously, the last time we went out together, excluding the romantic walks on the beach or our weekend swims, was just the other day. Nero’s in Poole was the venue and what a time we had. Susan had a decaf, coconut milk capuchins and I had a double espresso. The main course was a rustic sausage roll for me and Susan had a vegan brownie. We talked for hours and then made our way home as the sun was setting over Poole Harbour, the sail bridge open, framing the setting sun.

One thing that is important, my ramblings and yes annoying people with my writing does bring me back to our date at Nero’s, and what Susan has done for me over the years, that is to keep me grounded but gives me the space to be exactly who I am.

Talking of Susan, she has a quality that is quite rare. She does things for people, not because of who they are, or what they do in return but because of who she is. Brings me back to a few jobs she needs to be getting on with this weekend. Planting bulbs, yes it is that time of the year when we should all be looking ahead with some thoughts of what we need to plant in our garden when spring arrives from the dark winter months, much to Susan's discontent. Tulips are a start, I managed to obtain the following boxes of bulbs for Susan in anticipation of the day they will be let loose to grow in our well-manicured garden. I feel I must warn Angela in Australia not to try and attempt this in your garden, the seasons are all upside down, down under!

For those having a difficult time, AA Milne wrote;

"Today was a Difficult Day," said Pooh.

There was a pause.

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Piglet.

"No," said Pooh after a bit. "No, I don't think I do."

"That's okay," said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.

"What are you doing?" asked Pooh.

"Nothing, really," said Piglet. "Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don't feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.

"But goodness," continued Piglet, "Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you've got someone there for you. And I'll always be here for you, Pooh."

And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs...he thought that his best friend had never been more right."